Below is the link to Issue 457 of our weekly news; the final newsletter of what has been an eventful year! It was even an eventful week; starting with those extreme temperatures and finishing with some emotional goodbyes to our fabulous Year 6. We also bid a fond farewell to some very special members of staff; Mrs Clark, Mrs Powell, Miss Jackson, Mrs Seth-Smith and Miss Abdulrahman.

On behalf of myself and all of the staff I would like to thank our community for the support and understanding they have shown over the year. It has been challenging at times due to ongoing absences with COVID, but we have endeavoured to make sure that this has never impacted on our pupils education. At Woodcroft we work tirelessly to provide an outstanding curriculum, the best teaching, and exemplary behaviour from all our pupils.

Thank you also for the amazing array of gifts and cards that we all received on the final day. I do not think I have ever seen teachers carrying out so many bags of presents at the end of a term. Your generosity was very much appreciated.

We now hope you all have a great summer, and look forward to seeing you again on Monday September 5th. If you are moving on from our Woodcroft community can I wish you the very best for the future. And finally, to all of our departing Year 6 pupils – have a great time at secondary school!

Woodcroft Issue 457 https://bit.ly/3BaZLvj

Update #3 19/7/22

Dear Parents and Carers

I would like to congratulate all of the Woodcroft staff and pupils who have been in school for the past two days and coping with the extreme conditions so admirably. Like yesterday, all pupils stayed inside, in the shade, and kept hydrated with regular drinks.

It is a relief to note that temperatures are set to cool by tomorrow so we are expecting a return to full attendance. We shall also be returning to our regular timetables with scheduled PE and Games sessions taking place. Pupils should wear normal school uniform or their PE kits if it is their usual day for PE. Please remember to apply sunscreen to your child in the morning, ensure they wear a hat, and send in a reusable water bottle.

As it is the last week of term please note that ALL extra-curricular clubs are cancelled e.g. netball and football. This does not affect Acorns which remains open until Thursday.

Can I also remind parents that we finish one hour earlier at 2.15pm on Friday, and that Nursery finish on Thursday of this week.

Finally, take care while the temperatures remain high overnight. We hope to see you all tomorrow.

Kindest regards

Craig Tallon
Head Teacher

Take a look … ground temperatures were reaching 55 degrees in our playgrounds!

Dear Parents and Carers

Well done the those pupils who attended school today despite the conditions. Everyone coped really well.

The guidance from Government and Barnet Local Authority remains unchanged and schools should not close. Woodcroft will be open as normal on Tuesday 19th July.

In addition to the advice sent out over the weekend (see below) we are happy for children to wear their Woodcroft PE kits tomorrow (white t’shirt, blue shorts and trainers).This can be worn as a cooler option to the regular uniform on Tuesday. Please note, there will not be any PE lessons. Dance club is cancelled. Regular uniform can also be worn.

Remember.  if your child is unwell, or suffering from any breathing discomfort due to the conditions, it may be advisable to keep your child at home on Tuesday. We shall authorise all absences where a parent has decided that it is unsafe to send their child to school due to the extreme heat.

Take care.

Kindest regards

Craig Tallon

Re: Extreme Heat Update 16/7/22

Dear Parents and Carers

Firstly, can I apologise for the lack of a newsletter yesterday (Friday 15/7/22). It has been such a busy week in school with events, activities and meetings that I just ran out of time to get it published. What I shall do is send out a final newsletter for the year on Wednesday next week (hopefully).

Secondly, I know you are all concerned about the heat! Currently we are planning to open as normal on Monday and Tuesday. The latest guidance from Barnet Local Authority and the Government’s Department for Education is not to close. All of our classrooms are well ventilated and chilled water coolers are available throughout the school. Please note, we shall not be going outside for any extended periods or doing PE or games activities on Monday or Tuesday. We will of course monitor the situation and if the guidance changes then we will take appropriate action and notify you accordingly.

Please consider the following points:

1. Ensure children have a refillable (non-disposable) water bottle in school
2. Apply sunscreen
3. Do not send children with jumpers, and provide a sun hat
4. The UK Health Agency ‘Beat The Heat’ poster is available by clicking here

Finally, if your child is unwell, or suffering from any breathing discomfort over the weekend, it may be advisable to keep your child at home on Monday and Tuesday. We shall authorise all absences where a parent has decided that it is unsafe to send their child to school due to the extreme heat.

Take care everyone.

Kindest Regards

Craig Tallon (Head Teacher)

We invited last year’s Year 6 (now in Year 7) to a special Bronze Arts Award Presentation Evening in the Main Hall on Wednesday 6th July.

Our ex-pupils collected their prestigious Bronze Arts Award certificates from Trinity College London and had an opportunity to say hello to their past teachers and see old friends. We even had a surprise visitor! Miss Sherring, back from Hong Kong where she currently teaches, popped along to present their certificates. We did put her back to work as well, helping pack away and tidy up 😉

The Woodcroft Dance Team

This week our fantastic Woodcroft Dance Team took part in the national finals of the Great Big Dance Off, the primary dance championships. After winning the regional event earlier in the year we travelled to Cheltenham on Monday to compete against schools from across the country.

Parents of the dancers are now invited to a final performance at a special ‘Festival of Dance’ assembly on 13th July at 2.45pm in the main hall.

We have got a 10 page epic newsletter this week! There are just too many outstanding experiences and events taking place at Woodcroft we have been forced to publish this bumper issue!

View the full edition here …  https://bit.ly/3y3CAjk

Or view the JPEG slideshow below …

Woodcroft has been named as a Trinity Champion Centre 2022/23 for our successful delivery of the Arts Award, a Trinity qualification supporting music, art and drama in association with Arts Council England.

Trinity College London is a leading international exam board and independent education charity that specialises in the assessment of communicative and performance skills covering music, drama, combined arts and English language.

Trinity Champion Centres inspire other organisations by sharing their practice and advocating for accreditation in their communities.

Trinity College visited Woodcroft with a photographer earlier this term to see what we get up to. Click on the slideshow below to get a flavour of day in the lift of arts education at Woodcroft.

We made a BIG announcement in Woodcroft Weekly Issue 454 today! We have been recognised as Champion Centre for the Arts by the prestigious Trinity College London.

Also in this week’s edition we read about caterpillars in the Early Years, African drumming in Year 6 with master drummer Abass Dodoo one-drum.org/performances and of a Woodcroft dance performance.

Download your PDF copy to read about all this and lots more right here … https://bit.ly/3HBGnbV