Dear Parents and Carers,

I think we can all agree that the novelty of singing in the rain wore off some weeks ago and I for one am really fed up with this weather now. Thankfully we have had several events in school this week to ensure that nothing can dampen our spirits!

Firstly, on Monday it was a pleasure to join the 'Hot Chocolate and Chat' event hosted by Ms. Gordon for our Year Six Learning Champions. There was a fantastic energy in the room - which may or may not have been fueled by the sugar in the mugs - and the genuine bond between our eldest children and the staff was wonderful to see. We are acutely aware that Year Six can be a daunting chapter filled with academic pressure and secondary school nerves, and at De Hav we do all we can to minimise those and ensure we find time to have some fun along the way. Plenty more of that to come in the summer term, Year Six!

It was also a treat to get an exclusive first listen to the second De Hav podcast earlier this week! The children spoke with remarkable clarity and confidence, even managing to wrap up the recording with some classic one-liners. I’ll admit I’ve already borrowed a few of their jokes for my own conversations, giving them full credit, of course! My sincere thanks go to the entire production team, both children and adults, for putting these together.

Next week, we have two wonderful themed events to round off the first half of the Spring Term. Firstly, on Thursday, we are hosting our #LoveAroundTheWorld day. During the afternoon, children will be getting creative, producing artwork inspired by the diverse cultures represented right here in our school community. If you would like to join us and be part of what promises to be an afternoon full of love and cheer, it is not too late! Simply email the admin team, and we will find the best spot for you to help out. We would love to have you there.

Then, on Friday, we will be marking Safer Internet Day. You should have already received the details regarding our plans, which include a fantastic schedule of activities and a fun dress-up day to make the experience truly memorable for the children. While the children are busy learning in school, we want to support you, too! Please keep an eye out for upcoming online workshops designed specifically for parents. It promises to be an engaging day dedicated to ensuring our entire community knows how to be safe, smart, and kind online.

Finally, I couldn't end this newsletter without extending a huge thank you to the children and staff who represented De Hav so brilliantly at Young Voices on Wednesday. I know firsthand how much hard work Mrs. Johnson put into organising this trip, and she was bursting with pride over the children’s conduct and infectious energy throughout what is always a demanding day. My sincerest thanks go to Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Rolfe, Mrs. Kumar, and Mrs. Shah, who all gave up their evening - and likely didn't fall into bed until well past midnight - to ensure our children had such an unforgettable experience. Opportunities like these simply wouldn’t happen without staff who are willing to go the extra mile (and stay up the extra hours!).

Stay dry this weekend,

Mr Bostock