Dear Parents 

It’s been a lovely week.  All the children are settled and focused on their learning.   

Reading Newsletter 

Three of Miss Valentines Reading Ambassadors, Isla, Ollie and Rosa visited me with a sealed envelope, my first copy of the ‘Bridgewater Bookworms’ Newsletter.  It’s an interesting, eye catching and inspiring read.  The staff and children are swapping their favourite reads in school and there’s a special buzz around reading.  Mrs Washington lent me The Bear by Hannah Gold which was an exceptional read on so many levels.  I would highly recommend it.

Michael Morpurgo writes, “This is an important first novel, important for us, for polar bears, for the planet. It is deeply moving, beautifully told, quite unforgettable.” 

The Reading Challenge 

Year 6 took the challenge to improve their reading habit and are trying not to go on their devices an hour before bedtime.  Instead, they are picking up a book for 5 minutes which is turning into 10 to 15 to 30 minutes! Well done Year 6. They are entering their reading on BoomReader, strengthening another habit ready for homework in Year 7. They have been sharing their books excitedly and calling out to me that they have been on BoomReader.  Fantastic – let’s get all that fabulous vocabulary and those synonyms and metaphors inspiring us to become even better readers and writers.   

More Inspiration  

We are delighted to have a student teacher called Maisie Summers-Newton in school.  Yes, you may know the name, because she is a highly successful Paralympian swimmer.  The children and 4 Milhazes have been keen to get to know her and talk about her swimming and she kindly brought in her amazing collection of medals to show them today. Her dedication and commitment are unparalleled and have resulted in her outstanding achievements.  Thank you for sharing Miss Summers-Newton, and now all the rest of the children will want to learn about your achievements as well in a few weeks’ time … a busy time ahead as well as teacher training and swimming training eight times a week! I don’t know how you do it!

Woolly Mammoth News 

The children were fortunate to be able to see a juvenile woolly mammoth tusk from a quarry in Peterborough this week.  They were excited and intrigued to think that woolly mammoths roamed this area 30,000 years ago in the Ice Age!  

Parking Update 

It was good to see the traffic wardens outside school this week which should encourage everyone to drive and park with care.  

Congratulations 

Congratulations to Mrs Range on the birth of baby Jake.  We look forward to seeing you both soon.  

Have a lovely weekend 

Mrs Alison Harvey