ferncumbe friday

friday 11th december 2020

Ferncumbe Festive Favourites

It has been an absolute pleasure this week to walk the corridors and hear the most enthusiastic Christmas spirit emanating from every classroom. I think you’ll agree with me that it’s more important than ever this year for the children to experience the magic and delight that the Christmas season brings.

As such, Thursday morning saw each class come to the hall and (without too many hitches and retakes!) energetically perform their Christmas songs for the camera. We hope you will enjoy watching the performances as much as the children enjoyed performing them for you!

message from the chair of governors

As we approach Christmas 2020, I am sure as many of us will look back on what has been a really challenging and unusual year, as well as looking forward to a hopefully better 2021.

From Ferncumbe’s point of view, I believe we have fared well. I am told that most of our pupils have demonstrated on their return to school that they have largely not fallen behind in their education, in their social skills and in their behaviour and that any gaps are considered will be overcome by the end of the academic year. Dare I say it, there seemed to be a new enjoyment of school (but maybe I am being just too positive). Our school budget has taken quite a hit, but we are still showing as being in the positive zone, without having to make any dramatic cost or teaching cut for the foreseeable future. The beating heart of the school, our teaching staff have coped and performed amazingly and delivered all that has been asked of them. And finally, you Parents have also more than played your part in supporting the school and your children through such uncertainty.

Let me on behalf of the Governors, say “thank you” to all I have mentioned above.

We have have been granted a small pot of “catch-up” money to support those children whose well-being and learning has been significantly impacted during lockdown. We were also able to recover small amounts of our unexpected Covid spend. Although I have said that our Budget remains balanced, it continues to be finely balanced and is regularly under review by Miss Morris. Although it will be of no specific comfort, I am aware that many other schools are a long way off being financially balanced and this will be a problem for those schools for some time.

We have continued with the work around seeking to Academise with Arden Forest MAT. Arden Forest MAT have confirmed in writing their wish for us to join them; the Head Teacher Board for the West Midlands is reviewing the proposal and we should hear soon after their December 17th meeting if we have received their approval for this change. I understand that the proposal we and Arden MAT made was recommended by the Local Authority, Diocese and Regional Schools Commissioner. Once we have that approval, then we will have some funds released by the Department for Education to carry out the due diligence on Arden Forest MAT and them on us; although some of this has already been started.

The anticipated timing of the Academisation process is that the due diligence will be complete by early February enabling me to take a paper with recommendations (for or against) to the first Full Governing Body meeting of 2021. That will be the final decision point for the Governors and if accepted, delegating to me the approval to complete the paperwork on behalf of the school. In parallel to this due diligence, the process of formally consulting with the staff (to supplement the regular informal sessions they have received) will commence in early January and should also be complete for the same Governing Body meeting. The current plan, subject to the stages I have described above, is that Ferncumbe will become part of Arden Forest MAT for the start of the summer term.

I will keep you up-to-date on the approvals process and the progress we are making.
Best wishes
David Lane, Chair of Governors

honiley class maternity cover teacher

In the new year we welcome Miss Emma Constable to the Ferncumbe team. Miss Constable is currently teaching a Year 2 class in Kent and is relocating to the local area; she will be covering Miss Grubb’s maternity leave in Honiley Class.

I am sure you join me in wishing Miss Grubb every success and happiness when she ‘temporarily’ leaves us on her planned last working day of Friday 8th January 2021.

ferncumbe’s santa dash!

Today the children at Ferncumbe took part in the National Schools Santa Dash. Each class had the opportunity to head out to the running track during the day. They followed a timetable so each year group across the whole county was 'dashing' at the same time.

Do look out for photos of this exciting event on your class Twitter pages.

The children were wearing their Christmas jumpers and many put on a Christmas hat to add to the festivities!

Mrs Eaves

yoga

Ms Burroughs explains that Year 3 children created natural mandalas in Yoga a couple of weeks ago, using their creative and collaborative skills.

They also named their creations. Can you guess which one is the autumn tree, stick family, willow tree, Rudolph eating a carrot and Tim the tiny tree?

The children also learned a calming and positive mantra to repeat. Whilst touching your thumb on each of your fingers you say one word as you touch one finger and repeat: Peace begins within me.

The children then went on to write their own mantra following the four finger pattern:

‘Smile whenever you go

Are we a star?

We are very nice

Be nice to nature

Fun times as happy’

After-school yoga club came up with their own mantra too:

‘Love is in me

Kind and nice words

We love each other

We all work together

Friends are about kindness

Respect, hope and manners

Ferncumbe Family uses respect’

A christmas update from brigade

With just a week of term left, may I take the opportunity of thanking you for your continuing support during what has been an extremely challenging term for everyone.

Myself, Miss Morris and all the staff wish you health, peace, joy and happiness this Christmas.

We look forward to welcoming your children back to school on Tuesday 5th January 2021.

Very best wishes,

Tracey Webb, Deputy Headteacher

Newsletter Issue 7