Page 3 - Ickford Informer Newsletter Spring Issue March 2021

I am also hoping that other
fundraising may allow us to install a
new outdoor classroom where the
children can learn about and get a
more hands on experience of, the
natural world around them. I know
that the concept of ‘Forest School’
has been around for some time now
but often schools jump into the latest
‘fad’ without thinking it through
A message from John Ronane Headteacher properly and initial enthusiasm for
I T WAS THE EARL OF BEACONSFIELD and former Prime loses any impact.
something new soon wears off and

Minister, Benjamin Disraeli who said:
Our approach has been to build our
“There is no education like adversity”
curriculum more slowly, ensuring
that we prioritise the needs of our
children and strive for excellence
. . . and as one working in education, I hope that anyone reading this rather than rushing in and building
I can promise you that I have learned who has suffered unforeseen on unstable foundations. Hence why
a great deal in these adverse times, hardship, will be able to see some our academic results continue to be
particularly about people. I am light at the end of the tunnel and excellent and our school continues
incredibly proud of and indebted to hope for the future as we come out to flourish.
the whole staff team here at the of lockdown.
school and not just the teachers. I am really pleased that this project is
We are all overjoyed that the providing an opportunity for some of
Throughout the pandemic, everyone children return on March 8th and the wider community to get involved
has, to use a baseball expression, we look forward to what I hope and not only do I have parents
stepped up to the plate and is the start of the gradual return engaged in offering support to garden
ensured that the children have to normality. The children will, with the children, I have also been
been thoroughly well supported I am sure, be delighted to see overwhelmed by the support of local
and protected as much as has been their friends again and we will be residents Ruth Tyerman and Maureen
possible within the restrictions placed extending break times in the first Baker who are helping to design a
upon us. week to ensure that they get plenty special garden area and clean the
of opportunity to simply play, laugh pond! If any other residents want to
The teachers have worked tirelessly and catch up with each other. help Ruth and Maureen, I am sure
to provide home learning every day If the return coincides with the they would welcome you.
as well as teaching the children of arrival of warmer weather, it should
Key Workers in school, supported by not be too long before they can Due to the Covid pandemic, I was not
our teaching assistants who have also get out onto the grass and enjoy able to show potential new parents
provided activities every afternoon. the open space, building their dens around the school as I would normally
and bartering for prime pieces of do and I had to rely on our website
The team in the school office have timber! and, I imagine, our reputation to ‘sell’
maintained communications and the school this year. I was worried
shared a heavy workload and our The school field is undergoing a about the impact this might have,
cleaning team have ensured that revamp and one of my main targets particularly as we are surrounded by
the premises have been deep this year is to try and improve our other Primary Schools all trying to
cleaned every day making it a safe ‘outdoor learning’ provision. I have get ‘bottoms on seats’ as our funding
environment. My job has been made been successful in obtaining some depends on it.
much easier due to their efforts but I funding from different charitable
am also very aware that I have been trusts which, when put together, I need not have worried as we had
more fortunate than many in that I amounts to around £2000 and this 63 applications for the 20 places
have a secure job and furthermore, I is going towards the new pathway, this year and this should ensure we
have been able to go to the workplace the new chicken house and new maintain our pupil numbers and can
every day throughout the whole raised vegetable beds for all of the afford to keep our staff. It really is
pandemic. children to use. that simple! v

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