Dear Parents and Carers,

It was exciting to start the week with a dusting of snow across the school site. The flurries were met with 'It's Christmas!' from my own children and the season is almost upon us. We have plans for a range of intimate festive gatherings in the pipeline and I will share the details with you all next week.

The cold weather did not deter the garden team who have completed the new all-weather surface around the adventure trail. Not only is the trail now accessible all-year round, but a new space has been created along the playground edge. The Friends of Lanchester have generously funded the work and I would like to thank them for their support and the opportunities they provide for the school.

Our focus on reading has continued this week. The Early Years and Key Stage One teams have been busy putting their new phonics skills (from training last week) straight into the lessons for the children. We have also completed a quick assessment to track the progress we are making in the delivery of phonics. I have been into classes in Key Stage Two supporting teachers as we continue to refine the reading skills lessons we deliver each day.

Values: This week our value has been 'ambition' and how it can help us to be ready and provide a target for us to aim for. Mr Wanford (Director of Education) touched upon this when he led our whole-school assembly on Monday explaining how we are part of the wider trust and how this can help us all to improve. Next week, our value will be 'courage', thinking about this quote from Stephen King: you can, you should and if you're brave enough to start, you will.

Votes for Schools: This week, we explored the questions 'Should we learn more about the UK?' (KS1) and 'Should UK Parliament move around the country?' Next week - well-timed after the snow this week - we are going to consider the following questions: Should you know how to prepare for the weather? (KS1) and Should we learn more about coping with extreme weather? (KS2)

Parent Governor Election: Mrs Bridgewater sent an email to all parents this week about the need for parent governors on the new School Board which will be launched in the spring term. If you are interested and have a skill set that would support the improvement journey of the school, please consider a nomination for the role.

Chat Health Parentline: If you need health advice or support, you can now message ChatHealth for confidential help. They can be reached on 07312263002. They aim to respond within 24 hours and are available Mon-Fri, 9am - 5pm. The school nursing team recommended this as a supportive step to help families with any health queries.

Local: Watford council have recently launched the Green Loop - a continuous cycling and walking route that encircles the town centre. It is 6.5 miles long - which might be a stretch for some of our smaller legs - and takes in a range of different environments around Watford. You would need to wrap up warm at this time of year, but it is an active way to explore the locality with friends and family.

Blast from the Past: Anyone who read the Watford News magazine might have recognised the picture on p.56. It was a black and white image of our beautiful building and shared a little bit of the history, explaining that it is one of only three Grade II listed buildings in the town.

Please Note: next week school is closed on Friday (29th Nov) and also again on Monday (2nd Dec) Have a great weekend everyone,

Mr. Matt Morey - Headteacher