A tremendously fun walk was had, around Hainsworth Park on Monday afternoon! It was a walk, not a run, although I think Jaxson in Y4 ran non-stop, with Ollie not far behind him! I was positioned on a corner, nursing yet another injury, (self-inflicted from too much Padel) but was swiftly cheered up by the continuous smiles, passing me by. The children loved it. Thank you to all the parents who came to support and got their steps in! Mrs Hollingshead is counting up the pennies and will share the totals next week. The money raised goes directly to the class that raised the money and the children in that class, then choose how they spend it. This approach builds, an awareness of cost, budgeting and also starts to promote children’s awareness of economic well-being. Which as we know is an important life skill.

Mr Clough, who is our very committed and knowledgeable history lead, has been promoting Black History Month across school. The children have been learning about successful people from History who have overcome challenge, discrimination and prejudice to be successful. Mr Clough loves leading assemblies and is well skilled at getting the point across. Like all of us at Westroyd, he is passionate about equality and ensuring that we raise the profile of the protected characteristics. At Westroyd, it makes me so proud, when I see day in, day out how kind, caring and supportive the children are of each other, inclusive and without judgement. There are falling outs at times, this happens, but that value of respect is strong.

Miss Martin is rapidly moving us forwards towards achieving both the National Healthy School Standard and being recognised as a MINDMATE friendly school. We are on the final unit now, which is healthy eating. She has recruited food ambassadors across school, who will promote healthy attitudes amongst their peers. We believe, like many, that everything in moderation is the way forward. A balanced diet and that is what we are promoting. Our policies in school are fair across dinners and packed lunches. After thirty years working with children, I know fairness is very important!

Finally, we come to the end of the half-term, a long eight week half term. I know, those of you working out of education have far less holidays than we do. My sisters, were rolling their eyes at the weekend when I was moaning about being tired, having a cold and that I had been at work for seven weeks, with one to go! But eight weeks is a long time for the children, and we can see the tiredness creeping in! But it is a very busy fun week and time to get my skeleton outfit out for our discos on Thursday! I am not a fan of dressing up, at all and the only time you will see me dress up, is if there is a reason to dress up as a skeleton!   I have had the same skeleton outfit for nearly 18 years now and it is going to see out the rest of my teaching career!