Dear Parents/Carers,
This is my final update for this term, and what a term it has been! It was a privilege to join Botley School in September, and as I approach the Christmas break I have been reflecting on all the wonderful aspects of leading a school like Botley.
Firstly, I have to pay my respects to the teaching and support staff who have gone above and beyond to ensure our school stays open and is as COVID safe as possible for our community, whilst also providing a brilliant curriculum full of enrichment activities and opportunities to celebrate our wonderful pupils. I am sure you will all join me in thanking them for their hard work this term in the face of the enormous challenge the pandemic has put on them, and wish them all a peaceful, healthy and restful break.
I especially want to pay my respects to the pupils who are an absolute joy to work with. They have overcome the obstacles put in the way of normal learning with resilience and spirit, and have made the most of the new opportunities to work together and spread the school spirit in the virtual world. I particularly enjoyed our whole school performance of ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ in our virtual assembly today. If you ask them, they may even share the actions with you at home so you can join the fun over the break.
The pupils have also created a virtual Christmas performance for you to make up for the lack of live performances this term. All their performances have been uploaded to the school website for you to enjoy. You can find them on the ‘Winter Celebrations 2020’ page of the website. I think these performances are the perfect way to say ‘Thank you’ to all of our parents, carers, grandparents and community members for their support over this term.
Reminders
Start of term: Pupils return to school on Tuesday 5th January. (Monday 4th is an INSET day)
COVID-19 Festive arrangements: Information on what to do if your child tests positive for COVID in the first few days of the holiday are available on the COVID-19 Parent Information page of the website, including our emergency number and out of hours of contact details.
That only leaves me to wish you all a happy and festive holiday, and a healthy and safe new year!
Jo Reid