Keep up to date with the Latest News

• Good News

  Tue 27 Sep 2022 Dr James Inglis

  I am delighted to share with you the good news Mrs Glover has decided to remain at Northaw. My role is as much about advancing the careers of the adults who work here as boosting the education of the children, and we have been able to find a way for Mrs Glover to develop her talents further without leaving us.

• Dangerous Parking

  Thu 22 Sep 2022 Dr James Inglis

  It is with considerable sadness I am required to notify you again about the very real dangers of parking opposite the school when dropping off and picking up children. Yesterday, there was an almost unbroken line of cars mounting the kerb across from the zigzag lines when the children were leaving.

   

  While I appreciate finding a parking space at peak times is not always easy and may require a short walk for adults, it is frankly selfish and contrary to the ethos of the school to behave in this manner when the vast majority of parents and carers are exhibiting patience and consideration. My greatest concern, however, is the obvious danger this poses to our children and other pedestrians.

• Staffing Developments

  Tue 13 Sep 2022 Dr James Inglis

  It is with sadness but also our very best wishes I am writing to inform you of staffing developments.

   

  With her children now at secondary school and having moved some distance from Northaw, Mrs Glover has decided to take her career in an exciting new direction nearer to home, becoming an early-years practitioner with a particular focus on SEND. Although we shall miss her enormously, it is a wonderful opportunity for Mrs Glover.

   

  Both Mrs Howell and, our one and only, Trudy have indicated they would like to retire at Christmas. This has not come as a total surprise to their colleagues – Mrs Howell is hoping to support her daughter with childcare, and Trudy wants to spend more quality time with her family.

   

  All three members of staff have made an invaluable contribution to our school. On a personal note, I would like to thank them for the unstinting support they have provided me since I joined the team here. Their broad smiles, sparkling personalities and professional commitment have been much of the rock on which this school is built.

   

  I shall, of course, update you on the recruitment process when it is complete.

• Bank Holiday

  Mon 12 Sep 2022 Dr James Inglis

  Following the announcement from Buckingham Palace of the death of our sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, a period of National Mourning has started and will continue until the end of the State Funeral. This is a period of time for reflection in response to the death of the Sovereign.

   

  The official date of the State Funeral is 19 September 2022. This day will be a bank holiday and settings that are normally closed on a bank holiday should close on this day as a mark of respect. This will include schools and colleges.

• God Save the King

  Fri 09 Sep 2022 Dr James Inglis

  As we get older, we tend to forget many of our earliest days; however, I think it is safe to say our children will remember this particular moment in our island's story. It was just a few months ago when we were celebrating the Platinum Jubilee, and now we have lost our longest-reigning monarch.

   

  Speaking personally for a moment and recalling how glorious royal events, like the wedding of Charles and Diana, punctuated my own childhood, I feel like I have lost a member of my wider family: one just thought the queen would always be there. I have little doubt history will come to judge her Elizabeth the Great.

   

  The school community gathered this morning in the hall. While recognising the sadness we share, we can take comfort from knowing the queen is now reunited with her husband in heaven and walking with Jesus. I explained to the children there are no rules for how we should feel at this time: some of us may be struggling, others simply confused. What we can unite in expressing, however, is our value this half term - thankfulness. We are thankful to God for sending the queen. We are thankful for her devoted service and a long life well lived. And, although this is probably much harder for all but our oldest pupils to understand, we are thankful to live in a country where we can transition from one head of state to another without turmoil, division and harm.

   

  The next few weeks and months will be marked by two major state occasions: a funeral and coronation. Every class will have an opportunity today to discuss what has happened, and we shall support each other through the year as events take their preordained course while carrying on, as much as we can, as normal. I will, obviously, update you on any developments affecting the overall functioning of the school.

• Meet the Teacher

  Wed 07 Sep 2022 Dr James Inglis

  As is our custom, we would like to provide you with an opportunity to meet your child's teacher. After a short presentation in the classroom while pupils are supervised outside, you are welcome to ask questions about events and other arrangements this year. We plan to admit parents and carers at 2.45 and draw things to a close just after 3, so the children can ready themselves for home time. Each class has a separate day for meet the teacher:

   

  Willow

  Monday 12 September

   

  Apples & Pears

  Wednesday 14 September

   

  Oak

  Tuesday 20 September

   

  We very much look forward to seeing you then.

• Welcome Back to School

  Fri 02 Sep 2022 Dr James Inglis

  I hope you had a wonderful summer holiday, and we are very much looking forward to seeing the children again on Monday.

   

  Just to remind you, our opening and closing times have now changed. Gates will continue to open at 8.35am; however, it will be expected that every child has passed through by 8.45am, the new official start of the school day, when the gates will be closed. Children who arrive after 8.45am will have to enter via the main entrance and be marked as late; parents or carers must also complete a confidential late-book entry before leaving. The new official end to the compulsory school day will be 3.15pm for early years foundation stage and key stage 1, and 3.20pm for key stage 2.

   

  Just before the end of term, pupils were invited to participate in Northaw CE Primary School’s Extreme Reading Challenge 2022. We have already received some amazing images and cannot wait to see more.