We have had lots to celebrate this term and it would be easy to fill a whole page of Chipperfield News telling you all about it! However, I shall limit this article to just two highlights!
Firstly, we have received the fantastic news that we have received a government grant to build new classrooms so that our ageing and unsightly mobile classrooms can be removed. Folk lore has it that these “temporary” buildings are about 28 years old and they have not been in a suitable condition for the 60 children who work in them all day for some time. We are, therefore, delighted that by the autumn our pupils and staff will be working in suitable premises which will enhance their learning. However, as a voluntary aided church school we have to provide 10% of the building cost ourselves. We will be working very hard to raise this money and hope that you will support us in our efforts. If you have any skills or interest in this area or can help in anyway please contact Stephen Morrill (Chair of Governors), Chris Deal (Vice Chair) or Annie Brett (Chair of PTA) – they would love to hear from you!
Secondly, about 70 of our KS2 pupils took part in a spectacular piece of dance/drama in the recent Rock Challenge at Stevenage. Their eight minute piece, which they created themselves, centred on the opening of a Pandora’s Box. The bad things that came out of the box were things that the children were concerned about: poverty, pollution; street crime; bullying; greed and war. Through this despair there then blossomed hope and the powerful message that hope can conquer evil and greed. The piece ended on a note of celebration. One of the judges said that our children gave her faith in the future of the world! We then received a letter which stated that our piece was outstanding and that “no piece had the fluency, enthusiasm and professionalism that your pupils presented.” I feel enormously proud of our pupils and hope that you too will feel proud of the young people of Chipperfield!
Norah Tattersall, Headteacher