Monday 13th June 2022

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you all had a good half term and enjoyed the jubilee weekend and bank holidays. I cannot believe how quickly the first part of the summer term went, and we are really pleased so much was crammed in. It really does feel like things are back to normal now. As well as continuing to catch up with all the curriculum basics, the children were involved in lots more activities. These ranged from swimming; inter school sports competitions, a science challenge and days celebrating other cultures. The children in years 2 and 6 undertook SATs tests for the first time since before the pandemic, and although it will be a while before we know how they did, we were very proud of how calm they were and how they seemed to take what was for many their first formal tests in their stride. I was in School to see the year 2 SATs tests and the teachers did a good job at ensuring everyone was relaxed and calm. This term looks to be even busier, and will no doubt rush by too; year 1 will shortly have their phonics assessment and year 4 multiplication. Look out for details of activities on the newsletter, such as trips to Aerospace Bristol and Gloucester cathedral. The return of the annual sports day and play in a week, as well as Cattle Country our whole school trip! The government as part of a recent education white paper have for the first time stipulated a new minimum school week. Although schools have been given until September 2023 to implement it, as this will benefit the children, the governors have decided to go ahead and implement as soon as practical. We will implement this from the beginning of the next academic year. The school day will extend by 15 minutes, drop off in the mornings will remain unchanged but pick up will move back 15 minutes to 3.30pm. We will also make some small changes to nursery hours increasing the afternoon session to 3.30pm to help those of you with children in both school and nursery. The governors have been busy visiting and reviewing subjects, and looking through the latest attainment data. We have two new governors who have joined this term, Keiana Eden-Cox who was elected as a parent governor and is known to many of you. Helen Haywood is also joining us as a co-opted governor, Helen has recently retired from working in secondary schools in Gloucester for many years, including as Vice-Principle of St Peters. We are lucky to have such an experienced and committed governing board, and I thank them for their continued support and hard work. Finally, as you know this is Mrs Horniman’s last term before her retirement. She has been working closely with Mrs Wilson, our new head from September on a handover. Mrs Wilson will be in school once a week this term and is looking forward to saying hello to many of you at the school gate. Please put Saturday 9th July at 2.00 pm in your diaries for the afternoon tea to celebrate Mrs Horniman’ s many years and achievements with the school and nursery.

All the best

Neil Kinlay,

Chair of Governors,

Tibberton Primary School and Early Years.