12th December 2025




Dear Families,

It has been a busy Christmassy couple of weeks. I am transported back to last Monday with wreath making fun, courtesy of Sand Hutton PTA. What a wonderful evening of creativity accompanied by Christmas music, mulled wine and a mince pie or two thrown in for good measure. A great start to the festivities.

On the Tuesday, children from Classes 2 and 3 visited the Chocolate Story. They returned with many chocolatey goodies each and high praise for their ambassadorship of our school. Well done everyone!

On Friday, despite the weather, the Christmas Fair took place at Sand Hutton. We made the decision to bring most of the event inside, with the exception of Santa in his grotto! While this might seem a little unkind, I did explain to Santa that he is used to far worse weather where he lives! Mr Mackfall and Mrs Naylor did a sterling job of making his temporary home somewhat wind proof and cosy. Inside there was much Christmas fun and conversation. Thank you to everyone who supported the event and to the PTA and Mrs Roughley for all their work in organising this,

Now to this week. On Monday afternoon, the Year 6 children made Mrs Naylor and I exceptionally proud when we took them to sing to the residents of Prospect House in Gate Helmsley. We were proud, not only of their beautiful singing voices, which I know the residents thoroughly enjoyed, but the time and care they took afterwards, chatting with their audience about Christmases gone by. It was incredibly heartwarming to watch our young ambassadors engage so easily. It was no surprise when we were told that these ladies would be talking about this visit for the rest of the week. Well done Year 6 Warthill; that was very special.

And then it was Sand Hutton Nativity. A full church and standing room only for the evening performance. The church was filled with children’s voices, raised in song, telling the Christmas Story. It was truly magical and I feel very privileged that as head of two schools, I get to experience this magic more than once each Christmas. Next Tuesday it will be the turn of Warthill children to tell the tale. In a sneak preview, I have heard the singing and I can tell you that you are in for a real treat.

As the week has drawn to a close, we were treated to a fabulous Christmas Dinner yesterday. This year it was my turn to eat with the Sand Hutton children. We had party hats and Christmas tables, Christmas music and fantastic food. THANK YOU NENA! We loved it! I know that the children at Warthill had an equally delicious lunch and sent their thanks to Nena through Mrs Thackray this morning.

Don’t forget both schools close at 2pm next Friday, for the Christmas holidays.

Have a great weekend,

With every almost Christmas wish,

Beverley Pawson




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