School Blogs

Embracing new beginnings by Tiffany Henry

Reflecting on the first term of a new academic year, it has been the beginning of new adventures and opportunities. Starting something new brings with it a sense of anticipation and growth.

One of the most heartwarming aspects of the new school year has been the arrival of all the new pupils. The new joiners in Nursery through to Year 8 have shown courage and resilience as they embark on their educational journey at Skippers. We welcome them with open arms and we are delighted they are now part of the Skippers family.

Form Teachers play a pivotal role in the pastoral care of the children at Skippers. The children have all chosen special tutors as someone they can go and speak with and the one-to-one sessions with tutors and tutees has been a welcome addition to the pastoral care at Skippers.

Skippers believes in nurturing not only academic excellence, but also the holistic development of our children. We have introduced new clubs and activities from Reasoning to Formula One, French culture to Martial Arts, and our new enquiry-based learning is seeing the children taking more ownership of their learning. As they move up the school, the new enrichment programme is well underway with children in Years 5 and 7 working towards their Independent Project Qualification (iPQ), and the Year 8’s undertaking scholarship and future school preparation. Mrs Farnam is also delighted with the number of new pupils in the Performing Arts department, with 18 new musicians, 10 new drama students and 29 new dancers! This is an excellent way to develop confidence and self-esteem.

Starting something new isn’t just for our pupils. Our dedicated teachers and staff continuously strive to enhance the learning experience for the children at Skippers. Our whole-school focus on Broadening Horizons and Raising Aspirations is well under way, and the teachers have led and organised a plethora of workshops, school trips and visits for the children, all of which enhance their rich learning experience. The calendar is packed full!

Parental engagement is vital for supporting your child’s educational journey. The new reporting and parental consultations schedule is up and running; it has been valuable to have face-to-face meetings early on in the academic year and discuss the educational pathway, so that your child continues to grow throughout the year. Thank you for your time and continued support with this.

In conclusion, starting something new is an integral part of life. It challenges us, keeps us curious and helps us grow. As we embrace the opportunities the new school year brings, let’s remember that it’s not just about what we start, but how we continue to nurture and sustain these new beginnings.

We look forward to a year filled with learning, fun and happiness as we embark on this exciting journey together.