Our Year 6 pupils look incredibly smart in their leavers’ hoodies!  It is really lovely to see them wearing them to school, with such pride.

Well done to year 5, who represented our school so well on their visit to Severn Valley Country Park, today. It was great to hear how thoughtful, observant and enthusiastic the children were when looking at natural habitats.

Thank you to those who have responded to the Forest School parent questionnaire.  The responses are very valuable when considering arrangements for next school year.  The questionnaire will remain open over the weekend, should you still wish to contribute Forest School Evaluation- Church of Ascension CE Primary School 2025

Many of our children have enjoyed a visit to the HSA Table Top Sale, this afternoon, to make purchases for someone special in their lives.  We continue to be extremely grateful to the HSA for all that they do to raise vital funds to support our school.  This year, we have been treated to lots of fun events, including film nights, discos and our fabulous Family Festival.  We are incredibly grateful for the purchase of a class set of iPads.  These will help to support our Computing Curriculum, as well as allowing pupils to carry out interventions.  In addition to the IPads, on behalf of school, the HSA have purchased:
– Bibles for our reception pupils.
– Large scale update of school reading books.
– New school website.
– £150 per class teacher for them to spend on what their class needs.
– The theatre performance of Treasure Island.
– The reception outdoor pirate ship.
– KS1 playground games.
– Support for transport to the Mayor’s Christmas Concert.
– New walkie talkies for lunchtime and after school use.
-Items to support Year 6 transition and end of year celebrations.

As you can see, all of your contributions have gone to excellent use in supporting the children.  We are very grateful for all of your support at and contributions to the events.

It was lovely to welcome our children back, on Tuesday.  Despite the wet weather, we have had a great week! This half term, our core value focus is perseverance and we have been thinking about what we can achieve before the end of the school year. It is great to hear so many children speaking with such determination about their targets and ambitions.

Well done to our gymnastics team who competed in the gymnastics competition.  Our football team showed great resilience when they played a friendly against Belle Vue, in the pouring rain.  Thank you to all of the children who have participated in this week’s competitive activities.

You should have received letters via email regarding the Parent Governor Election. We currently have two vacancies; nominations must be received by 12 noon, Monday 16th June.

Our sincere thanks to the Open the Book team, who led our Collective Worship, this week.  Pupils from 3N helped to re-enact the parable that Jesus told of the banquet.  The people who were invited to attend the party, refused – Jesus reminded the people to invite those who are worthy and will appreciate the feast.

It was great to be reminded that we are all included and invited.

As Ascension Day falls in half term, this year, our Collective Worship theme this week has been on the Festival of Ascension.  We have thought about how this is a very special time in the Christian calendar.

Children gave lots of creative ways to say goodbye.  Our favourites were toodleoo, ta-ra, see ya!  We considered that Ascension is a time when we think about Jesus saying goodbye and the instructions he left behind for his disciples.

Next week, we will celebrate Ascension Day, with church services, for the children and a day of sharing talents.

Thank you all for your very generous donations of bottles, in today’s non-uniform day.  We are very much looking forward to our Family Festival, after school, next Friday and are very grateful to the HSA and other volunteers for their hard work in organising and preparing. Today’s contributions to the bottle tombola, are a very positive start to what I am sure will be a very successful and enjoyable event. Details regarding the Family Festival and safe collection of children will be sent out separately.

During our VE Day commemorations, our children gave some very thoughtful and sensitive responses.  Their stone decorations were fantastic and made a wonderful display on the school playground.

I hope that you all have a lovely weekend, in the sunshine.