Pre-Prep Reflections Week 25 March 2025
Dear parents,
What a busy week it has been! The warmer weather has been very welcome and, with any luck, we are heading towards a term of being able to leave the coats and welly boots inside.
Parent drop-in
It was lovely to see lots of parents at our classroom drop-in session on Wednesday afternoon. I know how much the children cherish sharing their work with you. If you were unable to make it, you are always welcome to contact your child’s class teacher to arrange to look at some of their work at a mutually convenient time. There will also be another opportunity to do this next term at our final parent drop-in afternoon.
Forest School visit
Yesterday afternoon, as part of their Forest School sessions, we welcomed Jeremy Pyne from the Exminster Green Spaces Group. Jeremy looks after the public spaces around the village and organises Exminster nature recovery activities. The children gave Jeremy a tour of our grounds and named some of the birds that they have been learning about with Mrs Smyth, before listening to Jeremy’s talk. Later in the afternoon, the children in Years 1 and 2 went for a short walk across The Avenue to find the tawny owl box and a finch nesting box placed there by Jeremy’s team.
Food Standards Agency visit
Yesterday, we had an unannounced visit from an environmental health officer who observed our lunch service. I am delighted to say that she awarded us a five-star food hygiene rating again! Many thanks to Mr Heath and Ms AJ for their continued sterling work and high standards on this front.
Recruitment update
Today we have been busy holding interviews from Mrs Lawrence-Jones’s maternity leave. We had a strong field of six candidates, including one abroad who we met online. Mrs Van came over to help me with the interviews, while Ms Richards observed each candidate teach a short mathematics lesson to Year 1 or Year 2. Mrs Lawrence-Jones also spent time with each candidate on a tour of the school, and all staff were invited to have coffee with them after lunch. I look forward to letting you know who we have appointed to join us in September, once we have had a chance to hear everyone’s views.
Next week
Year 2 are visiting Sidmouth Toy Museum next Tuesday for the morning. This term ends next week on Thursday at the normal time of 3.30pm, with after school clubs and late room running as usual. We are looking forward to our Easter theme day on Thursday and hope you will be able to join us for a special Easter assembly at 3pm in the hall.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.
