Newsletters

George Spicer Newsletter - Friday 22nd July 2022

Key dates for September

• 5th September - First day of term
• 5^th – 13^th September - Reception Home Visits
• 12^th September 3.45pm – 4.30pm - Meet the Teacher Drop In
• 14^th September Reception start part-time AM or PM sessions
• 21^st September Y6 Secondary Transfer 7pm
• 22^nd and 23^rd Reception start full-time 9.15am – 3.00pm
• WC 26^th September Reception start full-time 8.45am- 3.30pm

Year 4 Maths Workshops - 9.15am

• Tuesday 20^th September – Theseus Maths Workshop
• Weds 21^st Sept – Odysseus Maths Workshop
• Thurs 22^nd Sept –Heracles Maths Workshop
• Friday 23^rd Sept – Achilles Maths Workshop

Meal Choices for September 2022

September 2022 meal option is now open. Please click on the link Meal option to choose Packed lunch or School dinner deadline to submit 3^rd September 2022.

Message from Mr Spong

The end of an academic year is both a happy (relieved) time for a teacher but also tinged with a bit of sadness.  Not only do we say goodbye to our current group of Year 6 children – who are amazing by-the-way, but also to staff and other pupils moving on to new schools.  We wish them happiness and success in the future.

It also provides me as Headteacher an opportunity to reflect on all the successes, progress and highlights over the year.  This year at George Spicer there have been many – visiting experiences for history; school residential trips, class assemblies, Pride and Challenging Stereotypes week; Year 6 production; and many many more.  Alongside these are the work the children have produced in response to our new curriculum and the impressive outcomes in statutory assessments for the Early Years, Year 2 and Year 6 children.  I am very proud and fortunate to be the Headteacher of this fantastic school.

All that remains is for me to wish you all a very happy holiday, filled with rest and things that make you smile.  I look forward to welcoming you back to school in September.

Many thanks for your continued support

Mr D Spong

Goodbye message from Miss Southgate

Dear children, parents, staff and governors,

It has been such a pleasure to be the deputy head at George Spicer over the last 16 years, supporting and watching so many pupils grow into amazing, confident and resilient global citizens.   During this time, I have worked with so many fantastic and inspiring staff and families.

As I move on to become a headteacher in my own school, I want to thank you all for your kind words, gifts and best wishes.  George Spicer is such an incredible community and will always have a very special place in my heart. I wish each and every one of you the very best for a happy, healthy & successful future.

Best wishes,

Miss Southgate

Chair of Governors - Mr Phil Page

It is with more than a tinge of sadness that we have to let you know that our current Chair of Governors is stepping down at the end of this academic year.  Mr Page has been a staunch supporter of the school and has helped move the school forward throughout his time leading the Governing Body.  His support will be greatly missed.  He writes:

I am pleased and proud to be leaving at a high point for the School. SATS results were amazing, we are fully subscribed and to achieve this in the aftermath of the pandemic is exceptional. These successes are not down to me but to our fabulous staff and your children, who have been guided to be the wonderful bunch they are, not just academically but as exemplary young people. Our non-teaching staff must equally be recognised for this achievement, it is they who give the additional perspective so important in a rounded education. 

I joined GSPS nine years ago, my roles are detailed on the School Website if anyone is curious. I was very engaged with Mrs Bannantine, lead contractors, the Director of Education and the local MP during the building and commissioning of our new site at Kimberley Gardens.  It did not go smoothly but we managed to make the best of it! My most rewarding task was leading the team of governors who recruited Mr Spong. Our methodology was exhaustive and at the end of it we were all exhausted. But, I believe was worth all the effort. 

The time has come to hand on the role to another.  I would like to thank you all for your support of the school and I wish you and your families the very best for the future.

Reception Class

Reception Wellbeing Week

As part of our 'Be Yourself' wellbeing week, Reception took part in a carousel of activities that made them feel happy, calm and confident. We did yoga, an art workshop, some team games where we had to focus our minds and a sensory messy play trail. It was great fun to choose our activities for the day! 

Year 1

This week, it is Mental Health Week. The topic was ‘Be yourself’. In Art, we made a self-portrait and we had to write kind affirmations to ourselves. We then placed the positive words into our self-portraits to remind us that we are all special and unique. We have also practiced Yoga and breathing exercises to help us be kinder to ourselves. Daisy “I liked the Yoga sessions as it made me feel calm.” Tabitha “The breathing techniques made me calm and relaxed.” Anna-Maria “I enjoyed drawing my self-portrait as it was fun to add the words to our faces.” We also wrote a letter to our future self about what went well in Year One and areas we would like to improve on. Our new teachers will keep these letters and we will read them again this time next year. How exciting!

Year 2

Papier mache masks

This week each class have finished their papier mache mask of the different endangered animals. The children researched facts related to their animals and the reasons they are endangered. Owl class found out that a group of rhinoceroses is called a 'crash'. Woodpecker class couldn't believe that giraffes are endangered. 

Maths board game

This week Year 2 have created their own board games. We thought about creating a theme for each board and what questions cards we would have. To create the dice, we looked at the net of 3D shapes and thought about which would work best. 

Year 3 

Be Yourself Mental Health Week

As part of our 'Be Yourself' Mental Health Week, we have been reflecting what mental health and wellbeing means to us.

Mental health and wellbeing to us is...

'Having control over yourself and your emotions and how you react to things'

'Being kind and letting things go when people annoy you'

We recapped on the 5 ways to wellbeing and chose an activity per class. Then we did a carousel where every class had the opportunity to take part in each activity. We also thought about what we are proud of ourselves for. It was a great opportunity for us to reflect on all of our achievements this year. 

We think that all of the children have so much to be proud of this year and would like to say a massive well done to all of the children for their efforts and hard work in Year 3. We hope you all have a lovely summer break and we will see you in September! 

Year 5 

Year 5 Team-Building Games Day!

Due to the Year 5 Go Ape trip being postponed, last Wednesday Year 5 went over to Enfield Playing Fields and had a team building games day! Classes played against one another in matches of quick cricket, rounders, football and parachute games! The children had a wonderful day and worked well together, showing school values of respect, determination and resilience! 

Be Yourself Week!

This week, Year 5 have celebrated Be Yourself Week! We drew the silhouette of a face on black card and filled the silhouette with images that represent ourselves! We enjoyed talking about the importance of celebrating our differences and similarities and we truly feel that at George Spicer, that you should be proud and feel comfortable to embrace and be yourself! Article 2 – No discrimination, Article 13 – Sharing thoughts freely.

Chloe said, 'Being yourself is being able to express yourself and not trying to be like other people just to fit in.'  

Joshua said, 'It is important we take time to celebrate our differences and similarities!'

A very big THANK YOU! 

The Year 5 team would like to add that it has been a true delight and privilege to teach your Year 5 children! We have been so impressed and proud of the determination, resilience and curiosity the children have shown this year, after what has been a challenging and disruptive two years. We thank you all for your continuous support and encouragement! We wish the children all the best for their next adventure (Year 6!) and also wish you all a restful, safe and relaxing summer break!

Year 6

Year 6 learnt first aid!

On Friday, year 6 had a chance to learn basic first aid, that may result in them one day saving a life. We started our sessions by identifying hazards. We spotted lots of situations that could potentially cause harm to someone. 

We then learnt how to assess a situation when we see someone is hurt. We made sure to look for danger, such as electricity or running water, then checked to see if we could get a response from our patient. Once it was made aware to us that they wouldn’t wake up, we learnt how to check their airway by tilting their heads up and lifting up their chins. 

Once we had done this, we performed CPR. We pushed down, with the heels of our hands, on the sternum. Did you know that as well as singing “Stayin’ Alive” by the BeeGees, we could also sing “Baby Shark” to ensure our rhythm remained at a steady pace. 

After this, we practised putting our peers into the recovery position. 

Goodbye and Good Luck

This week marks the last week for our Year Six children. We just wanted to say one last good luck and good bye to what has been an amazing year group. We couldn’t be prouder of them and know that their futures will be very bright! Well done Class of 2022 - you can spread your wings now!