www.lydden.kent.sch.uk
Dear all
I write this from home in early January and the view from my window is delightful - picture postcard white. Indeed the view from my window in school before I left to come home was also delightful – a family sledging down the slope. Yesterday we were able to get out at lunchtime and enjoy the snow in school. There is nothing quite so enjoyable as watching and listening children play well together.
We started the new term with renewed optimism, as indeed you hope to do as a new year begins. However it is a little like a false start to the term as we are required to put our plans on hold for a day or two. I suppose the classroom monitoring will wait and the mobile classroom project will be completed one day!
Well done for....
It is important for our tucked in community to branch out a little and integrate with others who live around us. Thanks to Sylvia, who was able to negotiate a date in the calendar, we were able to invite our ‘more elderly’ neighbours in to school for a tea in December. The event was very successful and our visitors enjoyed performances from each class to go with their slice of cake and cup of tea.
At the end of term in December we held one of our best Christmas Services. It had a thoroughly community feel to the occasion and children performed their songs beautifully. Some adults I hear, even had a tear in their eye from time to time. I am immensely proud of our children and staff and grateful to all of you who were able to attend and happily squeeze into available space at St.Mary’s church. Did any of you get to witness ‘Lullaby Jesus’ in Dover’s market square?
Our ‘share a class session’ in December was also well attended. The children certainly value those occasions when parents or families are able to join us. The next date is Friday 5th February 9:30 so don’t wait for an invite, we are happy to see you, ..just turn up.
As Chair to the Dover Rural group I can say that Lydden was instrumental in Dover’s successful accreditation for ‘Extended Schools’ at established status in November. It is an acknowledgment of how the school tries to link with the community at local and international levels. If you want to use the school’s facilities for groups please contact the office.
Probably by the time you read this, two adventure trails will have been erected. The school has waited a long time for these and the excitement is palpable. The school council involved themselves with sales representatives, discussed pros and cons for various options and thanks to the agreement of the governing body we have been able to fund the project. Please note that although we want to continue to make the school space available for play out of school hours, an adventure play space on site may make this impossible without supervision.
Best wishes from
Carole Davies
