News & EventsThis week we have experienced Soca Dance – a Caribbean style of dance from Trinidad and Tobago. The children have had a wonderful time learning the steps and admiring the amazing costumes the dancers brought in with them.
Years 1 and 2 learnt a street dance routine that they performed at the end of their session. Everyone had a great time busting some moves with Mia the dance instructor.
We are delighted to announce that Grimsdell has won the Platinum Award for their ‘Sing Up’ entry last year. This is the highest award available and is only given to schools which have already received a Gold Award, and where all pupils and staff are involved in the event. Our official plaque to celebrate the award will arrive in February.
New Year started well with the arrival of some new musical instruments and a stage installed in the main playground. The children have really enjoyed playing with them on their first day back and they appear to be a real hit.
The new term starts up in earnest on Thursday 5th January at normal time. After School Clubs start for Years 1 and 2 on Tuesday 10th January. January will see a number of ‘At Homes’ when parents can come and visit their child’s classroom and there will be Parent Surgeries Weeks during the forthcoming term. Highlights will include a Dance Workshop for Nursery and Reception and a Street Dance Workshop for Years 1 and 2. Year 2 will also be visiting the Barbican in February. The term will end in February with a Pre-Prep Singing Festival at Belmont. Happy New Year to you all.
Christmas has been a happy time for all involved with Grimsdell. The Christmas lunch was hugely appreciated by all and set the tone for a festive end of term. Years 1 and 2 wowed their audiences with a wide variety of musical arrangements and the week came to a celebratory conclusion with the end of term Christmas parties. Happy Christmas to everyone.
A warm welcome awaits prospective pupils and their families at Grimsdell on the Open Morning on Monday 23rd January 2012, from 9.30 - 11.00. Come and visit Grimsdell on a normal school day.
Yesterday the children watched in amazement as Jack climbed the beanstalk and returned safely with the golden hen!!! The whole school loved the play performed by Bangers and Mash – although the giant was a little scary!
Children from Year 1 and 2 went to Mill Hill and had great fun learning how to trampoline, they are still talking about it this week!
Our School choir took part in the Barnet Infant Music Festival again this year. It was hosted by our neighbours St. Vincent's and the children got the opportunity to sing alongside other schools in the borough as well as perform their own song. The children, staff and parents who attended had a lovely morning.
Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia. The festival extends over five days and because of the lights, fireworks and sweets involved it is a great favourite with children. Our Nursery classes were lucky enough to learn about Diwali from some of our parents. They were even given the opportunity to dress up.
Grimsdell had a visit from the Police this week! They visited the Reception class and talked about their jobs and the importance of ‘stranger danger’. They also visited the Nursery where they told the children who they were and what they did. It was a lovely morning for all involved and it even gave the children the opportunity for some pupils to try out the uniforms!
Now that the half term holiday has ended the term gets off to a start this week with Parent Surgeries. On Monday 7th and 9th November there will be Parent Consultation Evenings and please note that there will be no late room running on these dates. Also, there are no clubs from Monday 7th November to Thursday 10th November. Wednesday 23rd November is an important date as Belmont have their Open Morning for Prospective Parents. This runs from 9.30-11.00 (Head’s talk at 10.30) and is an excellent opportunity to visit Belmont on a normal working morning. No need to book. Christmas is kick-started on Saturday December 3rd when Grimsdell families can enter into the seasonal spirit by attending Winter Wonderland at Belmont from 1pm to 3pm. Grimsdell children’s Christmas lunch is on 9th December and then Y1 and Y2 have their concert on 12th December and their Christmas parties on 13th December. Term ends on 14th December 11.40 for Reception and 11.45 for Nursery, Y1 and Y2.
Last Friday we celebrated our Harvest Festival in the Mill Hill School Chapel. It was a lovely service that included some words from our Chaplin Richard Warden. We collected £260.68 as well as a huge number of goods for The Upper Room Charity for the homeless.
One of the Grimsdell parents came along to assembly to talk to the children about Rosh Hashana. Mr Pelham, father of Ollie, told us the story of Apples and Honey and also demonstrated how to play the Shofar.
Pupils arrived at the gates of Grimsdell eager to start a busy and rewarding term. Term starts off with a series of ‘At Homes’, and in October there will be Coffee Mornings for Reception and Nursery Parents to come in and meet each other and catch up with the Headteacher. The Grimsdell Parents Association will also host a ‘New Parents Tea’ on Friday 16th September at 2.00. After School Clubs for Years 1 and 2 will start on Tuesday 27th September.
Meg the Golden Retriever, who belonged to Mrs Bennett-Mills, came to school every day for 11 years. Sadly Meg passed away in 2006 but she is still fondly remembered with a bronze statue on the main lawn. The sculpture was presented to the school by Mr Paul Jessup, who was one of our parents at the time.
