This week has been full of sporting successes for the children of Poverest and it has been wonderful to see the children proud to be part of the Poverest team. On Saturday we had the Bromley School's cross country which is not only the largest sporting event in Bromley but also regarded as one of the largest school sporting events in the country. A huge thank you to Mr Duffin and Mr McManus who were there bright and really to help set up for the race and organising the children prior to the event and of course on the day. The children represented the school perfectly and there was the added bonus of some brilliant performances. Thursday saw two teams compete in Bromley School's Lacrosse competition and once again we are delighted with the children being proud to represent our school and show off the talents they have been taught in lesson time. For Poverest to be crowned as the winner is another incredible achievement and we will now go on to the regional final in Surrey later in the school year. A huge well done to them all and I felt incredibly proud whilst listening to them singing celebration songs in the mini-bus all the way back home to school!

There have been some rumblings around our school street this week as parking enforcement officers monitored the parking on the double yellow lines. Just to clarify, so everyone is aware, there is parking for parents on the left as you enter Tillingbourne Green and it was the school that ensured this was available. Anyone with a disability is entitled to drive down the road as long as they have a Blue Badge, the blue badge enables you to park on the double yellow lines but it must be displayed on your car dashboard. Many of our Orchard children have these and so there will always be cars using the road and parking on the double yellow lines but we must accept that their needs are greater than most. Before the school street closure, many cars used Tillingbourne Green as a cut through and cars would often drive at speeds in excess of 30 miles per hour (the majority of which were drivers with no affiliation to the school). The drop-off and pick-up are so much safer now and the reduction in engine fumes that all of us, including the children, would have breathed in is significant. As a reminder, the children and adults should use the path, Bromley hosts an assembly every year explaining this to the children. The reduction in road traffic makes it safer to cross the road and also use the road if required to pass other pedestrians. One of our school rules is respect and we also expect everyone to respect the rights of others, including those of our residents and their driveways. 

In more positive news, the teaching assistants have begun specific training in mathematics support this week. We use an intervention called Numberstacks and this is proving to be an excellent way of ensuring children have a secure understanding of number, which is a vital skill for mathematical success in KS2. I am also very thankful to the governing body for their time at the Full Governing Body meeting on Wednesday. They were once again delighted with the progress the school continues to make in ensuring the children of Poverest get the very best education and opportunities at school. Pupil progress reviews have also started after the children completed their spring assessments over the last couple of weeks. This is where the senior leaders of the school discuss every child about their academic progress and ensure provision is in place to ensure that they continue to receive high-quality teaching on a daily basis and interventions, such as Numberstacks, should their progress fall below of what is expected. You will receive the attainment scores via email at the end of next week in advance of your parents' evening appointment the following week. 

Together we can support our children to really learn, grow and succeed together. Have a wonderful weekend.

Mr Haylock