Our final week of term was a great one! I’m excited to share with you some of the fantastic things we’ve been doing at Burton Hathow. But first, I want to thank the entire school community – children, staff, and parents – for making my first term as Head such a memorable one. I’ve felt incredibly welcomed into the Burton Hathow family.
There are so many things that make this school truly unique: The specialist expertise across the curriculum, the remarkable outdoor space where children can grow and flourish; the wide range of extra-curricular opportunities on offer, and the bespoke support that helps every pupil excel and achieve their best.
In Science, many children spent time down by the Burton Hathow lake, taking part in pond dipping activities. Year 5, for example, successfully hunted for damselfly nymphs as part of their life cycle studies and used microscopes to examine their structures more closely. Year 4 particularly enjoyed identifying the range of animals that live in the lake’s habitat, while Year 3 did a fantastic job identifying different plant species around the water and used microscopes to observe tiny plant cells found in the lake.
Our Engineering team were also busy in the woodland, testing the cooking stoves they designed and built throughout the term. They were thrilled to see their hard work in action and took the opportunity to reflect on what worked well and what could be improved.
Our enthusiastic Year 3 volunteers were all hands on deck, helping Mr Cox, Mrs Steeple and Mrs Cheney paint one of our equipment stores. They did a brilliant job and loved being part of the team effort!
We were also fortunate to welcome Mrs Ashby, one of our school parents, for a special assembly. As she prepares to compete in the upcoming London Marathon, she led us through some warm-up exercises and shared the marathon route, details of her training and nutrition, and some fascinating facts about past races. It was an inspiring session that got both students and staff moving!
In Maths, Year 5 pupils explored how to use a pair of compasses to create mathematical art, while Year 2 revisited their learning about money through fun and practical activities.
Year 6 enjoyed one of their favourite art activities of the year – designing and creating their own T-shirts. They worked with care and creativity, flourishing with the freedom to make individual design choices and producing beautiful, personalised work.
Another exciting highlight of the week was a visit to Doncaster Rovers stadium for some of our Upper School pupils. Not only did they watch a live football match, but they also toured the stadium, including going pitch side, meeting the mascot Donny Dog, and relaxing in the VIP area while taking part in extra activities. Staff and visitors alike commented on the children’s exemplary behaviour and how they were fantastic representatives of Burton Hathow. We’re already in talks to plan our next visit!
As we approach Easter, we were joined by Reverend Robbie Strachan from St Peter’s in Eastgate, who shared insights into the Christian traditions associated with the holiday. His visit supported our broader exploration of cultural and religious practices, and helped pupils understand how Easter is celebrated by many in the UK. We also had singing performances from the upper and lower school choirs, the jazz band and musical accompaniment from two of our year 6 performers.
And finally, there was a surprise visit from the Easter Bunny! Mischief was afoot as the Bunny left clues hidden in the forest. The children took part in a school-wide treasure hunt, working in teams to solve the Bunny’s challenge. There was fantastic teamwork throughout, with older pupils supporting younger ones, and the BH team spirit was beaming across the day. Every child was rewarded with a chocolate egg to take home for their efforts.
Wishing you all a restful and joyful Easter break. Thank you again for your continued support. I’m already looking forward to what next term will bring!