If only parents could have heard the joys and squeals emanating from the classrooms and corridors on the first day of Advent, as the children explored our newly converted Winter Wonderland. Here in School, we all felt rather privileged to have helped to create this magical experience and we are of course very grateful to the small army of elves that arrived on Wednesday evening to help! Celebration of Christmas continued with the unveiling of the tree in the Bates Hall today, and the children are enjoying trying to find the elusive elf impishly exploring our School environs. Of course, the Christmas celebrations continue this weekend with the SVPSPA Fair and then we move swiftly onto nativities, singing, Christingle services, carol services, pantomimes, parties, lunches and Christmas jumper days – much practice has been happening, and there is much to look forward to. 

At this time of year, we also remember those less fortunate than ourselves. Not only did the School raise £221.51 for the recent Poppy Appeal, but we could not have been prouder of two of our pupils raising money for Crisis by organising and running a second-hand book sale this week. Not only did Phoebe R and Liberty P, together with a few other friends, in Year 5 show entrepreneurial initiative but they also demonstrated compassion and perseverance in equal measure, and we are still receiving the proceeds from their endeavours. A brilliant effort! 

Two slightly perfunctory matters to raise are firstly that parents of children in Years 3 to 6 should not feel that they have to wait on the far side of the playground at pickup time each day. This was a COVID restriction and I understand via the PCG that this sometimes causes a bit of a queue near the entrance to the playground. Please do feel free to approach the Coles building (as you once used to do, I am told), although please do not enter the Coles building without your child so that we can ensure the children egress safely. Secondly, I would also like to draw all parents’ attention to the letter from earlier today about the arrangements for the three Bank Holidays in May 2023. 

In the meantime, we will hope to see lots of you at the Christmas Fair tomorrow, and if not there, then at one of the many events in the calendar over the next two weeks.