Weekly Bulletin

Dear Parents and Careers,

We are at the end of another busy week at school and I can’t quite believe it’s Friday again!

Christmas has truly begun at Warden Hill!  The week started with what’s becoming an annual tradition now – singing at St Christopher’s Christmas Tree light switch on. Despite the weather, over 60 children and families turned up and joined us in singing carols as well as watching our children perform the beautiful ‘Winter Night’. Thank you to everyone involved especially, Reverend Lauren Gate and the team of church staff who put on the refreshments afterwards for everyone. 

Our Reception children’s superb Nativity performances have been a joy to watch and thank you to all who have come along to enjoy the magic. The number of songs, actions our words our children learnt was incredible and the sense of togetherness they brought in re-telling such an important story was heart-warmingly memorable. A huge well done to our reception children and thank you to Mrs Lewis, Miss Barrett, Mrs Edwards and Miss Sutton for supporting them all.

Our next magical Christmas encounter will be Year 1’s Carols, followed by the Year 2 Christmas Play, and culminating in our KS2 Carol Concert on Friday, 12th December. These events promise to bring festive cheer and showcase the incredible talents of our children.

If any KS2 parents are confident singers and can perform the descants for Hark the Herald and O Come All Ye Faithful at our Carol Concert, we would love to hear from you! Please email admin@wardenhill.gloucs.sch.uk if you can help make this occasion even more special.

Tuesday evening was our PTA meeting. It was all things focussed on the up coming Christmas Fayre on Friday 12th December. Thank you to everyone who has been able to send chocolate and bottle tombola donations in so far – it really does make all the difference! We’ve topped up the bar ready and I’ve ordered in a new set of glitter tattoos so you’ll know where to find me! Mrs Redman (our brilliant pastry chef!) is making a Christmas yule log for ‘Guess the Weight of the Cake, we just need to make sure it’s kept well out of Mr Bailey on the night…there’s a fabulous Giant Polar Bear to win if you guess the name and, back by popular demand, Nerf Gun Alley along with other games for our children.

Our PTA committee have been working exceptionally hard on this but, if anyone is able to help on the night, please do get in touch with Suzie our chair, via the PTA@wardenhill.gloucs.sch.uk or check out your year group WhatsApp messages – the more the merrier on the night!

We are excited to welcome two BEd Year 3 teaching students who will be joining us for their placement. At Warden Hill, we’ve always believed in supporting the next generation of teachers, and we’re delighted to continue our partnership with the University of Gloucestershire. It’s a privilege to help pave the way for their future careers and share the vibrant experience of our school community with them.

The staff have been dedicating time to additional Oracy opportunities this week – with a focus on the Look Who’s Talking Competition. It’s the class heats today and then we have the key stage heats. Chatting to the staff at lunchtime today they are so impressed by the children’s mindsets linked to their speeches. In fact, one child came in this morning and said to their class teacher: ‘Do you know what, I’m just going to give this a go’ – that in itself is a winning attitude! This opportunity is one aspect that really contributes to that wider personal development and we are really proud of all our children who have put themselves forward for this.

Finally, I would just like to thank both Mrs Chavasse and Mr Antonious for the time they take in supporting our wider community’s wellbeing. One of the ways they do this is by recording the Wellbeing Videos. The videos are little gems of honest, open and sometimes practical ways of enhancing our understanding on different areas as well as top tips. They range in content from Safeguarding to our own wellbeing, to online safety, to anxiety, to making routines, to the latest one on Christmas, reminding us that it’s not all about presents and comparing ourselves to the online ‘perfect’ versions of Christmas, it’s about family, quality time together and the simple gifts of making memories. If you haven’t managed to watch any of them I really would recommend them. They can be found here on our website: https://wardenhill.gloucs.sch.uk/wellbeing-chat/

That just leaves me to say, have a wonderful weekend.