World of Woodland Issue 06

This month's value is: Hope

As exciting as the run up to Christmas is for all our pupils, it also marks the end of another year, the passing of which happens so quickly from the perspective of parents and staff – but for our pupils, it can feel like forever, just waiting for Christmas to arrive!

On Monday this week we were visited by Rev Lucy and Rev Andrea for a Christmas Assembly message about the difference between ‘wants’ and ‘hopes’ for Christmas - linking nicely with our school value for December of Hope. Rev Lucy explained that hopes can cost far less but be far more meaningful, such as wanting the family to be happy, healthy and together this Christmas. My hope this Christmas is that all our pupils, parents and staff have a most wonderful holiday and can look forward to an exciting 2019 full of Hope for the future!

Flitwick Church have also helped us with two services this Christmas – our Carol and Christingle services – 15 members of the school choir also went and sang carols to the residents of Devon Lodge Care home last week and last night the talent on show at the Christmas concert was phenomenal — some images below.

This morning our pupils have been treated (not sure that is the right word) to our staff panto – Aladdin. Mrs Payne has directed and made sure that the performances were as polished as they can be, given about 5 hours max of rehearsals – but the idea at least is to have a laugh at the staff expense. The cast includes Miss Hart (Aladdin), Mrs Sutton (Genie), Mr Smith (Widow Twanky), Miss Thornett (Jasmine) and myself as the wicked uncle Abanazer - hiss! We hope that the pupils enjoyed the moment & thank you to the PTA that met the cost of some of the outfits.

This afternoon all of our Years 5&6 travel to MK to see a professional panto show ‘Robin Hood’ and so their end of term will really get off to a great start. Thanks to Mrs Hardacre and the entire KS2 pastoral team for taking six coach loads off to the theatre!

The end of a term is also often a goodbye – and this term we have to say farewell to Mr Burns. Mr Burns is departing to become a Head of Year at Bedford Academy in Elstow – we’d like to wish him much success in his newly promoted role! It does mean that we welcome back Mrs Barrett to provide the extra staffing that we need. Also this Christmas we’d like to wish Ms Shah all the very best for her wedding day this weekend – we hope that you have a wonderful day and enjoy the celebrations.

Woodland is reopening on Thursday 3rd Jan 2019 to all pupils and staff, a little earlier than Redborne (don’t worry every child gets exactly 190 school days a year…) who start back on the following Monday. Woodland pupils break up earlier in the summer, so the balance is restored.

In the new year, we are anticipating winter weather – so it is a good moment to remind parents about the school closure procedure in the highly unlikely event of a health and safety issue caused by adverse weather. If the school is to be closed, the first announcement will be by text message. Then the school will alert the Local Authority via its SOS website which is found here: https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/webApps/SOS/

Last night’s Christmas concert was just fabulous and hugely appreciated by the audience. The choir, string group, rock band, concert band, solo and duet performers on drums, singing, flutes, cello and keyboards all performed much loved Christmas pieces. A few clips and photos are available on our Twitter page @WoodlandAcademy . Thanks very much to Miss Bryan, Miss Dobson and Mr George for the preparing the contributors. The rock band will be performing again this afternoon in the KS3 assembly, their version of “All I want for Christmas is you.” The Y7&8 pupils are in for a real treat!

Our annual ski trip with Alameda for 2020 has now been planned and is open for bookings. We have emailed out the letter of invitation but for anyone that has not received it or has any questions please do email me on conquestj@woodlandacademy.co.uk . The 2020 ski trip will be a repeat of the 2018 one – to the USA with 5 days of skiing in Vermont, New England and an evening and day of sight-seeing in New York City to round off the week. A place on the trip can be reserved for a deposit of £230 with 10 further instalments of £120 over the following year. We do have limited space so please do act fast.

And finally…let me wish all our pupils, parents and staff a very restful Christmas and a happy and exciting new year. Have a great holiday and return refreshed for our Spring Term (key dates listed below) AND don’t forget the free swim paid for by the PTA at Bedford Oasis on Thursday 17th Jan 2019.

Ava was a guest speaker at a special Christmas concert - she read a letter to Santa in front of over 650 people. Her parents have kindly sent some pictures for us to see. She is also featured in the brochure explaining the reason why GOSH is so important to her and her family. She is quite remarkable!

Our Poppy appeal raised £263.03, without your help we would be unable to continue our vital welfare and benevolent work, thank you from the Royal British Legion.

Modern Foreign Languages On Saturday 8th December some students from Woodland joined other students from Alameda as well as sixth formers from Redborne and Harlington at Flitwick library for the launch of the Junior language Cafe. Students participated in activities in French, Spanish , Italian and Japanese and thoroughly enjoyed it. This is likely to be a monthly event. If your child is interested , please contact me at maclennanh@woodlandacademy.co.uk for further details.

Thank you to everyone who ordered from our Scholastic Book Club. We are delighted to let you know that thanks to your support we earned £27.44 to spend on books for the school. Please look out for our next Book Club to order great books at great prices and earn loads of free books for our school while you do.

Key Dates
December
Wed 19th KS2 KS2 Pantomime Visit to Milton Keynes
Last day of Term

Thursday 20th—Wednesday 2nd January—School Closed

January 2019
Wed 2nd Inset day (Training—school closed)
Thurs 3rd School Open / Calshot Parents Evening 7pm
Wed 9th Year 7 Parents Evening
Thurs 17th Oasis Swimming Pool - Times TBA
Thurs 24th Year 5 Parents Evening
Sun 27th Basketball Trip
Mon 28th to Mon 1st Feb Calshot Trip Year 8

February
Mon 4th Year 7 & 8 House Football/Netball week
Tue 5th & 6th Musical Showcase
Thurs 7th Valentines Disco

Mon 11th—15th Half Term—School Closed

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World of Woodland Issue 06