School Bell A.C.E
Originally published Winter 2020, by Andrew Simpson Headteacher
Arundel Cof E Primary School
I WOULD like to wish you a happy Christmas and to tell you about some of the exciting learning journeys that we have been on since the start of the academic year. But above all I would like to take this opportunity whilst writing to thank all of the dedicated staff at ACE who, not only spent many hours in school during the summer holiday to prepare their classrooms ready for a fresh new start and a new beginning in September, but have continued to show true love and dedication to our children since their return to school. We are very lucky that our staff understand the power education can have on the future of our world and the importance of providing the best learning environments possible for our children, no matter the circumstances. As such, the theme of this article will centre on ‘being a good neighbour’ and, in line with our vision statement, reaching out to our neighbours in love. I feel during these unprecedent times as a community we all need to support one another both within our school and within our local community.
It is another ACE season of new beginnings and it’s good to be back. Our Reception children this year are settling well into school life, even though the school days are very long with our staggered start and end times.
I have also seen some very special moments of kindness from children who are keen to welcome everyone back. It is important that we recognise and encourage kindness in all of our children’s actions to show that this is a quality we value. Loving our neighbour is one of the most important things we can all do. The children have made an excellent start to the academic year and you will be able to read about some of these touching acts of kindness later in this article.
Well done to those who help others – reaching out to our neighbours in love
It has been heart-warming to see many of our children help their peers at the school gate since our return to school in September. The number of times this has happened has been remarkable and I am just sorry I cannot list everyone’s names. I do, however, want to say a special well done to Jack in Year 4 and Zayn in Year 2 who both supported school friends who were finding the end of the week tough.
It has also been lovely to hear about other children helping out at home, including Poppy in Year 4. Caring for others and ‘reaching out to our neighbours in love’ are essential qualities in being an ACE pupil and I believe it is essential that we encourage these qualities in our children.
It isn’t only the children who have reached out to their peers; our parents have also shown their support to our school in lots of ways. One family has shown particular thoughtfulness and kindness by donating a wonderful ACE wooden sculpture that perfectly captures our approach to this year. Another ACE family kindly installed the sculpture in our Peace Garden for the children to enjoy and to remind them of this time in years to come.
Classrooms at ACE
We are very fortunate to have such a dedicated team at ACE and I wanted to share with you some of the wonderful learning environments that the children are benefiting from this year.
Local leaders help out at ACE
We have also been blessed with our local community leaders coming into ACE to support our school. Father David, Father Dominik, Father Andrew and Pastor Steve have all visited ACE to ensure that the children have someone who they can talk to and also learn from. These inspirational religious leaders have provided the children with rich worship sessions and have encouraged them to challenge their own actions and consider the question: What would Jesus do during these unprecedented times?
Self-isolation and social distancing are becoming the necessary ‘new normal’ in our communities. Yet this is also a moment when taking steps of faith to truly love our neighbours will mean more to them than ever before. Connection with others is very deeply felt when you are afraid of being isolated. You never forget someone who is present for you when you feel most alone. I would urge all the members of our amazing Arundel community at this time to help those close to you as well as those who are further away.
The Nowhere Emporium
This term at ACE each class is studying a book that focuses on a journey, which is something that holds relevance for us all as we experience our own personal journeys in many different ways. It is important for our children to learn that a journey can sometimes be bumpy and challenging; that it may start with a sense that we are not progressing as we should, but that with effort, persistence and tenacity the struggle will be worth it and everything will work out. This is what our school values of Hope and Faith represent.
For their book, Year 6 is studying the mysterious Nowhere Emporium. The Nowhere Emporium arrives in Glasgow
on a crisp November morning to be discovered, quite by accident, by orphan Daniel Holmes. Before long, the ‘shop from nowhere’ and its owner – Mr Silver – draw Daniel into a breath-taking world of creation and enchantment.
It is really lovely to see how this book has already had a significant impact on the children in Year 6.
Virtual Harvest Assembly – highest ever number of virtual views for Harvest!
This year we weren’t able to hold our usual Harvest Festival in school, but that did not stop us from celebrating the occasion. Every class produced a virtual Harvest Festival that was shared online with our ACE community and which, based on the number of views we had, proved to be extremely popular! Sadly, we were unable to receive and give the physical Harvest goods that we would ordinarily share each year, but thanks to our amazing families, we were able to present the charity Turning Tides (which our church St Nicholas’ Church also supports) with a cheque.
A special thanks to Father David who produced a magnificent video about how God created such a wonderful world and which highlighted the importance of our local landowners and workers.
ACE Gains Highest Award for PE
The Quality Start, which recognises PE and school sport at Key Stage 1, is awarded to schools for their commitment to PE, school sport and healthy and active lifestyles. Schools, such as ACE, self-assess against set criteria and grade themselves as a Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum or Platinum Plus level. A member of the Quality Start Team then validates the application and awards the school accordingly. I am proud to say that ACE has once again been awarded with the highest level – Platinum Plus. We are displaying our glass plaque and certificate in school with pride.
Thank you from the past
I wanted to share with you the beautiful piece of artwork that the Cordice family created and donated to say thank you to all the staff at ACE. Every member of our team works so hard for our children and it is wonderful for them to be recognised for their tireless and committed dedication to our families.
