Beeches Connect: Edition 20 - The Power of Caring

Hello and welcome back to Beeches Connect!

The answer to the last quiz question is – the first playground was built in 1859 in Manchester.

It’s hard to believe we’ve reached Edition 20 already! Time is flying, and with it comes a new theme in school this week: Caring. As we continue to grow as a community, we’ve been focusing on how important it is to care for one another, especially as we welcome new children into our school every week.

We understand that starting at a new school can be a daunting experience, but it’s been wonderful to see how our children have stepped up to help their new classmates settle in. Acts of kindness have been happening in every corner of the school: from children showing new children around to sitting with them at lunch and helping them in class. This welcoming spirit makes The Beeches a truly special place to learn and grow.

Over the next few weeks, we expect even more new faces to join our Beeches family. It’s heartwarming to see our children continuing to show compassion and support, ensuring that everyone feels included and valued. This culture of care not only helps new children adjust, but also strengthens the bond within our entire school community.

One beautiful example of how being caring can be expressed in different ways comes from one of our new children. This child, despite being new to English, produced some stunning art work this week! The children in her class responded by making her feel very special. I can understand why! Art is such a powerful form of communication, allowing children to express themselves even when they might not yet have the words. This child’s work was truly inspiring, and we are so proud of how children use creativity to make their voice heard. Art has always been an important part of our curriculum, and it continues to be a wonderful way for children to connect with one another and express their individuality.

As always, well done to all our children for their hard work and caring attitudes this week! A big thank you also to our staff for guiding and supporting our children as they grow into caring, thoughtful individuals. Here is our list of kind and caring Stars of the Week:

1MW- Dillan

1HK- Dominion

1SS – WHOLE CLASS

2RS- Arbish

2RLS- Kimberly

2HH- Yusuf 

3CB- Saqalain

3AS- Zidaan

3DC- Aliyah

4DF-Leonardo

4SJ- Nimra

4TC- Selena

5RH- Ayaan

5SB- Sarah

5DS- Memoona

6FJ - Denilson

6AB- Jack 

6SW - Haadia

 

Looking ahead, we have some exciting events coming up, and I’m sure that the caring values we’ve focused on this week will shine through in everything we do. Here are a few things that are happening soon.

Events

Wednesday 18^th September 2024 – Y2 Trip to Hunstanton

Monday 23^rd September 2024 – EYFS – Author Visit

Monday 30^th September 2024 – Y3 Trip to Ferry Meadows

Tuesday 1^st and Wednesday 2^nd October – Parents’ Evening

Last week, I shared some improving attendance results. Well, this week I nearly fell of my chair when I found out that we have broken a Beeches record! On Wednesday, we recorded our highest EVER daily attendance of 97.52%. Congratulations to the whole school on this achievement.

Well, what a week at The Beeches! Whether it's through helping new classmates, excelling in art, or simply looking out for one another, let’s continue to show kindness and care in all areas of our school life.

Finally, a quick quiz question for this week: Which famous artist painted the 'Starry Night'?
Good luck, and I hope you all have a wonderful, caring weekend!

Best wishes,
Mr Fisk

 

Edition 19: Satisfying Summers and Brilliant Beginnings

 

A warm welcome back to Beeches Connect - a weekly Headteacher Blog keeping parents and families well informed about the events at The Beeches Primary.

Yesterday, the staff and I welcomed back our children for the new school year. I am delighted to report an exemplary start to learning with excellent behaviour and attitudes on show.  All the children are looking smart in their school uniform, ready to learn, and in many cases, much taller!

This summer gave me an opportunity to spend time away from school and recharge my batteries. I hope you all had a wonderful break too. When reflecting on last year, I was humbled to be given the chance to lead the school forward on our exciting journey. It was a year where we had a successful OFSTED; recorded our best ever results for attainment; our attendance records significantly improved; our parental events were better attended; and I am delighted to report that we have retained our entire talented teaching team for this year. The stability of high-quality teachers is essential in achieving the very best for our children.

Despite these notable successes, we all aspire for even more. We will work tirelessly every day to improve our school and strive for the very best. With our brand new outdoor reception area and some exciting new resources being implemented, we continually look for ways to improve.  2024/2025 is set to be another year of excitement, innovation and success.

Our amazing new outdoor area children in EYFS.

This year sees the launch of our new PE kit, which includes a badge specially designed by one of our Year 6 children. All children will receiving a new PE top free of charge over the coming days.

Our new Beeches PE top.

Already the signs for 24-25 are positive: on the first day of school last year, our attendance was 83%; this year it was up to 92% on the first day. Thank you to all the adults at home for helping us to get off to a better start this year. Every day and every minute counts in your education. When we work together, it gives our children the best chance of success. To that end, I would like to conclude by saying that my door is open to parents and carers. Your opinions are vital to how we continue to make progress.  I look forward to introducing parent forums in the coming months that will provide a further avenue for parents to engage with school.

My first quiz question is ‘In which year was the first playground built in England?’ and for a bonus point, ‘In which city was it built?’

Best of luck.

Mr Fisk

 

2023/2024

Edition 18 - Special Thanks - Video from Mr Fisk

Edition 17 - Baking, Bouncing, and Brilliant Sports Days

Hello and welcome back to Beeches Connect. Last week, I asked how many metres should all children be able to swim by the end of Year 6. The answer is 25 metres!

This week has been filled with joy and excitement here at The Beeches, with several standout events making it truly memorable.

First and foremost, our 'New to Reception Starters' event was a massive success. We welcomed our newest and youngest students with open arms as they came in for play sessions. It was heartwarming to see their faces light up as they explored their new surroundings, met their teachers, and began making new friends. The parents also had a chance to interact with the teachers and other parents, making the transition smoother for everyone involved. We're thrilled to have them join our Beeches family and look forward to watching them grow and thrive.

Our annual Sports Days were another highlight. Across different year groups, the children displayed incredible athleticism, sportsmanship, and team spirit. Whether it was the sprints, relays, or the ever-popular beanbag race, every event was filled with enthusiasm and energy. Congratulations to all the participants and especially to our winners, who have set a fantastic example of perseverance and teamwork.

In addition to these exciting events, we hosted a wonderful bake sale and bouncy castle fundraiser. The community came together to support the school, enjoying delicious homemade treats and lots of bouncing fun. The funds raised will go towards enhancing our school facilities and resources, ensuring that our students continue to have the best learning environment possible. A huge thank you to all the parents, students, and staff who contributed their time and effort to make this event a success.

 

As always, our core values were at the forefront this week. Congratulations to our Stars of the Week for being Excellent. These students have truly embodied this core value and set a high standard for their peers.

Looking ahead, we have more exciting activities and learning opportunities planned. The transition process remains a priority, ensuring that all children feel settled and ready for the new school year. Parents will have received your child’s school report today. Inside will be their attainment levels and a description of how well your child has progressed this year. I have read every single report, and it has genuinely made me so proud to be the Headteacher at The Beeches.

Finally, my question for you this week is about Sports Day. How many different events were held during our Sports Days this year?

Good luck and have a wonderful final week in school.

Mr. Fisk

Edition 16 - Transition Triumphs and Articulate Achievements

 

Hello and welcome back to Beeches Connect. Last week, I asked what football position Mr. Butcher plays. The answer is goalkeeper!

This week has been all about successful transitions here at The Beeches. Our children have been busy meeting their new teachers and exploring their new classrooms. It's always a mix of excitement and nerves, but I'm thrilled to report that every child embraced the experience with enthusiasm and curiosity. It's wonderful to see how quickly they adapt and start feeling at home in their new environments.

A huge part of our successful transition was welcoming 3 and 4-year-olds that will join our school in EYFS. They came to join us for some play sessions. It was lovely to get to know our new children and parents as their educational journey begins at The Beeches.

A special highlight of the week was our Year 4 trip to the Lido for swimming lessons. The children had an amazing time splashing around and honing their swimming skills. It was a refreshing break from the classroom and a fantastic opportunity for them to build confidence in the water. The feedback from both students and teachers has been overwhelmingly positive.

As always, our core values guide us through these transitions. This week, we focused on being articulate. It's a joy to hear our students express themselves clearly and confidently, whether they are asking questions, sharing their thoughts, or simply introducing themselves to their new classmates and teachers. Their ability to communicate effectively is something we are incredibly proud of.

A huge congratulations to our Stars of the Week for being articulate:

RJF- Safa       RDVS- Aroz       RSS- Hawa

1HK- Mustafa     1TC- Leah       1MW- Dylan

2SB- Hiba      2MZ- Felantaine     2SB- Rayyan

3CB- Madia     3AB- Ismail      3HH- Yasemin

4DF- Joshua      4SJ- Eduard      4DS- Jennifer

5RH- Noora     5DC- Elsie       5TC- Mohamed

6AB- Maksymilian     6SW- Liutik      6FJ- Basham

These students have truly embodied the core value of the week and set a great example for their peers.

Also this week, some children from Year 3 and Year 4 represented the school at cricket. We managed to win 3 out of 4 games. Well done to Samuel, Eisa, Damian, Musa, Rayyan, Castro, Danish, and Afnan.

Looking ahead, we have many more exciting activities and learning opportunities planned. The transition process will continue to be a priority, ensuring that all children feel settled and ready for the new school year. Parents can look forward to receiving their child’s school report which celebrates their success and identifies what they will improve on next year.

Finally, my question for you this week is about swimming. How many metres should all children be able to swim by the end of Year 6?

 

Good luck and have another great week.

 

 

Edition 15- Transitions and Farewells

Hello and welcome back to Beeches Connect. Last week, I asked how many players make up a volleyball team. The answer is 6.

This week has flown by. It is the time of year when teachers and children are busy completing end-of-year assessments and going over those areas of the curriculum that the children found tricky. Despite the heat in classrooms, everyone has shown great resilience to continue to strive for the very best. Well done everyone! And particularly, well done to these Stars of the Week for being resilient:

RSS- Deen

RJF- Mohammad & Harlan

1TC- Adina

1MW- James

1HK- Miroslava

2SB- Khalil

2RS- Gautham

2MZ- Airis

3CB- Folajimi

3HH- Divinegift & Zayyan

4DS- Abdul

4SJ- Aya

4DF- Yasmin

5DC- Santiago

5RH- Muhammad

5TC- Ameena

6FJ- Royce

6SW- Denas

Normally, my blog is upbeat and full of positivity. However, this week has a tinge of sadness. On Thursday we said goodbye to Mr Butcher, who is leaving our school to take up a teaching position elsewhere. Mr Butcher joined our school 12 years ago as a sports coach. His outstanding commitment to sport and developing all our children will forever be in my memory. He has helped develop our staff to feel confident teaching PE too. I know that everyone will agree that he will be sadly missed by everyone at The Beeches, particularly by his class in Year 3. We wish him the best of luck in his new school.

Looking ahead to next week, all the children will spend some time in their new classroom with their new teacher. This can be both an exciting and anxious time for children. Please rest assured that we have made lots of arrangements to ensure all children settle quickly. Some parents may receive a transition booklet too. Our oldest children will head off to secondary school and have already had many meetings about what to expect. I am sure they will stand out as some of the most articulate, well-behaved children.

Finally, my question for you this week is about Mr Butcher. What football position does he play in?

Good luck and have another great week.

Mr Fisk

 

Edition 14 - Teamwork Triumphs

Hello and welcome back to Beeches Connect. Last week, I asked you, how many people are believed to celebrate Eid in the world? The answer is 1.8 billion. I hope all our families enjoyed their weekend celebrations and an additional day with the family on Monday.

This week in school, our focus has been on collaboration. When we work together with our friends and classmates, we can solve problems more easily, share great ideas, and learn from each other. Everyone has their own special skills, and when we combine them, we can achieve great things. Working collaboratively makes The Beeches a community that helps us all succeed together!

Well done to these children for outstanding work this week:

RJF- Asenso

RDVS- Sulaiman

RSS- Juvencia

1HK Leticia & Israa

1TC- Eshal

2RS- Aisha

2SB- Muhammad

2MZ- Henry & Sufiyan

3CB- Madia

3HH- Winner & Natalia & Yusuf

3AB- Maryam

4DS- David

4DF- Francisca & Leja

4SJ- Inamullah & Kevin & David

5DC- Boys and Girls Cricket Club

5RH- Gustavo

6AB- David

6SW Inaya & Bia

6FJ- Dominion

Also this week, some Year 3 children visited the farm, learning about local agriculture. At our school, we value first-hand learning as we believe this helps children learn more and remember more over time. I have heard reports of some excellent collaboration and behaviour. Well done Year 3.