Updates from Mrs Norden

I cannot believe that we are almost at the end of the first week of the school holiday, and that it was only a week ago that we were saying goodbye whilst sharing so many cherished memories from the last 11 years.

It has been a sad time as we have said goodbye to Mrs Poskitt, Mrs Namur, Mrs Durrant and Mrs Allen. However, in doing so, we have celebrated so many wonderful successes and events that they have been a part of, or led.   Our children and families have always been at the heart of all they have done in their different roles, and they will be missed by the whole school community. We are incredibly grateful to them for everything they have done for us across the many collective years they have been with the school, and we wish them the very best in their future endeavours.

This will be my last newsletter and time to reflect on what the school has been doing.  Whilst compiling all the administrative elements and troublesome links will be forgotten in a moment, the joy of reading the articles written by the children and staff, looking through the photo galleries showing enjoyment and achievement and providing explanations about adventures undertaken, or new ventures to come, are things I will very much miss.

So, for the last time this academic year, please find below links to articles about some of the activities the children were involved in during the last few weeks of term. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as the children enjoyed the opportunities. You will also be able to read the governing body's annual report by clicking here, which details the work of the governors, alongside the school, over the last year.

My 33-year career has taken me from being a newly qualified teacher to a headteacher through societal and educational changes that have been significant.  From a school with a single stand-alone BBC computer and a Banda copier to create worksheets (pre-photocopiers), to working 'in the cloud' and expected instancy of all things, with a distinct lack of funding for the technological and educational ambitions of the world around us.

However, the heart of being a teacher, and a headteacher, for me has never changed.  It has always been about nurturing the children in my care to grow and develop as holistic beings.  This has meant taking time to hear their voice, making time for their dreams as well as championing opportunities beyond government directives.  As the headteacher of a school, to maintain this also needs dedicated and passionate staff, proactive governing bodies and supportive families, which I have been fortunate to have had throughout my career, especially through my 11 years at Swavesey Primary.

The school will begin a new exciting chapter in its long history in September with more wonderful adventures to come. I hope you will welcome and support your new headteacher, Mrs Ogilvie, as you have done me, to ensure the school continues to go from strength to strength through the changes that will come over the next 11 years and more.

Thank you all for your part in helping our children and school to bloom and for enabling me to do so too, and I wish you all the very best for the future.  

                                                                                                                        _{Anna-Claire Norden}

_Headteacher

Last Summer and new Autumn Term Updates 

Report Acknowledgement - if you haven't completed the online acknowledge form for your child's report, please do so by Monday, when the form will close. 

Term dates for 2025/26 - please click here for these.

Autumn Term 2025 dates for your diary - please click here for these. These will be published in the website diary over the holidays and the spring and summer term dates will be confirmed in the autumn.

Community

Bridge the Gap – a family friendly walk in support of two local charities!

We wanted share with you details of a family friendly event taking place on Sunday 14 September. This year we are celebrating our 25^th Bridge the Gap walk, which is a specially designed route, approximately 4 miles, which will take in some fabulous views of the City and meanders through the beautifully manicured gardens of seven University Colleges.

All money raised from the event will be shared equally between Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and Romsey Mill, both of whom offer essential support and care to people throughout Cambridgeshire.

Adults can sign up for £20 and with every paying adult three under 16’s go free!

To find out more and to sign up online please visit  Bridge the Gap - Arthur Rank Hospice Charity

SEND, Safeguarding, Health and Wellbeing Links

SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) information can be accessed through our SEND website pages here

Safeguarding Information - please click here for our Safeguarding page especially should you have concerns relating to the safeguarding of our children and families.  Please click here to go directly to our Safeguarding policy.

Attendance Policy - please click here for the school's attendance policy. It is vitally important parents and carers are aware of their responsibilities and the formal processes for attendance matters.  The NHS have created a useful webpage to support decision-making when children are unwell - you can click here for the link.

SEMH (Social Emotional Mental Health) resources for parents - Please click here to access an overview sheet with signposted resources for you to use at home to support your children.  The overview sheet can also be found at the bottom of the SEND page on our website here.  

H.A.Y Cambridgeshire Community Wellbeing support -  How Are You South Cambs? | Home (haysouthcambs.co.uk)

NHS Mental Health Services - www.keep-your-head.com and SHOUT - a new Text service on 85258 which provides real-time support to people of all ages who are struggling with their mental health (text the word HEAR to 85258).

Chat Health is a NHS confidential NHS service for help and advice. It’s safe and easy for you to speak to a qualified health professional. Just send a message, you don’t have to give your name. Discreet and quick. It only takes one message to start making a difference. You’ll get confidential advice from trained health staff in your area. Click here to access the site to start a web chat today.

NHS Pharmacy First Service - the NHS Pharmacy First Service enables children and adults to get convenient access to healthcare advice and treatment where appropriate, for seven common conditions without the potential delay of having to wait for a GP appointment. There is no need to make an appointment; parents or carers can pop into their local Boots pharmacy with their child and ask for help under the service.

Support for the following conditions can be accessed under the service, free of charge (unless NHS prescription charges apply):

To find out about Pupil premium and Free school meals, please visit our Pupil Premium page by clicking here. 

Links to each Phase page under the Curriculum tab on our website.

                                Reception    Yr1/2    Yr3/4    Yr5/6

Access SCOPay Parent Information here and EYandP Fees and Funding Page here