Principal's Welcome

Dear Parents/Carers

We find ourselves at the end of another module! The year is racing by! Each class has been considering the transdisciplinary theme of ‘Sharing the Planet.’ Within the newsletter the staff have shared some highlights from the past six weeks.

We are always very proud of our pupils at High Halstow Primary Academy but we are particularly proud of our Year 6 pupils who have completed their SATS this term. They have demonstrated great knowledge, determination and resilience during the assessments so should be very proud of themselves.

We have welcomed Miss Limb to the teaching team this module. Year 6 have got to know her well already and Miss Limb is looking forward to getting to know even more about all of the pupils as part of her leadership role. Within this newsletter you can find out a bit more about her as well as Miss Smith who will be joining us for the new academic year. Miss Heard leaves us at the end of this module so I wish her every success in her new role at Peninsula East Primary Academy and thank her immensely for the positive impact she has had on so many pupils.

The jubilee celebrations provide a great opportunity to end the module in style. We are looking forward to seeing the range of costumes to represent the different decades as well as the kings and queens from Grasshopper Class! The pupils are looking forward to taking part in a range of activities to celebrate together and we are all excited about our picnic lunch!

Wishing you all a wonderful May Break. I look forward to welcoming the pupils back on Monday 6th June.

Mrs G Stangroom

Introducing our Vice Principal for September 2022

I am very excited to begin working with the High Halstow school community in September. Children, parents and carers may have seen me on one of my visits to the school in the past term. Throughout my teaching career, I have taught in Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham, but have spent the majority of my career working in the Bexley borough. I have a great deal of experience in Key Stage Two: I have taught classes in years 3, 4, 5 and 6 as well as spending time team teaching with colleagues across Key Stage One.

For the past 8 years, I have been working at Eastcote Primary Academy, another Leigh Academies Trust school. Here, I have been able to lead on the teaching and learning of mathematics across the academy as the Maths Lead and have supported other teachers in leading their curriculum subjects as the school’s Subject Leaders Mentor. Through these roles I have been able to develop a deeper understanding of the National Curriculum and the associated pedagogy.

Having moved into Kent, I am excited to begin working in a more rural setting, enjoying all the advantages that a school like High Halstow offers. Having worked with High Halstow staff across the Leigh Trust for some years, I have always felt an affinity for the school. I have enjoyed my visits thoroughly and always feel very welcomed by pupils and staff alike. Having seen the drive and enthusiasm that staff have for the children’s learning and wellbeing, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work closely with everyone at this lovely school.

I am particularly looking forward to working with the team on making further improvements to the already wonderful curriculum provided. As a history enthusiast, it will be very interesting to find out more about the local area’s rich history and as I understand it, there are already many fabulous links with local communities.

When meeting my pupil interview panel (they were very thorough and well-prepared when asking questions), they asked about my hobbies.They learned of my passion for gardening and novice experience. They assured me that staff, especially Mrs Atkinson, will have me well supported in developing this interest. It made me smile to know that staff and children not only value people’s personal interests, but also support one another in them. What a lovely environment to be welcomed into!

I look forward to getting to know more children, staff, parents and carers better.

Best wishes,

Miss Emma Smith

Message from our Assistant Principal

Hello, my name is Alice Limb. I am delighted to be Assistant Principal at High Halstow Primary Academy. I have already had the pleasure of working at High Halstow over the last term and I cannot wait to continue working with both the children and within the community.

I began my teaching career in Rochester at the Academy of Cuxton Schools, where I mainly worked in Key Stage 2. After this, I worked at a GEMS school in Dubai. This was an international British school, where I worked across both Key Stage One and Key Stage Two. During my role as Assistant Principal in Dubai, I supported over two hundred teachers to reflect and improve their own teaching pedagogy. Additionally, I supported the improvement of student outcomes.

During my career, I have led and introduced the Early Career Teacher Induction programme and led core subjects. Additionally, I have worked across several different schools to lead on school improvement.

I am a very active person and have previously been Head of P.E. across several schools. I hope to become more involved in both physical education and adventurous activities at High Halstow. In my spare time, I love to hike and sail. I am an avid skier and will travel to ski resorts whenever possible.

As an educator, I have always been dedicated to providing exciting learning experiences for children which actively engage their curiosity and help them to become independent, lifelong learners. We teach children to have fun and take risks because it is through failure that we learn the most. I am particularly looking forward to adopting this philosophy at High Halstow and having the opportunity to be a part of such a brilliant school.

Dates for your Diary!