Dear Parents and Carers

I write this update for you all on this beautiful Thursday morning as we all look forward to a well-earned break.  I do hope that the positive weather forecast is accurate and that you can enjoy some pleasant weather with your children. 

As well as the staff deserving a break I also include the children and you should be rightly proud of the hard work and effort that you have all put in during this half term.  The work that I have witnessed in all classes continues to show what well motivated and happy children can produce and I would like to thank all the teachers for the high standards and excellent lessons that they produce for your children on a daily basis. 

The children in Year 6 who went to Kingswood last week had a fantastic time and the feedback I have received from parents is much appreciated and I have passed on your thanks to all the adults who gave up their week so that the children could have such a memorable experience.  Their behaviour was impeccable and all the children got on well together and I cannot remember one incident where any of them fell out. 

As well as the children’s residential we are pleased that our Year 6 children are able to represent the school in a number of sports and our Year 6 Hi Five/Netball Team had a wonderful evening on Monday when I took them to the tournament held at Maricourt High School.  The girls and boys were simply amazing and their communication and co-operation was outstanding.  They returned to school as tournament winners which they thoroughly deserved.  Tuesday evening saw the grey clouds part and the boy’s football team welcomed St Thomas’ for a league match in which they eventually won 2:1 in a competitive match that had few chances.  Well done to the boys and again for the excellent way that the reduced numbers of parental supporters conducted themselves.

After school clubs will continue from Monday 7^th June.  Children will be asked to continue to wear their tracksuit although I am hopeful that better weather will mean they will not need to wear their hoodies.  We are pleased to be able to provide a special after school club for our reception children.  This will take place after school each Monday and involve a range of fun activities and games.      Miss Cook will be communicating this exciting new addition via the reception class twitter page.

Many of the older children have been asking about morning cricket club which has become a rather unique feature of our school.  I am pleased to let you know that this tradition will continue and any children in Year 5 and 6 who would like to take part must come to school at 8.15am.  We shall play for 30 minutes and they shall then go into their classes as I return to gate duty at the Round Meade.

I am sorry to have to inform you that both schools who share a beautiful site have received a number of complaints from residents who have been blocked in as a result of selfish parking.  This is particularly severe at the end of the school day.  Both schools continue to ask that people respect our residents and park a short distance away in order to help everyone within our school community. 

As we continue to gradually offer our children a return to normality some of our older children will enjoy cross country activities at our local high schools and I have arranged to take a team of girls and boys from our Year 4, 5 and 6 classes to take part in the Sefton Quad Kids Athletics Competitions which will be held at Litherland Sports Park.

The boys will play their final football match on Tuesday 8^th June when we return after half term and this match will take place at home and usual arrangements will apply.  I shall send a letter out to the team today. 

Unfortunately we are unable to enjoy the large social gatherings that take place during our final half term of the school year.  Sadly this means that events including sports days, summer fairs, other class activities and the Year 6 production will not take place in the usual way.  It is our intention to try and involve families in a safe way and we shall have class sports days that are recorded by the teachers for you to enjoy.  The same will apply to Year 6 who have already started work on their play.  Again this will be recorded in a similar way that we shared the Christmas Carol Concert with you.  It is a great shame but nevertheless I remain hopeful that if we continue with these sensible precautions we may enjoy a normal return to school life in September.  

Our new school library will receive its official opening on Friday 11^th June where our Year 6 Librarians will welcome a local author, Frank Cotterell-Boyce, who will officially open this wonderful facility.  We shall once again share this event with you via your children’s twitter pages and it is my intention to have a special event when we return in the new school year and are able to mix together in safety.

May I remind you that our May half term multi-sport and dance camp still has a few vacancies and you can contact Buzzy Bee Sports at info@buzzybeesports.com or buzzysports@gmail.com

So all in all another busy half term comes to a sunny end.  Can I thank you on behalf of the governors, school staff and your children for your continued support as we hopefully see an end to these difficult times.  May I remind you that face coverings must still be worn throughout our final half term and finally I would like to wish you a happy half term and look forward to welcoming you all back to school safe and well on Monday 7^th June. 

May I remind you that school is closed tomorrow for Teachers Curriculum Development.

Yours sincerely

Mr D MacAreavy - Headteacher