Christmas Newsletter
13th December 2024
Dear All,
As the first term draws to a close, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributes to our very special West Park family.
As always, this term has been particularly busy with visits, visitors and lots of wonderful experiences for staff, children and parents alike. The children have had opportunities to learn about others, learn from others and contribute positively to their own community.
Examples of these have been our student leaders, who make positive differences each day. We have: Reader Leaders who use their lunchtimes to hear younger children read, Eco Ambassadors who make recommendations as to how we can improve our sustainability, School Councillors who look at how we make our school a better place, Play Leaders who support children at lunchtimes with activities and new for this year Pupil Ambassadors who are look at developing a project to improve our school. I would like to thank each and every one of them for all their hard work. In addition, we have also had children performing in the arts and sporting competitions both within school and outside of it; seeing their excitement and joy at trying new things is an absolute pleasure.
School is not just a place of learning the National Curriculum, it is a place where children discover who they are and who they want to be. They learn to cope in the modern world and find their place within it. For some children this is a tricky journey, learning to navigate emotions- their own and others- is hard.
We are looking at how everything we do in school supports this. As you are now aware we have Luna- our wonderful addition to the West Park family, who will be training to be a therapy dog. In addition, we are developing a Place to Be Garden at the front of the school. It will offer a safe space where children can take time to relax and talk – a garden that helps facilitate and stimulate conversation and well-being.
In this fortnight where we donned our Christmas jumpers, enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner, made cards, watched pantomimes and nativities, it has been lovely to see the children enjoying all that the season has to offer. We have our Christmas Fayre yet to come and the children are busily preparing for this event on Wednesday 18th December 2024, 2.30pm – 4.00pm and we look forward to welcoming you to this.
As the year ends, I would like to thank you all for your thoughtfulness, support and unfailing cheer as you drop your children off each morning. I hope you have a magical time with your family and friends over the winter break and come back to school on Tuesday 7th January 2025, refreshed and rested.
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to everyone!
Kind regards,
Mrs Hirst and all the staff at West Park Academy