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Posted on: December 15th 2020
End of Term Message
Dear Parents/Carers and Guardians
Re: End of Term 2
As term 2 closes, and with that the end of 2020, I can’t help but reflect on what has been the most unimaginable year of our lives. Who would have thought an invisible enemy could have such a profound effect on an entire global nation? Despite these uncertain times, I am forever impressed with our school’s community spirit.
Since March, we have come together in many different ways: daily welfare calls from staff during lockdown; collecting, making and delivering food packages and care parcels; our very own book fairy keeping reading alive and exciting for our local community (thank you Mrs Doe) and with social media imploding with pupils and parents celebrating successes and achievements.
From the start of this academic year, I and all the staff, have been overwhelmed with the adaptability, bravery, resilience and perseverance of our families. You turning up to school every day has meant so much to us as it’s the truest sign that you trust in our health and safety procedures, policies and risk assessments. Staff have worked tirelessly to ensure we have upheld the highest safeguarding practices during these times and your recognition of that has gone a long way. Our recent parent survey says that 100% of parents feel their child does well, with 99.5% stating the school has high expectations. Furthermore, 99.5% of parents say their child is happy at our school with 99% parents feeling that their child feels safe and the behaviour is good. This positive support from parents/carers has been so lovely and at times the motivation needed to assure us that we are doing a good job. Thank you!
Some of the most memorable moments have been hearing the children’s laughter and imaginations on the playground along with their voices travelling down the corridor with their enthusiasm to share their thoughts and eagerness to know more in their learning. The resilience shown by the children and their joy at being back at school has been infectious. Their appreciation for, and attitude towards, learning has been staggering. I am continually blown away by the high standards the children are able to produce and consequently the progress made by all has been impressive! Equally notable has been the children’s excitement to be an active voice in their school through being elected or appointed through interview for Councillors, Subject Ambassadors and Digital Leaders. We are a school that listens to its pupils.
Closely beside the children are the staff. What would our school be without them? I am so very lucky to work with incredible colleagues. Despite everything, staff turn up with a smile on their face with a deep-rooted belief that all children deserve the very best; day in – day out. The commitment to delivering a quality of education was transferred via online learning too. COVID wasn’t going to stop us! Many thanks to the commitment and open-mindedness to Mrs Church, Miss Hookey and Mrs Pickard for their achievements with this. I am so very proud of what has been achieved and of the warm, welcoming, supportive and exciting learning environment we have all created together. We are striving for excellence here at Aylesford and with pastoral care alone, we have achieved this.
During our return to school, the participation from you all to our local, national and international communities has been tremendous: supporting HelloYellow for Mental Health; Odd Socks day for Anti-Bullying; UK based Children in Need and Christmas Jumper Day for Save the Children. Collectively raising £1228.45. This is brilliant!
To add to this, our dedicated PTA continue to raise much needed funds for our school through a variety of exciting (and COVID-friendly) activities: Halloween spoons; Light Up Aylesford; Christmas raffle, Christmas cake design and Christmas Jumper Day have all gone ahead with great involvement from you all. I never knew so much creativity could come from a wooden spoon! It has been superb watching the PTA grow in numbers and with that new and exciting ideas. Thank you to everyone who has been involved with this so far.
Most recently we showed our respects to those who fought for us by making and displaying poppies at St Peter and St Paul’s local church for Remembrance Day. And in the spirit of Christmas, we have continued to show respect, thoughtfulness and generosity. Our reverse advent calendar has been growing daily and the generosity in donating to others has really shone through. Mrs Adams and Miss Featherstone continue to make parcels up ready for distribution on Wednesday.
As we approach Christmas, I feel very fortunate to be the Headteacher of such a united community. For it’s not the Christmas wrappings, nor the gifts that lie within, but the gift of love to others in every way.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
With warm wishes,
Miss L Stevens
Headteacher
Points of Interest
Dates:
- For now, we are continuing to have PPA on a Wednesday afternoon, with school closing at 1.15pm or 1.30pm, and this will be reviewed during Term 3.
- Your child returns to school on 5 January 2021.
Christmas:
- Twitter page has lots of photos and videos of what the children have been up to in the build up to Christmas: https://twitter.com/VIPSAylesford
- You can view the children singing a Christmas song to you via our website: https://www.aylesford.viat.org.uk Also available on our Facebook, YouTube and Twitter page.
- Christmas dress up day Wednesday 16 December
- Wednesday 16 December at 9am, we are holding a Virtual Carol Karaoke. Please see our schedule below:
- Year R: Santa Clause is Coming to Town
- Whole School: Rocking Around the Christmas Tree
- Year 1 and Year 2: Away in a Manager
- Whole School: All I want for Christmas
- Year 3 & Year 4: Silent Night
- Whole School: Jingle Bells
- Year 6 & Year 5: Merry Christmas Everyone
- Grand Finale: 12 Days of Christmas (each class has a different day to sing/dance)
Lunches:
- Year 5 and Year 6 will have the option of a take-out lunch every day when we return. A special offer Cucina have out in following pupil’s feedback. We are excited to see this transition.
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