Stanmore Post - 16 July 2021
Dear Parents/ Carers,
This week we have had two fantastic Sports Days. I am very proud of the way in which the children participated. All of the keys for success were evident: cooperation, persistence, resilience, respect, organisation and confidence. For some children, Sports Day is a day where they are at their BEST. We have some really talented young athletes in our school. All of the children who took part were able to encourage each other to achieve their personal best and I am proud of all of them. We noticed that some children were quite anxious about Sports Day which is surprising considering the lack of audience. I realised that this is their first 'event' in a long time. We may need to remind them in the future that it is perfectly normal to experience nerves or 'butterflies' and that this is natural adrenalin that can be used positively in performance. We are looking forward to our KS1 and EYFS Sports Day on Monday.
Children will be bringing their books home next week so that you can enjoy sharing their work from this year. Please can you send them to school with an extra bag. On Friday they will celebrate the end of term in their classes. They are allowed to bring in a snack to eat during the afternoon. Please don't send in any products containing nuts as we are a nut free school.
As you will be aware, the Government is expecting that we will move to Step 4 of the COVID-19 Roadmap from 19 July. With cases rising again, particularly amongst younger people we will need to remain cautious as restrictions are eased. Children will stay in their bubbles until the end of term and we will continue with the one way system until September. You may prefer to continue to wear a face covering for now but we will follow the national guidance on this. Next term one of the most significant changes to expect will be that pupils will no longer be required to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case. From the 16th August, contacts of positive cases will instead be advised to undertake a daily COVID-19 test.
It has been lovely to return to enrichment activities this term. Yesterday Children in Year 2 and Year 3 were all matched to an instrument that they will begin to play in an exciting Hampshire Music Service opportunity for the Autumn Term 'Beyond the Beat.' Throughout the summer term, children have enjoyed: Listen to Me, Empty Classroom Day, Empathy Day, Young Shakespeare Company production of 'A Mid-Summer Night's Dream,' Stanmore Reading Festival, Sports Day, Hawaiian Disco, Winchester College River Trip and St Catherine's Hill trip, Year 6 activities week and Leavers' Service, Year 6 and Year R summer productions, and some transition activities. You can see more photos of our work here.
We are looking forward to returning to more whole school events in the Autumn Term.
Best wishes,
Sharon Taylor