Swavesey Primary School Parent Portal - Newsletter 69 (24.07.2023)

Updates from Mrs Norden

We hope the start of the summer break has gone well for you all, despite the deluge of rain. The last few weeks of the summer term were incredibly busy, but we hope everyone enjoyed the various activities of which they were a part.

The Year 5/6 play was a triumph, and we thank Mr O'Neill for his playwright and directing skills, and the children for all their hard work in learning lines, songs and more. KS1 and KS2 all visited Fen Drayton Lakes for their local area activities, which were postponed from the spring term due to flooding. They mainly stayed dry this time and enjoyed the flora and fauna in full bloom. The Year 6 leavers' assembly brought a few tears as they shared memories of their time in primary school with us.

The PTA organised a few different fundraising activities in the last two weeks from cake sales to discos, which were both enjoyed and raised further funds to support us. Their work supports us financially with subscriptions such as for Purple Mash as well as new books, ipads and much more, as well as provides opportunities and extras such as the children's books at Christmas and refreshments for activities for our children. Without their support we would struggle to fund much of what we see as a basic entitlement, as well as extras which support wider experiences and we thank them for all their hard work in organising events to support us in this way.

Miss Cotton and some of the reception team held a Teddy bears' picnic for our new intake, parents and younger siblings. The weather just held for them, and it was lovely to see them for the last of their transition activities before starting in September. The three days were also transition days for the whole school with new classes getting to know each other and new systems and routines, which will hopefully have helped them to be ready for the new academic year.

Our last week also saw emotional fair wells. Firstly to our wonderful year 6s, all of whom have grown into fine young people ready for the next part of their education journey. Secondly, to Mrs Crossman, who has retired after more than 25 years working with the school, its children and staff in various roles. We thank her for everything she has done for us across that time, especially in developing our SEND provision. Finally, to Miss Yang who will be setting off on new adventures as she moves to Malaysia, and who we thank for all her support in Year 5/6 and lunchtime provision over this last year. We wish them all the very best for the future.

As I reflect on what has been another year of various challenges, especially in financial decision-making, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff for all their commitment and hard work; the governors for all their support and careful consideration of the school; the children for their engagement with their learning and opportunities provided, and to our families for all their support.

As I look forward to the new academic year, I want to share with you our plan to take part in the Cambridge Standing Tall project. After the success of the Cow's about Cambridge project, which led to the creation of Dandelion, our mini moo, Wild at Art is joining with the charity Break to see giraffes decorated and exhibited across the city. We will receive our mini giraffe in the autumn term and Mrs Cowburn will again lead our project to name, design and paint it in readiness to join the exhibition in the spring term. Dandelion is a reflection of the work we did on the 'Lost words' and Fen Drayton lakes at that time and our giraffe will reflect the work we are undertaking in developing as a rights respecting school. To find out more about the project please click here.

Please keep reading for final messages from other staff, reminders to help complete actions from the last few weeks and information linked to the new academic year.

I hope the summer holiday brings some well-earned rest, some sunshine and some fun family time, and we look forward to seeing everyone in September.

_{Anna-Claire Norden}

_Headteacher