The Nutshell w/e 13th December

Dear Parents,

As we draw this term to a close, and the festive season beckons, I used Monday’s assembly to share a story with the children about someone who has been bumped into in the street and spills their coffee. The moral of the story was to understand that we will all have bumps and jolts along the way, but we have a choice in how we fill our metaphorical coffee cup; will anger and resentment spill over when we’re jolted, or will it be compassion and patience?

As we move into the Christmas season - a time for reflection, gratitude, and renewal - we have the opportunity to re-focus on what we pour into our cups and how we can be more intentional in choosing joy, kindness, and care for others and ourselves.

This term, I have been reminded of how much goodness exists in our school community: it spills into all aspects of school life whether in academic pursuits, creative endeavours, or acts of kindness and service. I’ve seen it in the way our pupils support one another, in the dedication of our staff, and in the warmth of your support as parents.

None of this is to say we are perfect - of course we are not! But, I am proud of the way that we all work tirelessly together to do right by the children in our care. We’ve seen fantastic results across the school, from Reception pupils excelling in national comparisons to our Year 8s achieving remarkable successes in their next schools’ entrance exams, including increased scholarships and glowing feedback on the value added over the past two years.

Equally, I am proud of the many ways our pupils have demonstrated awareness of and care for others this term. From learning crochet and supporting charitable initiatives, to spreading joy as festive 'staff elves'. Our pupils in Years 5 and 8 have also visited local communities (including NHS staff) to bring cheer. It is clear that the ethos of people-centeredness continues to thrive at our school.

We all create this culture and success together. Thank you for your continued open communication and support as we strive to always have our people at the heart of our decisions. Thanks also to all our staff from all departments for their hard work this term. During my early morning runs through the car park, I’m always struck by how early our staff begin their day, preparing to nurture and inspire your children. It is this dedication that underpins everything we do, from the extraordinary academic achievements we’ve celebrated this term to the moments of personal growth we see every day.

As we approach the holidays, I hope you find time for rest and renewal. For me, the break offers a chance to run at a more sensible time of day, indulge in a good book, enjoy creative projects, and linger over long family meals. There may also be a little homemade ice cream involved too! I wish you and your family a joyful Christmas and a peaceful New Year. Thank you for all you bring to our school, and I look forward to seeing you in January for another exciting term.

Best wishes,

Lindie

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