Dear Families,

How amazing our children have been this week — just as they are every week.

It continues to be a privilege to see the kindness, enthusiasm, resilience and determination that our children bring to school each day. Whether in the classroom, on the playground, during clubs or representing the school in the wider community, they consistently make us proud. They support one another, embrace new challenges and approach each day with smiles, curiosity and a genuine love of learning. They are a credit to themselves, their families and our school.

Thank you also for your passion and enthusiasm this week. It was wonderful to see so many families attending our Wake and Shake session on Tuesday. Our visitors were incredibly impressed by what they saw and experienced. The energy, positivity and sense of community were clear for all to see. I genuinely believe that, before long, an increasing number of schools across Kent will be waking and shaking their way into school each morning!

While our children are always at the heart of everything we do, my main focus this week is one of appreciation for the staff at Chilton.

On the surface, all is calm. As always, our teachers remain completely focused on teaching, learning and the wellbeing of our children. However, much like the swan gliding gracefully across the water, beneath the surface they are paddling furiously and spinning what feels like a million plates at once.

Alongside their usual workload, staff are currently preparing for transition, writing end-of-year reports, processing assessment data, planning exciting learning experiences and welcoming headteachers from across the South East to showcase what excellence looks like at Chilton. The list truly does go on.

I am sure you will all join me in thanking them for their incredible hard work, professionalism and dedication. What makes me most proud is that, despite everything on their plates, they continue to maintain a smile, offer a caring hand and create those special moments and interactions with children that happen every single day. Those moments matter, and our staff never lose sight of that.

Next week promises to be just as busy and exciting as ever at Chilton. Year 1 will be visiting Felderland Farm, Year 2 will be heading to Wildwood, and Wednesday brings our annual class photographs. We also have a number of Come Dine sessions taking place throughout the week.

Please remember to check your child’s class blog for information about events and activities that relate specifically to your child.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support and partnership. It makes such a difference.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Mr McAuley