Head Teacher's Blog 04.12.23
3rd December 2023
There’s definitely a Christmas atmosphere in the air at Swansfield as we head into the wonderful month of December! Before we look ahead to some of the exiting thighs to come, let’s round up the week we’ve just had…
Five representatives from Year 5 and 6, Sophie, Marshall, Freya, Lucy and Daisy headed to the Duchess High School on Wednesday lunchtime, having been selected to join the town’s CANNY project. What on earth is a CANNY project, I hear you ask! Well, it stands for Council of Alnwick and North Northumberland Youth. The council is being co-ordinated by Ignite and the DCHS as an opportunity for young people whose schools feed into the high school to discuss and debate issues that matter to them and to be change makers in their local community. I look forward to the updates that our Swansfield delegates will bring us in the coming months.
We had another great family lunch on Wednesday with Sycamore crew coming together over a warming roast on a rather chilly day. It was lovely to chat with families who we don’t see so regularly now that the children come and go from school with disclaimers.
On Thursday, Larch class had a fabulous afternoon at Lilidorei, thanks to the Scarecrow Competition win from class member Fraser. The cold and the snow certainly added to the experience which had a rather ‘festive’ feel. Everyone had a wonderful time, with climbing, sliding, exploring and lots of laughter. You can see lots of pictures of our Larch class friends having fun by clicking on this link:
http://www.swansfield.northumberland.sch.uk/website/fun_at_lilidorei/673326
On Friday, our Reception friends headed out to Alnwick Baptist Church, where they were welcomed by our friend Sarah Hamer. Sarah regularly comes to see us in school, to give assemblies, to help us with our RE work, to read with us and to be a really friendly link with the Baptist church. So, it was wonderful for our children to go to the Baptist church to see Sarah and for her to be able to show the children around. While there, the children listened to the Chritsmas story and found out how members of the Baptist church will be celebrating Christmas in the coming weeks.
It has been the final week of our ‘Barvember’ maths challenges in school. The children in Oak Class have been working particularly hard to use bar models to represent calculations and a special mention must go to Brooke, Annabelle, Jake, Alice Rose and Beatrix. Well done!
We finished off the week with a FOSP winter warmers, toys and teddies give away stall at the park gate. Thanks to everyone who gave donations, this was a great opportunity for items that had been grown out of to find new owners and continue to be useful. We will definitely repeat this stall in the future. Thanks to Rachael and Jess from our Friends of Swansfield who came along to organise and run the stall.
Let’s look now at the week ahead and give a few details of forthcoming events in the next few weeks:
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A reminder that teacher led clubs (On Mondays and Thursdays) have now finished for the Autumn term. Details of clubs for the spring terms will be emailed in the next few weeks.
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Pear class friends are heading to the Post Office on Tuesday to post their letters to Father Christmas
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Our school choir will be heading to Alnwick Gardens on Wednesday lunchtime to sing for the Elderberries Christmas party. Unfortunately, families are not able to come along to watch this event. However, we are planning a carol singing outing on the afternoon of Monday 18th December and we’ll be in touch next week with details of where you can come along to hear us sing.
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Cherry class friends are continuing their trips to the Co-Op on Thursday and Friday
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DCHS staff will visit school on Thursday to talk with our Year 6 children
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We will enjoy Christmas Jumper day on Friday. Children are welcome to wear whatever kind of jumper they feel comfortable in and can accompany their top with their own choice of ‘bottoms’. Please be mindful that joggers or leggings will still be needed for those who have PE. Donations of £1 to The Children’s Society are welcomed, but not essential, and can be given to classroom staff on Friday morning.
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Advance notice that we will hold our dress rehearsals on Monday 11th December with Reception and KS1 at 09.30 and LKS2 at 13.30. If you have a pre-school child and you’d like to come along to this more ‘informal’ performance, that would be appreciated. Please let the school office know that you will be attending.
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If you haven’t already purchased tickets for Christmas performances, please do so via the admin email address. We’ll be in touch early in the week with details of extra tickets that are available.
Here are this weeks stars of the week who have been dazzling and amazing us with their excellent learning and positive attitudes: Lucas Ha, Mylah Smith, Ada Telfer, Rohan Roberts, Liam DeVilliers, Evelyn Baker, James Bonnett, Jack Tincombe. We are very proud of you all!
Our music this week will hopefully get us in the Christmas spirit. It's the Christmas Overture by British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. I wonder how many tunes you recognise in this clever piece that weaves much loved carols together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGqNr2eSRuQ
See you in the week,
Mrs G