Dear Chilton Families,

And just like that, we have reached the end of Term 1! Eight wonderful, busy, exciting and, at times, exhausting weeks! As I reflect on everything that has happened since we opened our gates in September, I cannot help but smile. What a fantastic start to the school year we have had!

We began the term by welcoming our youngest Chiltonians into our school family. Our new Reception children have brought with them an incredible amount of joy, enthusiasm, curiosity and excitement. It is quite remarkable how quickly they have settled into life at Chilton. They are already such strong Chiltonians, demonstrating our values and embracing everything that makes our school special. In just eight weeks, they have become part of the very fabric of Chilton, and it is difficult to imagine our school without them!

Across the school, we have enjoyed so many wonderful moments. Our Harvest celebrations were a particular highlight, bringing our families together to celebrate, share and demonstrate the kindness and generosity that sits at the heart of our community. There have been opportunities for families to come into school, to share in the children's learning and to experience that wonderful buzz of excitement that makes Chilton, well, Chilton! Having you here, sharing in these experiences, is such an important part of what makes our school special.

Of course, one of the biggest highlights of the term was our Year 6 residential! For the first time in a number of years, our oldest children enjoyed a residential adventure, and what an experience it was! Throughout their time away, they demonstrated teamwork, courage, kindness and respect in abundance. They challenged themselves, supported one another, made memories and showed exactly what it means to be a Chiltonian. These are the experiences that children remember long after they have left primary school, and I am so pleased that we have been able to bring this opportunity back to Chilton.

Keeping our Chiltonians safe

Earlier this week, we experienced a rather unexpected moment when a false fire alarm sounded at 3:09pm, just as families were arriving to collect their children. I appreciate that the timing could hardly have been less convenient!

However, what followed was a wonderful demonstration of the systems, teamwork and professionalism that underpin our commitment to keeping children safe. Despite being just minutes away from home time, the school immediately sprang into action, ensuring that every single one of our 420 children was accounted for, safe and well.

I want to thank you all for your patience and understanding while we completed this important process. Registering and accounting for 420 children at 3:15pm, with families understandably eager to collect, is no small undertaking! I hope that what you witnessed was the efficiency with which our staff respond to these situations and, above all else, the absolute priority we place on the safety of every child in our care. Thank you for your cooperation and support.

A little change on the horizon...

When we return after half term on Tuesday 3rd November, you may notice something rather different about our lower playground.

Our much-loved 'pirate ship' is heading into a well-earned retirement! After many years of adventures, imaginary voyages and countless happy memories, it is in desperate need of some TLC. As a result, it will no longer be in its familiar spot when we return to school.

But fear not, this is not goodbye to our beloved pirate ship! We have some exciting plans for developing our outdoor spaces, with more equipment hopefully appearing around the school site in the coming months. And, once our pirate ship has received the love and attention it deserves, the plan is for it to make a rather exciting reappearance... although perhaps not quite where you might expect! We have a few new features in mind too, which I am sure will bring even more excitement and adventure to our children. Watch this space!

Eight weeks of being Chilton!

As we finish the term with our customary Halloween discos, bringing plenty of fun, laughter and excitement, I find myself reflecting on just how much we have packed into these eight weeks.

Eight weeks is a long time. It is a long time for our four-year-old Reception children, who have only just begun their school journey. It is a long time for our Year 6 children, who are already growing into the confident, secondary-ready young people we know they will become. And, I think it is fair to say, it is a long time for the wonderful staff who give so much of themselves to our children every single day!

But do you know what? We have loved every second of it.

The laughter coming from classrooms. The excitement of a child who has finally mastered something they have been working so hard towards. The friendships being formed. The little conversations in corridors. The moments of courage, kindness and respect. The smiles, the celebrations, the triumphs, big and small. The welcoming faces at the gates every morning and the wonderful interactions between children, staff and families that happen throughout each day.

These are the things that make Chilton special. These are the moments that make a childhood. And the wonderful thing is that we are all part of them.

Our school vision is 'One Childhood, One Chance', and I genuinely believe that what we have experienced together this term captures exactly what that means. School should be a place of joy, belonging, opportunity and achievement. A place where children feel loved, supported, challenged and celebrated. A place where memories are made every single day.

And that is what I see when I walk around Chilton.

Term 1 has been an absolute triumph, and that is because of all of us. Our children, our staff and you, our families. Thank you for your support, your encouragement, your kindness and for the part you play in making Chilton the wonderful community that it is.

I hope you all have a fantastic half-term break, enjoy some precious family time and return to us refreshed and ready for another exciting term.

Thank you for a wonderful eight weeks. It really is a privilege to be part of Chilton.

Mr McAuley