18.07.22

Friday 22nd July 2022

Well Oak Class, what a fantastic final week we have enjoyed together! Monday we started writing our memories of our time at Elham School as well as writing prayers for the Leavers’ Service on Friday. We also practised our Jubilee production – we are going to look fantastic in our 1980s’ costumes! We also got the dreaded Ofsted call on Monday morning, telling us the inspectors would be in the next day!

So Tuesday was a very big day for the school as we had our Ofsted inspection on the hottest ever recorded day in England since records began. Despite the heat, everyone behaved well and showed our school at its very best. We won’t know the result until September, but fingers crossed we get a ‘Good’.

Fun at the beach was the order of the day on Wednesday and what fun it was! Although the kayaking and paddle boarding was sadly cancelled at the last minute due to strong currents and thunder and lightning over the Channel, we enjoyed some alternative activities. We began by walking to the Lower Leas play park and spending an hour there. Next we walked back to the water fountains near the harbour, which was great fun. We ended up on the beach playing cricket and paddling in the sea (which was surprisingly warm). After the super heat wave of Monday and Tuesday, the weather was just perfect and we all enjoyed a well-earned ice cream before heading home salty, sandy and very tired.

We barely had time to have a quick shower and something to eat before we were back at school for the first performance of our Platinum Jubilee production. It was a joyous show with everyone, performers and audience alike, having a great time and singing along to all the hits.

On Thursday we did a final tidy up of the classroom and practised reading our Memories for the Leavers' Service. After lunch we performed the Platinum Jubilee production for the second and last time. It was just as good, if not better, than the first performance.

Finally, Friday, our last ever day at Elham School, came around. It was a bittersweet day. A time to reflect upon and celebrate all our hard work and achievements throughout our time here. We each read out our best memories at the Leavers' Service, Mr File gifted us all a copy of 'You are awesome!' to inspire us on our onward journeys and cups were handed out for special achievements. This year's recipients were:

Jeremy Jamieson - The Mr D Cup for Endeavour

Joe Andrews - The Merit Cup

Joe Hurst – The Resilience Cup

Samuel Matthews – The Genevieve Ferguson Cup

It was also an opportunity to say ‘good bye’ to Mrs Ferguson, Mrs Godden and Mr Foreman, who also sadly left Elham School. Mrs Ferguson, who it taking a very well earned retirement, has been a part of Elham School for over 30 years and will be very much missed. Mrs Godden is taking an early retirement after 16 years teaching in various classes across the school, and Mr Foreman, having successfully completed his teacher training at Elham School (congratulations Mr Foreman!) is moving on to his first teaching job at Ashford School. We wish him all the very best of luck – you will be great Mr Foreman!

After the emotion of the Leavers’ Service, it was time to say our final goodbyes. We have enjoyed teaching you all this year and wish you all the very best of luck as you move on to your new schools. Have a great summer too!

Mrs Short, Mrs Godden (signing off for the final time) and Mrs Vincent