When I sat down to prepare for this term, I reflected on our accomplishments, including the nomination for two national ISA awards. The award winners will be announced at a virtual ceremony in February 2021 and it is this success that has inspired me to plan an exciting Spring Term. We are all continuing to reflect on our Covid-19 Plans, ‘bubbles’ and adapting timetables to provide the very best online learning for all those accessing from home. I am incredibly proud of how the children have adapted and continue to uphold The Hampshire School Chelsea’s Core Values of responsibility, respect, resilience, excellence and community, despite the additional challenges that a pandemic presents. I am also encouraged by the support from the parent community which confirms that we are stronger together and that working in partnership as a school community fosters positive wellbeing. Indeed, it was inspiring to see the whole school community come together to share in the children’s festive events at the end of the Autumn Term.
The benefit of virtual events is that they remain available to watch long after the occasion. The Christmas mince pies, mulled wine and carols on the steps of the school, the virtual Carol Service, Christmas lunch and a ‘Touch of Christmas Day’ brought us together as a community at the end of a successful term. It was fantastic to see the amazing Christmas hats designed and created by the pupils for our Christmas lunch and to witness them thoroughly enjoy the incredible meal prepared by our new caterers, Thomas Franks. We were delighted that Father Christmas dropped in to say hello – one pupil commented that he sounded a lot like Mr Nielsen. The end of term assembly saw many pupils rewarded for their efforts and it was therefore a pleasure to award Certificates of Excellence for the best kept Homework Diaries, and to those pupils who had accumulated the most House Points for the term, in their year group. With the progress of the implementation of the new Houses namely; Scott, Marley, Franklin and Pankhurst, having high priority, we look forward to celebrating the children’s achievements in planned House events and competitions this term. The community had the opportunity to make a donation, and wear a poppy, in support of the Royal British Legion. The Remembrance Service collection attracted donations totalling £58.50. Thank you to all who donated, and a special thank you to Lissa (Year 6) for creating the impressive knitted poppies which made a significant contribution to supporting the charity. Given the increased attention on everyone’s well-being at this unprecedented time it was also encouraging to see the community unreservedly support the initiative to provide a reading book for every pupil at Westbridge Primary School in Battersea, and to work with the charity, School Home Support (SHS). The Touch of Christmas Day raised £210 and I look forward to sharing the footage of the donation to Westbridge Primary School in due course. SHS provide personalised intervention for children and families to improve the life chances of children, and tackle the underlying barriers to a successful education. For further details about SHS from their website https://www.schoolhomesupport.org.uk/how-we-help/children-and-families/early-years/.
Our partnership, and mantra of stronger together, will result in the best possible outcomes for our children’s well-being and attainment and I thank all parents for their continued engagement and guidance during these unprecedented times.