Message from the Headmistress
Dear Parents,
We are nearly there…
For those who are counting, we have 2.5 days to go until we break up for Christmas. A reminder that Senior pupils finish at 12.30pm on Wednesday 16th December. Mrs Wright has requested that EYFS and KS1 pupils are collected at 12.10pm and KS2 pupils collected at 12.20m to avoid bubble collisions on the Avenue.
And for those who are counting down the sleeps to Christmas, I can confirm there are 13!
We have certainly felt festive this week, no more so than today when we are wearing our Christmas jumpers! Not sure when my elf outfit will get an outing next year…
I have loved my previews of the Junior Shows, live streaming tonight as well as Year 5 and 6 one which went out ‘live’ last night …. and I love writing quizzes.
On Monday, the seniors will have a special Christmas crafty afternoon, following their Christmas lunch grab bags.
Reports and certificates will be on their way home on Tuesday and Wednesday. We will send you a link to our unique Hollygirt Christmas video, too. This will feature lots of staff and pupils!
We hope that you all are gearing up for a Christmas with a difference, in your smaller family groups than normal. Remember the rule is that 3 families can come together for the period 23rd to 27th December. We will be getting an update on the tier system from the government to start Thursday 17th for the interim period.
As I am obligated to contact Public Health England about any positive tests in our school community, can I make a special plea that parents take extra care not to send unwell children into school next week. I am dreading the prospect of having to send letters to bubbles requiring self-isolation because of known contacts at this stage in the term and so close to Christmas. For your information, I have to backtrack 48 hours from the date any symptoms appear in producing contact lists for PHE. So even after the end of term, it is still possible that notifications can arrive.
When we are on school holiday, if you are getting a test for a pupil, can you let us know. This is especially important if the symptoms are present up to and including Friday 18th December.
We would like you to mail victoriawright@hollygirt.notts.sch.uk for all Junior pupils and headmistress@hollygirt.notts.sch.uk for all Senior pupils. We dearly hope to receive no such emails.
Thank you to you all for your forbearance and support as we wend our way through the maze of restrictions and strive to continue to do all that is right to give the pupils their full opportunities and to support them. We have had a good term and are all very much in need of some quality ‘down time’.
I will send a final brief newsletter next Wednesday, but here is an early Merry Christmas to you all.
Mrs Hutley
Headmistress
Message from the Head of Juniors
Please click here to view this week’s Stars of the Week
Dear Parents,
We have had such an exciting week. Yesterday, Santa, joined by his two elves, visited Junior School. He was very careful and remained distanced, making sure he spoke to the children in their bubbles. The children were delighted to see him and were very eager to let him know what they wanted for Christmas! It was a really lovely morning.
Last night was the first of our Christmas productions and we thoroughly enjoyed Year 5 and 6’s performance. The children have all done so well and we are very proud of them. Thank you all for attending and for also joining the Christmas Quiz which I thought was rather tricky! Well done to our winners. Tonight, it is the turn of Early Year and Key Stage One, followed by Years 3 and 4 and I am very much looking forward to these too. There is another Christmas Quiz which will be different to last night’s!
So much preparation goes into the Christmas productions and a huge thank you to Miss Purchase for organising these and for holding the multiple rehearsals; she has done, as ever, an incredible job. Also thank you to Mrs Heatlie who has taken on Year 1 and 2 Music teaching this half term and has prepared the children so well. Thank you to all staff who have helped out with extra rehearsals and the learning of lines and songs. And finally, thanks to Miss Hutley, who recorded and put the performances together, not an easy job but she has done it brilliantly in a very short space of time.
Today, it is Christmas Jumper Day and we are supporting Save the Children. Some fabulous jumpers! We have just finished our Christmas lunch in Junior School. Well done to Chef Julie and the catering team for creating such a delicious meal complete with chocolate brownies and star biscuits – a real treat!
Next week, PE and Games lessons will run as usual. In addition, there are lots of fun activities and class treats. Please could I remind you that we finish on Wednesday lunchtime and there is no after school club on this day. We are asking parents of Early Years and Key Stage One to collect from Elm Avenue at 12:10 and Key stage Two, 12:20. This will allow dismissals to be staggered and parents and children to remain distanced on the avenue.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support this term; it has not been an easy term but your support makes a big difference. I also extend this to Junior staff who have been amazing. Thank you to Mrs Atherton for all you work with Year 5; I know she has loved her time with the children. I hope you all have a very Happy Christmas and I look forward to seeing you all in January.
Mrs Wright
Head of Juniors