Over the next few weeks and before the start of next term, there will be various changes to our teaching staff here at Almond Hill. This is usually the case at the end of a school year and is also one of the reasons we wait to tell families the teaching arrangements for the year ahead. With this in mind, I would like to let you know that we have some people leaving us at the end of the academic year.   

Mrs Richardson (Year 3) 
After 4 Years at Almond Hill, I have decided to move on to new adventures.  I came here looking for a break from class teaching, but I couldn't resist it! For a term I was a TA before taking on a role as a Cover Supervisor. I have been happy to step in when needed and enjoyed sharing classes with brilliant teachers. Having spent the last two years in Year 3 with an outstanding partner, has been cheerful and challenging! I am lucky enough to have taught every child in the school and I will miss their shining faces. I know they will continue to be brave as they make their climb up the Hill! Thank you to the wonderful Almond Hill community for all they've done over the years. 

Miss Hayllar (Year 4)  
Miss Hayllar will be leaving us at the end of term as she is moving to a new home and school out of town. 

"I hold the fondest memories of my time at Almond Hill and it has been such an important part of my life. I will miss being a part of the community! I wish the school and families so much success in the future and look forward to hearing all about it!" 

Mrs Barham (Year 4) 
After working at Almond Hill for nearly 10 years, I have made the decision to be closer to my family and to leave at the end of this academic year. I am filled with so many different emotions about leaving where I started my teaching career and the incredible team that make our school the amazing place that it is. It hasn’t been an easy choice for me to make as I absolutely love working here but it is time for me to move on. To the parents, families and children that I have taught over the years - thank you! I have always loved our school community and have so many lovely memories to take with me because of you all. There is no place like Almond Hill and I will be forever grateful to everyone that has been a part of my time here. Thank you so much! 

As staff leave, we welcome new members to the Almond Hill community. This term, we have already welcomed a new TA, Mrs Ogilvie, who has been working in Year 5 but we also have some new teachers joining our team next year. They will be here on Transition Day so children will be able to meet them and parents will have the chance to ‘say hello’ at the end of the day.  

Miss Bonfield – Year 3 
Hello everyone my name is Miss Bonfield. I have been a teacher for 3 years and have worked with children for over a decade! I love reading and outdoor games and activities. I am really excited to join the teaching team at Almond Hill Junior School from September and look forward to meeting you all soon.   

Miss Clarke – Year 4  
Hello! I’m Miss Clarke and I’m very excited to begin teaching at Almond Hill. My favourite subjects to teach are mathematics and art as I believe they provide unique ways to inspire and challenge young minds. I also have a passion for reading and enjoy getting lost in a good book whenever I can. I can’t wait to begin sharing books with my class! When I'm not teaching in the classroom, I love to spend my time painting pottery as it allows me to express my creativity. I also really enjoy attending cookery classes with my friends to develop new culinary skills and learn more about different cultures. I look forward to sharing my love for learning and creativity with both children and parents! 

Mrs Waldrom – Year 4 
Hi there, I’m Mrs Waldrom and I’m really excited to be joining the year 4 team at Almond Hill next academic year. When I’m not teaching in school, I love to travel and learn about different cultures and languages. I recently visited Romania and tried skiing for the first time which was brilliant. In my spare time, I also enjoy yoga and keeping fit and healthy. I’m very much looking forward to meeting you and having a great year ahead! 

Please note, as always, there will be a cold option only for lunch on this day.  We understand that Letchmore do not finish until Tuesday 23rd July. Where we can, Letchmore and Almond Hill have the same term dates and INSET days but we are separate schools with different commitments so sometimes, differences can’t be avoided. However, I do not want to put unnecessary pressure on families with children in both schools so we will finish early as planned on Monday (12.30pm) but for those parents who really need it, school will remain open until 3.15pm. Children will be invited to watch a film in the hall and will be supervised by support staff. This will be the last day of junior school for Year 6 and their early finish is a rite of passage that we do not want to take away.  

Please note, this is not expected to be a ‘staggered finish’. We would expect children to either be collected at 12.30pm or 3.15pm. 

Please let us know, by completing the form below, if you intend on your child staying at school on this day. If your child is in Year 3 and 4 they must be collected by an adult. If your child is in Year 5 or 6 and we haven’t been told they will be leaving independently, they will be expected to stay until 3.15pm.  

https://forms.office.com/e/Vkv5vfhbj7

We will be taking collections for Bags 2 School on Monday 15th July (only). If you have anything you would like to bring in, please leave in the quadrant on the morning of 15th July. 

For information on what can be collected, please follow the link below: https://bag2school.com/what-we-collect