Latest News from the Head
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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May News
Fri 26 May 2023We have had a busy first half of the Summer Term!
I would like to begin by congratulating our pupils and thanking our staff in Year 6. This half-term saw our Year 6 pupils sit their end of Key Stage 2 standardised assessment tests (SATs) in Spelling, Grammar, Reading and Maths. Although, performance in tests does certainly not define our pupils, testing remains a presence throughout education that children must learn to tackle. We were all incredibly proud of the Year 6's positive attitude and resilience throughout their week of tests.This half-term we have continued to enjoy a wide variety of trips and workshops. This has included EYFS and Key Stage 1 taking part in Maypole dance workshops, Year 3 and 4 enjoying the Ultimate Frisbee festival and Year 5 and 6 completing Bikeability training. Though, perhaps my favourite of this month’s activities was Junior Roadwatch. A selection of Year 6 pupils were invited to join our local MET Police officers with a speed gun on Thornton Road. Pupils then joined officers in confronting speeding motorists!
Thank you for all of your efforts with costumes and contributing cakes for our Coronation Day celebrations. The children had a wonderful day in their Royal outfits, and I am pleased to share that we raised over £125 to be put towards resources for pupils.
This half-term, the theme of our Headteacher assemblies has been Responsibility. This has fed into wider discussions with pupils around ensuring they attend school each day and recognise the part they play in getting to school on time. I am pleased to share that we continue to see improvements in both our punctuality and attendance figures.
As the table below shows, attendance has improved in nearly every half-term this academic year compared to 2021-2022.
Autumn 1
Autumn 2
Spring 1
Spring 2
Summer 1
2021/2022
92.1%
92.1%
91.0%
90.8%
92.0%
2022/2023
93.3%
89.3%
91.9%
92.0%
92.2%
This month I met to discuss the recent travel survey with Mrs Green (our staff Travel Ambassador), Alex Russell (one of our parent governors) and a parent from Key Stage 2. A summary of key findings has been emailed to parents.
Finally, we have been very impressed this half-term with how well presented our pupils are for school. Below, we have included a reminder of expectations for school uniform, including on PE days. We are working with the PTA to make second hand uniform more readily available to families.
I look forward to welcoming you back for the final half-term on Tuesday 6th June. I am looking forward to celebrating our Come and Be Nosy sessions, Sports Days and Moving up Mornings with you all!
Yours,
Mr Needham
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April News
Tue 02 May 2023We have had a lovely start to the Summer Term, which has already seen Year 5 attend a London Philharmonic Concert, Year 1 enjoy a trip to the seaside at West Wittering and the whole school take part in National Skipping Week.
Deaf Awareness Week
This week, we are celebrating Deaf Awareness Week at Rushy Meadow. This is an opportunity to raise awareness of some of the challenges d/Deaf people may face in the community and ensure everyone in our school and wider community feels included, whilst promoting the amazing aspects of living with deafness. Pupils have been invited to create a poster promoting deaf awareness and, in assembly, our Teacher of the Deaf, Miss Gelly, shared strategies with pupils on how we can become more deaf aware. These included speaking clearly and making sure we have the person’s attention before we begin speaking.
King’s Coronation
A reminder that we have a dress-up day to celebrate the King’s coronation on Friday 5th May. Children can dress as a King, Queen, Prince or Princess. We have our 50p cake sale taking place after school in both the KS1 and KS2 playgrounds. Remember, you can donate cakes to the sale by dropping them to the office before 2pm on Friday 5th May.Events taking place this Term
Come and Be Nosy – more information will follow; these are mornings when parents are invited into school to see a lesson taking place in their child’s class:
Tuesday 13th and Wednesday June 14th : Year 3 – 6. Time: 9am-9.30am (parents to attend one)Thursday 15th and Friday June 16th : Reception. Time: 9am-9.30am (parents to attend one)
Wednesday 21st and Thursday June 22nd : Year 1 & 2. Time: 9am-9.30am (parents to attend one)
Sports Days – more information on organisation will follow; dates and times below:
Nursery and Reception: Thursday 29th June 2023 from 9am – 10amYear 1 and Year 2: Thursday 29th June 2023 from 10.30am – 11.45am
Year 3 and Year 4: Friday 30th June 2023 from 9am – 10.30am
Year 5 and Year 6: Friday 30th June 2023 from 10.45am – 12.15pm
Journeying safely to school
Thank you for taking the time to feedback on your journey to and from Rushy. We have had almost 200 parent responses! I am putting together a small work party involving governors, parents and staff, who will be reading through your comments and suggestions. We will then share our next steps and I hope to update with further support from Sutton council.
For some of our pupils, this is their last term before Secondary school, whilst others are preparing to start full-time schooling in Reception. I am looking forward to celebrating many milestones with you and all our pupils in the Summer months.
Yours,
Mr Needham