Autumn/Christmas Greetings

Dear Newboldians,

As I sit in my office writing to you now, I can hear the choir practising their Christmas songs in the hall behind me. It is still only mid November but already the enthusiasm that Miss Jones and Mrs Gungadoo have instilled in the children is creating that lovely Christmas feeling that usually arrives when the leaves are nearly all down and the temperature continues to descend until summer becomes a distant page in our life's history. In fact, I've got the Christmas feeling so strongly today that I just ran into the hall quickly to do the 'Sheep Shimmy' with the children, a not-to-be-missed experience, I might add! Although I was horribly out of time with the steps, the children were brilliant! Be assured though, you will see it done properly on December 14th at our Christmas performance, without Mrs Two-Left-Feet Crissey ruining it.

Of course, we have our annual trip to London coming up on December 8th. This year, Princess Alexandra will be in attendance at the Newbridge Concert. She was unable to make it last year and we all really missed her. We sent her a Christmas card with some messages from the choir, which she answered affectionately. The children are all very excited to meet her - some for the first time and some as many as two or three times from previous years. The choir have two lovely songs to sing and the recorder group has a special piece to perform for the princess, who always spends time talking to them afterwards.

I must admit, the school is abuzz generally with activity at this time. The PTFA are about to hold their first Christmas Fayre, which promises to be lots of fun. They have arranged for the Year 5-6 children to organise a variety of games in the hall, the bake sale/Christmas feast will be in the church, as will a nearly-new children's clothes sale and stalls with Christmas gifts, so there's something for everyone. How blessed we are to have parents who care so much about our school and who are willing to put so much time and effort into helping us be the best we can. There is no better role model for our children than parents and staff who demonstrate kindness, generosity and hard work and there is no shortage of any of these qualities at our school.

Speaking of hard work, our Newbold Board of Governors met recently and, as always, the spirit of improving and moving the school forward was as strong as ever. We welcome our new Chair of Governors, Pastor Wayne Erasmus. The Board discussed our building project, offering some excellent ideas for the best use of the money we have been given form the SEC to fund our extension building work. The governors want to ensure that the building matches our vision for the future, not just the present, therefore strong and holistic planning must be the central consideration of our approach. I will keep you posted as the project develops. Basically, the school is at a very exciting point in its seventy-eight year history and it's wonderful to be a part of it.

Generally though, the 2016/17 year has started well. Sometimes you just know when it's going to be a good year. There is a strong dynamic attitude that draws parents, staff, children and governors together. Almost everyone recognises what an amazing school this is. When I think of what we have achieved, even in the first half term, I can't help but feel excited about what we will do over the next two terms. Our charity endeavours so far have included sending the harvest service donations to Bracknell Foodbank and helping All Saints Church in Binfield to save their important, historic church building, plus many other charity efforts. I was really touched by the generous response of our parents, staff and children and those in the wider community who have supported us. The PTFA agreed to donate the proceeds of one of their popular bake sales to All Saints and ended up raising £355 for them. I feel it's so important to show kindness to our neighbours, as well as those far and abroad. We are all part of God's family.

I hope you will enjoy the second half of our Autumn Term and all the Christmas delights it has to offer.

Kind regards to all,

Mrs J Crissey