After a hectic summer term, we have reached the end of a very successful school year.
As I look back, there have been many highlights with lots of fantastic opportunities for the children. There have been trips and visits, shows and performances, galas, festivals, residential stays and class assemblies. It is amazing to reflect and see how much has been packed in.
Academically, we have had a very good year. After much hard work by all the Year One team, we achieved excellent phonics screening check results in Year 1 with 90% of children passing. At key stage two, 95% of children passed the reading SAT and 90% passed maths. There were also lots of children who passed at a greater depth standard. Our writing results also improved by 20% to 76%. This was down to lots of work from the Year 6 team but also due to an excellent attitude to learning from the children. They have worked so hard and they can leave us feeling very proud of their achievements.
Of course, a school is about much more than reading, writing, maths and phonics. In December, this year we were treated to some lovely Christmas shows ably directed by Miss Bartlett who joined in September and quickly established herself. Other musical highlights included Year 6 performing at the O2 with the Young Voices choir and the Year 6 performing ‘Oliver with a Twist’.
In February, the school opened its doors again for our second Museum Day showcasing all the children’s thematic work. It was a lovely way to see the work the children have been doing including some incredible home learning projects that children have completed. So many parents, carers and grandparents packed the corridors and classrooms marvelling at the displays. This year, the children have also enjoyed showcasing their learning in class assemblies and, again, it has been lovely to see these so well attended by parents and carers. We have also welcomed parents in for our Reading Café and the children have enjoyed sharing books in the mornings.
All year groups have been out and about on trips either locally or taking advantage of London Transport’s free transport for schools. This means we can pursue more visits and keep costs down for families. We are forever grateful for the many offers of help from parents on these trips. Thank you! The children have also participated in a trust-wide Spelling Bee and the Pegasus Summer Poetry Competition.
Year 4 had a fantastic festival themed Camp Atwood experience. The sun shone this year and the staff who helped have just about caught up on the lost sleep. Year 5 and 6 continued the Atwood tradition of building on their Camp Atwood experience with residential visits to Carroty Wood and Stubbers Adventure Park and next year we look forward to our Year 6 children spreading their wings a bit further to the Isle of Wight.
The children have enjoyed lots of sporting opportunities with the boys’ and girls’ football teams and the netball team. There were medals after a strong showing at Cross Country events and some excellent performances at the Croydon Athletics. Again, we hosted (at Whitgift High School) our invitational swimming gala and managed to finish as joint winners. Perhaps it is time to invest in a trophy cabinet. We also had glorious weather for both our Sports Day and the Early Years Fun Day.
FOAP have continued their fantastic fundraising efforts for the school with fireworks, fairs and various other activities. In addition to many smaller pledges that that have been completed, we look forward to the grand opening of our fantastic new library space in September. The school is, as ever, indebted to all the volunteers who give their time to support the school.
There have been also been various fundraising events for the school’s chosen charities culminating in a hugely productive afternoon this half term raising £2000.
Behind the scenes, there has been more work completed in school to upgrade and improve facilities and the learning environment for the children. The Nursery has had new flooring and lighting throughout. Year 4 have a fantastic new expanded classroom upstairs and Year 3 have been so excited by having lockers instead of pegs. The children have enjoyed playing four-square with the new playground markings and through the summer we will be reconfiguring the space in breakfast club to increase capacity.
Although I am sure there are things that I’ve missed, when you look back and write it all down it amounts to a great year at Atwood. It is to the credit of all staff that the school is able to offer so many great opportunities for the children and I would like to put on record my thanks to them all. On a personal note, it has been great to have the support of Mrs Holliday who joined us in September and quickly settled in and established herself as such an important part of our school community.
All that remains, is to thank all the parents for the support they have given the school this year and, most importantly, the children for the joy and enthusiasm they bring to school every day. I wish you all a restful summer and I look forward to seeing everyone back in September refreshed and ready for another exciting year.
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Please check because new dates are being added below
- Wednesday 3rd September: First day of autumn term.
