From the Headteacher

This week, we have been discussing our school value of Respect. It’s been truly heartwarming to hear our children articulate where they see this value being demonstrated in our school community. Their insights and observations are wonderful, reminding us the importance of fostering a respectful environment and community.

In celebration of this value, we are thrilled to announce a delightful new celebration. Thanks to the generosity of our fantastic Friends of St Andrews, we now have a Hotel Chocolate Hot Chocolate maker! This will create a special moment where pupils can nominate a classmate who they believe has exemplified Respect – towards their peers, staff or our local and global community. The chosen pupils will be treated to a rather fancy hot chocolate, a small but meaningful recognition of their positive contributions to our school ethos.

The week has been a whirlwind of activities. The children have thoroughly engaged with the Bath Literacy Festival, embracing the joy of storytelling and the written word. They’ve also been enjoying the great outdoors through Forest School, pushing their limits in Cross Country running, and making a splash in our swimming sessions. It’s wonderful to see such a rich tapestry of experiences enhancing their education and personal development.

I was delighted to see so many parents at our recent Phonics Workshop. As we all know, fostering a love for reading at an early age is crucial, and your support in this is invaluable. Together, we can help our children discover the magical world of books and set them on a lifelong journey of learning and imagination.

Last week, I had the privilege of attending an enlightening Diversity Conference. It was a fantastic opportunity to explore ways to further celebrate the diversity within our school. As one parent recently described us – we are a ‘Global village’ here at St Andrew’s. I’m excited to build on this strength, learning about and celebrating the many different wonderful cultures that make our school so special.

I’m proud to report that our St Andrew’s pupils participated with admirable resilience and determination at a recent Cross-Country event. Their spirit and sportsmanship were a credit to our school.

Looking ahead, we’re eagerly anticipating the start of our Music Band Workshops in the coming weeks. We’re just finalising the necessary paperwork, and we will keep you updated on the details.

Finally, I’d like to announce a small change to our weekly schedule. Moving forward, our celebration assembly will be held on Friday mornings. We warmly invite all parents to join us for these special moments – it would be lovely to see you there, sharing in the achievements of our wonderful children.

One last item, please can we ask that the children arrive at school on time. We have seen a number of children late for school and as you are aware, every minute counts. We want to do our best for all the children and believe that regular attendance at school is vital for children as it promotes good learning, positive attitudes and maintains continuity in their education and in their friendships. Home and school must work together to ensure the children feel safe and secure about coming to school and know the routines clearly.

As always, I am immensely grateful for your continued support and engagement with our school community. Together, we create a nurturing, respectful, and diverse environment where our pupils can thrive and grow. Here is to another week of learning, discovery, and respect at St Andrew’s.