~ AUTUMN TERM 2009 ~
The pupils and staff of Woolgrove School returned in September refreshed and relaxed from the summer break. The children settled in really well with their new teachers ready to begin work in the autumn term. 19 new pupils joined us and we’re delighted to report that they are very happy in their new classes and have made many new friends.
As usual, we have had a busy term. The School Council have been working hard organising fundraising events and theme days for all the school to take part in. They held a sponsored mime and raised £93.47 for the Blue Cross Pet Charity and their recent Bonkers for Conkers event raised £61.66 which is going to SSAFA the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association. In addition to this, we all had a dress down day and wore our demins for Jeans for Genes Day and collected £69.39. Pupils voted to have a PE theme day, which gave classes the opportunity from different year groups to join together and take part in a variety of sporting activities. The ‘playground’ is the next theme day to follow soon.
We’ve welcomed three new speech therapists as part of our team, as well as two new teaching assistants in the infant and junior departments. Gill Crouch, the school’s Family Link Worker continues to support our families on a wide variety of issues and can be contacted via the school office for anyone wishing to speak with her.
18 year old Clara Bagenal George from Letchworth finished her A level Design Technology studies at St. Christopher this year on a high. She designed a Multi Role Play Vehicle - the dream toy that could be a helicopter, car, plane or anything else a child might want it to be - for the children in our Early Years Foundation area. The children were absolutely delighted with the new addition to their outside play area. Clara’s Craft Design Technology teacher, Gavin Fraser-Williams said, “It is great to see Clara’s project in situ after a year of hard work! In her A level studies, Clara has tackled a demanding design brief with a particularly thorough and creative approach. Working for a real client at Woolgrove has stretched Clara’s design skills in preparation for her University degree course. It has also led to a great piece of educational play equipment which I am sure the children will love exploring”. Woolgrove are very grateful to Clara for all her hard work, enthusiasm and dedication; she is obviously destined for greater things in the future and we wish her every success as she embarks on her degree course at Nottingham University, where she is studying Architecture and Environmental Design. Photos of Clara’s design can be seen on the events page of our website.
At the beginning of October, Friends of Woolgrove held a fashion show which was a great success; they raised just under £300 for school funds. Our models enjoyed being pampered by local hair and beauty saloon EV-S Hair Design, so many thanks to them for supporting us with this event.
Woolgrove has taken part in the Bright Stars Programme which has been offered to primary schools in North Herts. The programme focuses on meditation and relaxtion and is drawn from methods used in the Relax Kids Programme developed by Marneta Viegas. Deborah Bone, Emotional and Mental Health Advisor for the East and North Herts PCT says, “As well as learning to feel good about themselves, children are encouraged to put their energies to good use by joining in with gentle dancing and stretching exercises…these techniques can help children in both their home and school lives”. Deborah and many others in her field believe that children start to thrive in an environment that supports their emotional health and wellbeing. There are huge benefits for the children in that it can improve sleep, concentration, memory and listening skills as well as building confidence, imagination and creativity. Places for this programme are on a referral basis by individual class teachers and another course will be taking place some time next year. We are grateful to Karen Johnson, School Health Advisor and Woolgrove Family Link Worker Gill Crouch for running this programme and allowing our children to benefit from these invaluable sessions.
Many of our school policies are now on our website as well as a variety of useful information about Hertfordshire Extended Schools.
Carl Williams is to be congratulated on his success on becoming Woolgrove’s champion marathon runner for the Vigin London Marathon 2010. Carl is employed by the National Grid and also plays football for Hitchin Football Club. He is very enthusiastic about this forthcoming event and has some fantastic ideas for fundraising. Up-to-date news will be posted on the Woolgrove website home page noticeboard.
Volunteers from Liverpool Victoria in Hitchin have been busy helping us get our sensory garden project off the ground. There is still a way to go yet but they have been incredibly supportive and are currently organising a planting bulbs and willow project which our children will be taking part in.
Rehearsals for Cinderalla our Christmas pantomime are in full swing and everyone has been working very hard. There will be an afternoon performance on Monday 30th November and two evening performances on Wednesday 2nd December and Thursday 3rd December. Please contact the school office for details (01462 622422).
Forthing events leading up to Christmas are:
- The Friends of Woolgrove Secret Present event. All classes will be taking part in making a variety of Christmas gifts for children to buy.
- Christmas carol service at King’s Baptist Church
- Christmas lunch with guests from the local community
- Visit from Father Christmas
- Christmas party and a visit from ‘Talk to the Animals’.
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