Update from Nick Mallender
Dear Parents/ Carers,
I would like to take this opportunity to belatedly welcome you back to another busy new term at Grasmere and also communicate some of the recent positive changes that have been made at Grasmere.
As you will be aware, a whole school reward system based on merits has been successfully introduced, celebrating positive behaviour, attitude and work. Children receive merit certificates every week in our Monday assembly. Stars of the week are now displayed in the hall and any extra special work the children have done is sent to me and also celebrated in assembly.
At the end of playtime and lunch time, the routine has changed to ensure less time lining up [when low level bullying has occurred in the past] and a calmer transition back into the school. It has already had a marked impact with children settling to their learning calmly and quickly.
There are more adults on the playground across lunch and we hope to increase the number further in September. Peer mediators will also be trained up after half term to start in September. All these measures should cut down on low level conflict and increase opportunities for more structured play.
Children at Grasmere have always enjoyed a rich sports provision and this remains the case. However, the offer will be mapped out to ensure fair access across the school and avoiding the possible scenario of one year group doing lots of sport [e.g. 4 activities in a term], while others do much less. A provision map has been created to ensure a universal offer for sport at Grasmere for next term.
Please be reassured that any further changes will remain meaningful and sustainable. We aim to communicate these to parents but please do ask anything and use the office [now open from 8.50am till 4:00pm] to make an appointment, or catch me in the playground.
As a school we welcome any DBS checked Parental volunteers to help in school whether it be to support reading, help in the garden or sort out the library. Please see your FROGs rep if you are interested.
I would like to invite you to a coffee morning on Tuesday 23rd May at 9.00am to ask any questions you might have and to find out more about the whole school priorities for the new academic year.
Thank you again for your continued support.
Nick Mallender