Junior School Head’s Blog 02 December 2019

Congratulations must go to 6KMH for providing such an interesting assembly last Friday. Their theme was Christmas and it was lovely to hear about how this festival is celebrated across the world in so many different ways, from Australia and Japan through to Mexico and India. Well done, 6KMH and Mrs Hale.

Thank you to everyone who has so far supported our charitable collection for Christmas in a Box with each class.  The boxes need to be completed by Friday 6 December so please send in any last minute items this week.

This week is very different for the children. During school hours we suspend our normal timetable and move across to our ‘Alternative Timetable’ arrangements. This allows the school to rehearse for the Christmas Production on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning and return to lessons in the afternoons. The children will be told by their form teachers if they need any kit for Games, Swimming and PE as some of these lessons continue as normal.

Thursday and Friday are even more disrupted due to the number of performances we put on.  We have a performance for visiting schools on Thursday morning at 9.30am. This also allows those who cannot come to the evening performances to see their children perform.  The second performance then takes place after school on the same day, followed by two performances on Friday.  I am very much looking forward to seeing the final result; it always proves to be one of the many highlights of the year and sets us up for the festive season. Please be aware that parking will be extremely difficult on the school site for all performances except the 7pm on Friday – if you can park off site that will be enormously helpfulAnd don’t forget to bring your tickets!

This week is a very exciting time for the children but they do tend to get very tired.  Please, therefore, make sure that they have a sensible bed-time wherever possible – thank you!

POLITE REMINDER:  We are aware that the traffic in Bedford is becoming increasingly challenging. If, for any reason, you are delayed in collecting your children from After School Care, please can you call the ASC team on 07917 657579 to let them know you are running late? This then allows them to reassure your children that they will be collected in due course. Please also remember that the service officially finishes at 6pm. Thank you.

Advanced warning that on Monday 09 and Tuesday 10 December the BMSPA will be holding their annual Christmas shopping service for the children who wish to take part.  You may remember that we sent out a letter towards the start of this term encouraging the children to earn any money they wish to spend at this event through chores and jobs at home.  No doubt there will some very tidy bedrooms and empty dishwashers this weekend, though sadly no-one has offered to wash my car for me!

As Mrs Mayfield will be leaving us at the end of term we have advertised for her replacement, taking the opportunity to split her role into two part-time positions. Details of these roles are on the school website so if you know anyone who might be interested please let them know.

It’s nearly Christmas and I have to admit to allowing myself to be a little excited as we approach the end of a very long term!  I have started the advent calendar on my office door and there are just two more weeks of school to go – yippee!

Mrs J Rex
Head of Junior School