REVIEW OF THE CALENDAR YEAR 2019

As Chair of the Governing Body I would like to express our gratitude to Mrs Matthewman and her staff for giving all the school children a good and productive year.

I have been reviewing progress and it is apparent just how much has been shared with the children during a very eventful 2019.

In January the children enjoyed some Science Ambassador Training at Teesdale School with a Space Camp. In February the Chinese New Year (the Year of the Dog) was welcomed by the children with some dragon and lion dances and Chinese food.

The very important work carried out by our Young Carers was reflected by a Young Carers assembly as part of an in-school programme.

Our Teaching personnel received their Annual Performance reviews and Mrs Matthewman was evaluated as part of her Performance Review. We are fortunate to have such caring and proficient teaching personnel who have consistently performed to a high standard.

This was borne out in March when the OFSTED inspector arrived in school and after a demanding day of interviews, assessments and discussion announced that we had earned an OUTSTANDING grading.

The Mother’s Day celebration of our Mother’s service held in Church was well attended and enjoyed by everyone.

As part of the Clean up our streets in Bowes the children devised posters which were judged, and the winning entries displayed in the Village.

In May the annual Tan Hill to Bowes sponsored walk was staged and very well attended. The weather was kind, and everyone finished the 9.5 miles in good times.

In Gardening news Mrs Hedley worked hard with Teesdale Action Partnership (TAP) to secure funding for the Polytunnel which was erected by FOBS and has proved to be a great asset.

Year 2 Children conducted SATS in Reading and Maths and Year 6 Children carried out their SATS suitable sustained by Mrs MacInnes who provide breakfast.

We received our second inspection during the year with the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist School (SIAMS) which received a Good grading with excellent features.

Our children enjoyed Cross Country Success at Staindrop School in May with Aidan and Luke finishing first and second respectively out of 150 children from several schools.

In June and complementing the earlier Space Camp work the children went to the YCEL Centre in Newton Aycliffe to meet Michael Foale, an Astronaut and were able to ask him questions.

In June we wrote to parents outlining the future shared Headship status for Cotherstone and Bowes which after consultation went live in September.

The children attended the Ripon leaver’s Service at the Cathedral, and I was fortunate to share the experience with them.

Mr and Mrs Scaife led the children as part of the Archbishop of York’s young leaders project with some exciting and productive work within the village.

After the summer holiday we welcomed 15 new reception children. We also were excited to announce the opening of our new fully functioning teaching kitchen which is a tremendous facility.

Also, in September the children attended a Viking Forest School Day where they made models of a Viking Long ship and produced some appetizing Viking Broth in the new kitchen.

During a week of unprecedented warm and sunny weather in September I accompanied Mrs MacInnes and the Year 5 and 6 children to Dumfries and Galloway on Loch Ken where they enjoyed four days of adventure training where they climbed, abseiled, rowed and paddled under the authority of Kingsway Centre staff.

The highly successful Harvest Sale of Produce donated by villagers and children alike led to the raising of £747 and the Influence Church’s food bank in Barnard Castle also benefitted with valuable donations.

In November our school attended the Pride of Teesdale Awards in the Witham and won the School of the Year Award for our work in International schools where some important work has been conducted and future work looks promising.

KS2 visited the Yorvik Centre in York and toured the Jorvik Centre village in what was an entertaining and stimulating day. Another science day was conducted at Locomotion at Shildon which was both enjoyable and constructive.

The annual Christmas Carol Concert and Christmas Fair raised almost £460 and was very well attended. Grateful thanks to the Church and school for the success.

The Nativity Play “Mary, Mary” was hugely successful and very well received by an audience of 150 during the two productions. The acting, singing and costumes were excellent, and everyone can be very proud of such a professional production.

As we prepare to welcome in another decade, I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Governing Body to wish all our Children; their families, parents and carers a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Peter Nicholls

Chair of the Governing Body