Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• EYFS

  Thu 01 Apr 2021

  In Reception we have been learning about traditional tales. We really enjoyed the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. We have been planting our own beanstalks and writing about the Giant!

  

• Year 4 Science

  Thu 01 Apr 2021

  Living things and their habitats has been the focus for science this term in Year 4. The unit began at home where we learnt about MRS GREN. We then grouped things around our homes into: alive, once alive or never alive and learnt about habitats. Once back at school, we had fun exploring local and microhabitats within the school grounds. We have also looked at classification, vertebrates and have completed some close observational drawings of invertebrates.

  

• Year 4 American Civil Rights Movement

  Thu 01 Apr 2021

  Year 4 have been learning about the American Civil Rights Movement.  We have learnt about segregation and discrimination and how the work of people like Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks influenced change.  We have written blogs and diaries. Here are some examples of our work.

   

  

• Farewell from Julia Woodroffe

  Thu 01 Apr 2021

  Moving On.

   

  I can’t believe how time has passed during my time at Butlers Court.  I find myself reflecting on many, many happy memories over the years, memories that date back to my class teaching days and continue to a whole host of wonderful musical events such as Creative arts Assemblies, end of term productions, carol singing and performances at the Albert Hall and Wycombe Swan.  There of course have been have been many changes but the dedication of staff, enthusiasm of pupils, support of parents and above all, the amazing sense of community and unity have always remained and I know will continue to do so.  Leaving such a wonderful place and special people is very difficult but it’s time for a change. I hope to continue musical activities and explore new ventures nearer to my home.

   

  I’d like to thank all of you most sincerely for making Butlers Court the place that it is and for the good wishes I have received.  I do hope our paths will cross in the future and that I will continue hear of achievements. I wish everyone the very best, thank you again.

   

  In the words of one of our favourite hymns

   

  “Sing together, celebrate the world we share                                                  

  Sing together, celebrate the people there

  Sing together every girl and every boy

  With a voice that sings of hope and peace and joy”

   

  Julia Woodroffe

   

  

• An Exclusive Interview with Mr Butler

  Fri 12 Feb 2021

  Filled with excitement and pride, the KS2 Year 6 House Captain’s had the unique opportunity of interviewing their new Headteacher. They talked about many things including his career in teaching, school days and interests.  Read this exclusive interview to find out more…

   

  Some interesting background

  Mr Butler has enjoyed twenty four years of teaching, this being his twenty fifth. Starting in 1996, his first teaching role was at Chalfont St Peter where he was a Year 6 teacher. You’ll be surprised to hear that our very own Mrs Loveday was a student in his class!

   

  Headship beckoned in 2007. Mr Butler began as a Head at Chartridge School in Chesham and then moved onto Holy Trinity and Little Marlow Schools in Marlow.

   

  Mr Butler lives just outside Marlow in a place called ‘Marlow Bottom’. When he first moved there, his young son (only four at the time) thought it was a funny place to live!

   

  Mr Butler, how are you settling into Butlers Court? Do you like it?

  Isn’t it a funny coincidence that your name matches our school? Was it planned?

  I’m settling in really well. Everybody I have met is really kind and friendly. It’s not ideal because I was looking forward to meeting you all, but the children I have met have been so lovely. At the moment we’ve only got a few children in school so it will be a be shock when all of you return. It will definitely be noisier and busier, but I look forward to that.

   

  Yes, it is funny that my name is the same name as the school. I had known of the school for many years. I did think, wouldn’t it be funny if I ended up working there and sure enough here I am! I did think about changing my name so people wouldn’t laugh when I would say ‘Hello, I’m Mr Butler from Butlers Court School!’ but I knew this would not be the right thing to do.

   

  Mr Butler, I have heard you are into sports, what new sports would you like to bring to Butlers Court School?

  I do love my sports and played football and rugby at school.  Exercise is particularly important for both your physical and mental wellbeing.  I’m really looking forward to getting out onto the field and helping out with the football and athletics club. I’m a keen runner so cross country would be something I would like to introduce. Ultimate frisbee and lacrosse would be sports I would like the children to try too.  I used to run a lunch time indoor badminton club at my previous school, this would be great to try out here, especially during a wet break.

   

  Hello Mr Butler, what inspired you to be a teacher all those years ago?

  You make me sound really old! When I was 17 and at Sixth Form, I heard the local primary school had no one to help run their football club.  I volunteered with some friends to run their after-school football club.  It was this that got me started on the journey because I could see how much joy working with children could bring.

   

  The best teachers you have are the ones where you remember how they used to make you feel not necessarily what they taught you. I remember at school there was a teacher called Mr Heywood. He would always ask how I was and took time to look out for me. He was a real inspiration to me.

   

  Mr Butler, what can you remember about your own school days? Were you a good student?

  It seems a long time ago now. I went to a school like this, starting in Reception but going all the way to Year 7.  I remember one incident when I was in assembly and was caught talking! The teacher at the front made me stand up and sing the first verse of the hymn we were supposed to be singing, in front of everyone…. on my own! When I hear that hymn now, it sends shivers down my spine. I would not make any of you do that!

   

  I didn’t enjoy secondary school very much because the school was bigger, and the work was tough. I must admit that I was quite chatty and probably didn’t concentrate as much as I should have.

   

  Overall, I’ve got good memories and still have lots of friends I still keep in touch with.

   

  Do you have any hobbies or interests and if so what are they and do you support any teams?

  Most of my hobbies centre around exercise.  I run for Marlow Striders club and have also ran in the London Marathon a few times. I’m a keen cyclist and get out on my mountain and road bike whenever I can. During the holidays, I like walking and try and get to North Wales, Scotland and the Lake District. It’s a good way to get away from the busy life of school.

   

  I was made to support Fulham as a child but didn’t like following them because they weren’t particularly good. At the time most people supported either Manchester United or Liverpool.  I decided to go for LIVERPOOL. I was chuffed to bits that they won the league last year.  I also support Sunderland because I used to live up north and went to university near there.

   

  Do you have a special place in your house where you love to go and have quiet time?     

  My favourite place is probably my garden. During the winter I like to sit around my fire pit with a warm drink. In the summer I like mowing my lawn and keeping the garden tidy.

   

  Do you have any ideas about new things you want to bring to our school?

  It’s a very strange time at the moment because I haven’t seen the school in the way it would normally be. I can’t wait to get back to normal and start trips and residentials again. These are the important things for me.

   

  I want to update and improve the school website as well as collaborate with the local high school. I also want to continue to push to get more technology into the school and make the most of our ICT room, maybe to change some of the computers.

   

  We have a lovely environment here, so making more use of the outdoors would be important.

   

  What was your first impression of when you came to Butlers Court?

  I have known the school for quite a while. What always struck me was how well behaved and polite the children were when I used to bring sports teams over for matches.

   

  Since joining, everybody has been truly kind. I feel that it is a friendly, warm school where everyone is supportive of each other. Everybody has been incredibly supportive of me and that is very much appreciated.

   

  Butlers Court is a great place to be and I’m honoured to be here.

  

• Year 2

  Fri 12 Feb 2021
  As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, Year 2 created images of themselves. In recognition that what we display on the outside does not always match how we feel on the inside, the children first drew their silhouette and then reflected on what was beneath the surface and what their identify means to them. They drew pictures to represent these things inside the silhouette. Here are some of their masterpieces!

  

• Year 4 - Sound

  Fri 12 Feb 2021

  This term’s unit in science has been ‘Sound’. We began the unit by learning that in order for a sound to be made, something has to vibrate. We went on a sound walk around our homes or outside in our gardens to listen for sounds and think about what was vibrating. Throughout the weeks, we carried out a variety of investigations into sound whereby we predicted, tested and evaluated. We investigated how to change sound using a cone ear and also investigated how to muffle sound.  Miss Davies even used her cello to help with our understanding of pitch and volume.

• EYFS - Dinosaurs

  Fri 12 Feb 2021

  Our topic this week was Dinosaurs. The children learned all about carnivores, herbivores and omnivores. They made non-fiction books about dinosaurs, used adjectives to describe dinosaurs and made some amazing models with junk materials.

   

  They even made their own explorer's camp and went on a dinosaur hunt making sure to take with them everything they needed. They were very brave as they came face to face with every kind of dinosaur!

   

  

• Elf School and Father Christmas Visit

  Fri 18 Dec 2020

  Thank you to our wonderful PTA for organising Elf School, Father Christmas, Craft Activities and Class Disco’s for everyone.  You are an amazing team and lots of fun has been had by all.

  

• Mrs Marshall - Headteacher Sept 2009 - Dec 2020

  Fri 18 Dec 2020

  When I told the governors at the end of 2019 that I would be retiring at the end of 2020 I certainly didn’t anticipate what a final year it was going to be. As a school community I have been very proud of how well we have all navigated through this pandemic. In my eleven years here, it has been a privilege for me to have played a part in the lives of over a thousand children and no more so than during this last year.

   

  It is always a difficult decision to leave behind something that you love but I know I leave behind brilliant staff, supportive parents, the best children and an amazing school. This week Mr. Astbury, my predecessor, visited us for a school tour before my departure. Although there had been many physical changes in the school since he left, we both agreed that the true essence of Butlers Court continues to hold steady.

   

  My concluding remarks from our 50^th year celebration resonate today,

   

  “It is to the future we must now look. The buildings may be developed, technology will definitely march on, new educational initiatives will pour out of statute and children will transition through the school, but Butlers Court will hold true to its vision in maximising the opportunities for every child to feel successful and grow with confidence and courtesy. These are precious years of childhood and, although academic success remains important, these years should also be filled with joy, wonder, a love of learning and lasting happy memories.”

   

  I certainly will be taking with me many happy memories of my time here. Over the past few weeks each year group has performed a farewell song to me that has been very touching. Thank you for the all the cards and best wishes I have received. I know I am going to miss you all in January.

   

  I have great regard for your new Headteacher, Mr Butler, and I am sure he will provide superb leadership into 2021.

   

  Take care and farewell.                                     

  With love, Jeanette Marshall