End of the School Year!
Here we are at the end of the school year. And what a school year it has been! I have been teaching for 25 years and I have never known such a testing and difficult time.
The lockdown and the Covid 19 pandemic has affected us all differently, but it has affected all of us. I know some of us have lost loved ones; some of us have dealt with family break ups and some of us have struggled with isolation. I hope you feel that school has supported your children through these difficult times and we will continue to support the children emotionally in September and beyond.
Although it has been challenging, a lot of positives have also come out of lockdown, and it is important that these are remembered. As a community we have become closer, our children have shown amazing resilience and we have rekindled friendships and relationships. Some of us have learnt new skills; personally I am now a dab hand at Zoom and TEAMS. Four months ago, I had never written a blog or recorded a podcast and now….
Technology has paid a huge part in keeping the community together, specifically the school website, which has allowed us to share information, share work and to keep in touch. We will continue to use the website in this way for the foreseeable future, for example I will not be sending out newsletters in September, instead I will continue to update you via my blog.
If you have any great ways that we can use technology to help us improve communication, please do get in touch.
At the end of the Summer Term, I always reflect on the year just gone, and think about the school’s successes and achievements. When I look back over the last year, specifically the last five months, I am filled will immense pride of what we have been able to achieve.
We have stayed open all the way through lockdown, initially for key worker children, building up to two thirds of the children in school by the end of June. We have made home visits, fortnightly phone calls: we have delivered food parcels, created work on the website, taught a full curriculum, written reports, had zoom meetings and we will be running a Summer School. You will be hard pushed to find another school that has done so much, for so many children.
This has only been possible because the staff have gone above and beyond. It is easy for me to say “I want this to happen” but it is the staff who make it work. Everyone has stepped up, every member of staff has worked incredibly hard to ensure that each phase of opening was as smooth and as stress-free as possible. Everyone from the cleaners, to Kathy in the kitchen, to Mr Duffill, to the office staff, to the teachers and teaching assistants have tackled each challenge with a smile and have proved how committed they are to the children of Winshill Village Primary and Nursery School. They have demonstrated a fantastic feat of selflessness. Their dedication should not be under estimated, and I am immensely proud and grateful to lead such a fabulous team. Thank you to them.
Thank you to all of you, for your endeavours with continuing with the home learning; I know it has been challenging at times, but perseverance always wins out. Those children in school have been busy “filling in the gaps” and are back on track, similar interventions will be put in place for September, for those children who have been at home. Don’t worry, five months is actually a short amount of time in their whole school career, they are going to be fine. The expertise of the staff will ensure that no child gets left behind. Thank you to those of you, who have got in touch, to thank the staff and to share positive comments, it really makes a difference and is gratefully appreciated. Thank you for all your support.
Mr Donoghue (CEO of JTMAT) and Mr Moss (Chair of the JTMAT Board of Directors) have written a letter to parents reflecting on the past few months and thinking about the future. The letter can be found here.
Mr Philip White (Cabinet member for learning and employability) from Staffordshire County Council, has also written to parents outlining the county’s transport plans. His letter can be found here.
Downloads
Now, it is time to think about the future. To think about the summer and September. After Summer School, I am looking forward to well earned holiday, but I am very excited to have all the children back in September. I have attempted to put a calendar together for next year, but it has proved difficult as Covid 19 regulations may change. Please find here the calendar for next year, please note that the items in red, may change in format, and parent participation may be virtual. More details will be sent nearer the time.
Looking forward fills me with positivity and enthusiasm, however it is tinged with a little bit of sadness, as we say goodbye to some of our staff and children. We say goodbye today to Mrs Watkins, Mrs Moxon and Mr Hickey - thank you for your contribution to Winshill’s success. A temporary goodbye to Mrs Pearsall, who will be starting her maternity leave - best of luck and see you soon.
Of course, we also say goodbye to our Year 6’s. They have been a fantastic bunch and I am very proud of everything they have achieved. They have blossomed this year and are a credit to the school. Well done Year 6, best of luck at your secondary schools, I look forward to hearing about your new adventures and achievements. Please keep in touch.
Therefore with mixed emotions; happiness, sadness, pride and joy (and exhaustion!) I sign off for this school year. (Although I will be around for Summer School!). Thanks for working together to get through this crazy, crazy time.
I leave you with a poem - dedicated to Year 6.
What a year it’s been for you,
my lovely, little crew!
We had plans and intentions
and a lot of things to do,
From learning about areas
like algebra and SPAG,
to using the subjunctive mood -
we had that in the bag!
Yet, as you’ll often find in life,
we were put to the test -
but not the normal SAT-sy kind-
a weird, abnormal quest.
We were sent into lockdown
and school was closed for most.
Of all of our priorities,
your safety was utmost.
Your world was twisted sideways,
your life changed overnight.
Yet, acting for the greater good,
you did what’s just and right.
It’s been so hard - I know that.
I’m proud of what you’ve shown
when facing such adversity
unlike we’ve ever known.
We’re in a time in history
that will be on the shelves:
a tale to tell your grandchildren
that’s greater than ourselves.
A spell when you were children
and you had to leave your friends
to keep all your loved ones safe
and bring this to an end.
They’ll look at you like heroes -
The sort I know you are:
you’re warriors, you’re brave,
young knights,
you’re bright and dazzling stars.
And, though, we have to part now,
in unexpected ways,
we still have all the memories
of countless fun school days.
Remember cheers on Sports Days
and trips to near and far.
Remember class assemblies
and learning the guitar.
Remember all our playtimes
and running on the grass.
But, most of all, remember
how you’re valued in this class.
As i look back in future,
I’ll think of you and smile,
the kids who showed resilience
and went the extra mile.
So, though it’s time to say goodbye,
just know it’s not the end.
We’ll live on in your memories
as special Year six friends.
I hope you all have a great Summer, and I look forward to seeing you all on Thursday 3rd September.
Miss Goodson