Headteacher Blog Archive Autumn 2 2022
16 December 2022
Thank you so much to the PTA for putting on a fantastic fireworks evening last Sunday. It was so lovely to see everyone thoroughly enjoying the event and spending time together. The money raised during the evening has been put towards the new furniture in our classrooms, providing our children with the individual space to work and to learn.
The week began in a very unusual way with the snow fall. We loved seeing photos of our families enjoying themselves in the snow, please check out our Instagram Highlights using the following link:
On Thursday we were fortunate enough to have a group of Israeli scouts join us to begin to get us ready for Chanukah. The visited every classroom and spent time with them completing some fun Chanukah games. It was wonderful to feel the buzz and ruach running through the corridors and we look forward to celebrating Chanukah in school next week with a variety of activities, music and of course eating doughnuts and latkes! We hope you all enjoy using the Chanukiot the children have made in school as you light the candles during the 8 nights of Chanukiah and enjoy getting together with friends and family to celebrate this magical festival.
There was a buzz in the staffroom yesterday lunch time as Mrs Alexander and Mrs Bladon, on behalf of all the parents, delivered some thoughtful and considerate gifts for all the staff. Everyone was so delighted to have received them and were touched by your kindness. Thank you so much from all of us for your generosity.
Finally I would like to say a huge thank you to all staff, children and parents for welcoming me so warmly into our school community. It has been wonderful getting to know so many of you over the past few months and I look forward to continuing on this journey with you all in the new year. I hope you all have a happy and restful winter break and look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on the 4th January.
Shabbat shalom, Chanukah sameach, and happy new year,
Mrs Martin
9 December 2022
This week we have all enjoyed taking part in the Science Week activities that have been taking place in all the classes. It was wonderful to see a variety of science activities being lead by our teachers during table top on Tuesday morning. The children were able to choose which experiment they wanted to watch across the school, I was amazed by Mrs Gishens ability to separate salt and pepper out of a bowl of water. Today the children got to visit our science fair and find out about he scientific achievements from children in other classes. Year 5's work made me rather hungry as they had used biscuits to look at the phases of the moon. Year 4 also used food (chocolate) to investigate changing state.
We had our final prospective parents tour on Tuesday morning, this was our busiest tour yet and we were proud to show prospective members of our community just how wonderful our school, and our children, really are. The parents commented on how engaged and purposeful the children in all classes were as well as how polite and positive the children we spoke to were. If you know of anyone looking for a school place for Reception 2023 or any other classes please ask them to contact the school office.
I was delighted to be part of Year 3's Chagigaht HaChumash on Thursday morning. The Chagigat took place in two parts, one in the school hall and one in Mill Hill Shul. The children all sang and performed their lines perfectly during the first section, cleverly linking the story of Alice in Wonderland to a Chumash and this weeks Parasha. It was then wonderful to see all the children receive their very own Chumash from parents and grandparents in shul afterwards. Thank you so much to Miss Roberts, Rabbi Herman for writing and directing the performance as well as Rabbi Schochet for giving out the Chumashim.
Finally, please can I remind all parents of boys that they must be wearing a kippah at all times when they are at school. It is part of our school uniform and is not something they should be coming to school without. It would be helpful if they could have a spare one in their bags too as during the same kippot seem to mysteriously disappear!
Looking forward to seeing many of you at the Fireworks event this Sunday.
Shabbat shalom,
Mrs Martin
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2nd December 2022
I spoke to the children in assembly this week about the exciting professional athlete we have coming to visit our school in January. Jordan Hart, professional badminton player, will visit Etz Chaim and will lead an assembly all about her career, deliver a motivational talk for the children and show the children her collection of medals. After the assembly, Jordan will lead and encourage the children through a sponsored fitness circuit. The money raised will be split between supporting the training of unsponsored athletes who have no funding as well as to the school for us to use to improve facilities.
On Wednesday Miss Genn ran a practical and highly informative workshop for parents on how maths in taught in school and the use of manipulatives and objectives to enhance learning and understanding. Parents often comment on the fact that the approach to teaching and learning is not how they learnt it so this was a great opportunity for those hat did attend to find out some of the ways we approach maths in school. Thank you so much to Miss Genn for taking the time to prepare such an informative session.
We also had our first Parent Teacher Consulation evening this week. It was wonderful to see so many of you in school, looking at the work your children have completed so far this term and hearing how they are getting on. We look forward to see those of you who did not come last week at our final consultation evening on Wednesday.
I am very lucky to have a staff team that are committed to providing the best opportunities to the children in our school. However, we also realise how fortunate we are to have a supportive parent body and would like to thank you all for the staff fleeces that were given to us all this week. For a while now staff have been looking at the children dressed in school fleeces enviously, luckily we can now enjoy their warmth too. Thank you so much to the PTA for giving them to us and for all the hard work you are putting in to events such as the fireworks evening and challah sales for the sake of the whole community.
Shabbat shalom and good luck to the England football team on Sunday,
Mrs Martin
25 November 2022
We began the week in a rather unusual but exciting way, watching the first England match of the World Cup. The roar up and down the corridors, as well as in the lunch hall, was electrifying. Thankfully the England team were able to score a number of goals so that we could end the day on a positive note.
This week we were able to deliver all of the amazing toys, baby items and books to Camp SImcha, Sebbys Corner and The Children's Book Project that were so generously donated as part of Mitzvah Day. Thank you so much to those of you that brought things in, your donations will make the lives of so many people that bit easier or happier over the coming months. In class the children made cards, drew pictures and wrote positive messages to be given to residents at the jLiving home in Golders Green.
On Thursday I met with the class reps for the first time this year. During the meeting we discussed a number of things such as the weekly class headlines as well as the upcoming Parents Teacher Consultation sessions. It was great to hear their views on how things have been going and get another perspective on school life.
Thank you to everyone who made such an effort for Chai Cancer Care mad hair day today. There were some very creative and colourful hair styles on display today which managed to raise a fantastic amount for Chai Cancer Care.
We look forward to seeing you all at the Parent Teacher consultations on Tuesday 29th November and Wednesday 7th December, please contact the school office if you have not yet made an appointment.
Please see a message below from the PTA
Your school needs you!
Shabbat shalom,
Mrs Martin
18th November 2022
There have been a lot of exciting events this week. On Monday we were delighted to receive a delivery of new tables and chairs for the classrooms. Staff and children alike were excited to receive the new items and enjoyed seeing our new classroom layouts take shape.
As this week has been Parliament Week, the children have been learning what Parliament is and some of the decisions that are made there. We were lucky enough to have Lord Levy come in and talk to Years 3 to 6 on Tuesday about the House of Commons and the House of Lords. On Thursday Matthew Offord, our local MP, came in to talk to Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 about the life of a politician.
It has also been Mental Health Awareness Week this week. On Wednesday Streetwise came in and spent time in each class discussing how to be a good and kind friend and how to behave kindly to others. Year 1 lead the assembly on Wednesday and taught the rest of the school how to be a kindness superhero.
It was wonderful to see all the children come to school in bright clothing on Monday as part of Road Safety Week. We discussed with the children how clothing can help them to be seen and stay safe as the days are getting shorter. All classes practised crossing the road outside school safely and learnt how to look left, right and left again.
Thank you to everyone that has brought in books and baby items for our Mitzvah Day collections.
Shabbat Shalom,
Mrs Martin
11th November 2022
We have had another busy week here at Etz Chaim.
On Tuesday we had a visitor in for the day to look at how we teach phonics in Reception to Year 2. She was amazed to see the progress all of our children have made since the start of the school year. We are extremely lucky to have staff who are skilled in teaching the children the sounds in English, the letters that represent them and how to form the letters when writing.
On Wednesday we welcomed more prospective parents in for a tour of our school. They all commented on the positive feel they felt when walking around the school and the polite and friendly children we are lucky enough to have here. We have another prospective parents tour in December and an information evening next week, so please let your friends know if they are looking for a Reception place for September.
This week we have been discussing and learning about the importance of Remembrance day and why it is still something we commemorate today. Classes have been looking at its meaning and why the Poppy is used as the symbol of remembrance. Year 1 produced some fantastic artwork using watercolour paints to draw poppies.
We are all excited that our first face to face PTA event is taking place very soon. Tickets are now on sale for the annual fireworks spectacular. Make sure you get your order in soon as tickets are selling fast.
I would like to remind you that on Monday 14th November, we will celebrate Be Bright and Be Seen to make the children more visible to drivers in order to prevent road accidents. This is a non-uniform day with a difference! Help us to make our children stand out, be seen and stay safe. The children can make their mark by coming to school wearing one item of bright or light clothing alongside the rest of their school uniform. Please note that girls’ skirts/dresses should be to the knee or below and if they are wearing bright sleeveless dresses then their shoulders must be covered with their school cardigan. Football shirts should be avoided and boys must still wear their kippot and tzitzit. All children should wear their usual school shoes.
I wish you all a safe and restful Shabbat,
Mrs Martin
4th November 2022
It was lovely welcoming the children back after half term and seeing their happy faces as they walked through the door on Monday morning. As a staff we are excited to be in a clear run now of full weeks allowing us to see and teach the children every day.
As we come further into the winter months we are all aware of the impact this is having on the cost of living and the effect this could have on families within our community. Barnet have identified some useful sites for support with the Cost of Living which could help:
- The team at Good Thinnking have put together an article on supporting your mental health at this time https://www.good-thinking.uk/coronavirus/how-to/cost-living-crisis-how-look-after-your-mental-health/.
- The Greater London Assembly have created a help with the cost of living online hub which continues to be updated with a range of information to support Londoners, including on money and mental health. https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/communities-and-social-justice/help-cost-living
Last night we held our Etz Chaim Get Together in the school hall. It was a wonderful evening and was lovely to see so many parents in a more informal environment. As I said on the night, we are all here for the children and together as a team of staff, parents and governors we are fully committed to providing the children with the best possible education and learning opportunities.
Matthew Offord, our local MP, has invited the children to participate in his annual competition to design a greeting card for Chanukah. Last year, we were delighted for the children who were presented certificates and prizes by Matthew Offord. Greetings can be up to A4 in size and the use of strong colours is an advantage in terms of reproduction. The winning design will be used by Matthew Offord for an official Chanukah greeting card. This is not compulsory. Any child that wishes to complete an entry should return it to the School Office by Friday 25th November 2022.
Please can I remind you not to congregate in front of the school before the gates open in the mornings. Security is a high priority at Etz Chaim and we want to ensure that everyone is as safe as possible. Please can I also ask that you do not congregate outside the front of the school at the end of the school day either as it blocks the views of the security team and increases our risk level.
Shabbat shalom,
Mrs Martin