Atwood News for Week ending Friday 19th May

Mr Veale’s welcome

This week has been SATs week for KS1 and this will be the last year the government expects 7 year olds to sit more formal test papers and I think this is long overdue.  The children were excellent however and rose to the challenge.  My thanks extend to the Year 2 team and Miss Dunn for organising such a well run week.

I was contacted recently by a gentleman who attended Atwood in 1963.  He wrote me a very detailed account of what his time at Atwood was like.  I will publish this as it provides a unique look at what Atwood was like in the 1960s.  I invited him to visit his old school and we spent a rather incredible hour walking around.  It was clear that he was very moved by this experience and his memory was excellent.  He could remember where he lined up for his school dinner- 12p after decimalisation, as well as where each of his classrooms were, even pointing out where his desk was in the current Year 5 classroom.

As we hit it off so well, I have invited him back in September so that he can talk about school life to the children.  I think the LionPod crew will record his recollections as this is true oral history.

He said that the uniform had barely changed and that he had his blazer and cap until about a year ago- it had the Atwood logo on both, but sadly a family of mice had nibbled through the material and so he recycled them.

What made me most proud was that he said the children and staff were welcoming and friendly and at peace which each other.  He noted that it was very strict in the 60s and that he felt that he would have preferred to come to Atwood as child in the 21st century!

Eco Champs are having a Pre-loved Sale!

Don’t forget that after school next Friday, the Eco Champs will be holding a Pre-loved sale of used clothing.  This has been organised by the children and follows the them of reduce, reuse and recycle.  Come along after school and maybe grab a bargain.  The FOAP will be serving refreshments as well.

Maytime on the field

I’ve been lucky enough to be on duty this week and the children have really enjoyed playing on the field.  I have not known it take so long in to the summer term for us to be able to use the field but it has been too wet recently.  Let’s hope for some drier weather so that we can enjoy it.  I have included some photos in the gallery below.

Photographer visiting Atwood- Tuesday 23rd May

We shall be updating our publicity photos for our section of the PAT website as well as having new photos for our prospectus and other uses.  Please ensure that your child is dressed in the correct PE kit if it is a PE day, or in the correct summer uniform.

Café Atwood in the offing

Have you noticed that the old buggy park attached to the old Children’s Centre is being converted to become Café Atwood?  For some time, I have wished to have a café here at Atwood for parents and children to enjoy before and after school as well as around events such as plays and assemblies.  However, there was never enough capital money to develop one, that is until Pegasus came to the rescue!

What is Café Atwood all about?  Café Atwood should be up and running ready for after the May half term holiday.  It will be run by parents with a little help from the Atwood staff and will be open occasionally before and or after school, selling teas and coffees, light snacks and seasonal products and items for the children, such as stationery, cards and other items.

You should soon notice some café tables, signage and planters in and around the red phone box area.  Mr. Chitty has organised WIFI for Café Atwood and so all we need now is the sunshine.

All profits from the Café will be benefit the children of Atwood and so it will be a ‘win-win’ situation.

Why not take a look at the Atwood news stories from this week?

Schools Minister commends Atwood  https://www.pegasusacademytrust.org/news/year-4/schools-minister-commends-atwoods-multiplication-check-results-for-2022-   
Ruler Reading Rules!  https://www.pegasusacademytrust.org/news/year-5/ruler-reading-rules-in-year-5-lavender-class

Thought of the Week 

In order to keep things fresh, the Word of the Week has been replaced by thought of the week and here it is:

‘Consider the postage stamp. Its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing ’til it gets there. – Josh Billings

Points (Pupil Reward Points)

Remember that everyone at Atwood believe in the Terrific Trio:  Kind Words, Kind Thoughts, Kind Actions and for that, the children are rewarded.  The first key milestone for a pupil is to reach 50 Pupil Reward Points because they will be awarded a £5 Book Token in Celebration Assembly, as we also wish to promote the love of reading at Atwood.  I will be taking a look at the leaderboard after half term.

Each pupil has been assigned to a Team or House.  These are Air, Earth, Fire and Water.  All Pupil Reward Points also contribute to the Team Points each week.

Here are the all important totals for the term so far:

Congratulations to AIR who have won the Team Points Competition for this week.  

Why not head over to the Pupil Reward Points website?  https://www.pupilrewardpoints.co.uk

Attendance

The DfE continue to be concerned about attendance in the post covid world.  Indeed, governments across the world have noticed a worrying trend of children attending school less than before covid.  Atwood works on the 95% expectation and each year, we endeavour to hit our whole school community target of attending at least 95% of the time.  Most years, Atwood nearly reaches 97% which is higher than the national average.  Looking at the Year to Date percentage we have crept to the 95% mark and this is excellent news- let’s keep it up, Atwood.

Attendance is important.  After all, children only have one opportunity to go to school, don’t they?  As a rule of thumb, we expect children to attend school at least 95% of the time.  This allows for a child to be absent for a couple of days per year due to coughs, colds and medical appointments that cannot be made in holiday times.  Remember that we never authorise holidays in term time.  Often I am asked to authorise a family wedding abroad, or to visit a poorly relative abroad.  None of these are valid reasons for absence in term time.  Please bear this in mind.

Here are the attendance figures for this week:

From us all at Team Atwood, enjoy the weekend.  Stay safe and see you next week!

Mr. Veale