This week, instead of our usual celebration assembly, we had a skipping assembly, after all the classes had taken part in a skipping workshop during the day. It was wonderful to see the stamina and tricky moves during the final assembly. Hopefully, the children can continue to develop their skills during playtimes at school, when the skipping ropes will be back out on the playground.
Our Friday assemblies have been an opportunity for much celebration: from class achievement certificates to our Headteacher's Award and Year 6 Award. Mrs Suzanne Walker was the most recent member of staff to be presented with the 'Adult of the week' award from our school council. We also celebrate sporting achievements. Recently we were excited to share the news that Esther (in Year 4) has been offered the opportunity to join the Oxford United Elite Development Centre due to her 'great focus, respect to coaches and teammates... great ability to dribble the ball and keen eye for goal with her finishing.'
Friday 5th December was our Christmas Fair. All the Year 6s did an incredible job of planning, preparing and then running their stalls; each class set up a different part of the fair, including a Santa's grotto, tombola, winter woolies, lantern making, books and a cafe. For a solid two hours, Mrs Graham accompanied our young musicians as they provided entertainment for the cafe with Christmas carol and song renditions.
In Friday 21st celebration collective worship, Year 5 shared with their adults about what they had been learning, alongside our usual certificates and awards. A huge amount had been learnt about Mars, which was presented in a very clear and informed way.
On Friday 14th November, we supported Children in Need, with dressing in spots and bringing a donation to the charity. Our celebration assembly was a lovely time to recognise how we can do things for others, that 'everyone is our neighbour'. Most celebration assemblies provide the opportunity for our musicians to play as children walk in and out of assembly. This Friday, Hamish (Yr 5) played his double bass, accompanied by his dad on the piano.
On Friday 7th November, we celebrated our Festival of Faith. This year, we were looking at special places and spaces. We heard about special places and spaces in all these faiths and world views: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Humanism, Sikhism. It was wonderful to learn about different perspectives and recognise that most, if not all, of these world views are represented amongst our school community. What a wonderful way to truly celebrate that 'everyone is different, everyone is special and everyone is our neighbour'.
On Tuesday 11th November, we held our Remembrance Day collective worship. Mother Emma shared a story and led the prayers after our hymn. Helena and Mia (Yr 6 school councillors) laid a poppy wreath. We then held our moment of silence, with Emma (Yr 6) playing the cornet for the last post. Governors, who joined our time of remembrance, were impressed how everyone was able to share in this special time of respectful remembrance.
In our celebration assembly on Friday 17th October, we had some very special news to celebrate alongside the citizenship book, achievement certificates, Year 6 award, Grown up of the week award and Headteacher's Award: Ellie has been selected to join the National Youth Orchestra with her French Horn.
On Friday 10th October, Year 6 parents/ carers joined our celebration assembly as Year 6 shared their learning about Vikings and their English text 'Wolf Brother'. We were sung in and out of assembly by the Year 6 rendition of 'Happy'.
It is wonderful to celebrate the children on Friday's assembly. What is particularly meaningful is when the children select people they want to celebrate. This week, Mrs Chris James (who has been working in the school for over 40 years!) was chosen by the children as 'adult of the week' and Alex (Yr 1) was chosen for the Year 6 Award.
Each week it is a delight to celebrate the recipient of the Headteacher's Award. These are children who uphold the school values, live out what it means to be a Good Samaritan and contribute to the wider life of the school. We are so proud of the children who receive this certificate.
We have been thinking more about our school motto this week 'Everyone is different. Everyone is special. Everyone is our neighbour'. It has been wonderful to celebrate the children who have been good neighbours with their names in the citizenship book for helping children and adults, being a kind friend and being a polite and supportive member of the school.
