First of all I would like to say how pleased I am to be here at Eastcote Primary School. Since I was appointed back in the Spring, I have been able to spend a few days in the school beginning to get to know children and staff and familiarising myself with how it all works. I thought I would take the opportunity in this first newsletter of the new school year to say a few things about myself and my background.
I have been married to my wife Sue, a maths teacher, for thirty-seven years. We have two daughters, Liz and Sophie and a 15 month-old chocolate labrador named “Thor” (not my choice of name!)
I started teaching in Plumstead and later, moved to work in a school in Lewisham, gaining a great deal of experience at both schools. This was followed by nine years at a Sidcup primary before I took a twelve year break from teaching to pursue a different career path.
When I returned to teaching, I worked at a large primary school in Pembury on the outskirts of Tunbridge Wells before gaining my head teacher’s qualification and applying successfully for the headship of a small Church of England primary in the heart of rural Kent, where I spent over two and a half years. However, I wanted to come back closer to home and was delighted when I saw the post of head teacher at Eastcote advertised. I visited and really liked what I saw and so applied for the post – and I was thrilled when the interview panel offered me the job.
I became a head teacher because I believe schools can and do make a big difference to children’s lives. I love to see children learning and growing as individuals and I look back to many happy years in the classroom where I have had the privilege of working with a whole range of children. As a head teacher, I hope to lead, encourage and inspire the staff of Eastcote so that together we can make this the best possible school for your children. I look forward to getting to know you all in the coming months and years.
Core Values
On the school badge are the three words, “Aspire”, “Learn” and “Laugh”. These represent the values we hold dear as a school.
We want children to aspire to be the best people they can be and achieve as much as they can. Learning both promotes aspiration and enables those aspirations to be fulfilled, whether that learning is academic, emotional, social, spiritual, moral or any other kind. “Laugh” emphasises the atmosphere we want to create, one in which learning is enjoyed and in which children feel school is a safe and supportive place.
What we do as a school will be rooted in these values and we will help children understand and embrace them.
Communications
I would like to move towards more electronic communication, particularly with the head teacher’s newsletter. We do have many e-mail addresses, but it would be really helpful if all parents who have e-mail accounts would let us know their e-mail addresses so that we can move to a system of sending out information primarily by e-mail. We would make paper copies available for families who do not have e-mail accounts.
Office
Could I ask you not to approach staff on duty at the school gates please, as they are there to ensure the safety of the children and should not be distracted at these times.If you have any messages you need to pass on to staff in the mornings, could you use contact books rather than coming to the office. As you can imagine, the period between 8.45 and 9.15 is incredibly busy and the office staff are only able to deal with essential matters.
Parent Helpers/Volunteers
Extra adults in the classroom can be of real benefit to children. If you would like to offer your services to the school as a volunteer helper please have a chat with the office staff. The only limitation we place on this is that we wouldn’t place a parent to help in any of their children’s classes. We would like to express special thanks to our parents and carers that helped with our greenhouse and playhouse which are now in use by our children.
Wet Weather
As we get into the autumn season, I would like to ask parents to ensure that their children bring a waterproof coat to school so that we can still go out for playtimes when it is raining. Waterproofs may then be left in school so that children can have access to them throughout the year. Naturally, we wouldn’t take children out in extreme weather, however if children have suitable coats they can go outside in most conditions and have the chance to let off steam.
Dates
Curriculum meetings (for parents to come and hear from teachers what they need to know for the new school year) – week beginning 16th September (dates and times for each class sent separately).
Secondary selection tests –Wednesday 18th September, a.m. Please note that the school will be open for all children.
Free school meal week for reception pupils – Week beginning 30th September.
Afghanistan themed lunch – Wednesday 2nd October.
Parents’ evening – by appointment -Wednesday 9th October, 3.30 p.m. – 6.30 p.m.
Harvest Service – Friday 18th October, 9.10 a.m.
Harvest this year will be a different format. Details to come in a few weeks.