Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you have all had a good week.

I am delighted to open this week’s newsletter by celebrating the extraordinary kindness and compassion blossoming in Acorn Class. The youngest members of our school community have truly modeled what it means to be selfless. On several occasions this week, we have watched children move away from their own play to support and include peers who find the school environment a little more challenging. A particular shout out to Selena & Elias who very much caught the eye on this: I know Miss Miles won't mind me sharing that seeing these acts of kindness brought a very happy tear to her eye!

Elsewhere this week, I am pleased to share with you that our phonics development day on Thursday was a really positive experience. By investing time in staff training and bespoke learning strategies, we are seeing a significant measurable impact on pupil outcomes. Our most recent data highlights an improvement in phonics attainment, reflecting both the dedication of our teaching team and of course the hard work of our children. I have highlighted the importance of phonics and early reading many times before, and I make no apology for doing so again; it truly is the bedrock of your child’s education. Please continue to support your child at home in this area. Investing this time now is so much more effective than trying to play catch-up later in their school journey - it gives them the best possible start.

Beyond the classroom, our whole-school assembly this week focused on a fresh perspective for 2026. Rather than fleeting resolutions, we explored the concept of ‘New Year Pillars’, each representing one of the values of Learning, Kindness, and Wellbeing. Perhaps then, this is the perfect opportunity to highlight the wonderful work of Ms. Gordon, our Pastoral Lead. Each day, she supports several children with their transition into school with endless positivity and enthusiasm. Her ability to ensure every child feels settled and ready to succeed is something we do not take for granted and we are truly grateful to have her as part of our community here at De Hav.

Similarly, it was moving to see our Kindness pillar brought to life so vividly by the children in Acorn Class. To see our youngest pupils mirroring this level of compassion really shows the strength of our school culture. To help us all stay firm in these commitments, I look forward to seeing many of you at our Jolly January event next Wednesday. It promises to be a fantastic opportunity to come together as a community and keep the momentum of these 'pillars' going through the winter months.

Have a lovely weekend, 

Mr Bostock