Newsletter February 2022

It has certainly been a busy half term especially with our recent Ofsted visit. We would like to thank all the parents who took the time to share their views and we will share the report as soon as it is released. This half term we have celebrated International women’s Science week which fits nicely with our work on PSHE and equality for all. We have also taken part in and celebrated Chinese New Year, Safer Internet Day and Children’s Mental Health Week. Please check the dates for your diary for up and coming events next term.

With the pandemic on the downward trend, we are now proposing to offer some enrichment clubs after school. A club will run for approximately 6 weeks at a time to enable opportunities for many children. For clubs which are over subscribed, we will operate on a first come first serve basis for 6 weeks and then run it again for another group of pupils.

Most clubs will run after school from 3:15pm-4:15pm on selected nights. More information will follow shortly so please keep a watch. We will use the school council to take forward children’s ideas on the type of enrichment activities they would like the school to offer. Initially, we will send out an expression of interest which we ask you to complete so we can then make the necessary arrangements.

After half-term, we are delighted to welcome back parents, carers and relatives to join us in our celebration Collective Worship every Friday at 2:30pm. We have really missed you all taking part in these and look forward to resuming them once again.

As always, Friends of the School, welcome you from 2pm onwards to have refreshments.

There is a Friends of the School meeting on Friday 4th March at 1:30pm and anyone wishing to join is more than welcome – Friends of the School are always looking for other parents who would like to join them in all the amazing work they do to raise money for our children.

Diary Dates: Click on the image to the right to view important dates.

There are increasing reports of children accessing a social platform called Omegle. This is a website which is specifically designed to allow users to talk to strangers through a random selection of chat and video. It is completely free and anonymous. Many users of Tik Tok have found their way to Omegle. Below is a link which gives parents lots of information and some handy tips of advice. We know all our children enjoy technology and we do all we can as a school to help promote the safe and keep parents informed of the latest advice and information.

What is Omegle – Key information for parents and carers

The government has recently announced it will be extending the vaccination programme for Covid-19 for 5-11 year olds. This is part of the drive to ensure schools can stay open and children are able to continue their educational whilst being as safe as possible.

Children aged 5 to 11 year who are at higher clinical risk, or who live with someone who is immunosuppressed, are now eligible for two 10 microgram doses of the Pfizer vaccine 8 weeks apart.. If your child is eligible your local NHS team will be in touch. For more information you can read the guide for parents here.

Guide to parents of 5-11 year olds who are clinically vulnerable or live with someone who is clinically vulnerable

Uniform and PE kits

A further reminder to all that children should be wearing black school shoes or ankle boots for school; trainers and knee high boots are not part of our uniform. Could parents please ensure they send their child/children in the right uniform after half-term. Many children are not bringing their PE kit to school or not wearing the required kit which is a plain t-shirt (white or their house colour) and shorts or tracksuit bottoms (plain and black). Hoodies or fleeces can be worn outdoors in cold weather but are not worn for indoor PE. All earrings must be removed or taped for safety and watches taken off.

Mobile Phones

The school does not permit children bringing a mobile phone to school. A letter has gone out this week explaining this, however we recognise that there be occasions whereby a child may have a valid reason for bringing a phone to school. Therefore, we ask that this is shared with school and the Mobile Acceptable User Agreement is signed by both parents and children if this is the situation. Please contact the school office if you require further information or you have not received the letter.

Packed Lunches

Just a reminder in the interest of keeping children safe that all grapes in packed lunches need to be cut in half and cocktail sticks should not be sent into school with lunches.

Reading Books

The school has invested in thousands of pounds in a reading scheme for all children of all abilities. It is fantastic to see the progress and the real impact this is having on our children’s reading. Unfortunately, not all children are bringing reading books back to school, particularly those in the Read Write Inc phonics programme. This has a real impact on other children as if books do not come to school, there are not enough books for the next group of children to take home and enjoy. Please can you check your homes to see if there are any books which have not found their way back to us. The children bring home a paper copy of the book read in school as well as a book bag book. Often it is the paper version which is not returned and some have been written in. These books are used by other children in the school so please make sure they are returned.

Reading at home with parents is one of the best ways you can support your child with reading. We know lives can be extremely busy but please try to take the time to read at least three times a week with your child to give them the best possible chance and to support the work being done in school. For further information follow the link below.

Reading at home

We are delighted to announce more baby news. Mrs Fleming and Mrs Nippress are both expecting a baby and will take maternity from July this year. Miss Reid will begin her maternity leave from March 28th. We would like to congratulate her on her planned wedding in half-term.