Welcome back! It's been so wonderful to see all the children and watch them settle into their new classes. This year we have welcomed lots of new children across all year groups - we would like to extend a very warm welcome to them and their families to the Paddock Wood community.

Whilst you have all been away we have had lots of improvements to the building and grounds over the summer holidays, including:

EYFS Refurbishment Library Area painted New Art Room stocked / furnished

Staff Toilets improved All Year 6 classrooms repaired and repainted Fence, seating area and shed painted

KS1 Classroom Projection Walls Teepee added for new Year 1 Learning Area (will continue to be developed) New planters for Year 1

All of these works have involved either Site Staff, Teachers, TAs or our contractors Bauvill and further works will continue throughout the year.

The EYFS refurbishment was our biggest project (and we are very grateful to Leigh Academies Trust for funding this) and will be completed on Sunday, ready to welcome our new EYFS on Wednesday 7th September. We can't wait to be able to share with you some pictures and we will give you all a chance to come and have a look around once everything is in place, but we know this is only going to enhance our provision and be much more purposeful for the children's learning.

Having had such lovely hot weather we are now starting to see more Autumnal weather. Please ensure children come to school with waterproof coats so we can get them out and running off steam if it's just drizzling.

Colder weather also means the added pressure of utility costs, we are here to help. We know it's going to be difficult for us all, so if we can help in any way please do ask - even if we can't help, we might know someone that can. As a community we are looking at how else we might be able to support one another, particularly during the colder months, so if you have any ideas, we would love to hear them. Please contact Charlotte Gunning in the first instance and look out for our announcements later this term.

We are also relaunching our houses and picked 3 winning designs - look out for these in the coming weeks and we will also be appointing our House Captains (Year 6 will have a letter about this on Monday).

Have a lovely weekend. Mrs Fidock