Well, it would be hard not to be in the Christmas spirit and have feelings of joy at Farsley Westroyd after the last week! As December starts, it always feels a bit like a three-week fixture list of events.  However, what we have going on at school is far more exciting than a series of football matches.  I have tried to squeeze in as much as is possible to make the season as fun and enjoyable as we can. In our staff meetings/briefings, I can hear Mr Clough saying, "Right, what's next?" Our staff are amazing and get as excited as the children do and give 100% at all times for our little people. We have a spoken standard at Westroyd. If it isn’t good enough for my own children, it is not good enough for anyone else! That is the professional standard we come back to at all times.

 The Christmas shows this week, I hope had the same impact upon you, as parents, as they did on me. I cried, laughed and smiled my way through them. With the feeling of pride just bursting through my body! They are so good. Standing up in front of all those people and performing. It blows me away. Watching the individuals, you can see those that clearly have a flare for performing and are absolutely enjoying every second. If that was your child, do invest in that passion, if it is something they clearly enjoy. Life is for living, we always say. We all have our strengths.

Earlier in the week, I took UKS2 choir to Leeds as we were invited back to the marketplace to sing and spread joy. We certainly did that. Never a dull moment when Westroyd is about. Our performance of the 12 days of Christmas was tremendous, and we were asked for an encore of that one! They are very good and light-hearted. Always fun to be with.  We travelled to Leeds on the service bus, and it was another one of those moments, whereby I am speechless, as the children just know how to behave and how to interact with the public. Makes our job so much easier!

TEAM SEND were out and about this week, up at Pudsey Civic for a Christmas singalong, the big man made an appearance and I heard, as usual, Westroyd stole the show. We are back there this week for a musical performance of Snow Dog. I am going to sneak along for that one, to see the children’s faces listening to a live orchestra.

Last week of term and Y6 are off on residential to Robin Wood. This is Mr Popple’s favourite event on the calendar. He has spent twelve months since he last went, asking me if he could still go. It will be quiet around school for three days, without him, but we will manage, and we won’t go through as much coffee, nor find mugs in unusual places. Also, another benefit of a residential for those left behind, would be without Mr Fawcett, the sink area in the staff room will be empty. He does seem to struggle to find the dishwasher after his lunch every day.

The highlight of the Christmas festivities for me happens on Friday. I am allowed to serve Christmas dinner. The cook has banned me from the kitchen ever since I made sheep-shaped shortbread biscuits with gluten-free flour. She claims she is still finding flour in cracks around the kitchen three months on. On Friday I am pudding duty, but with her rolling pin in her hand, made it clear I was not setting foot through the kitchen door…. I know my place.

Looking forward to seeing you all at Carols in the Yard on Thursday!