2011 - 2012, a retrospective

This has been another year when we can be really proud of the children’s success. See how the Goslings have grown up; look how well the new children who joined us this year have settled in; be proud of our children’s participation in sport and culture, here and with other schools across Harrow; shed a tear when the Year 6 leavers stand tall at their last assembly.

Looking back over the school calendar, I see the regular highlights to the school year... the Christmas Show, spring term’s Dance Showcase, and Outdoor and Adventure Week, just completed in the summer rain. Week in, week out, the staff have provided opportunities for enjoyment and achievement. The whole school community has been learning and working together, making Alexandra such an exciting place to be.

At this time of year all the class teams put up a display of their Golden Moments. If you get the opportunity, have a look up and down the corridors to see the pictures. They demonstrate an amazing range of work and a rich variety of educational opportunities. There are photos of school trips, of the children with visitors to Alexandra and of children simply enjoying their time at school. But I particularly like those photographs which show individual children concentrating hard on their work.

I want to take this opportunity of thanking all the staff for their hard work and creativity.

Dennis Goldthorpe

Say good bye to...

We say good bye to twelve children in Year 6, as they move on to secondary school. We wish them luck and will miss them all.

We also say goodbye to six members of staff: Emma Millard, Dan Leckie and Dan Hammond have worked with us this year as graduate teaching assistants. Emma is going to become a Family Support Worker in Brighton. Dan Leckie is going back to college to get his Post-graduate Certificate of Education, which will allow him to become a teacher. Dan Hammond is returning to his undergraduate studies. Thank you to all three for their hard work and youthful enthusiasm this year!

Lisa Hennelly has worked at Alexandra as a class teacher this year. She is leaving to become a children’s yoga teacher. We wish her luck with this new endeavour.

Nevena Popovic has been a senior teacher at Alexandra for the past three years and has led our Early Years and Foundation Stage class since September 2010. Nevena is leaving to take up the post of Assistant Headteacher at a school in Putney, with a job description that could have been written for her. We wish her every success in her new role.

Finally, we say goodbye to Margaret Goldthorpe. Margaret has worked at Alexandra on and off for the past 20 years, ever since Dennis took the headship. During that time Margaret has contributed to Alexandra School in an astounding variety of ways. She has been a class teacher, an allotment keeper and a swimming coordinator. She has led assemblies for the whole school, training for staff and support sessions for parents. She has been to camp and been to France. Margaret, like Dennis, is always thinking of Alexandra School and what she can do for the children here. She will be sorely missed by all.

Say Hello to...

Debbie Brennan has completed her graduate teacher course and was awarded the grade of outstanding. Well done Debbie. It has been a long journey for you and we are proud to have you on the teaching staff for 2012-13.

Nikki Attwood and Jo Ward are joining us as class teachers from September 2012. Zoe Bennett will be joining the Goslings team as a Learning Support Assistant.

Grant Beckwith, Freya Donaldson and Vicky Wright will be our graduate teaching assistants next year. We are delighted to have all of them as part of our staff team for 2012-13.

Please come to the school barbeque on Thursday 19th July.
All parents are invited to join us from 11.30a.m. for a delicious barbeque lunch, the
finals of Athlete of the Year and the school prize-giving ceremony.

Thursday 19th July will be the last day of term for the children.
School is closed on Friday 20th July.

School re-opens for the new school year on Wednesday 5th September 2012.

Have a great holiday!