Newsletter 30.5.12

31st May 2012 Dear parents, carers and friends, They say that no news is good news, and that, I can assure you, is the reason for not sending out many newsletters this term. Behaviour (except for a very few) and attendance have been much better, uniform is excellent and the quality of work and progress has been extremely pleasing. We are currently in the middle of our “Fairytales” week, which has already produced some amazing work…and costumes, and there is more to come. Alongside this, classes have been holding parties to celebrate the jubilee. Throw in an Olympic torch, excellent work from year 6 in SATs week and interviewing for new staff, as well as working more and more with the children’s centre, and you might just say it’s been a busy but highly productive term. Therefore, just a few brief notices and some news before I wish you all happy holiday. Attendance is up – a lot! – but very good attendance for some has been marred by medical appointments: appointments should, where possible, be kept out of the school day, or until after 2.00pm – that way, it doesn’t affect attendance. Uniform during the sunshine has been excellent – please make sure children have hats. A warm welcome to Mr Carl Evans, who joins us to replace Mr Vaisey. Mr Evans has been working with all the classes in key stages 1 and 2. Dates: As you all know, we break up tomorrow for the end of term 5. School reopens for children on Tuesday 12th June for term 6. Highlights in term 6 include: 22th June – Sports Day (29th is back up day) 25-29th June – Residential Camp 12 / 13th July – Transition Days for all Thursday 19th July – End of term 6 and academic year for allk Finally, the Governing Body unanimously voted last week that, as of 30th August this year, we shall formally be known as Badock’s Wood Primary School and Children’s Centre. We are all excited about the potential of this exciting development. With that, all that is left for me to say is have a fantastic, well-earned break, enjoy your jubilee celebrations, and let’s pull out all the stops for a superb term 6. Yours faithfully, Zak Willis Headteacher

Newsletter 3.5.12

3rd May 2012, Dear parents, carers and friends, In keeping with the spirit of term 4 newsletters, and to retain a sunny outlook in the face of appalling Spring weather, news contained in the newsletters will be the positive stuff. Here goes… Term 4 attendance was so much better than term 3: 92% attendance in term 4 (only 89.6% in term 3); 88 100%-ers (only 66 in term 3); 15 children still have 100% attendance for the entire year. Every single measure is an improvement. Well done everyone. I must also say that, thanks to your support, behavior at the start of this term is a vast improvement on that in term 4 – very well done everyone. Many of you already know that Miss Pingree is still unwell and will not return before the holidays (we break up on the 1st June for the end of term 5). I am sure you will all join me in wishing her a speedy recovery. In her absence, Miss Andrews will be Assistant Headteacher, and Mrs Clarke will be the Early Years Leader. As we approach a bank holiday weekend (remember, no school on Monday everyone – but back in on Tuesday), anyone looking for something to do should consider the Noise – a range of activities happening this weekend. For full details, see the back of this letter. Finally, we wanted to use this as an opportunity to say “Goodbye and Thank You” to a dear friend. Chris Fox has been a governor at Badock’s Wood for ten years, and has been a loyal advocate of the school during an amazing decade of highs and lows. Chris has been an invaluable support in the school’s recent work to come out of Notice to Improve and work towards higher standards, and his humour and challenge will be missed by all. Thank you Chris. On that note, have a great bank holiday weekend everyone, and let’s keep this brilliant term going. Yours faithfully, Zak Willis Headteacher

Fantastic Mr Fox

After ten years of loyal and distinguised service, governor Mr Chris Fox's term of office came to an end. Chris was presented with a small token of the governors gratitude for all of his amazing work, particularly on the staffing and pupil well-being committee. Chris has worked tirelessly during recent years on supporting the school through major appointments, supporting the improvement of attendance and overseeing the care of looked after children, and seeing the school removed from Ofsted categories on more than one occasion. The goverenors, children and staff, are enormously grateful for all of Chris' efforts and will miss his sense of humour in the middle of governors meetings. We wish him many many happy hours on the bowls green.