Dear Parents
We have all enjoyed another happy and eventful term at Daiglen School.
I have enclosed with this newsletter a copy of our new prospectus for each family. I hope you will agree it looks very smart. If your child does not appear in the prospectus, keep looking on the website and in The Daily Glen and you’ll spot them sooner or later. The Daily Glen, produced by the School Council, gives the pupils’ view of events and includes photographs.
I would like to extend my thanks, as always, to those parents who have supported us so magnificently this term.
Year 6 Parents’ Bazaar: Special thanks to Mrs Jefcoate, Mrs Pollins and all the Year 6 parents for making the Christmas Bazaar such a success. The lovely home-made (by the Y6 parents) gifts the children were able to buy there should bring a genuine smile to your face on Christmas morning! Younger children had a taste of surprises to come when Father Christmas visited their classrooms. The final total for the Bazaar and Coffee Morning will be announced via the website. The proceeds from their efforts will be split between the School and the parents’ chosen charities.
New Mothers’ Brunch. My thanks to the Reception parents for organising another lovely morning at Mama Linas. I was disappointed not to be able to attend this year, but Mr French and Mrs Palmer both popped along and commented on the friendly, welcoming atmosphere that is an abiding tradition of the event.
The PTA Committee have also continued to put a great deal of time and effort into fundraising for the school. The Infants’ Halloween Party was, yet again, a great success and Juniors are looking forward to their disco next term. Funds have been allocated to various events throughout the term, and the school is very grateful for the PTA’s support.
Assemblies: Once again, we have been fortunate to have had a variety of visiting speakers to assemblies, including a speaker from Oxfam who spoke to the children about the work they do and how they themselves can be global citizens. Mrs Schwartz gave the younger children an insight into Rosh Hashanah (and some apple and honey!) and Mrs Chauhan taught Year 4 about Diwali, helping them to make celebration sweets. Not to be outdone by his wife, Mr Schwartz gave a talk to Year 4 in his persona as a dentist. We are also grateful to the Rev Colley who presided over our Harvest Festival.
Charities: Thank you also for your continuing generosity for charitable causes, notably your support for Jeans for Genes, Poppy Appeal, JET and NSPCC.
Last week we were treated to another stunning Infant Christmas Concert. Year 2 were magnificent in a Robin Hood to rival a West End production. Every single one of their parents must have been proud to watch their own child as each one spoke and sang so clearly with wonderful cameo performances. Tibet was a brilliant pantomime villain and how could Robin fail to love Tamia’s sweet–voiced Marion? In Year 1, special mention must go to Mrs Brown, who stepped in as The Little Old Lady who made The Gingerbread Men – and stole the show. I’m sure we all agreed that Reception were perfect little angels and the Nursery children were equally impressive in reciting their Nursery Rhymes faultlessly.
Costumes and scenery were spectacular. Staff involved put in a great deal of hard work to produce these shows and they really appreciate all the help from parents who made such a wonderful effort with the costumes, and Mrs Beaney who put in so many hours to help with the scenery.
Our annual Carol Service (Reverend Colley’s croaky voice notwithstanding) was the best ever – an opinion shared by many parents and governors who spoke to me afterwards. All the children sang absolutely beautifully and it was a lovely occasion. On Wednesday this week, Years 5 and 6 entertained the residents of West Lodge Residential Home with a selection of traditional Christmas carols.
For our annual Christmas pantomime visit, the Juniors went to the E15 production of The Rose and the Ring, and the Infants went to the Hackney Empire to see “Cinderella”. Both were thoroughly enjoyed. My sincere thanks to the PTA for funding the coach and snacks at both events.
Many other outings this term included those to The National Gallery, ‘Overnight at the museum’, Museum of Childhood, Centre of the Cell, Bishops Stortford College Science Fair and the Jewish Museum. In addition, the juniors were treated to a visit from the Young Shakespeare Company.
Sporting Activities included The Chigwell and Forest Football Tournaments. It is pleasing to report that for the first time we were also represented by our Year 5 girls in the Forest Netball tournament. The girls gave a good account of themselves and we look forward to them achieving great things in the future.
Mr Power is impressed with the prowess of his table tennis group and is in the process of organising a tournament with local schools – watch this space.
Tree of Praise - Congratulations to the following children who have been awarded “silver leaves” this term. Luke Staniforth (Reception), Max Vexler (Year 2) Elizabeth Bishop (Year 3), Max Foster (Year 5), Joseph Bainbridge, Devak Rattan and Lucius Jefcoate (Year 6).
Please remember that you can find lots of information about events, the school calendar and term dates, uniform sales and pictures of outings on our website.
May I take this opportunity of sending you Season’s Greetings and wish you all a peaceful and healthy New Year. Children return to school on Thursday, January 5th 2012.
Yours sincerely
M Bradfield
M Bradfield
Headteacher