Dear Parents and Carers

It has been one of the coldest and driest Aprils on record and then the coldest May bank holiday on record. I hope it didn't stop you all from making the most of the long weekend. Not long now and, if all goes to plan, further restrictions will be lifted allowing us to take another step towards normality. 

Messages we have received this week in school have suggested that recorded covid cases in our region have emerged from schools, and it is vital that we still follow our risk assessment for the time being. Overall, numbers are down and the data is suggesting that the situation continues to move in the right direction, but we mustn't presume there is no longer a risk and all schools continue to play an important part in reducing transmission. Thank you to everyone who continues to follow our school and national expectations. 

The PRIDE code continues to underpin all we do at OWPS and as you know the R stands for Respect. At some point in most years that I have worked at the school, I have spoken to children about having respect for ALL the adults that work in our school. Mr Eardley and I have both had conversations recently with some of our older children about how they have spoken to Midday supervisors.  I always find it upsetting to think that any of our pupils would look at the adults in our school and make a conscious decision that some deserve their respect and others don't. We do not accept this at school. It is important for me to also say that most children do not behave in this way and have equal respect for every adult, no matter their role or experience. We would appreciate you speaking with your children about the importance of respect for others, we will do the same in school.

Over the past two weeks, I have had several visitors to my office, or I have been asked to drop into a class to see some of the work the children have produced since the start of the summer term. It is one of the best parts of my job and I have been blown away by the quality and creativity I have seen. Some Year Six children showed me some of their writing inspired by the book they are currently reading in class. It was honestly some of the best writing I can remember reading in school and the look of pride on their faces was wonderful. I look forward to seeing what other wonderful work our pupils create now we are back into the swing of things at school.

Have a great weekend everyone,

Mr Marks

Deputy Head Teacher 

^{Photo by Ann on Unsplash}