Welcome back to a new academic year at Virginia Primary School. It was lovely to see all the children again after the holidays and to welcome new families. I am still getting used to the fact they have all moved up a year group.
I am sorry I have been very slow on updating the post. We had a very busy end to to the year including of course our OFSTED which we were thrilled with. 
This year brings some new challenges with new staff in year 3, 5 and 6. Welcome to Scott, Vaughan and Alice. Unfortunately, our new teacher for year 4 was unable to take up the post so Clive is teaching them at the moment while we look to appoint.
As you may know, Clive will be retiring in December after many years at Virginia - we will be very sad to see him leave. He has worked with such commitment and dedication with many children and families and has contributed hugely to our success. However, we are very lucky to have already appointed a new deputy, Barbara Lo Giudice, and she is working alongside Clive this term to ensure a smooth handover. She is a fantastic teacher who shares our values - Clive feels his legacy is in good hands!
To help our new team bond we had an exciting day at the Docklands Sailing Centre. We learnt to kayak and sail and truly stepped out of our comfort zone. It was such fun as well as a great way to start to get to know each other. 

Welcome back everyone! It has been lovely seeing all our children and families again after the holidays. As a staff, we reflected on our successes of last term and we are beginning to think of our school improvement priorities for the next three years. We will also be meeting with parents and governors this term to hear their views on our strategic aims. 
​In the meantime, here are some photos of the autumn highlights:

It has been a very busy start to the new year at Virginia Primary School. The children have quickly adapted to their new year groups and I have seen some fantastic learning taking place across the school. The children have already been out and about on a range of trips to support their learning. I particularly enjoyed going with year 6 to the Houses of Parliament. They learnt so much about democracy and the workings of parliament. A few want to be politicians when they are older.
The staff at Virginia began the year by well and truly stepping out of their comfort zone. We all took part in a circus skills team building day at the National Centre for Circus Arts. It was an amazing experience and helps us to understand how it feels to be challenged and to achieve success with support from the team. Something we expect our children to do to every day to be in the learning zone!

I am sorry that I haven't put up any news lately - so much has been happening! I have been out and about quite a lot with various classes. I had a great time on the year 4 school journey to Gilwell Park. It was fantastic to see the children step out of their comfort zones and take on adventure challenges! Another highlight was a trip to Paris with year 6. We had beautiful weather and a very smooth trip - the Eiffel Tower is such a thrill every time. This year the glass platform was open on the first floor. It felt like you were stepping into space!
Year 6 also amazed me with the amount they raised as part of their financial project. They made things to sell and had a stall on Petticoat Lane Market. They then made a presentation to members of the board at Prudential. It was an inspirational project and the children grew in confidence throughout. 
Year 6 also amazed us with their dance performance a Bethnal Green Academy. They showed real collaboration and it was so joyful. In fact, year 6 have hardly been in school this half term - they are currently swimming every day at the Olympic Pool. Please join us for their leavers assembly at 9.20 tomorrow - we will really miss them!
I achieved a personal goal in walking 25KM through the night on the 21st June from Dartford to Kent. I raised £715 for Wide Horizons Adventure Learning. The money will go directly to funding our adventure learning programme. I got a medal! Here are some pictures of the highlights:

Joan went to visit the children and staff at Margaret Macmillan House in Wrotham last night. The children were happy to see her and told her all about their adventures so far. The children were enjoying sports on the field and then later a night walk in the woods. Then back to the house for hot chocolate and home-made cookies. This morning, Clive actually had to wake them up at 7.25! They must be using alot of energy. This will be the last post as I am off there this afternoon, Tomorrow we are closed for polling day but you will see Clive on Friday and there will be some new photos on the TV. The week seems to be flying by! Here are some more photos:

Year 5 set off yesterday to go to Margaret Macmillan House in Wrotham, Kent. Over the next five days they will be taking part in a range of adventurous activities. Clive, Chris and Sophie have gone with them and I will be joining them on Wednesday. Joan is going down this evening to visit - they will be having a disco!
Today, Clive phoned and said they had a good night and were enjoying a big breakfast.
Today they will be making shelters out of natural products and then this afternoon taking on a tyre challenge and problem solving. Here are some photos:

Year 6 wrote poems using abstract nouns as the theme at the end of last term. They were incredibly moving. Below are some examples. Enjoy!