As we reach the end of the school year it is worth taking a moment to reflect on all that has happened in school over the past academic year.
There have been so many highlights that it is impossible to list them all here but if I ask the children, I know that many of them will remember trips and visits, shows, performances, Museum Day, sports days, galas and residential trips too.
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, 93% of children passed the reading SAT and 85% passed maths. There were considerable numbers of children who passed at the higher standard too. Another year-on-year improvement in our writing results led to 80% of our Year 6 children meeting the expected standard in writing. 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 our musical impresario, Miss Bartlett. Other musical highlights included Year 6 performing at the O2 with the Young Voices choir and the Year 6 children performing ‘Where’s your Mummy?’ Our singing assemblies in school have been lifted by many solo performances from our inspiring and aspiring musicians.
In February, the school opened its doors again for 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 we have welcomed parents into our classrooms after the assemblies. 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 truly value the support that all the parents give us by turning up to share books with the children. We know that building a love of reading is something that is so important in setting the children up for life.
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 Poetry Competition.
Year 4 had a fantastic festival themed Camp Atwood experience. The sun shone and the children enjoyed sleeping under the stars- for a few hours at least. The sun rises early over Atwood in July! Year 5 continued the Atwood tradition of building on their Camp Atwood experience with a residential visit to Carroty Wood. This year, the Year 6 children went a bit further afield for a very successful, fun-packed visit to the Isle of Wight.
FOAP have continued their fantastic fundraising efforts for the school with fireworks, fairs and various other activities. With all the recent sunshine, it is hard to remember that the day of the summer fair saw torrential rain and our first ever colour run. The school is, as ever, indebted to all the volunteers who give their time to support the school and we have some exciting plans for the funds that have been raised. If anyone is interested in getting involved the team are always looking for new volunteers so please ask at the school office.
There have been also been various fundraising events for the school’s chosen charities the RSPCA and Diabetes UK.
Over the summer, we look forward to our Reception classrooms being refreshed and refurbished so that we welcome our new arrivals into a bright and exciting new learning space.
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.
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
Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd September: INSET days
Thursday 3rd September: Back to school.
