Dear Parents and Carers,

Yesterday, I spent the morning with 4SP, one of the Year 4 classes, at the Royal Grammar School. It was such an exciting opportunity to visit their chemistry labs – and, thanks to Tom Shimmel, one of their superb science teachers, the children were able to use the Bunsen Burners to investigate what happens when you heat up ice, melting it and then evaporating it to make steam. The children were mesmerised! I’m looking forward to taking the other two classes over the next couple of weeks. We’re really grateful to our local secondary schools – they all provide such fantastic opportunities for enriching the primary curriculum. Next week, George Abbot students are visiting to lead some of our PE lessons for children in Year 2 and Year 4. It’ll be great to welcome them to HTPD.

The infants have been making the most of the outdoors this week, in spite of the rain! With the Wild Place still out of action at the moment, due to an illegal camper, it’s been lovely to see the Reception and Y1 children enjoying the woods on site at HT. We’re looking forward to starting to develop the outdoor spaces for the younger children in the next few weeks, and I know they’ll love the adventure trail once it dries out. Huge thanks to FOPS for agreeing to fund some of our ideas!

I’ve really enjoyed the HT parents’ evenings this week – thank you so much for partnering with us and being so keen to find out about the progress of your child. I hope you heard plenty that made you proud – and that you were able to pass some positive feedback on if your child didn’t join you for the meeting. Next week, it’s the turn of the Pewley parents. Please come into school via the Addison Road gate, and then down past the office to the playground. We’d love for you to enjoy being in the new classrooms, waiting for your appointment in the lobby areas of each cabin - we’ll help you find your way if you’re not sure which one is which.

House Chess has been another highlight this week for the juniors; we’re part way through the competition and I have been astonished by how many matches have been played. There are some really advanced experts, and some who are only just learning how the pieces move – all the competitors earn points for their house, and we’re excited to find out who is this year’s Chess Champion once we progress through to the winners’ rounds. Perhaps it’ll inspire everyone to play a bit of chess over the weekend – I love a game, but sadly, Martin, my husband is too good a player, so I’ll have no chance of winning! Maybe I’ll challenge him to Scrabble instead!

With much love,

Clare

Promise of the week: “I will be with you always,” Hebrews 13 v5. Jesus is face to face with a paralysed man and his friends - how can you be a perfect pal?

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