What a Term it has been! I would like to thank you all for working with us to ensure that the children's wellbeing was at the centre of all our decisions from the moment we came back in September, to today.
We have gradually built up the curriculum to address any gaps in learning and will continue this into the new year.
We have tried to make the past couple of weeks as magical and special as possible, as we were only too aware that social gatherings and the opportunities that you would have as a family, are currently not what any of us planned. This week has been a real joy to share with all the children and we send them off for a well earned two week festive break.
STar/Mathematician/writer of the week
School life
As you will see, it has been another busy week of festivities and work in school. The children have shown their true love of learning this week, despite all the fun and excitement that has been happening, they have shown maturity in their approach to 'normal' routines as well, with some amazing math's skills being shown, amazing observational drawing and wonderful History and Geography essays to celebrate all that they have been learning. A big well done from me!
Year 6 enjoying themselves in their silent (or not so much!) disco this week!
The children have had such a fun last week in nursery. Their silent disco proved to be a real hit with lots of bopping, hopping and grooving to the music! On Thursday, the children got into the party spirit! We had lots of fun playing the grand old duke of York, pass the parcel and musical bumps. The nursery team would like to wish you all a Christmas full of love, laughter and hope.
Reception have really enjoyed having a silent disco and listening to stories under the Christmas tree with Mr McGeeney. All the children have worked really hard this term and we are really proud of them. Well done for making such a great start to full time school Reception. Please can everyone bring their reading books and reading records on the first day back.
Y2 have had a busy week learning about measurements and capacities in maths, making cute Christmas crafts and making rainbow collage calendars!
Year 6 looked at experimental ways to draw a still life, some techniques included a continuous line drawing, drawing blind and a detailed 30-minute sketch. The outcomes were excellent.
The children in Year 1/2 have written a newspaper report informing people of how a local police officer has saved Christmas. I am so proud of them, they have done amazing!
Year 4 have enjoyed learning about their teeth and the different type of teeth we have. They particular enjoyed trying to eat an apple with only their incisors which some found extremely difficult. They also had stories around the tree and their silent disco.
Year 3 have been busy writing poems (kennings and acrostics), had the silent disco, drawn and painted a Roald Dahl character for their calendars and created an ‘Epic Santa Sleigh’ (designing a sleigh for Santa to use including all the gadgets!)
The y1/2 children have been learning about the continents and oceans and wanted to share their song!
There have also been some great observational drawings
We also received the results for the sports hall athletics. Well done to all of Key Stage 2 who did extremely well!
School social media accounts
Whilst we have our school Facebook account - we have a couple of new Twitter accounts. This lets us communicate and collaborate with people in a much easier way and allows the children to share their work with Authors and people of interest, giving them a further purpose and wider audience to share their thoughts and ideas. If you would like to see more, then the three main twitter accounts are @Galley_Hill , @GalleyH_english, @GalleyH_Maths
january
Timings and all routines will stay the same in January. If any new guidance comes out, I will contact you all via Parentmail, Twitter and Facebook. Bags will be allowed back into school in January, children have begun using cloakrooms this half term and is working well, so bags/rucksacks will be allowed again. Thank you for your cooperation with this as we continue to ensure we are all keeping and being as safe as possible.
COVID - Over the holiday period
As you may have heard in the news over the past couple of weeks, school will aid with Track and Trace over the holiday period. I will be checking e-mails throughout the holiday to ensure that we can continue to work together to help with any cases that might occur.
If your child becomes symptomatic, inform school and seek a test.
If you are awaiting a test and/or result, inform school.
This will be monitored throughout (but not 25 to 28 December). If there a positive test, I will liaise with Public Health and close contacts to inform of next steps.
I will send all letters, if needed, via Parentmail, so please do keep checking.
We have set up a special e-mail address to ensure that e-mails do not get lost. The e-mail address is: covid@galleyhillprimary.co.uk
Thank you!
A big thank you to you all for your support this term. It has been a long 15 weeks, but your support to all the staff is greatly appreciated.
I would also like to thank Kerry Todd of Song Bird films for her time in filming and editing the whole school Nativity. It was truly amazing to see all the children.
A big thank you to Mr Lawther for a settee to be used in school.
A big thank you to Mr Brown for lending the gazebo for the visit of Holly the Reindeer.
A big thank you to Mrs Shutt and Morrisons for their gifts.
A big thank you to Mr and Mrs Goodison for the kitchen that we now use for Breakfast and after school club.
Galley Hill Primary School COVID-19 Help and Report an Absence
The form can be found here: https://forms.gle/x3VtLfAix19hYjsq5
Finally
It has been a long, but wonderful term. We continue to try and work with you despite all that might be thrown our way. Thank you for all the kind words and messages, they are a real boost for the staff, who have worked tirelessly this term to ensure the safe, happy return to school for the children. The children are a real credit to yourselves and the school. Their passion and want for learning drives us all in school. It is a real joy and privilege to lead the school. There are many more exciting ventures, learning opportunities and whatever else might be thrown our way, we will make sure that we continue to grow together in ensuring that all the children grow in confidence, maturity, kindness, curiosity and academia.
On behalf of all the staff, I would also like to thank you for the gifts that have been sent in over the past couple of weeks. There really is no need, but they are all greatly received.
Finally, all that is left to say is have a relaxing, safe Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
Take care and see you all in January,
Mr McGeeney 🎄🎅