July 2021

We are so excited to see the Summer Reading Challenge back in Glebe Farm Library. Children need to read 6 books throughout the school summer holidays, draw a picture or write a review about the books, and collect rewards as they complete each book. This year's theme is Wild World Heroes and the environment. Glebe Farm have chosen plastic and oceans and have an ocean themed game board for the children to complete. All children who complete the challenge are invited to a celebration party.

You can register to take part at the library anytime until 4th September and it’s all free.

Children from Lea Forest designed a “ look after our planet “ logo for the library to use. All the entries are displayed in the library and the winner of the competition was able to choose a sea creature for us to adopt on behalf of the school. A sea turtle was chosen and further details will be sent in the new term.

We have some summer activities on during the holidays.

Please phone Glebe Farm Library for further information and to reserve a place on 0121 464 4210

Summer Events at Glebe Farm Library

Wednesday 28th July - Family learning workshop where you can come along and make a butterfly feeder for the garden. There are 2 sessions (10-11am or 11.00-12.00am). Booking is essential and each adult can register themselves and 2 children

Wednesday 18th August - Fun in the garden Decorate your own pot and plant your own vegetable seed. Then follow our bug trail and see what you can find

Saturday 21st August - Harry Potter themed arts club

Today marks the day we close our doors for the end of another year. It’s been a truly remarkable year at Lea Forest as we end of such a high with so many successes and celebrations to look back on. Despite covid restrictions, bubble closures and other interruptions, we have soldiered on and achieved many great things. Our final virtual celebration assembly of the year ends with photographs capturing some of the successes from September through to July and you won’t catch you breath when you see what we have managed to squeeze into one year! Click here to view our final celebration assembly for 2020/21.

I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank the all of the children, parents, staff, PCAB and wider community for all of your belief and support. As always, I set the expectations high in September, but with all of your hard work, these have been well and truly exceeded, despite covid. We never rest on our laurels at Lea Forest and despite so many successes, we have plans that are even bigger and better than ever for 2021/22. We are also hoping for a visit from Ofsted next year, so we can share with them just how wonderful our school really is.

The end of a school year is a time to say goodbye to our Year 6 children and this year is particularly difficult for us as we have thoroughly enjoyed watching the children grow and mature into the individuals they are today. They leave us with confidence, knowledge and skills to be able to continue their pathways and to continue being remarkable. They have had a wonderful last few weeks with a trip to Drayton Manor, Graduation event, Talent Show, BBQ and water fight! I’m sure these memories will remain with them for many years to come. We also need to say goodbye to some members of staff who are leaving us today. I’m sure you will all join me in wishing Mrs Lewis a very happy retirement as she leaves to spend more time with her family. Also, we would like to wish Miss Kenny and Miss Squire the best of luck in their new roles as they move to further their careers.

I would like to wish you all a wonderful summer break and I look forward to welcoming all of the children in Years 1 -6 back on Monday 6 September 2021. I’m also excited to meet our new children who will be joining Nursery and Reception on Thursday 9 September 2021.

This week

It’s been a remarkable week in so many ways! The picture featured on the header of this week’s newsletter shows our Year 5 sporting champions, who took part in an athletics competition this week, bringing back lots of medals. Mr Croxon and Miss Martin accompanied the children for this event and they both reported how fabulously the children represented our school. Thank you to all of the children involved. We have also been completing assessments over the last few weeks to gather data and to measure progress. I’m delighted to share our Reception data this week, with 72% of our children reaching GLD (Good Level of Development). A huge congratulations to our children, staff and parents - the progress shown has been immense. This data follows our wonderful Phonics results at 82% for our Year 1 children. We will share further data for other year groups next week.

Year 6

We were delighted to welcome back our Year 6 children today after their recent bubble closure. The children all worked so hard during their isolation period, where their learning continued, but we are so glad to have them back so that they are all able to enjoy their last few weeks with us at Lea Forest. They have their very own Sports Day planned and other exciting events, including a Graduation Ceremony and Talent Show. Check out the dates on page 4 of this week’s newsletter

Remarkable Lives Festival

There is not long to go until our Festival of Remarkable Lives starts on Tuesday 13th July! We are all ‘Proud to be Remarkable’ and this is the theme of AET’s third annual Festival of Remarkable Lives which takes place with all 58 AET schools! We can’t wait to celebrate on the 13th July - and you can be there too! Join us at 10am and 1pm along with the pupils-we will share the link with you nearer the time. This will be an off timetable day for our pupils as they watch and join in with the celebrations. On the day we would like to raise money for a charity called United World Schools. The day will be a

non-uniform day and we are asking the pupils to dress up as someone who is remarkable and there will be a certificate for the best dressed in each class. This will be with a £1 donation to the charity. There will also be a number of events taking palace on the top field throughout the day, including circus skills and The Greatest Showman.

As we go into the weekend, Miss Hadfield is getting married tomorrow and I’m sure you will all join me in congratulating her. When we return to school in September, Miss Hadfield will be using her married name, Mrs Cunningham.