In September we welcomed two new teachers to Bloxham Primary School. Mrs Hodgins joined us in a newly created role of Assistant Headteacher. Mr Smilie also started as a year five teacher. In addition Ms Boswell was promoted to being Deputy Headteacher. I know that all three are enjoying their new roles at our school.
Last night we had our fast becoming traditional firework celebration at school. Over 1100 enjoyed the evening, with the wonderful combination of great fireworks, bbq food as well as the highly popular (with the children anyway!) glow sticks. Once again we were lucky with the weather – beautiful, starlit still evening. As Headteacher I am continually grateful and full of awe for the commitment of our Friends of Bloxham Primary School group. For example I know that members of the committee started working at 6.30 am preparing for the Firework Night and finally finished approximately 9pm- on behalf of the whole school community – thank you.
One of the highlights of the year so far was “Wendy Day”, held just before the October holiday. The day was in memory of Miss Clark, a wonderful teaching assistant who tragically died earlier in the year. All the children as well as the staff took up the opportunity of donning the clothes of characters from Peter Pan. During the day the children did many learning activities based on the book, as well as enjoying cakes made by members of staff. All the proceeds from the day will go towards funding an extension to our school garden that we want to make as a lasting and living memorial to Miss Clark.
Back in August Fiona Richards (Chair of Governors) and I went to a Bloxham Parish Council meeting regarding the Rural Children’s Centre which is planned to be sited at our school. The Children’s Centre will provide support and services for young children and their families’. Since then the formal request for planning permission has been submitted and the date for responses has just passed. In addition the building work for the project has gone out to tender, with the tenders received last week. Dependent on planning permission being granted and at least one of the tenders being acceptable, work is scheduled to start on the Children’s Centre in January 2010 and be completed in early summer.

One of the things that we pride ourselves on at Bloxham Primary School is children’s behaviour, both in school and when the children are away from the school. Following our year six visit to Stowe Gardens I was really proud to hear that the staff who work at the Gardens told us that our children were the best behaved they had welcomed for many years and that many members of the public had commented on the positive and well-behaved nature of the pupils of Bloxham Primary School.
Matthew Ingall, Headteacher