This week I have heard an amazing array of stories from the boys’ and girls’ summer adventures, and was so pleased to hear how excited they were for the new school year. I have also been looking forward to starting at Lyonsdown all summer, and it has been wonderful to see so many of you on the front gate in the morning – I hope the friendly smiles of Year 6 have made the rather soggy weather more bearable. I would like to take this opportunity to extend a special welcome to any new joiners, and all of our Pre-Reception families.
My staff and I enjoyed a day of training on Monday: along with various academic, pastoral and safeguarding updates, we also discussed the importance of a growth mindset and learning habits. Watch this space for news of this later in the term.
My first assembly focused on the importance of first impressions. Any new year is a journey, one we will travel with your son and daughter, and they have put their best foot forward and settled well. Be it setting new goals, tucking their shirts in or buttoning up their cardigans, the enthusiasm to work hard and do their best is clear. I have also enjoyed eating lunch with your children, and talking to them about healthy eating and table manners, a topic that Mrs Windsor and Year 6 demonstrated so energetically in their assembly.
The School has worked very hard over the summer to make sure the physical environment our pupils return to is at its very best. As well as general maintenance, we have started to refresh the signage around the school and visitors to the Computing Room will have noticed an amazing new interactive whiteboard. Some children may have even noticed their new pegs.
Along with our new pupils, this term, I am delighted to welcome two new members of staff to our school:
Hannah Deamer in Reception
Gemma Howell as our Welfare Officer, and teaching assistant
I am sure you will join me in wishing them the very best for the coming year.
As we look forward to Monday, I would like to thank all the pupils, parents and staff for welcoming me so warmly to the Lyonsdown family. It has been a most excellent beginning to the Autumn Term.
C. Hammond
Headmaster