Headteacher Autumn Term Update
Dear Parent
And here we are – almost at Christmas and at the end of another year at Roecliffe!
Smatterings of glitter sparkle and glisten under classroom lights and there are bubbles of excited chatter about the gifts Father Christmas will bring this year or what the ‘Elf On The Shelf’ got up to the previous night – experiencing my first build-up to Christmas at Roecliffe has been an absolute delight!
It is so rewarding looking back over the past year, which has passed in the blink of an eye, to reflect on the forward strides which the school has taken. We continue to strive to be the best we can be and I feel privileged to be working with such a hard-working team making this happen.
The fully refurbished ‘Hive’ is now in use and lends itself brilliantly to pupils leading and collaborating on various projects. This library/technology/nurture multi-resource room is instrumental in promoting a love of reading and we look forward to holding book clubs, book events and computing clubs in this space throughout next year.
Feedback from the pupils on the increased use of technology around school, through our new chromebooks and Google Classroom, has been overwhelmingly positive. The smiles and enthusiasm certainly demonstrate how much the children are enjoying their learning!
With Roecliffe Choir growing from strength to strength (Young Voices at Sheffield Arena is not far away now!) and the blossoming of musical talent in a newly-formed recorder group, the profile of music is flourishing in school. Our next musical venture is to reinstate the school’s piano keyboard in to the school hall early next term for pupils and staff to enjoy tinkling those ivories!
Children who have taken on roles and responsibilities this term, such as Digital Leader, Faith Committee member or School Council representative, have risen to new challenges and used their leadership qualities positively. It has been very rewarding to see the children use their self-initiative and then see an idea through with their peers!
We continue to evaluate and develop our outdoor space so that we can maximise the opportunities for play and learning. The most recent addition has been a new timber ‘mud/bubble kitchen’ in the EYFS outdoor learning area and we look forward to a timber storage area and sheltered gazebo for EYFS pupils early next year. Zoning of the outdoor space at playtimes has provided the children with choice about the level of activity in which they play. Children preferring a quieter space can now enjoy comfort in the den area using outdoor cushions and engaging with a selection of more peaceful activities. Children who prefer the more active zones can enjoy the hoops, goals and playtime equipment for sport-type play.
This term, we welcomed the appointment of the wonderful Rev Karen Gardiner who is fundamental in our development as a church school. We are grateful for her support and look forward to working in partnership with her in achieving future goals as a church school, including actions from our SIAMS inspection in March.
At the heart of the decision-making and all we do in school are the wonderful children we teach and develop each and every day. The staff have high expectations of the children who have worked hard this term – they now deserve a well-earned rest over Christmas. We really enjoy celebrating the milestones the children achieve and encouraging them to feel pride in their efforts. It is real goose-bump stuff to overhear staff or other pupils praising a child on achieving their goals! Thank you to all the Governors for their hard work and enthusiasm and for giving freely of their time for the benefit of the school. Thanks also goes to FORCES who give significant time and effort to the school in order to raise funds for our pupils.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our families for their support of the school and in helping us to ensure the best outcomes for their child/ren. One of Roecliffe’s strengths is its strong sense of community and effective home-school links, and we look forward to taking the school forward with you in 2020.
On behalf of the staff and governors at Roecliffe CE Primary School, we wish you all a happy, peaceful and restful Christmas and every blessing for the New Year.
We look forward to welcoming you back to school fresh and ready to achieve in 2020!
Kind regards,
Lesley Briggs
