Dear Glebe Families
I wanted to take a moment to explain my absence this week and thank you all for your continued support and understanding.
As some of you may have noticed, I have not been at school this week. For those who are unaware, following last year’s events, we’ve recently discovered that my youngest daughter has been diagnosed with the same condition as her older sister. This news has been a shock to our family, especially as we were unaware it might be hereditary. Unfortunately, she required emergency surgery earlier this week and both of her hips have been pinned in position. She now faces a period of recovery during which she is unable to bear weight and I will, of course, need to be focusing on supporting her through this challenging time.
While she is recovering, there will be occasions where I will be working remotely or attending medical appointments. I truly appreciate your patience and the kindness many of you have shown during this period. I will remain available by email and I will continue to be involved in the school’s activities remotely where possible. I am committed to making sure that the school’s momentum continues, particularly following our recent successes in achieving ‘Good’ in all areas.
I want to extend a special thank you to Mrs Coote for stepping in so seamlessly this week and to Mrs Johnson, Mrs Rose and the wider leadership and inclusion teams for their invaluable support. They have worked tirelessly to ensure that everything continues as planned and I am incredibly grateful.
Finally, thank you to all of you for your kind words, well wishes and understanding. It has meant so much to me during this time. I look forward to seeing you all next week and being part of the upcoming Glebe Christmas celebrations.
With my very best wishes
Mr Clarke
Headteacher
Certificates
A huge well done this week to:
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1D: Harley S & PJ G |
1M: Zachary C & Hartley B-G |
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2N: Freya F & Melissa P |
2VB: Amelyah L & Keke P |
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3P: Kieran O & Lilah G |
3R: Cillian W & Henley B |
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4A: Finlay T & Harry K |
5A: Ria-Mae C & Leo L |
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5/4L: Primrose D & Olly R |
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6HC: Amelia T & Alfie L |
6P: Josh C & Daphne W |
Attendance: Our school target is 97%
Year to date 94.5%
We expect pupils to be in school everyday.
We will not authorise term time absence except in exceptional circumstances and where appropriate, Essex County Council will issue fines.
Classes:
| RR: 95.3% | 3R: 96.1% |
| RS: 81.5% | 4A: 93.9% |
| 1D: 88.3% | 5A: 92.7% |
| 1M: 97.5% | 5/4L: 91.4% |
| 2N: 94.3% | 6HC: 96.8% |
| 2VB: 94.3% | 6P: 92.7% |
| 3P: 94.1% |
This week, the class with the highest attendance was 1M with 97.5%. Well done! The attendance reward will be coming your way.
Wraparound Care
A reminder that wraparound care will close at 4.15pm on Thursday 19 December.
Fortnightly Focus: Diffusing the Situation with Respect
This fortnight, we’re focusing on how we can show respect by calming down situations when things get tricky. Sometimes, we might feel upset or angry, but it’s important to stay calm and listen to others. We’ll learn ways to talk kindly, think before we react and find peaceful solutions. By showing respect for ourselves and others, we can turn difficult moments into chances for kindness and understanding. Let’s work together to make our school a place where everyone feels safe and respected!
Here are some examples of how we can do this:
w/c 9 December – Final week of free after school clubs with Deanes.
9 December – Year 1 and Year 2 Christmas performance at 2.15pm. Year 1 parents to attend.
10 December – Year 1 and Year 2 Christmas performance at 9.15am. Year 2 parents to attend.
10 December – 2N parent enrichment activity after the Christmas performance.
10 December – Year 3 Colchester Zoo trip.
11 December – FOGP elf emporium and grotto.
11 December – Reception children walking to post box with letters. *new date*
12 December – Nursery Christmas performance at 9.30am.
13 December – Reception Christmas performance at 2.00pm.
17 December – FOGP Aladdin pantomime.
18 December – Christmas dinner and jumper day.
19 December – Last day of term. Wraparound care will close at 4.15pm.
6 January – Pupils return to school.
7 & 8 January – Reception road safety training (afternoon).
7 & 8 January – Reception height, weight and vision screening (morning).
8 January – Year 6 height and weight.
15 January – Class 3P parent lunch.
15 January – Statutory national closing date for primary school (Reception) applications for September 2025.
17 January – Class 3R parent lunch.
22 January – Year 3 dance festival.
4 February – Young Voices (Choir O2).
25 February – Parents’ Evening from 1.30pm to 4.00pm.
26 February – Parents’ Evening from 4.30pm to 7.00pm.
19 March – Year 2 trip to Hyde Hall.
24 March – Class photographs.
31 March – Year 3 Hyde Hall workshop.
2 May – Class 4A parent lunch.
8 May – Class 5A parent lunch.
9 May – Class 5/4L parent lunch.
w/c 12 May – Year 6 SATs week.
w/c 19 May – Year 6 bikeability (Mon-Thu).
23 May – Sports afternoon.
w/c 2 June – Year 6 bikeability (Mon-Thu).
22-25 June – Year 6 residential trip to Mersea.
11 July – FOGP Summer fete.
Well done to Teddy in 1M who won Man of the Match at football training!
Kian in Year 6 competed in the Braintree Christmas cracker swimming gala over the weekend and he walked away with 4 Gold metals , 1 Silver and 2 Bronze. He also qualified for 8 races in the Essex age championships being held in London aquatic centre in January 2025. His hard work, resilience and dedication to the sport is paying off, we are so proud of him!
On Wednesday and Thursday this week, upper school pupils performed their Christmas concert to parents at Sweyne Park School. The pupils were really excited to visit Sweyne, some of them for the first time; and to perform on their stage with the lighting and microphones made it feel like a professional show! The show was a wonderfully festive journey through Christmas songs and literature with special performances from the school choir and the resource base pupils. The pupils all performed with confidence and enthusiasm and made us all very proud.
