Keeping standards HIGH at #TeamTudor
Newsletter 6
Thursday 28th November 2024
As always, I will start this newsletter by sharing how well the children are working at the moment. It is clear that the pace of progress is picking up now that the children and teachers have built those important relationships- did you know that we’ve already had a quarter of this academic year!? Time is flying and there is no better place to see the IMPROVEMENT in children’s ability than with our youngest learners.
There have been SO many children keen to share their writing talent with me and I have to say that seeing how proud they are is a true privilege of being a headteacher. I pledge to be highly visible to EVERY child at Tudor and I do truly appreciate how fortunate I am to work alongside them! Speaking of our (awesome!) Early Years, we had a further county inspection of our practice this week and I am REALLY looking forward to the report. I think it’s fair to say that the word ‘DELIGHTFUL’ will be included in the report as the advisor used this a number of times when sharing her experience of the school. What was pleasing was that the quality of practice on show was reflective of what the children get EVERY day at Tudor- we certainly do not put on a ‘show’ when we have visitors and the children (despite their young age!) are able to say how much they enjoy every moment of their time with Mrs Price and her team.
Speaking of STANDARDS, in addition to the early years’ inspection by county, the full Tudor team have been engaging in our Autumn monitoring and evaluation. The focus of such activities at Tudor is now very different from when I first arrived as headteacher. Whereas it was once about ensuring the proficiency of teachers in meeting the levels of performance I wanted (and the children deserved!) it is now being about refining and sharing the tremendous talent that is on show in the classrooms each day. As previous newsletters (and local/ national data) have shared, the academic outcomes at Tudor truly lead the way and this is due to the effectiveness of the teaching as well as the super engagement from our pupils (and families!). From the detailed evidence the senior leaders of the school have experienced this week, I believe we are seeing some of our best teaching yet. The team are truly on fire (in a good way!) and the children LOVE being in school. We continue to use pupil voice as a key area of our feedback and, believe me when I say, the children are honest and they can share what works and what doesn’t! An example of this is when children have shared what they think makes the biggest difference for their progress- it is all about teachers modeling writing and working WITH them to improve their ideas. It just makes sense to them…
Once #TeamTudor, ALWAYS #TeamTudor- Previous newsletters have also shared my wider work with supporting children when they transition to secondary school. A project that I initiated is now agreed practice across Dacorum and I was delighted to present to school leaders at the recent Dacorum Transition Conference. A key factor is ensuring that the needs of the family (as well as the child) are considered as they take that step into the secondary sector. Once #TeamTudor, always #TeamTudor’ was certainly evident during my recent support of year 7 at Longdean Secondary School. I met with children who moved there in September (as well as LOTS of other older Tudorites dotted around the corridors!) and it is FANTASTIC how they share that, whilst they are enjoying their new school, they felt really well prepared by their primary school experience. Mind you, it does make you feel a bit old when you see past pupils. The first (year 6) children I ‘taught’ when I first started teacher training in 1993 have now reached 40! Ouch!
Inclusion at Tudor Primary- a message from Miss Reading- our Leader for Inclusion:
Delivering Special Provision Locally (DSPL) are hosting another Dacorum Families SEND Information Fayre on Tuesday 3rd December 9.30am-12pm at The Chaulden Community Centre. The Information Fayre will include local provider stands, activities and refreshments. To book your ticket please use the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dspl-8-information-fayre-tickets-1080344462369?aff=oddtdtcreator. For more information about the Information Fayre and to find out about support and services available for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in Dacorum do visit the DSPL website at: https://dacorumdspl.org.uk/. It was great to see many Year 3 parents attend the recent 'Zones of Regulation' information session in school. If you were unable to attend and wish to find out more about the 'Zones of Regulation' programme, used to support pupils with emotional regulation at Tudor, please do look at the PowerPoint in the 'wellbeing' section of the school website: https://www.tudor.herts.sch.uk/page/?title=Wellbeing&pid=168.
FOT- Tudor Christmas Market- Sunday 8th Dec- 12pm- 4pm- we hope to see as many of you as possible at our FOT event a week on Sunday. There will lots of Christmas fun on offer ranging from a Santa’s grotto to Xmas stalls full of festive fun. Miss Williams’ new school choir will even be performing their first public performance. It will be a super experience for all!
Are you interested in purchasing a woodwind instrument? We still have some saxophones, flutes and clarinets left for purchase. We are able to sell these for fantastically low/ subsidised prices. Saxophones are available for £100, flutes for £20 and clarinets for £30. For more information, contact the office.
Important dates for the second half of the autumn term:
KS1 Christmas performances- 9.30am on Tues 10th and Thurs 12th December
EYFS Christmas performance- 9.30am on Weds 11th December
School Christmas Lunch- Weds 11th December
School Christmas Craft Fair- 3.00pm on Tuesday 17th December
Monday 2nd December- Deadline for GB Athlete sponsorship– for ease, please use the QR code on the form.
W/C- Monday 2nd Dec- After school clubs to finish this week – EXCEPT-Football for years 5+ 6 have an extra session on 10th Dec. Woodland Club on until 12th Dec. Drama club show- Weds 11th Dec.
Staffing update! One of the biggest questions being asked by the children at the moment is ‘Who will be the new Mr Denny?’ As you know, Mr Denny’s last day as our site manager will be Friday 6th December and I am delighted to now share that Mr Wendleken will be the new person responsible for making sure everything works at Tudor. The magic in the classroom can only occur if the site is safe and ready for action! Whilst we know that Mr Denny will continue his close relationship with the school, I am sure you all join me in wishing him well with what is an impressive new career move. I am not exaggerating when I say he will be involved in monitoring the skies above Britain’s airports! It is so true that Tudor can unlock the most amazing opportunities. 😉
Safeguarding!- The safety of the children must always remain our most important consideration and, as part of this, we continue to work closely with the NSPCC. Ms Smith (DSL- Designated Safeguarding Lead) ensures the children receive ongoing support to help them be safe at school, in the community and online. On the 19th November the children listened to some special assemblies. As well as the support from ‘Buddy’ (ask the children who Buddy is!), we must all work to empower children to ‘Speak out. Stay Safe.’
Sporting News! Mr Higgins continues to ensure the children of Tudor have an active experience of school. As our array of silverware at the front of the school evidences, Tudor is now known for it’s sporting success! Our school continues to be represented (and competitive) at local events and festivals. Our football team is really impressive this year with recent comprehensive victories against Brockswood and Hobletts Juniors in which we scored six in both games. Well done teams!
I look forward to seeing you all in the next few weeks- there will be lots going on in school. With an extra sprinkling of festive magic, EVERY day will be (even more) Tudor-tastic! Let’s enjoy it…