Dear Parents and Carers,
Firstly, apologies for the early closures today. By the late morning we were hearing that roads were starting to close to the east of Haverhill and were very conscious that staff at both schools and many students at SWA would need to get home, so the quicker they could leave, the better. I don’t like to close early, but sometimes it is unavoidable. I know we were not the only schools to do so today.
We are about to go into our first two-week October half term. We resume at both schools on Monday 6th November. I know that the leadership of the trust are committed to getting feedback from everyone about this idea this year before deciding whether to continue with it next year, so I hope that when you are asked your opinion, you’ll share it. I also hope that many of you will be making use of the childcare activities being provided over the break and that your children come back refreshed.
As the weather turns colder, we are getting some requests for thicker coasts for the happy sheds. If you have coats that your children have grown out of and you would be happy to donate, we can use any size from age 4 to adult.
WPA
Thank you to everyone who has supported our celebration of National Dwarfism Day today. As you know, we are keen to support charities which are close to the hearts of our community, so even though national Dwarfism Day is next week, we are wearing green today. Any donations will go to Little People UK. You can donate through the just giving page which you can find here.
SWA
Well done to those students who are hitting or exceeding the 96% attendance target. There are lots of you! Parents and carers, if you are contacting us about attendance, please use the address 'attendance@samuelward.co.uk'. We have two attendance officers who both access that address, so no matter who is on duty that day, they will receive your message.
We wish Mrs Matos Ogunfowora all the best as she goes on maternity leave today. Her role in MFL is being covered by Miss Minichiello-Price and Mrs Carr has agreed to step up from inclusion officer to Head of Year 10 until Mrs Matos Ogunfowora returns. I learnt this week that Mrs Carr was the first inclusion officer in Suffolk, longer ago than she probably cares to remember, so they are in very safe and experienced hands. We will also assign another IO to that year group.
HC6
We are pleased with how the new Football Academy course is running so far and grateful to the New Croft for their support and determination to get that off the ground. Students attend coaching and training with the New Croft and attend their lessons at HC6. Other centres insist that students in the football academy take a single course in sports science which is equivalent to three A-levels, but we don’t. Students can take any of our post-16 courses as long as they meet the entry requirements. I don’t know of another sixth form in the country that does that.
We are in early discussions with the department for education about running a new course next September; the T-level in Early Years Education. It is a single two-year course where students spend approximately three days a week studying in the sixth form and two on placement in a primary school. I’ll share more details about that as we progress with the plans, but I’m already excited that we can grow the next generation of early years experts for our schools right here in the town.
Students at HC6 have been reviving an old tradition today. In years gone by, sixth formers dressed up for Halloween on the last day of the October half term. I’ve seen pictures of students in fancy dress from years ago but it hasn’t happened in my time at the school. It is great to see it back today. Our Year 12 students have hit the ground running since September and deserve to let their hair down as they complete their first half term as sixth formers. You will be able to follow events at HC6 from now on via out new social media account - @hc6tiktok.
Have a great half term,
Andy Hunter
Executive Headteacher
Westfield Primary and Samuel Ward Academies