All the latest information relating to school.
Hello Everyone.
I hope you are keeping well and that you are still socially distancing to protect your families, the NHS and all the other front line workers. I really hope that your time at home is as peaceful as it can be and that you are getting through this really difficult time in the best way you can.
Please remember that even in the sunny weather that we have been having it is so important to stay at home and be socially isolating. It is only by continuing to do this, can we hope to get some normality back sooner.
Today should have been the start of our Summer Term. My thoughts go out to our Y6 children who should be having their final term with us and who should be looking forward to their Y6 Leavers Celebration at the end of this term. As I have said before, we will celebrate their time with us in school at the first opportunity we get when the future is a little clearer for everyone.
School continues to be open to those who most need it. We are doing our very best to stay in touch with each and every one of you. The teaching staff should be contacting you every week to talk about your child’s learning and to offer ideas around learning at home and what is available. You should also still be getting support calls from Mrs Bolton, Mrs Latham, Mrs Fowler and myself. Remember to call school if you need anything else from us in between the calls.
Please have a look at our school website. There are lots of ideas on it around things to do at home with your children. If your children are reluctant to learn at home then have a look at our daily challenges. These are ideas from the staff around simple practical activities that might grab your child’s attention and imagination. Take some time to work with your child on the activities and they may just enjoy them for a little while. Whatever you are doing with your child please let us see it. Take a photo and send it to homelearning@willowgroveprimary.org.uk Then everyone can see the lovely things you are doing at home.
Remember you are doing a great job and we understand it is going to be difficult for you right now so use us to support you whenever you can.
I am signing off with a thought that I read on the Beacon House twitter feed. I have changed the wording a little …
Dear Parents
Don't stress about school work.
In September we will get your children back on track. We are your children's team and that is our superpower. What we can't easily fix is social and emotional trauma that prevents the brain from learning.
So right now we just need you to share your calm, share your strength and share your laughter with your children.
No kids are ahead. No kids are behind. Your children are exactly where they need to be.
With Love.
Your children's team x
Bye for now and I’ll be in touch soon.
Mrs Murphy x
Hello Everyone
I though I would take a moment to wish you all a very happy Easter weekend. I hope you are all keeping safe and well and that you are finding your time at home with families ok. I hope that so far your Easter has been peaceful.
When times are difficult for everyone as they are now, it is the acts of kindness shown by people that suddenly feel so very important. On Thursday your child will have received an Easter Egg from the Willow Grove Easter Bunny :) I wanted to say a big thank you to our very special Easter Bunny who donated all the eggs for the children this year. You know who you are. Thank you. It is this act of kindness that has reminded me of the importance of supporting each other in difficult times.
Remember to be kind, and don't forget that even when we are feeling worried, anxious or just a little bit lost there is always someone somewhere who will step up and put the smiles back on our faces. Happy Easter to you all and thank you again Easter Bunny.
I'll be in touch again soon.
Mrs Murphy
3rd April 2020
Hello everyone.
I thought I would write to say hello and to keep you up-to-date with how things are in school.
I hope you are managing to stay safe in your homes. Social distancing is very unsettling and for grown-ups and little ones alike, not to be able to see friends, family and loved ones is really hard. However, we know that for the sake of our NHS frontline workers and for our own school staff it is the best thing to do – so please make sure you are staying isolated to protect our NHS and our school. We will continue to provide the best support we can and to stay available for as long as we can but we need your help to do it so please remember to stay isolated to keep us all safe.
School is still functioning although it looks and feels very different. The building is very quiet and the few children who are in are quiet with it. There is a very eerie feel to it all. I really miss the noise and the bustle and I am looking forward to the time when our community is back together and I can hear and see children everywhere I look.
The staff are working really hard to make sure they stay in touch with everyone and you should hear from your child’s class teacher at least once a week. You should also expect a call from our Safeguarding Leads here in school. Mrs Fowler, Mrs Bolton, Mrs Latham or myself, will be calling once a week or more, to check in with you on a personal level. We might speak with your children to say hello and we will want to know if there is anything you need from us that may support you at home. If you think you need anything from us, then just speak up and we will help in whatever way we can.
The website is proving a vital way to keep in touch and the teachers are filling it with activities for our children to have a go at. As I said before – please do not feel the pressure of having to complete everything, just dip in and out as you can manage but remember, we would love to see what you are all getting up to at home so send your pictures or comments to homelearning@willowgroveprimary.org.uk and Mr Finn will upload them to our gallery then everyone can see what you are doing.
New routines will be hard to establish - just do the best you can. Remember you are more than enough for your family and you are doing a great job.
Take care of everyone and I’ll be in touch soon.
Joanna Murphy
Headteacher
3rd April 2020
Hello children it's Mrs Murphy
I wanted to say hello again and to ask how things are for you?
I hope you are all doing lots of different things at home with your families. Are you keeping fit with lots of exercise? I hope you are playing in your gardens when you can and that you are making the most of the sunny days we have been having. Have you been on our school website yet? You will find pictures in the home learning gallery of some of your friends and you can see some of the activities they have been doing at home. Why don't you have a look? You might fancy having a go yourself and sending us some pictures.
School is very quiet without you and I am missing you a lot. I can't wait for noisy dinner times and loud PE lessons again in school. We will most definitely have a big party when we can all come back to school. I am looking forward to being able to see you and to listen to what you have been getting up to.
If you want to send me a message, then you can email me at homelearning@willowgroveprimary.org.uk and I will be able to catch up with you.
Take care of yourselves and be good for your families.
I will write again soon.
Mrs Murphy