Spring Term

Friday 26th March 2021

@ALEX, our weekly email newsletter, is sent out via Parentmail every Friday.  You will find the current term's newsletters available for download at the bottom of the page.

Version suitable for using the Translate Button within our website.

Message from Mr Waiting

Dear Parents and Carers,

In this final newsletter of the spring term, I wanted to write and thank everyone for their continued support on what has been a challenging start to 2021. The decision to close the school to the majority of pupils and make the transition to remote learning took place quickly with little warning in January. However, families adapted brilliantly logging into live lessons, engaging with whole school assemblies and making excellent progress with the tasks that were set. The children’s participation and enthusiasm reflected their investment and enjoyment of school and demonstrated the strength and cohesion which exists at Alexandra. In very challenging circumstances the staff, parents and, particularly the pupils, showcased and epitomised our school values - nurture, exploration, community and excellence - evident for all to see.

Similarly, on the reopening of school, I have been so pleased to have all year groups back. The children have made good progress with their learning from differing starting points and they have also valued the emotional support of seeing friends and being back with teachers. Parents have supported this process by making voluntary contributions to the ‘class wish-lists’ that have replaced our usual cake sales and attending the online parent consultations to understand the pastoral offer available within school. Looking ahead, senior leaders will run an online parent workshop at the start of the summer term to provide an overview of the support available following lockdown to address gaps in learning and, equally, to accelerate children who have continued to make excellent progress whilst away from school.

Finally, I wanted to take this opportunity to acknowledge Pauline Sharratt, our Inclusion Manager, who retires next week after twenty seven years at Alexandra. Mrs. Sharratt’s investment in the school is evident for all to see – she has supported and guided generations of children, nurturing and celebrating their talents and transforming their experience of education. The school’s ethos has been driven by her hard work and passion for developing the whole child and instilling an enduring love of learning. We will miss her input going forwards but her legacy is clear to see. I know that she will keep in close contact with the school.

Have a great weekend and a wonderful Easter break when we get there.

Robert Waiting