A warm (well, chilly actually) welcome back to you all. I hope you all had a memorable Christmas and New Year with families and friends! Christmas is such a special time to just stop what you're doing and remember what really matters...family, friends and your health! Oh, and the odd cracker, square of cheese, leftover turkey concoction, chocolate, pudding, and chocolate pudding combined... the list could go on!

So, it's back with a bang and onwards and upwards...

I'd like to warmly welcome Mrs. Singleton and Mrs. Buckle as they begin their journey as academic coaches (TAs). They really fit the bill and have the passion to make a difference! In Class 3/4, as you know, we are looking to recruit for a permanent position. However, due to the considerable turnover in that class, we will be making sure we get the right candidate...so it's about more haste and less speed with this one. In this interim period, we have assured the services of Mr. Gray. He has been brilliant, hence, we are trying to keep him for as long as we need. Mrs. Ebbans was due to begin however, she's had to delay her arrival with us.

So, what does the term ahead hold...?

We have now begun working with the English Hub, who are supporting us with achieving outstanding provisions and outcomes for children, in particular, EYFS and KS1. Class letters have been sent out so please absorb the information about the children's phonics books. We have purchased a whole new range of fully decodable books so please ensure these come back to school regularly so we can recycle them for others to use.

Mrs. Mitchell continues to 'drive' our whole school curriculum development, which is exciting and incredibly important with how we personalise learning for the children at Crawford's (please see the link below for the Crawford's Golden Circle). One link of particular interest is the 'Curriculum Long Term Plans (LTP); this will show you what the children will be learning across the whole school as they progress through the key stages.

We have some fantastic authentic audiences coming to visit and work with the children this term, including Onelife Suffolk (healthy eating and active lifestyles) and School Liaison Officers (SLOs) from the Police Federation (online safety and relationships).

Our girl's football team is just about to embark on their new beginnings. We've some really strong players this year and the girls are chomping at the bit to get squelching in the mud.

We've entered the Wimbledon ballot again and the word on the grapevine is we may be in with a shout for centre court tickets!!! This would, of course, double the cost of tickets, however, for approx. £75 per person we could be guaranteed a whole day on centre court incl. travel! Watch this space as we look to communicate to you nearer the time!

I'm sure there are lots I've forgotten (remember the forgetting curve?)...however, we will continue to drip-feed communications to you over the term.

So, on with a new year. New aspirations, resolutions, commitments? Or not?!! I love all this as it's about goal setting. However, of late, I've also learned that much of the present is about being prepared to expect the unexpected, ride the wave of change, embrace being adaptable and resilient because in truth...we never really know what's around that corner. 'Today's change is tomorrow's status quo.'

Please support the PTFA fundraising via your online shopping through easyfundraising.org.uk.

You access over 2,700 retailers through this website such as Amazon, Argos, eBay, Sports Direct and Asda. Tesco is also included so when you re-order school uniform please use this website so the school receives cashback. It's really easy to use and set-up.

Go to easyfundraising.org.uk first and create a user account, selecting Haughley Crawfords PTA as your good cause. You access your usual online retailer's website from the easyfundraising website and every time you shop the school will receive cashback. You don't pay any extra and the retailer's website is exactly the same as usual with the cashback benefits going to the school.