25 July 2023

Dear Parents and Carers

Although the last day of the school year is eagerly welcomed, it is always tinged with real sadness as we say goodbye to our Year 6 children. Every class is different and each leaves us with different memories but our present Year 6 have always been very special to us. We are incredibly proud of them all. They have not only excelled academically but they have also grown and matured into lovely young people who are well equipped to take the next step in life. This was so evident in their Leavers' Mass on Friday. We wish them all the very best of luck and happiness as they move on to the next stage of their education, they will be very much missed. Thank you children for being such wonderful role models to our younger children and also for being such a lovely class to teach from the day you all started at St Wulstan’s. On behalf of our staff I would also like to thank the twelve families who will also be leaving us this year. Your support, good humour, friendship and trust have enabled us to work in partnership to ensure the very best for your children. You will all be missed too although you will always be part of our school community. Thank you!

It is hard to believe we are at the end of another academic year. As ever looking back it is astonishing how much happens and how much is achieved in a school year. As we look through the children’s books, take down displays of work and write reports we see how they have grown over the year – physically, academically, spiritually and in maturity. They are all growing as lovely young people and a credit to you, their families. I would like to thank all the children and parents for their support this year and also for the very generous gifts, cards and words of thanks you have given to the staff. These mean a great deal and are very much appreciated, thank you.

Despite an unexpected change in weather we were able to run our annual Sports day last week. The rain and delayed start did not deter us and the morning then ran smoothly under the direction of the Year 6 sports and house captains. This year the children were able to take part in some new races and a throwing event clearly enjoying the whole morning. A massive thank you to Mr Tasker for all the organization and hard work. Well done St Frances' house on great sportsmanship and winning overall.

On Tuesday we held our Talent Show and were entertained by children from every year group, Reception to Year 6 -singing, dancing, signing, performing magic, telling jokes, playing instruments, martial arts, gymnastics to name but a few of the acts. To stand up infront of a whole school and perform takes great courage and it was so lovely to see the great support all the children gave each other. It was a lovely afternoon celebrating their talents and hard work. Well done children!

We were delighted to hear that Catherine in Year 6 has recently been received into the Guild of St Stephen having completed her training as an altar server both at our church and at school. Both Catherine and Bathsheba in Year 5 serve regularly and we are very proud of them both. Well done both of you.

School closes today for the summer break and  will welcome you back on Wednesday 6 September and on behalf of the staff I wish you a really lovely summer holiday with your children and families.

I end today on a personal note. These last few weeks have been very emotional. Although I am excited to be retiring, as I have said many times St Wulstan's has been a massive part of my life - starting as a young teacher, a mum, Deputy Head and for the last seven years as Principal - to leave our lovely school is not easy.

I consider myself so, so fortunate to have been part of this wonderful school for the last thirty seven years. I am incredibly proud of our children who are remarkable in their enthusiasm for everything, their innocence, their happiness, their sheer love of life. To come to work with such children every day has been the greatest job imaginable.

My wonderful staff, whose commitment and dedication is second to none. I could not have wished to work with better, not only as teachers but as genuine, hardworking, caring and Christian people. We have worked together facing many joys and challenges but also sharing so much laughter and so many experiences together, they are truly my second family and I will miss them all.

I wish also to thank a group of people who worked voluntarily, supporting and guiding us but often not seen - our Governors, Mrs Hill, Mr Haynes, Fr Richard, Mrs Price, Mr Horton, Mr Gariff and Mr Willetts , our Emmaus Board of Directors and of course our CSEL Suzanne Horan. They worked tirelessly to ensure that our children receive the very best education and life opportunities. I am indebited to them for their constant support and guidance.

The heart of our school is of course you, our parents, our families, and I thank all of you for the support you give to our school – we could not achieve what we do without you. Thank you for the trust you have shown me over the years. I have been overwhelmed by your kind words, cards, messages and generosity of gifts. Thank you all so much. 

There is something very special about St Wulstan's . Although it is with very great emotion that I finally hand over to Mrs Brocklesby as Executive Head and Mrs Warnett as Head of School I know they will continue to do everything in their power to ensure we go from strength to strength as we continue to improve and thrive.

I wish them and all our school community the very best for the future.

God bless

Kim Savage

Principal