Muskham News

21st July 2010

WHAT A BUSY YEAR! - My first year at Muskham has flown and I would like to thank all staff, parents, governors and members of the community for making me feel so welcome at the school and for your continued hard work and support.

We have welcomed many new staff this year as people have moved on to enjoy retirement, extended travel or new posts. Many thanks to Pat Whalley, Gill Gilroy, Pauline Morris, Lynne Wells and Helen Gregorick for their dedication to Muskham. Thanks to those taking on their roles: Brenda (cleaner) Sue Chase (Foundation Stage Teaching Assistant), Liz Todd (Senior Midday Supervisor) and Emma Foster (Midday Supervisor) respectively. Welcome also to other new volunteers and relief staff who have also joined us this year and those who continue to give their time and support for the pupils of Muskham.

Mrs Chetwynd leaves us on Thursday to take up a new role on the Graduate Teacher Programme in September. We will ALL miss her so much and we thank her wholeheartedly for her dedication and commitment to our school over the years. Her work with the children has been invaluable and, as a colleague, she is second to none. She leaves with our very best wishes for a happy, fulfilling and successful teaching career.

Friends of Muskham - Thank you to the ‘Friends’ for their continued hard work and support for the school over the past year. The Summer Fayre raised a whopping £920 this year – well done everybody. Their next meeting (AGM) is on Tuesday 14th September at 7.30 in the Hall. Please do come and support the pupils – new members are always welcome and we have seen a few new faces this year.

Parental Support - Thanks to all parents who have helped over the years with transport, swimming, Grounds Day, in classrooms and on trips, residentials, visits and pupil support. It is much appreciated as some of the events and visits could not take place without your help. Special thanks to Mrs Patterson for organising the uniform orders for several years – she is handing this role on to Mrs Gregorick from September, (further details to follow).

School Council - Thank you to all the school councillors this year, especially George Bartlett and Emily Cobb for being so professional in their organisation of the meetings and running of the council, overseen by Mr Barnard. Ashley Hubbard and Frankie Hursthouse are the new Chair and minuting secretary for September 2010.

Open Evening/ Open Kitchen - Thank you to all those who came to the Open Evening. There were many positive comments about the pupils’ work and displays as well as the dinner menu. Following the kitchen open evening, we would like to offer parents the opportunity of joining your child for a school dinner from September 2010 Please inform the office a minimum of a week before you wish to join your child and send in payment of £2.35 to cover the cost of an adult meal.

Tidying Time - On Friday 23rd July (the day after we break up) we are hiring a skip so we can have an end of year clear out of classrooms and grounds. We – and Mr Whalley especially – would be very glad of Parents’ help on this day, particularly with heavy lifting etc. Many thanks!.

Events - There have been too many to mention them all, which is a fantastic sign that the children are involved in so many activities within and out of school to support each other , the school and the local and wider community. The latest achievement, of which the pupils were rightly proud, was winning the swimming Gala held at the Grove swimming pool. We have had many other sporting achievements this year – well done to all those pupils involved! There is also an information board at North Muskham Lake, for which our children have designed the artwork. It is informative and displays their artistic talents well.

Site Security - On a couple of occasions recently, people have entered the site (uninvited) out of school hours, either moving or damaging property. Please be vigilant on our behalf over the summer break – we value everyone’s involvement in looking after our community and ensuring the safety of all.

Drumming - John Browne, who works with the choir and pupils on music projects, is also available for private music tuition, music software writing, as well as being an MC and a DJ. He has performed in front of a crowd of over 240,000 in Santa Cruz.
Contact Details:

Adult Netball _ the Muskham Netballers meet on Monday evenings to play on the MUGA (multi-use games area) at school at 8.00pm. If you would like to join them, please contact :
  • Jo Wright (07989 385037) or
  • Claire Davies (07796 133656)


Year 6s - leave us on Thursday to move on to their secondary schools. They have contributed much during their time at Muskham and all will be sadly missed. Good luck to all of them!

THANK YOU - once again for your continued support for the school and for making me feel most welcome in my first year of headship at Muskham.

Have a lovely summer break and we look forward to seeing all our pupils back on

TUESDAY 7th SEPTEMBER

C. Greatwood – Head Teacher.