Well, we made it – and it true Hugo style we ended the academic year with a sunny day to remember.

 

That said, this year, alongside the last, truly has been one of the most challenging academic years we have experienced. I fully appreciate and understand how hard it has been for our children, the teachers and staff at school, as well as for you as parents.

 

However, although extremely difficult at times, it has been a year that has continued to be full of fun, learning and laughter and I am proud of the experiences we have still been able to provide the children with – and that all comes down to working with such an amazing team, who have all played their part in keeping everyone safe and well as best as we have been able.  I would also like to thank our governors, who have continued to provide both support and challenge to ensure the best teaching and learning experiences for the children.

 

Equally, we do not underestimate the contributions our families have played too. Your continued support over the last year has been invaluable. Adhering to our Covid procedures and supporting your children when learning from home, ensured a smooth transition back into school in March and has also meant that we have not had to close any bubbles or return to blended learning for any year groups. Thank you.

 

Although we have operated in class bubbles this year, we very much wanted to try to keep things as normal as possible for the children, so we adapted activities to ensure the children have still been able to take part in our annual Quidditch Cup, art and sports workshops as well as more recently, our 50th Birthday Treat Day.

 

At this point, I would like to extend my heart-felt thank you to the PTFA, who as well as organising donuts and gift stalls, purchasing a souvenir 50th birthday teddy bear for each child and contributing to the fabulous Leavers’ party and leavers gifts, have also contributed towards technology in school to further support the children’s learning in September.

 

We are so lucky to be part of a fantastic community, whose kindness cannot be underestimated. Our local Co-op as well as Asda Market Drayton have supported school events and we also had an anonymous donation of £200 upon hearing of the theft of one of our new benches for our outdoor area.

 

With the guidance for September changing we are extremely hopeful of a normal return to school in the new term. We will be reviewing our current risk assessment and protocols in light of the new guidance ahead of the children’s return on Thursday 2nd September and will share these with you before the start of the new academic year. Some of the new ways of organising things we have implemented over the last 5 terms will remain the same. Please be assured that we will be continuing to maintain many of the protocols put in place to help keep everyone safe. This includes the use of hand gel, extra handwashing and the additional cleaning regime we have in school.

 

Last, but by no means least, we are bidding farewell and good luck to our Year 6 children. They have been a credit to themselves and the school, and it is with joy and delight that we have watched them grow and mature into young adults, ready to take on the challenges of secondary school. You will go on to achieve many great things.

 

It only leaves for me to thank you, once again, for your support throughout the year. With such a fantastic and committed staff and wonderful community, we can only go from strength to strength. Thank you!

 

I wish you all a safe holiday and well-deserved break and I look forward to welcoming the children back to school on Thursday 2nd September.

 

With very best wishes,

Mrs Gleave

Head Teacher