Welcome back everyone. Despite the storms last Friday, I hope that our families had a lovely half term break. We managed to get the fallen tree and branches cleared before the children returned on Tuesday. We were fortunate that there was no damage caused. The children were very excited to tell me about their half-term adventures, power cuts and fallen trees!

It has been great to see all that the children are learning this week, from phonics, reading, writing, story maps, maths, cooking to creating their own magnetic games, there has been a lot going on this week!

During our assembly on Tuesday morning, we talked about how we can show love and kindness to everyone, not just those we love, but more importantly, those we find difficult to get on with. The children talked about the ways that they can do this, and really share their time, talents and love with others.

This week, we have especially been thinking about Maria, one of our lovely past pupils. Very sadly, Maria died last week. This coming weekend would have been her sixteenth birthday. She had been diagnosed with cancer, three years ago and has been very unwell for some time.  Here is her class in Year R. Maria is in the second row from the back, 4th from the left.

Maria was in Year 3 when I started at St Edmund’s as headteacher, and she will always be a special part of our school family here. Those who knew her will always remember her lovely smile and cheerful nature. This afternoon her funeral will be held at St Joseph’s, Milford and our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family at this difficult time. She is now at peace.

If you would like to make a donation towards the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice, who looked after Maria so well, the link is here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/veronica-chacaltana

Have a peaceful weekend,

Elizabeth