Friday 8th December

Happy Friday!

As our children left school today, you may have thought it was the last day of the term as they were all giddy with excitement! We can certainly tell that the festive period is in full swing! Personally, I blame the many mischievous elves both in school and in home environments. Buddy, our very large elf, has caused some chaos this week - playing Twister with his elf friends in the circulatory area (yes, we did have to redirect the children); hiding in a suitcase that year five needed for their performance; and, today he had wrapped himself in toilet paper (toilet paper is expensive, and we can’t really afford for it to be wasted in this way). Needless to say, Buddy has found himself in red most of the week for not being ready, respectful and safe.

This week we’ve had two performances, two exhibitions, two nativities and a partridge in a pear tree! No, we haven’t actually had a partridge in a pear tree, Miss Homer just suggested we write that because I believe she is just as excited as the children.

Year three shared their learning with their adults, and they were so proud of their achievements. Our year three children worked really hard in their rehearsals and they deserve so much lovely praise. Thank you to all the adults who came along to support them, I know how much it means to them.

Year two shared their learning through an exhibition, and the learning they displayed was amazing. We are very proud of you year two. Thank you to all the adults who came along to support them, we can’t do our exhibitions without an audience.

Reception and year one took to the stage for their performance of, ‘Baarmy Bethlehem’. It is almost like a Christmas miracle when 120 of our youngest children come together to perform - they remember their lines, they act, they sing, they know when to come on and off stage, and they make us all really proud. A huge thank you to the adults who came along to support them, apologies for making you clap so much but I am sure you’ll agree the children deserved it.

We have more performances and exhibitions to look forward to next week.

Today, we held an Afternoon Tea for the people who have helped us this term. We are so lucky here at Olive Hill to have lots of lovely people who give up their time to enhance the children’s experience of education. We have our school governors, our reading volunteers, our parent volunteers, and, you may not know this, but many of our lunchtime supervisors volunteer to go on trips and visits, and always enjoy staying for the children’s performances where they can. We also had lots of representation from Open the Book who give up their time every Thursday to deliver interactive assemblies to our children. And, we were joined by our crossing warden and school cleaner. Our Senior Child Leadership Team did a fantastic job of hosting, even helping to set everything up beforehand. Our Junior Child Leadership Team enjoyed sitting with the volunteers and pulling crackers. And, everyone was entertained by the school choir who sang with so much enthusiasm.

We have nine days left of this term, well the children do, the staff have ten. Our big event for next week is the Christmas Fair on Wednesday 13th December. We are hoping this will be held outside, depending on the weather.

Wishing you a fantastic weekend.