Summer break is here and Justin Timberlake has summed up how we are all feeling 'Cause I got that sunshine in my pocket , got that good song in my feet'!
I hope you are all well and looking forward to a more relaxed routine over the summer period. I have included some tips for helping your child:
- If bedtimes and getting up times change a lot over the summer, have a plan to gradually get back to normal so that the start of the Autumn term isn't as difficult for your child (* see below)
- If you are visiting places you go to regularly but there may be changes there due to Covid, prepare your child for this in advance (eg they may not be all the facilities / events that they are used to)
- If your child likes structure and routine you can plan for this daily or weekly. Each day can be different but the planning and communication of this is the key to success
- If your child likes to spend a lot of time on an electronic device, plan for this in the routine. This will allow you to limit the amount of screen time they have and you can ensure that they have at least one hour before they go to bed with no screen devices. Experts say teenagers and adults should try to limit screen time outside of work to less than two hours per day. Any time beyond that which you would typically spend on screens should instead be spent participating in physical activity
- Try to plan for at least one physical activity a day, where possibly outside. professionals say "Parents should give teens control over how they decide to be physically active. Teens want to make their own decisions, so give them a choice. Emphasize that it's not what they do — they just need to be active." Here are some ideas:
- Washing and waxing a car for 45 to 60 minutes
- Walking
- Dancing
- Swimming
- Water aerobics
- Jogging and running
- Aerobic exercise classes
- Bicycle riding (stationary or on a path)
- Some gardening activities, such as raking and pushing a lawn mower
- Washing windows or floors for 45 to 60 minutes
- Playing volleyball for 45 minutes
- Playing touch football for 30 to 45 minutes
- Gardening for 30 to 45 minutes
- Walking 13⁄4 miles in 35 minutes
- Shooting baskets for 30 minutes
* I have included some timings to show you how this can be structured, you
would of course adjust this to suit the timing of your child's routine
Get up: Go to bed:
Day 1 11.30am 11.30pm
Day 2 11am 11pm
Day 3 10.30am 10.30pm
Day 4 10am 10pm (for pupils around 14 and older they may
stay at this time)
Day 5 9.30am 9.30pm
Day 6 9am 9pm (for pupils around 12 and older they may
stay at this time)
Day 7 8.30am 8.30pm
Day 8 8am 8pm (most pupils won't need to go to bed earlier
than this)
Day 9 7.30am
Day 10 7am
Day 11 Get up normal time for a school day and return to school
I hope this helps you all have a happy summer and a relaxed return to school in September.
Headteacher For The Day
I was privileged to work with one of our pupils for a day this week as they were the winner of our Head for the day competition. Mr Verma not only dressed impeccably and looked the part, he also conducted himself with poise and confidence.
After greeting pupils on their arrival to school, Mr Verma walked the school with our Maths Faculty Lead, Mrs Mistry. Mr Verma was looking at pupil engagement in lessons and he made some very insightful observations which he fed back to me and I have shared with staff. We then welcomed two of our newest Governors and our new Clerk to the Governors to the school and Mr Verma gave them a walking tour which ended in the staffroom where we all chatted together about how the school is set up to meet the diverse needs of pupils.
After a well deserved drink and cake at breaktime, Mr Verma had a tour of the new school building to check on the progress of the work. He commented on the wider corridors and the feeling of more space throughout the building.
Mr Verma had previously planned for the whole school assembly with me and I was on hand to support him in navigating zoom, the power point, music and videos. He did an exceptional job and pupils gave him some very positive feedback.
Mr Verma exhibited all the qualities that are needed to be successful in a workplace and I look forward with interest to seeing him achieve full time paid employment in the future. I hope having Headteacher for the day on his CV helps!
Caribbean Cultural Experience
We welcomed a steel band to school on Tuesday to entertain our Pathway 1 pupils. Each class came down to be entertained and they also were able to join in with instruments and play the bass steel drum. The Pathway 1 team laid on a Caribbean buffet which pupils enjoyed, most of them tasting even the most unfamiliar foods. Thanks to the team for organising a great event.
Fiesta
If you had visited the school yesterday you would have seen such a variety of fun activities taking place across the day. From free stalls, games and prizes, a visiting dance group and a free ice cream van to staff being drenched in the stocks and pupils and staff having water fights everyone had a lovely day, where we were able to come together as a community and have fun. Heartfelt thanks to the staff and pupils who organised the day and made it so much fun for all of us.
Leavers
On behalf of the whole school, may I wish you all the very best for this next exciting step on your life's journey. Thank you for allowing us to walk alongside you on your path for a number of years. I would like to re-share the words of Nelson Mandela with you (who we celebrated in this week's assembly) as these messages will help you now and forever:
'A winner is a dreamer who never gives up'
'It always seems impossible until it's done'
'I never lose. I either win or learn'
'The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall'
Don't forget us, we'll NEVER forget you!
Have a well deserved break everyone. Very best wishes,
