Guestbook

Great to see the lovely photos of the children in their classes have been updated - thank you.

Always here to help.

Loving the snow pictures of the children having fun. Could we have up to date pictures of the children in their classes for this year please.

Thank you Lisa. Will pass on your request.

Well done to Singing Stars! Another fab performance at the Christmas Fayre. You are all fantastic!

I would like to say 'well done' to all those who gave up their saturday mornings to help out at the 'Grovelands Groundforce' sessions. The school grounds look really lovely with all the hanging baskets and tubs and the play equipment looks really colourful. I am looking forward to the next sessions in the Spring when the good work can continue..

Just wanted to say Thankyou for the last 4 years Claire has loved being at Grovelands and she will miss everyone.

Farewell and all the best to Year two - and well done on delivering such an excellent performance at your final assembly this morning - it was really enjoyed by your full audience! Cheers, Nevin

Just wanted to say that we love the new funky style class photographs, they are much more modern and fun !
Hope we will continue to use this company for future photos.

Lovely to watch our eldest granddaughter Kirsty in your singing stars video - living in Scotland we rarely get to share her experiences so this was special.

We are so glad that we could give you the opportunity to see it. It is wonderful to know that it was so special.

Lovely afternoon out watching our fabulous dancers. Well done to all. Pictures and Video look great.

Thank you Lisa.

I would just like to say well done to Miss Sowter and all the country dancers. It's lovely to be able to see the video of you all and you look like you had a great time!

Thanks Debbie - yes, everyone had a wonderful time.

Tyler Spiers thinks the baby is Mrs Bryant.

Well Done Tyler. The picture is indeed that of Mrs Bryant.

The baby photo looks like Mrs Procter.

Sorry, but it's not... keep trying!

I think it is my teacher Miss Wallis.

Sorry James,why not try another guess.

I think the mystery baby is Miss Beedie. Eva

Hi Eva... I'm sorry, but the baby is not Miss Beedie. Why not have another guess.

The re-vamped website looks great and very up to date. Well done. PS. Only one problem I can only see one pic of Kingfishers!

New photos are always being taken and will be updated as soon as possible.

Congratulations! Fab new website! Much more user friendly, even Brendan enjoys playing around and loves the up to date photos of events. Well done.

Thank you. Glad you find it friendly.

Great pictures of red nose day and the footie match. Looked like they all had fun.

Thanks Michelle - yes they did and all for a worthy cause. Well done to everyone.

I visited the school today and was asked to join the children at lunch and have a school dinner.
It tasted delicious, I can't remember my school dinner being so healthy and tasty! It was also good to see so many empty plates, the children were even going up for seconds! Well done Julia and team, I would recommend School dinners to all.

Hello. Just a note to say we enjoyed the christmas fair. Josh really liked seeing all of his old teachers, he still misses all of his teachers and old friends as he never went to Bellfarm. He say's his teachers at Grovelands are better than his new ones and wishes Grovelands went up to yr 6. Thanks for being such a great school.

I would like to say a big thank you to Miss Wallis and Miss Bradford for the success of the singing club. It was a joy to watch and my son thoroughly enjoyed being part of this group. It was also the best opening to the xmas fare that I have experienced,and was a really great idea to allow the old peoples home to listen to our festive songs.
WELL DONE.

Thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed it and we hope that you have a really great Christmas.

Hi, what a great, colourful website! My children, Richard now 15, and Caroline, now 13, came to Grovelands and still have fond memories.


Thank you so much for your comment about the website. It is wonderful to know that, even now, your children have such fond memories of the school

Hi,
I went to your school back in 1984-6,
and just wanted to see how you were doing and to say hi,
Shelley.

Thanks Shelly. Good to hear from you.

James Randall CORRECTLY guessed that the staff member photo was that of Mrs Smithson. I apologise to him for the error. A new member of staff has now been added.

Miss Sowter

Good guess James, but not Miss Sowter either!

Keep Guessing!

It has to be Miss Wallis.

Sorry James, but it's not. Have another look at the picture.

Hello I think the two girls are Mrs Waller and Mrs Smithson. Can you say hello to Mr Dickson .from James.

Hi James, sorry to tell you this, but the picture is not who you said it was. A clue is that this staff member has a twin who is also pictured. We are looking for only one person, as the other twin does not work in the school.

Is the person in the photo Mrs Cairns?
I heard that Mr. Eyre-Brook has left, I hope that he feels better soon. I hope Mr Smyth likes it at Grovelands!

Thank you Alice. I'm sorry, but the photo is not Mrs Cairnes.

We think that the teacher is Mrs Bradford....

Well done to you both. The photo is that of Mrs Bradford. Congratulations!

Is the teacher in the photo Mrs K Overton?

Hope the third guess is the lucky one!

This is proving to be a difficult one... unfortunately again, it is not Mrs Overton.

Hello it's James, I think the baby picture is Mrs Waller. If I win do I get a prize.

Hi James, unfortunately, this is just for fun so there are no prizes. The picture is not of Mrs Waller, sorry.

Is the teacher in the photo Mrs Kynoch?

Hi Alice, I am sorry but it is not Mrs Kynoch... why not guess again.

Hello, I think the person in the photo is Mrs Dean. I hope all you grown ups are looking after the ladybirds. I still find lots in my new school but have lots more homework. Happy half term.

Thank you James. The photograph is not of Mrs Dean... sorry.

Is the person in the picture Mrs.Smithson?

Thanks for the guess Alice, but unfortunately, it is not Mrs Smithson in the picture.

I used to be in Seals Class, but now I'm in Year 3,
I just hope that Miss.Jackman's getting on OK and good luck with the new class!

Love Alice

Thank you Alice... I am sure Miss Jackman will get on really well with her new class. Hope that you are doing well too!

Hello to all the staff and teachers at Grovelands, I would just like to thank everyone at the school for making both my son Ben (who left in 2006) and daughter lauren (who has just left last term) time at Grovelands a very happy one there was not single day throughout their time with you that either of them said they didn't want to go to school. I wish the school every success for the future
and thank you all once again. Claire Woolhouse

Thank you!

I left Grovelands in 2003, I am now in Year 8. When I started Year 7 I met up with all my old Grovelands friends. Grovelands has definitely changed since 2003!

Hi Eva. Yes, Grovelands has changed and many new and exciting changes are also in the pipeline! Keep your eye on our website in the future...

We are not sure about this one, but we think the guess the staff member looks like Mr Dickson!

Well, you should be more certain as the person in the picture is that of Mr Dickson - well done!

We have just left your school, after 8 years. Tom has spent all is life coming to this school. Firstly, in the pram with his brother James, and then through from nursery to Year 2. He has really enjoyed his time and so have I.
I have been actively involved with the FROGs and will miss the laughs we have shared- it was a lotof hard work but a lot of fun. See you at the Christmas Fayre!!??
I would like to say a big THANKYOU to all the staff, who have made this journey a great experience for both of my children.

I think it is Mrs Smithson in the picture.

Sorry James, but it is not Mrs Smithson.

Mia thinks its Mrs Smithson.

Hi Mia, Sorry, but the photograph is not that of Mrs Smithson.

Just wanted to say that after 4 lovely years at Grovelands we are very sorry to leave, all the teachers and TA's have been superb, what a great school , thanks for giving Mia a great start, (and for all your support)

Both of my children came to Grovelands and my son is leaving on Wednesday. I am have to say both, my kids and I, have met some lovely people at the school and I can't thank all the staff enough for all that thay have done. We will miss everyone there. Thank you and good luck Grovelands.

Rachel, Hope and Josh x

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome given to us all on Monday.
The country dancing was lovely and the school looks fantastic, I have taken loads of photo's to show my school when we go back in September you put them to shame
See you all again soon
Lindaxx

Thank you linda. Glad you enjoyed your day with us.

Perhaps it is Mrs Sowter as she said she rode on an elephant in India. There is a document about her India visit on the site (but my computer doesn't recognise the format unfortunately, so can't open it).

It is not Miss Sowter I'm afraid. It was Miss Jackman. To open the India visit, you will need Microsoft Publisher 2003.

Congratulations for the first 100-years of the "Tin School".

I 'attended' between 1952 & 1958 when Mrs Owlett was headmistress. Sorry I will be unable to attend the function.

Best wishes, Peter I.

Thank you for your kind wishes.

I think the photo is of Miss Jackman. I know she is good at Salsa because I do it with her.

Well done Sarah, yes it is Miss Jackman.

We are just about to leave grovelands and wanted to say what a fantastic school it has been. The Staff & Headteacher are always willing to help in any way they can. Millie thinks it is Mrs Kynoch in the staff picture.

Thank you for your kind comments. Unfortunately Millie, the picture is not Mrs Kynoch.

I think it might be my headmaster

Sorry James, it is not Mr Eyre-Brook

I just had to write and say well done to FROGS for yet another fantastic Summer Fayre and how lucky you were with the weather.
It was so nice meeting old friends there and meeting new people.
Please forward my congratulations to Mr Eyre-Brook the school grounds looks fantastic, what a lot of work has gone into the design, the children are very lucky to have a great school
Hope to see you all again in July
Best Wishes
Linda

Thank you for your support & kind message Linda.

Hello Everyone,
Congratulations to Grovelands School on its 100th Anniversary!
I was a pupil at the 'Tin' School from 1945/46 to 1947, when I went to Walton Junior School on Ashley Road. I used to live beside the Thames on Felix Lane and came to school by rowing boat and bus.
Altogether I went to seven primary and four secondary schools before I became teacher myself. Now I work for a famous writer of children's books - you are sure to have heard of him!
I will write to Mr Eyre-Brook in more detail.
Best wishes,
John Simes
Leicestershire

Many thanks John. It is a real pleasure to hear from you. Thank you for your kind wishes... we will await the name of the famous writer.

We are about to put our fourth child through Grovelands and just wanted to say what a fantastic and friendly school it is, our children have been very very happy here.
Now with our youngest about to start the nursery and our other daughter starting reception we are looking forward to another 4 very happy years!!!
I think it would be great to have all the wonderful teachers and teaching assistants photos on the website with their names so everyone can see who is who, especially the newcomers to Grovelands!!!

Thanks, I will suggest your idea to the school.

Is the person Mrs Brown we know she likes dogs???

Well done ladies... yes it is Mrs Brown. Maybe we may have to try a little harder with these photo's!

I think it might be mrs Waller.

Sorry James, it is not Mrs Waller.

Ok then, where are the clues? First guess is......Mrs Powers.

Hi Debbie, you beat me to it, I am updating as you are looking!
The clues are all there now.
Have just wasted half an hour doing it, as you are correct. This is the quickest ever guess!
Ok, will now put on another pic, hopefully, you will find this one a little more difficult!!!

I think it might be Mrs Waller.

Sorry James, it was Miss Sowter. Another member of the staff is there now, why not see if you can guess this one.

I think the picture looks like Miss Sowter !

Well done Luca, you are correct with the guess of Miss Sowter.

I think the teacher is Mr Dickson because he has curly hair.

What a good guess James, but it is not Mr Dickson. Why not have another try.

I am torn between 2 members of staff.
I will go with Mrs Silver.

Sorry Tyrone, it is not Mrs Silver. Maybe you should let us know your other guess.

Just having a quick look and I am very impressed by the website. Informative and fun well done to all concerned.

Thank you Beverley.

Thanks to Pam for your very positive comment and to Robert too. I'm very pleased that you found the evening worthwhile. The sessions run by Simon Crosby are always very informative and entertaining! Thank you to all parents who attend the sessions. We hope to hold a different kind of workshop for parents in the future. I will be issuing a reading list including the suggestions Simon made, soon.

These photos!! This time I took one look and immediately saw Mrs Weller looking at me. The only thing is, she's not listed on the staff. She is still staff isn't she?

That is the fastest guess yet, you have set a new record!!!
Yes, it is Sam Weller and she was left off the staff list to keep you guessing.

The baby photo is Mrs Hawkett !!

Well done Sommer, yes the photograph is that of Mrs Hawkett.

I was really glad to read Pam's comments about the reading evening. I was discussing with Andrea Kynoch how we could hold more sessions like this and perhaps combine some with workshops on other aspects of literacy. I'd like to add my thanks to Andrea and to Simon Crosby.

Last night I attended the reading for life workshop for parents of Grovelands, It was a very useful and informative session. Thanks to Simon Crosby, I now have a greater understanding of how important it is to share reading with my child and understand how reading is a life chance for my child, along with how important it is to explore vocabulary during reading. With the 'Engage and Response' method reading at home will be more of a pleasure for the whole family. Thank you! (Note for parents; if you want your child to enjoy reading and could do with hints and tips, this workshop will help lots!).
Well done Andrea Kynoch ! - Look forward to the book listing handout.

A quick note to say how much I enjoyed the Frogs Bingo night. It was well organised by the team, great fun and hopefully raised lots of cash for the school. I understand this event is normally an annual thing - how about two per year?? Many thanks, Nina.

Hi Nina. Glad you enjoyed the Bingo so much. I will pass on your request to the FROG's.

I think the photo this month is of Helen Silver.

Afraid not Debbie, have another guess.

Hi guys, the web site looks fantastic. I miss all the children and staff and was looking at all the pictures of them working in their classrooms, made me feel quite sad that I am no longer there. I hope everyone is really well and hope to see you all soon

Great to hear from you. Look forward to seeing you soon.

I think it has to be Miss Sowter.

Thank you James. Again you picked up on a vital clue, being that Miss Sowter has just got engaged. unfortunately, the picture is not Miss Sowter.

I think it's Miss Wallis because off her short blonde hair. Also she has just got engaged.

You have looked at the clues very well Nicole, well done. Yes it is Miss Wallis. We will be putting on a new staff member very soon!

Hi
Could the photo be of Jane Cairns
well i hope she is still treading the boards
Love Linda

Hi Linda. No, the photo is not of Jane Cairns, why not have another guess...

I think it is Miss Silver.

Thank you for your guess Alice, but you will have to guess again, as it is not Mrs Silver in the photograph.

The competition this time is more difficult, but my initial guess is Mrs Silver. Well done for getting the Healthy Eating award!!

Thanks Debbie, but you will have to guess again.

I have just visited the site since late last year and am very impressed with all the changes. Easy to find things and to see whats going on in the school. Well done.
In addition, my son was new to Grovelands in Sept 2007. The school has done a fantastic job getting him settled into the new school environment. He has made some wonderful new friends and is enjoying his days at school more and more everyday. Thank you! :)

Thank you for your comments Monica. Really good to hear that your child has settled in so well.

We are over the moon at how well our little girl has settled into Grovelands. She loved the nursery and loves life even more in Squirrels Class. As her parents we are very happy with the whole ethos of the school and those that teach, support and influence our little treasure.Thank you.

It is our pleasure - thank you!

I viewed the website for the first time today and am very impressed. Pleased to see my little treasure hard at work in class!! I would like to take this opportunity to say how delighted I am with Grovelands school, my daughter, who started in September has settled in so well and just loves school. A big thank you, especially to Mrs English. Nina

Thank you for your comments Nina... Why not have a go at guess the staff member!

Haven't visited the site for ages...love the competition idea. Like Debbie I think it's Mrs English. Tennis & Hockey give it away...besides it looks so much like her!!

Having taken the time tonight to read through the guest book I really do think we undersell this web site. There are some terrifc comments here from parents and pupils past and present that are a credit to the school.

Thank you for reading the comments Maggie, this is exactly what we want to achieve. It is always good to get positive feedback, it means that we are heading in the right direction. As for your answer to the mysterious teacher... the answer is... no, I'm sorry, you too will have to wait to see if you are correct.

I think that the teacher who best likes p.e is: Mr Dickson.

Hello Lewis. Good guess, you too could be right, but you will have to wait a little longer to find out.

I think the photo of a member of staff is Mrs English. I'm guessing by the clues of liking Hockey and Tennis.

Hi Debbie, you may be correct, but then you may be wrong. Thanks for taking the time to have a go, why not tell your friends and see if they can guess.
The answer will be posted on the website after Good Friday.

I think the teacher is ms parsons 'cos she likes cheese and onion crisps.

Hello James, I can't give out the answer yet, but it maybe you might have picked out a vital clue. The answer will be posted on the website after Good Friday.

My son Ben has settled realy well into nursery, and really enjoys it. I have visited the website before, but not recently. It would be good to put a reminder on the newsletters that come home. Also would be useful to put a general contact email address, perhaps with the mailing address - I can't find one.

Hi Karen. Thanks for spotting the deliberate mistake! This has now been rectified and added to the address footer.

Not just TA at Grovelands, but a mum too, I just wanted to say that the school is fantastic. The care, support and dedication given, is shown by how much the children blossom. It's great to be able to let other parents know about the school. Well done for all the hard work put in to making the site and I look forward to reading Joe's comments on the site when he is 15?!!

Hi Shellie, totally agree with you. We do have a fantastic School and are lucky to have such a dedicated staffing team!

Thanks for adding the link for paying for school dinners online ... it would also be really helpful if the total payment required for the current term was also on the site... I often miss it in the news letter and have to check at the office. Thanks again!


This too has now been added.

HI All,
My son enjoys going to school very much. Even after a bad day the teachers still adore him.

Regards
Corinna

Thank you Corinna. Glad to hear that your son enjoys the school so much, and yes, we do have an excellent staffing team.

It would be great if you had a link to the Surrey County Council Page for paying your school dinners online.


This has now been added. Thank you for your suggestion.

My daughter, Aimee, started Grovelands a month ago and has settled in really well. She loves her class, her teachers and her friends. She has never said that she doesn't want to go to school and I know that she is excited about going full time after Christmas. I will most definately be sending my other daughter there if at all possible.



Thank you Rachel, we are so pleased that Aimee has settled in so well and that you have taken the time to submit your comments. We wish you and your family, a very happy Christmas.

Since I left Surrey to come to Cambridgeshire I still look back on my time working at Grovelands (10 years) with great fondness, it is great that I can keep in touch with what is going on through this fantastic web site. Love to all and I hope to see you all at the Christmas Fayre. Thank you Linda. Great to hear from you and glad you looked at the site. Look forward to seeing you.

Just found your website via the Confederation link - it's fantastic! Some posters and postcards available in community venues around town advertising the web-site would be great. It's a great showcase for all the fun and learning the children enjoy at the school and to give a flavour of the caring ethos that wraps itself around you the moment you walk in. My twins are just entering Secondary school this September. The firm foundations laid at Grovelands has really paid off for them - thank you everyone.

Thank you very much for your comments. We wish your twins every success at their secondary schools.

My daughter Sophie is joining Grovelands in September, and it's a scary time for myself and her daddy, but this website has reassured me, she's going to be so happy and well looked after, she will probably want to come weekends too! Great website, and a lovely happy school - well done!

Thank you. I am sure that Sophie will settle in really well and make lots of new friends. We look forward to seeing her in September.

Just to say your Web-site looks really nice, very pretty. My Son Matthew still has very fond memories of his time with you.. Well done.

Thank you very much. Nice to see that he has such nice memories.

Hi, I used to go to Grovelands as did my brother and sister. I'm now 45, almost 46, and now living in Felpham West Sussex. Its been a real treat to see my old school again on the website, it's changed a bit since then. Do you still have the outside swimming pool? it was freezing but great fun. I hope the school dinners have improved. Milk monitors, what happened to them? Happy memories. Regards to all Stephen.

Hi Stephen. Things have certainly changed. No pool anymore. The lunch menus are definately better than they used to be too. Why not check out what's for lunch next week, by clicking on the index section and selecting school lunch menu. Always great to hear from former pupils. Please visit us again soon.

Hi, I used to go to Grovelands, ages ago. I'm now 13, almost 14, and I'm doing great thanks to you guys.

Thanks for the compliment Jamie. Great to see that you've remembered us.

The website look great, really colourful and user friendly. My son can't wait to see his picture on the site, also having the school dinner menu would be good so we know what's on offer each week.

Well done on the website it's a credit to the school.

Thank you for your comment Janet. Unfortunately, we are at this time unable to add any further content to our site as we have ran out of alotted space!!!. However, we hope to include the menus, as soon as we can get more space.

Website is brilliant. It's bright,welcoming and user friendly but most important of all full of useful information...well done. It's a credit to the school and you should publicise it more...how about some posters on the notice board to encourage people to log on and have a look?

We will look into that possibility, thank you Maggie.

The web site turned out well I remember when we first went on the course to design one (Great Fun)
Glad to see Grovelands is still growing and one of the best schools around
Miss you all
Linda

Thank you Linda, glad you like what we have done.

Great website - any chance we could get the school lunch menus added to it?
I don't get to see the notice board and my son can never remember!
We will be adding the menu's very shortly. Thanks for your idea... keep them coming in.

The new website looks great, very colourful. Pictures will be a great addition.
Thanks. We are always reviewing the site content and eventually we do hope to have a rolling program of pictures.

The website looks fantastic and very appealing as a parent looking for a school for her son. Would like to see details on entry into the school from Nursery and Reception.
Thank you. We are always looking for new ideas and we are sure we can provide this information in the very near future...

Website really looks good, information is clearly presented and the photo's really do the school justice !
Thank you for your comments. We agree that the photo's do make a huge difference.

I enjoyed browsing through your web site. It is colourful and easy too use. I look foward to visiting your school next week.
Thank you, we look forward to seeing you.

My daughter enjoyed looking up her school website. She agrees with me that it is bright, colourful & easy to use. Like everyone else, can't wait for some photos & what about some educational games?!
Thank you. If you look in the links section, you will find some educational links.

The new website is great and I cant wait to see some pictures.

Glad you like the site. As promised earlier, the pictures will be here very soon. We are just sorting through them.

What a great web site. I love the bright and cheerful style. Can't wait to watch it grow. Thank you Debbie... watch this space!!!

The Website looks brilliant - bright, cheerfull and inviting - just like the school!
What a compliment - thank you very much indeed. We are so glad you like our new site.

Website looks great, looking forward to seeing some pictures.

Thank you Debbie. We are in the process of having pictures taken and they will be displayed very soon.

Website looks brilliant! nice and bright. My Grovelands child can't wait to see some pictures. Well done.

Thank you Michelle. We will be adding pictures very soon.

Just wanted to let you know that the new website looks fab!

Thank you for your comments Tanya. We hope to Fill it with more information in the very near future.