Dear Parents,
With only two weeks to go until the end of term I thought it would be a good time to send a final newsletter for this year.
Last Friday we sent out your child’s annual report, I hope you found it both informative and interesting. These reports place considerable demands on all of our staff and many evenings and weekends are spent putting them together so I am sure you would want to join me in saying a big thankyou for their hard work.
On Saturday we had our annual FOBS Summer Fete and the weather was in the most part kind to us. There was a wonderful array of stalls and activities, not to mention the fantastic gym, karate and dance displays in the main arena, and it seemed to me that everyone had a great time. Obviously these events don’t just happen and I am grateful to everyone who gave up their time to help, in particular, Justine Turner who co-ordinated the whole day. Early indications would suggest that we have raised around £3,000 for the school.
Whilst on the subject of FOBS and fundraising you will have noticed the new climbing frame on the far side of the field. This was funded through a grant of £8,000 from the Big Lottery Fund and FOBS. In addition you may also have noticed that the bare area on the edge of the playground is also being worked on. This will eventually be a paved area with seating which has been designed by the pupils and paid for by FOBS.
As you will probably know one of our Teaching assistants, Veronica Hobbs has been heavily involved with the improvement project for the Boxford Village Hall. This weekend she bravely abseiled down the side of the maternity unit of Ipswich Hospital to raise money for an accessible toilet in the Hall. Looking at the pictures I am not sure I would have been that brave. Well done Veronica.
A couple of weekends ago we held the Early Years Camp. Unfortunately due to other commitments I was unable to visit but I am informed it was yet another great success. My thanks go to all the staff who helped organise the event, in particular Mrs. Dainty who came up with the original idea and has been instrumental in ensuring its growing success. For her this is the last one but I am sure the camp will continue under the expert stewardship of Mrs. Gibbens.
When we come back after the summer break our provision for children who would have been in our Nursery or Reception classes will have changed and our new children will all be starting as one group in our two Foundation Classes. We would like to welcome Miss Bates, our newly appointed member of the teaching staff, who will be working alongside Mrs. Gibbens. They are very much looking forward to welcoming the new children and the exciting challenge the new arrangements will bring.
Mrs Lunness has asked me to thank all of the parents and children who have supported the ‘Let’s Get Cooking’ initiative throughout the year. This has been a huge success so I would like to thank Mrs Lunness and all of the staff for giving up their own time to make sure our pupils have had this wonderful opportunity. Special thanks go to Jo Parker who has come in specially to help with the project. Let’s Get Cooking will resume in September. Watch this space.
A message from Miss Mitson – ‘Please keep saving your stamps over the holiday as we are still supporting the RSPB campaign to save the albatross’ Thankyou.
From time to time it may be necessary for parents to contact the school during the holiday. Whilst there will be no one at school I can be contacted via email at any time so should you need to get in touch please use the admin@boxford.suffolk.sch.uk email address and I will do my best to respond to you as soon as possible.
Next Tuesday 19th is our annual Music Evening where all children in Year 4 and those who have taken part in our various music clubs get the opportunity to perform in front of an audience. In addition this year our brass players in Year 3 will also have the opportunity to perform. We hope that your child will be able to join us for this. Please arrange for him/her to be back in school for 5.45pm. The concert will start at 6.00pm. and we hope you will stay and watch. We anticipate the concert lasting one hour.
The end of this term is going to be a very emotional one for us all as we say goodbye to Jean Dainty. Jean was at Boxford School when I arrived 19 years ago and over that time has been a major influence on the development and progress of our school. Her enthusiasm and commitment has been outstanding throughout and I have always appreciated the support she has given me. In recent years Jean has been instrumental in the development of our Early Years provision culminating in an outstanding grade during our last OFSTED. I am sure you will all join me when I say how much we will all miss Jean and also in wishing her all the very best for a long and happy retirement.
We will also be saying goodbye to our Year 4 pupils and several families who have been with us for many years. As always we all wish you the very best for the future and make one simple request. Please keep in touch and let us know from time to time how you are getting on.
Finally at the end of another very busy yet enjoyable year I would like to say a huge thankyou to everyone who has contributed so much to the life of our school this year. The success of our school is in no small way due to the commitment, hard work and dedication of all our staff alongside fantastic support from Governors, FOBS, you the parents and in many cases members of the local community for which I am extremely grateful. All it remains for me to say is to wish you all a very relaxing and enjoyable summer holiday and we look forward to seeing you all in September.
Dates for your Diary
July
14th Classes 3/M and 4/H Swimming Gala 1.30pm
18th Early Lunch
Classes 3/M and 4/H Street Party 2.00pm
19th Classes R/D and 1/LS to Walton-on-Naze
Music Evening 6.00pm
20th Leavers Service 2.15pm
Leavers Barbecue 5.30 – 7.00
21st Nursery Picnic – Boxford Rectory
Class 4/H Golf Morning
22nd Term Ends
September
5th Staff Training Day
6th Autumn Term Begins
