Education

Education PRIMARY SCHOOL

PLAY SCHOOL NOTRE ECOLE PLAYGROUP LITTLE HANDS MVC VILLAGE COLLEGE U3A

EDUCATION

Little Hands Karen 01763 260964

Melbourn Playgroup Claire Armstrong and Jennie Riggs 01763 223459 07842 151512

Notre Ecole Janet Whitton 261231

Primary School Headteacher Stephanie Wilcox 223457 U3A (Univ. of Third Age) Chairman Tony Garrick 01223 510201 Village College Principal Simon Holmes 223400

Melbourn Primary School

What a year we have all had! If I thought the 2019-2020 school year was a marathon for which I had not trained, then the 2020-2021 definitely beats it in the ‘challenge’ stakes – it has felt more like an ‘ironman challenge’ with a blindfold on and my hands tied behind my back!

The autumn term saw us successfully implement our bubbles, oneway systems, strict hand washing and cleaning regimes and many other COVID-19 safety measures. We were then brought to an abrupt halt by the rather chaotic closure of the country’s schools on 4th January – and what frustration that brought.

The national lockdown meant that we had to launch our home learning provision. This was something we had planned, reflecting on lessons learnt during the first lockdown, but hoped we would not need. We remain in awe of how our families coped during this time. Thankfully, the children were all able to return to school in March and have completed the year in school! I cannot find the words to describe the happiness finishing the year together brings.

The challenge this year has been keeping the school open. We have not had a single day with a full complement of staff. Every day has been a juggling act of covering and re-deploying staff where it has been ‘COVID secure’ to do so. The staff have been amazingly tolerant of changes and the pressures this caused. Together, we have made it to the end of the race. We are proud that we only had to close one class for one day in September and only one bubble burst! There is much to be proud of

The wonderful children • Their resilience – they have been awesome! They have shown grit and determination in their approach to learning, whether in school or at home. • The positive relationships they have maintained – what joy they exuded when reunited with their friends. It has been heart-warming to watch their smiles as they have reconnected. • Their care for each other – they have kept to all of our rules and safety measures to collectively keep each other safe. • Their appreciation for education – they missed school and regularly talk about how they are enjoying being back in school. continued on page 27