This week a group of Y4 went to do their bit, volunteering at Pudsey Community Project. Sorting out the clothes ready for a summer sale! Always eager to help out when we can. Volunteering is on our year group bucket list!

In case you did not know, I have been very excited by the installation of our new lightening conductor this week! Keeping our school safe for many years to come. I got even more giddy when they came back the next day and installed a gadget that records how many times the conductor has actually been hit by lightening. How cool is that! We just need a storm now! 

Summer has arrived in Yorkshire. I am super proud to be from Yorkshire, our quirky mannerisms, beautiful countryside and historic industrial buildings. I love looking out of my office at the terrace houses, mill chimney as much as I do looking out at Ilkley moor from my bedroom window. Blue skies, sunshine, warmth in the air, enough to lift anyone’s mood, and it just makes everything possible!  I have been playing out this week in the KS1 yard at lunchtimes, the children in their summer uniform, playing together, actively engaged in physical activity being supported by our eager Y5 play leaders. Just lovely to see and makes me so proud. We are lucky to have top play equipment, which if you supported Basil’s mum last year in her ultra marathon, you paid for! Much appreciated.

I do like flowers and I like bright bold colours! With my absence last half-term, we are a bit behind with getting our planters sorted and flower beds. It really is not Mr Popple’s bag. I did not dare ask him to take that on board before Easter. Anyway, on Friday Phillipa's mum in Y5 volunteered to come in and work with some children to get us sorted! She was cracking, and told them far more than I know and demonstrated how to plant properly. Unlike last year when a certain Y6 child planted everything upside down! We even got the plants donated by Tong Garden centre! Did you know that you should plant marigolds with veggies, as the bugs will eat the marigolds rather than the veggies? Anyway, a big shout-out to the Y5 children, Phillipa’s mum and Mrs Downing for getting our planters sorted. Looking outside right now, I don’t think they will need watering!?

Our Y6 children are increasingly in the zone in preparation for their SATS tests in one week. They are a top bunch, and showing their true professional, determined edge. There is a lot of debate about testing in primary schools. To me, it is an experience, a life skill.  It is an opportunity, enabling the children to focus on something, to work towards it, then to do their very best and enjoy that feeling of achievement. Because, that feeling of achievement that you have done your best, worked hard and given it your all, is the best in the world. This sense of effort, is what drives us on. Once they are out of the way, we have earned the fun, and we have lots planned!  I am looking forward to having my helpers back! I have been turning them down when they ask if they can do jobs for weeks, and I am looking forward to saying yes, Mr Jones, come and help me at lunchtime to sort out........

I have been bombarded this week, with children telling me about the new sheep-themed movie that is released next week! The sheep detectives! It’s a star-studded animated comedy featuring the voices of Hugh Jackman and Emma Thompson. It's being described as a "whodunnit" but with woolly jumpers. What a combination, sheep and two of my favourite actors. I think we may need a school trip to see it. Certainly going on my half-term schedule.

Had some lovely feedback this week from a lecturer at Becketts University. We have a long relationship with the university. As a school that is open looking and always up for better and more effective ideas, it makes sense to partner with a university. It also brings new individuals into our Westroyd family. We currently have three final year students on placement with us, as well as a couple of observation students on child psychology degrees. All have just added to the joy in school and our work-hard, play-hard philosophy. Not sure if they have ever been to a school, with staff playing darts over lunch or experienced staff meetings quite like ours. But they must love us, as the university has been raving about our caring, professional approach to supporting our students to be successful. I see this as we know what a great teacher needs to be successful and what a brilliant teacher looks like! We will take the positive words though.

Finally – we have upgraded. UNO NO MERCY. It is tough, and really means no mercy. I have only played it with Y5/Y6 at Wraparound so far – it is so challenging. +10 cards!