Wednesday 23 July 2014

End of Term Letter from Mrs Picton


Dear Parents/Carers,
We have had another very busy and successful year in school and, as we approach the end, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your help, support and interest.
Academically our already high standards in the Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 are even higher this year due to the inspiring staff and amazing children we have at SRH. We are so proud of the way the children approach their learning and are grateful for all your support in helping us to ensure that your child achieves their very best.
Our successes other than academic this year are breath-taking.  Our sporting achievements have seen numerous medals being won by both girls and boys - 32 medals in just one day! The children have excelled at cricket, football, cross country and hockey to mention a few.  Musically the children have performed for many audiences both in school and in the wider community.  Our orchestra even managed to set up a ‘flashmob’ in school.  Artistically and dramatically the children have entered a number of competitions, ‘built’ a combine harvester, made ‘copies’ of the Masters, performed in front of parents and members of the local community in a range of forms from class assemblies to the acclaimed and outstanding performance of the Year 6 version of ‘Aladdin’.  The children all contribute to the success of our school each in their own way.
I have been particularly pleased with the way the new classroom set up has worked this year.  The school now has a good flow with the younger children all being on the lower corridor.  Resources are now more accessible for all children and this makes them more independent.  Alongside this, the new arrangements for the ‘drop off and pick up’ times have been very successful.  Children are more settled in the mornings coming in to school and the afternoon collection of children from school is calmer.  I am grateful for the Parent Council support in the implementation of these changes.
Our clubs also have seen huge successes this year.  We have a record number of children attending clubs and a record number of clubs throughout the year.  This year we have added fencing to the list and Premier Sports has run a ‘Start Active’ breakfast club which has also proved popular.
The Parent Council have been active in bringing thoughts and ideas from you to the school and I thank them for their contribution this year. One such idea of a Second Hand Uniform sale was followed through and now will become a fixture at certain times during the school year. In September each family will receive a copy of the new ‘Parent Handbook’ written for parents by the Parent Council.  Please keep sharing your ideas with the Council.
Our children are fortunate to have the involvement of the whole community in their learning. Organisations and individual links with the school are vital in ensuring that the children are active in their learning and so have fun!  We have worked with Charsfield and Dennington Primary schools this year to develop, amongst other things, ICT for our gifted children and we even took part in a Photography Day! Our High School, Thomas Mills, continues to support us with opportunities for Transition work and Framlingham College have been generous in their language, swimming and drama resources.
We are very grateful for the support which comes from parents, carers, our brilliant and generous team of volunteers, with a special mention for Mrs Walker for managing all the uniform orders, the Friends Committee and all those who work with them to make events successful, and other members of our wider community.  Our recent Hitcham’s Hundreds fundraising event demonstrated how supported the school is and your generosity has enabled us to purchase replacement Visualisers as well as class cameras for recording children’s achievements and some computer tablets for class use.
However, none of this would happen if it wasn’t for the gifted group of staff and Governors who give selflessly of their time and energies in creating the opportunities for your children to achieve their potential.  I am so proud and humbled to be a part of such a team.
Finally, I would like to thank the children who give so much of themselves to ensure that Sir Robert Hitcham’s CEVAP School is the best primary School it can be.
I wish you all a very happy and restful summer break.
Mrs H Picton
Headteacher