Weekly Newsletter 19th March 2021

Dear Parents

It has been another busy week at Barrow Hills, with children and staff throwing themselves into school life again. The move from distance learning to being back in the classroom appears to have been pretty seamless with the teachers balancing everyone’s pastoral needs with continuing the academic journey. 

During the week, I have been concentrating on the final phases of planning for the next academic year, which has included recruiting new members of staff to add to our dedicated team. I have seen a couple of excellent maths lessons given to Year 8 and Year 3. They were engaging, interactive and effective in achieving their learning and skills objectives as well as being fun!

I will be writing to you next week, once all the safer recruitment formalities have been completed to introduce the teachers who will be starting in September. Next week, we will be welcoming potential new staff who will add to our Nursery and Kindy team in the near future.

The pupil profile of ‘compassionate’ is definitely at the forefront of the children’s minds as they find imaginative ways to raise money towards our Lent Appeal. I have heard of all sorts of ideas from physical challenges, volunteering for jobs around the school, today’s bake sales and somebody shaving off their lockdown hairstyle!

This morning, I was very happy to be back in the Chapel to enjoy 5R’s assembly on Dame Vera Lynn with the Years 5 and 6 bubble. It was a wonderful message of the ability to bring hope and happiness, even in the most challenging and demanding situations. I wouldn’t be surprised if you found your children humming or singing along to We’ll Meet Again over the weekend! I can’t wait for the opportunity for one of our ‘usual’ Friday assemblies with a full chapel of children, staff and parents singing our chosen hymn. It’s such a fabulous way to celebrate the week that’s gone and send everyone on their way in good spirits.

Another thing that lifts my spirits is the arrival of spring and the journey towards summer. Tomorrow marks the spring or vernal equinox; the point in the year when there is an equal split between daylight and darkness. Hence, in the northern hemisphere, we will start to see lighter mornings and lighter evenings from this Sunday, until 21st June, Midsummer’s Day. This date will hopefully mark another very positive moment in time as it is earmarked for the removal of all coronavirus restrictions imposed by the government.

On that joyful thought, I wish you a wonderful weekend!

Kind regards

Philip Oldroyd

Head

Pre-Prep

Another week has flown by in Pre-Prep and the blossom is definitely trying its best to come out on the cherry tree in the Early Years garden. It has been a busy week of parent consultations with teachers awarding all parents top marks for their home schooling! The consultations have had a pastoral as well as an academic focus with teachers sharing how the return to school has been and the next steps in the children’s learning.

On Thursday, Pre-Prep are looking forward to singing their Easter songs to you in front of the school at 3.00 pm. If in Nursery and Kindy your child is not usually in at that time, please do come and join in if it is convenient. A separate letter will provide further information. We will record the singing and post it on Tapestry and Google Classroom for any parents who are not able to be there, or for a chance to listen to it again!

Please do remember our Lenten Appeal (see Mr Crisell’s recent letter which may be found on the portal). We are raising money for the charity Challengers. It provides a fun environment for disabled children and young people across the South East, including Guildford. Their schemes allow children and young people to make friends and have the opportunity to try exciting new activities. At the same time, families with disabled children may use these short breaks to pursue a variety of activities. We are encouraging all children to raise money, either by being sponsored for a specific activity at school or home, doing some chores around the house or garden or simply donating some pocket money.

I think your children will be quite tired this weekend as it has been a busy week playing and learning!

Have a lovely weekend.

Mrs Rachel E Harris

Head of Pre-Prep