The last couple of weeks have been particularly busy for lots of the staff with various Continuous Professional Development (CPD) activities, including a couple of late nights for our Nursery and Pre-Prep teams. As in any profession, and perhaps especially true in education when we are always trying to model behaviour to the children, learning from experts and from each other is critically important to the culture; as we often say to the children and staff, ‘better never stops’. This week has seen the staff conducting learning walks throughout the School – short visits to each other’s classrooms to observe, reflect upon and consider if and how particular strategies might work in their own classrooms – and we will be getting together again next week to share our experiences and learnings.

We are also enjoying seeing the buds of Spring, quite literally in the grounds with the emergence of a few daffodils across the school. The sun is rising just a little earlier and setting just a little later, and after the recent snow and ice-induced disruptions it was lovely to have a full sporting programme this week too, including the swimming gala this afternoon. I am told that the grounds here at School are at their best in the Springtime and I am sure we are all looking forward to the re-emergence of the colours, sounds and smells in the not-too-distant future.

Thank you to the parents of children in Years 5 and 6 who attended a busy coffee morning this week. Next week is the turn of Pre-Prep and the event includes, for those that can stay, a Phonics and Reading Workshop to hear about how we teach the children to learn this critical life skill, and how parents can help them at home. The next Parent Consultation Group meeting, with communication and food both featuring on the agenda, will also take place on Friday next week, so please do liaise with your year group if you would like to raise anything.

Together with an Education Committee meeting for school governors, an Informal Concert for Year 6 pupils and then the SVPSPA Quiz Night and AGM on Friday night, as well as sporting fixtures and tournaments, I hope the children (as well as parents and staff) have time to rest a little over the weekend!