Welcome to the Grayswood CE School newsletter, bringing you an update of what's been happening during the final half-term of the academic year.

We must begin by mentioning our 2024 Sports Day. The sun shone and each and every child gave their very best. It really was a Sports Day to remember!

Huge congratulations to Lovelace on winning the Team Cup, to Oliver and Florence for winning Top Sports Boy and Top Sports Girl, and to Freddie for winning the Sportsmanship award.

Year 6 Leavers Church Service

Thank you to friend of the school, Richard Everett, and Reverend Fi Gwynn for hosting a wonderful service at the Church to celebrate our Year 6 Leavers where each child was presented with a Bible.

Our Kites have had a fun-filled few weeks of celebrations, trips, a tremendous production of Jack & The Beanstalk and the customary Year 6 Leavers Fair yesterday.

We are going to miss you all so much here at Grayswood. Please don't forget to come and visit when you can!

I'm sure you'll all join us in wishing them every happiness and success as they move onto their new schools.

Autumn Term Clubs

Our lunchtime and after-school clubs are almost all confirmed. To see what we have planned and to begin booking your places, please see the Club section of the school website

Wrens Class Assembly

Our very youngest children had their first opportunity to perform in front of the whole school and parents last month. They delivered an assembly on Animals from Around The World, brought to life with some wonderful costumes.

"They really are superstars, to deliver their lines and sing a song with such confidence to such a large audience at such a young age is really quite something! We are so proud of them all", commented Mrs. Woods.

Special Guest Speaker for Swallows

Last month in English, Year 4 started a new text, The Last Bear. To tie-in with the theme of the story, we were very grateful to Alasdair Davies, who came into class to give a presentation about arctic wildlife and in particular his work in Greenland with WWF. We even got to see a thermal camera up and running!

It was so interesting, and we send him our thanks and appreciation for giving up his time.

KS2 Careers Fair

We recently held our second annual Careers Fair for our KS2 children.

A massive thank you to the following volunteers for giving up their afternoon to come in and inspire the children in all the varied and many careers paths that may lay ahead for them:

WWF Fundraiser

Protecting endangered species is close to our Eco Warriors hearts, and so they were eager to raise funds to support WWF's efforts to prevent the loss of habitats.

On Friday 14th June, the Eco Warriors invited all children to come in wearing mufti for the day, or even better come dressed as their favourite animal!

The special Mufti Day managed to raise £148 for WWF. Thank you to everyone for your support!

Super School Council Meeting

On Wednesday 5th June, our Year 3 Eco Warriors spent the morning bringing to life their healthy lunchbox to take to Woolmer Hill, along with other local schools. Their choice of lunch was inspired by the fantastic designs sent in by children across the school.

The different schools discussed ways in which we can create interesting, healthy lunches whilst thinking about the environmental impact of food packaging and food miles. 

Ava and Harry loved taste testing the different entries and were thrilled to have been part of the experience.

Swifts visit to Haslemere Museum

Our Year 5 children really enjoyed their recent trip to the Haslemere Museum. The children rehearsed, performed and made masks for their performance of Herakles and the Twelve Labours. It was a really fun way to spend the day, especially as the sun was shining. We also had the opportunity to enjoy lunch outside in the museum gardens!

Kites visit to Guildford Cathedral

Kites recently took part in a poignant service where the theme focused on the closing of one chapter and the opening of the next. They took part in four activities centred around memories and school life.

"When we got there, we had lunch and chatted with the other schools. Then we rotated around and did really poignant activities, focussing on 'worry, regret, wow and thank you'. Then we had a service all about moving on and different kinds of dark, which was symbolic of moving on. Some of us got to hold up a sign representing our school, processing the aisle amongst the other schools. It made us reflect on how we are so lucky to be educated at Grayswood."

Written by Florence, Year 6

Kingfishers Discover the Tomb of Tutankhamun!

A couple of weeks ago, children in our Kingfishers class arrived to find Howard Carter’s discovery- the Tomb of Tutankhamun! Using role play, the children used torches to explore the inside of the tomb and recover and catalogue the objects found inside. 

This discovery went on to inform their writing in English where they wrote a diary entry from the viewpoint of an assistant on the archeological dig. The children thoroughly enjoyed the Ancient Egyptian topic and this was a great way to end it!

Swallows Residential

"On Wednesday 26^th June, Swallows class went on a residential to Henley Fort. When we got there, we were greeted by a few members of their staff, and shown our tents for sleeping in. They looked comfortable and sometime later we had to make our own beds! The activities for this day were open canoeing and climbing. Both were great fun and we enjoyed ourselves immensely.

Grayswood Writing Showcase!

The standard of writing at Grayswood is very impressive and to show it off, the governors have invited the children to take part in a writing challenge over the summer holidays. We have encouraged them to write the first page of their own fiction book, using exciting vocabulary and detailed descriptions, drawing the reader in and making us want to read on. We will collate all the entries into year groups, and they will be published as a proper book, available to purchase if you wish.

Year 6 Ambassadors Sign-Off in Style

In their final few weeks as Year 6 Ambassadors, Florence, Ben, Xanthe and Coco organised two events designed to benefit the local community and their fellow Grayswood students.

"On the 1st and 10th of July the School Ambassadors went to visit Oakhall and Redcot care homes. We played games with the residents and even did their nails! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, especially after seeing Redcot's furry resident, Socks the cat.

Then on the 18th of July, we organised 'The Ambassadors' Picnic'. Children ate their lunch out on the playground and then had their playtime on the village green. We very much enjoyed it as we were blessed with such glorious weather. We would love to do it all again!"

Written by Florence and Xanthe

Good attendance is not just valuable, it's essential. Good attendance promotes good outcomes for pupils and provides them with the very best opportunity to reach their potential.

We regularly track the attendance for each child and communicate with parents where any concerns may be emerging. The government class attendance below 90% is as 'persistently absent' and under 50% 'severely absent'.

The percentage attendance figures for each class as a whole in July are:

Reigning Confederation Champions!

It has been an exciting few weeks on the sporting front at Grayswood. The Key Stage 1 and 2 athletics teams have defended their titles as Haslemere Confederation Champions! 

Firstly, the Key Stage 2 team headed to Woolmer Hill and swept the board with every year group coming either 1st or 2nd. Then the Key Stage 1 team went to St Bartholomew's and put on an incredible performance, jumping, running and throwing themselves to victory.

Grayswood Take Home District Sports Shield

On Thursday 11th July, Grayswood participated in the Godalming District Small Schools Championships.

It was a great morning of athletics and Grayswood finished in 2nd place. Plus, the Year 4 team won their age group and were awarded a shield!

This was the best result Grayswood has ever achieved at District Sports. Well done everyone!

Sports Day Report

"On the 7th June, our school went into their house groups. There were many activities on the green and the house with the most points won that round. At the end of all the activities, we had long distance races, sprint races and relay, and then all the points were added up and the winner of the House Cup was Lovelace!

Thanks to all the teachers who organised the event, particularly Mrs. Taylor."

Written by Freddie & Coco, Year 6

Preloved Uniform

Don't forget, we have a thriving pre-loved uniform service which now has its very own Instagram page: @grayswood_uniform

The uniform shop is really important for the school and raises a significant sum each year. Buying uniform second-hand is kinder on the pocket and the planet!

Hosting a party? 

A reminder that you can hire our school hall for your parties, events or clubs. It's available after school, at weekends and during the school holidays.

To find out more please contact Miss Atkinson, our School Business Manager, on sbm@grayswood.surrey.sch.uk