After what has seemed a particularly long term, I am pleased to say that we have finally made it to the Christmas break. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone for welcoming me so warmly to Atwood. I have enjoyed getting to know the children, staff and families. With a successful Ofsted, 9 Christmas shows, a variety of trips and visits, lots of clubs and sports events and a very well attended Dad’s breakfast, we can look back on a busy but fruitful term. Now, as we break for the holidays, I would like to wish everyone a restful break with the opportunity to recharge, spend time with family or do whatever it is that you need to relax and refresh yourself.
A shorter week resulting in a somewhat shorter newsletter today. Nevertheless, even with only 4 days this week, we have managed to pack a lot in.
Years One and Two, completed our Christmas shows with 2 fantastic performances of their version of the Nativity, ‘The Angel who nearly missed it all’. The children were excellent with beautiful singing, great dancing and confident delivery of their lines. Many thanks to all the teachers for their hard work in putting the shows together.
As well as various festive activities the Year Three children were also using atlases to find and identify countries.
Year Four took the bus to Thornton Heath to visit the Hindu Temple. They were able to ask lots of good questions and learn more about the how Hindus use the temple to worship. The children were very well behaved on the journey and respectful in the temple. Apparently, for some of the children, the adventure on the bus was as good as the visit to the temple.
Year Five have filled the school with the delicious aromas of their Viking soup this week. They have been busy prepping, peeling and chopping various winter vegetables and then cooking them up to make a hearty winter broth that may have been similar to that eaten by Viking invaders and settlers. The children learnt some new knife skills and tasted some new vegetables. They finished the week with a Connect 4 championship.
The children in Year Six capped off the week with an end of the term quiz. They got to demonstrate their knowledge on a variety of topics ranging from the books they have read this term to the Ancient Egyptians. There was even a chocolate round! Do you know how many segments there are in a chocolate orange?
On Thursday, the whole school enjoyed a riotous performance of Treasure Island. Oh No, they didn’t! Oh Yes, they did! The children were thoroughly entertained with lots of screaming and shouting. Many thanks to The Friends of Atwood Primary who funded this event.
On Friday, the whole school gathered for our Gold Star Assembly. It was lovely to have all the children together to celebrate children who have really demonstrated this term that they are independent learners. Well done to all the children who received the award today.
STAFFING
It is with sadness today that we say goodbye to Miss Dunn. I would like to put on record my thanks for her support through my first term at Atwood and I know that I speak for many parent and children when I say that we will miss her greatly. We are sorry to see her go but we wish her all the best on her new venture.
Please also see the below from Mr Roberts, Executive Principal for the Trust:
‘The Directors of The Pegasus Academy Trust and the MACs of Atwood Primary School are delighted to announce that following a full interview process we have appointed Mr. Paul Robins as the substantive Head of School at Atwood Primary School from January 2024. Mr Robins is well known to most of you as he has been acting Head since September, leading the school through its recent successful Ofsted inspection. Together with Mr. Miles Chester, who will act as Deputy Head until the summer term, and existing senior staff at the school, we are confident that the leadership of Atwood is in safe hands and that the school will continue to strengthen under this new leadership team in 2024’.
And finally…
Many thanks to everyone who contributed to our charity collections at the Christmas shows. You managed to raise over £460 for the valuable work of the AT Society and Children with Cancer Care UK
DATES FOR THE DIARY
- Monday 8th January: Back to school
- Tuesday 9th January: Swimming trials- selected children only
- Monday 15th January; Reception Application places deadline day.
- Monday 15th January Year 6 Young Voices Concert
- Thursday 18th January Reception Height and Weight Checks
- Saturday 20th January: South London Harriers Cross Country event
- Monday 22nd January Year 6 Trip to British Museum
- Tuesday 23rd January: Year 1 Toy Workshop
- Friday 26th January: Yr 3-6 Swimming Gala- selected children only
- Friday 9th February: Break for half term
- Monday 19th February: Return from half term
- Friday 8th March: Year 5 Gurdwara Trip
- Saturday 9th March: South London Harriers Cross Country event
- Saturday 16th March: South London Harriers Cross Country event
- Monday 18th March Year 5 Carroty Wood Residential
- Thursday 28th March: Last day of spring term.
Pegasus news stories have now stopped being shared on Twitter and are available instead on Instagram (@pegasusacademytrust) which seems to be a more upbeat social media platform these days. Please follow us there to see good news stories from across the Trust.
Wishing you all a very restful Christmas break. I look forward to seeing everyone feeling refreshed and ready to go in January.
