The Junior School has had a really wonderful half term and it has even started to feel normal again. Sunny days have certainly made a difference to this half term; lessons, lunch, games and break times have all taken place outside. The pupils are still in their bubbles but have enjoyed playing cricket, tig and other games on the grass. Reading and story time outside has been fantastic and deli lunches are much better outside in the sunshine.
The pupils have continued to work hard and have produced some marvellous work. I am always delighted with their enthusiasm and their positive attitudes and I love seeing them all on a Friday morning when I visit each class for the Golden Book presentations. I have really missed our celebration assemblies and when the weather is good, it is lovely to be outside together as a whole school again.
With the lifting of some of the restrictions, Form 2 and 3 were able to go on an exciting trip onto the moors to look at animal habitats and were treated to homemade cakes courtesy of Mrs Butterfield at Grouse Hill Caravan Park. They also played in the adventure playground and had a truly fabulous time. The weather played its part here too and was glorious. We have certainly missed going on trips and the pupils were very excited about it.
We a had lot of success in Whitby Rotary Club’s writing competition with Lara Telling in Year 3 winning her group. Megan and Matilda Fusco in Year 5 and Skye Telling in Year 6 were placed too and Izzy Greenwood in Year 5 had a special mention. The children wrote about Whitby with the title, My Town, My Future. Congratulations girls, we’re very proud of you.
Stick or Split has certainly brought out a competitive streak in the children! It’s an online maths game which all of the pupils can access. It helps to improve their multiplication and division skills but more importantly, it’s great fun. You can hear a pin drop in Form 1’s ICT lesson!
Forest school has been a great opportunity for the pupils to be creative and use their incredible imaginations. They look forward to the sessions every Friday afternoon and we’ve enjoyed walks, camp fires, den building, working with clay and making faces, playing in the treehouse, rope swinging and mud sliding. The children are relaxed and happy in this environment as the squeals and laughter we hear each week will testify.
Mrs Richardson, Miss Vincent Jones and I all eagerly took part in the staff walking challenge and it was certainly very challenging! The pupils were very encouraging and started counting their own steps too. “How many steps have you done now?” was a constant question in Form 1 and they even joined me at break times and kept me going. Not to be outdone by active six year olds I had to go on long walks when I got home! I am delighted to say with the marvellous Mr. 40,000 steps a day Coates, Miss Gilmour and Miss Vincent Jones, The Red Hot Chilli Steppers won! Together we walked 1.2 million steps in two weeks. Mr Coates was very demanding so we did it!
Looking forward to this next half term I am hoping that we can do some of the activities and events that we normally do. Fingers crossed we will be able to hold a sports day afternoon, have a beach trip and a teddy bears’ picnic.
Whatever happens, our pupils will take it in their stride. They are amazing and I am so proud of each and every one of them and how they have coped with everything that has been thrown at them. It’s been a really wonderful half term and an extraordinary year again. Our pupils have been extraordinary too.
Amanda Freer, Junior School Headteacher