As I sit down to write this week’s newsletter, I write from my office looking across the estuary in glorious sunshine – but it is only 8am. The heat has not got to its full power yet and we’ve been working hard on adaptions for this week’s heatwave. I am so grateful we have sports days done and speech day is not this week. A residential is postponed, not cancelled, and the cricket went ahead!
I would like to thank all of our staff who have been absolutely fantastic in adapting plans, monitoring the children carefully, finding shade, adjusting activities and helping us navigate conditions that are far from typical for a British June.
The decision to move to half-days on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday because of the heat was not taken lightly. In fact, I believe it is the first time in the school’s history that we have done so. However, the welfare of our pupils and staff must always come first, and I am grateful for the support and understanding shown by families as we made these difficult decisions.
In response to the challenges we have experienced during this heatwave, and recognising that periods of extreme weather are likely to become more frequent in the future, we will be reviewing our longer-term strategy for managing high temperatures across the school.
As part of this, we will be exploring the purchase and installation of air conditioning units in classrooms to help provide a more comfortable learning environment during periods of extreme heat. Whilst it will not be possible to implement this before the end of the current term, which is now only two weeks away, we will be looking seriously at what can be put in place ahead of next summer.
One of the highlights of the week was watching our Year 3 pupils take part in their ESB presentations. Whether speaking about a favourite hobby, reading an extract from a book, or reciting a poem, they demonstrated remarkable confidence, clarity and courage. Standing up and presenting to others is not easy, and they should all be incredibly proud of themselves. Miss Hoare and Mr Lincoln have worked so hard with the children. Thank you.
Last Tuesday evening also saw the annual Harefield Cricket Match between staff and parents and the team from Lympstone Village. Bathed in golden evening sunshine, it was one of those wonderfully wholesome community and family events that reminds us what makes St Peter’s such a special place. Thank you to everyone who played, supported, organised and attended.
Next term we have our first football fixture for parents. There has been great interest so far. Further details are later on in this Information Letter.
As we head towards the final stages of the term, thank you once again for your continued support. Schools are full of decisions, and occasionally those decisions are difficult ones. We are grateful for the trust and partnership of our parent community as we work together to do what is best for the children in our care.
Charlotte
Head
