Dear Parents/Carers,
Thank you all for a wonderful start to the new school year!
All the classes have now settled in really well and it has been lovely welcoming a number of new pupils as well as our new Reception Class.
Amazing Attendance
Well done to the following classes who had attendance at over 97% this week:
- Reception with 100% attendance!!!
- Year 1 with 97% attendance
- Year 2 with 97% attendance
- Year 5 with 99% attendance
- Year 6 with 99% attendance
Overall we started term with a very positive 97.3% across the school.
Start and End of Day Procedures
As many of you will now know, due to some health and safety concerns, we have introduced a new 1 way system for parents to drop off and collect children from the school car park at the rear of the school. This system currently affects children in Years 2, 4 and 5.
Parking
As we are now using more than one entrance, at the start and end of the school day, it is even more important that we drive and park safely. Can we ask everybody to park on the road, not the pavement, even if it means parking a bit further down the road. Together we can make sure our children are safe.
Use of language outside school
You will have noticed the new fencing that we have, as part of our new nursery class that will open in January. Due to COVID, this space and class is currently being used by our Year 6 pupils, so they can have more space and open the doors for more ventilation.
However, our pupils have been hearing conversations at the beginning and end of the school day where parents are using more ‘colourful’ language. We would very much appreciate it if parents and carers are considerate with their choice of words whilst waiting outside the school.
Headteacher’s Awards
Well done to all the children who have achieved Headteacher’s Awards this week. I will be visiting classes next week to present the certificates.
Reception - We have had a fantastic start to our time, as a class in Reception. Every child has settled in well and we are really enjoying our time together - well done, Reception!
- Jenson - For setting a good example during carpet times and showed initiative by making sure everything is tidied away at the end of each session.
Year 1 -
- Matheo - For having a super first week back at school and trying his best to follow instructions.
- Zuzanna - for working independently to produce a lovely dream catcher.
Year 2 -
- Alfie Ince- For a super first week back at school and for trying so hard to improve his creative skills.
- Summer - For a fantastic first week in Year 2.
Year 3 -
- Ronnie- For producing fantastic writing this week. She has tried hard to join her writing and ensure her work is presented to a brilliant standard.
- Oscar- For challenging himself to work independently in maths lessons.
Year 4 -
- Miley- For producing fantastic maths this week, presented to a high standard. Miley has settled into life in Year 4 and has contributed to all lessons this week!
- Merit- For being organised, polite and engaged in all lessons this week. Merit has been keen to share her ideas in Maths and English and has not stopped smiling!
Year 5 -
We’ve already had a superb start and they have all earnt a mention as independent learners for trying out new things as we learn our new routines; as team players for taking on responsibility within the class for maintaining covid measures and as deep thinkers by imagining new ideas in our ‘Key’ descriptions. Go Team 5!
- Alex for showing his independent learning by working outside his comfort zone in his writing.
- Miley for showing her independent learning by being completely absorbed in her work in all areas.
Year 6 -
- Jayden - for being a team player and a good friend to his classmates.
- Roxanne - for rocking her literacy this week with her deep thinking when improving the class’s sentences.
- Marta - for taking responsibility for our group by ensuring our bubble area is tidy, at the end break time.
- Layla - for being an excellent support to Astou, as she settles into Year 6.
Places Available
The school is almost full but we do have some space available in Reception, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 4. If you know somebody who might need a school place, please ask them to contact the school office.
New school nursery opening in January
Our new nursery is looking wonderful - we will be opening in January and still have places available for both 15 hour and 30 hour places. Please contact Mrs Jordan or Miss Roberts in the office for more information.
Census Day - Thursday 1st October
On Thursday 1st October, the Government will be running a Census day where we have to report on the number of children within the school. As part of this Census, the Government likes to know the number of children who ate a hot school meal, as it contributes towards our funding budget.
THIS MEANS - THE MORE CHILDREN WHO HAVE SCHOOL DINNERS = MORE MONEY FOR THE SCHOOL!
We have therefore changed the hot menu choice for that day to the following, with the hope that you child will consume a hot lunch:-
- Fish fingers, baked beans, peas and chips with jelly and ice cream for dessert.
We will also be holding a lucky plate competition where your child might win a prize, if they have a school meal on this day.
TikTok
This week, we have been made aware that there is a video uploaded on Tik Tok (and possibly now being shared on other social media platforms) that might expose children to extremely disturbing content. Some of you, I am sure, are familiar with this app as it has become very popular in recent times. It is an age 13 rated app so if your child does have access to it please ensure you are supervising that use at the present time.
Please can we encourage you to have regular conversations with your child about online safety, being aware of how you can build their resilience to online content, encouraging open conversations about online life and ensuring they know they can talk to you or anyone at school about it.
Please visit the UKSIC’s (UK Safer Internet Centre) advice for parents and carers page for lots of tips and advice to help with conversations: https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers. They also have helpful content to support children who have seen something upsetting online:
Dates for Diaries
- End of Term 1- Friday 23 October 2020.
- Term 2 - Monday 2 November 2020 to Friday 18 December 2020.
- Term 3 - Monday 4 January 2021 to Friday 12 February 2021.
- Term 4 - Monday 22 February 2021 to Thursday 1 April 2021.
- Term 5 - Monday 19 April 2021 to Friday 28 May 2021.
- Term 6 - Monday 7 June 2021 to Wednesday 21 July 2021.
Yours sincerely
Matt Condon
Headteacher
