How has two weeks whizzed by so quickly? It feels like just two minutes since we returned from our half term holidays! Over the last couple of weeks, Burton Hathow has been a hive of activity, with trips, fixtures and familiar faces. However, this pales into insignificance when we consider what’s on the horizon as we move towards Christmas.

Our first week began with our engineering group flying off to spend the day as pilots and engineers with the Red Arrows. They sat through the daily morning briefing and listened as the team planned their day and practised their routines – grounded of course! The children (and staff) were brimming with excitement about ejector seats, dye mixed with fuel, cockpits and the workings of the engine and dashboard and shared their experience with the rest of us in an informative and uplifting assembly. As a follow up, the engineering group led a whole school imitative on aviation yesterday as part of National Science Week.

Tuesday saw our formidable U9s team head off to Stratford for an ISA (Independent School’s Association) football tournament which was attended by twelve other regional schools, all much bigger than ours. We played twelve games and came second! Second! We thought we were punching above our weight in sport, and now we know we are!

Reception, year 1 and year 2 pupils made some stunning poppies that they ‘planted’ along the driveway and the whole school stood before them on Monday morning as we observed our two-minute silence, listened to the Last Post and enjoyed a recital of ‘In Flanders Fields’ by two of our year 6 pupils. It was a powerful ‘mini service’ that underpinned one of our BH core values – respect. Every member of our inner school community demonstrated absolute respect for the occasion and for one another. We were also pleased to invite Mr Daly back to share his extensive knowledge of D Day in our assembly last Thursday and Mr Hardcastle also came in to share news of his travels around Canada.

Mr Cox has returned from the peaks brimming with enthusiasm for outdoor education and has been working with all our children from year one upwards. They have been immersed in restoration projects, tying knots and teamwork building shelters as Mrs Bowden continues to guide with her years of expertise. Educational practices are continuously updated and adapted, both in and out the classroom, and it’s always good to have a fresh set of eyes and a network outside of Burton Hathow.

You may have ‘spotted’ us this morning dressed up and ready to support Children in Need. We often reflect on how fortunate we are here at BH and regularly acknowledge the things in life we are grateful for. The children are incredibly aware that not everyone has the same opportunities as them and it is lovely to hear them share their understanding of the challenges and difficulties others their age may face.

Reception have mounted their broomsticks this morning and accompanied Mrs Payne, Mrs Smith and Mr Oldfield to the theatre to see Julia Donaldson’s Room on the Broom. Mr Oldfield was super excited to have yet another trip out and the reception class looked incredibly grown up as they settled themselves onto the minibus.

Whenever I sit down to write and reflect, it reminds me how lucky we are. We have our wins and our lumps in the road, but we are a team. And just like our U9s, we are formidable, unstoppable and determined to thrive.