It has been a really wonderful week in school, with children really settled and focused on learning. The staff too have been learning, with Mrs Ewart, Miss Bowen and Mrs Ascroft completing the Inclusive, Dyslexia Friendly Schools training, the staff having a focus on reading in our training session, Miss Bryant and Miss King being accepted on the National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) and Mr Lara almost completing his NPQML. As part of the teaching staff’s professional development, they have all set themselves a research project so that we can capture the thirst that staff have for learning and the motivation to improve practice, impacting on children’s learning.  

We have had another STAR morning, with children working in their STAR teams, this time with a history and geography focus: these mornings are so exciting as a break from routine and getting to know more children from across the phase and new members of staff also. 

With one more week to go before half term, we still have lots of learning to bring together, before we can relax in our week off!

As always, thank you for your continued support, kindness and thoughtfulness which is continually being shared with the school team. With the reinvention of the PTFA, our school community is definitely strengthening!

Ms Teagle

PTFA DISCOS – 21st October

We are really excited to be welcoming back our school discos! We have split the discos into 3 sessions this year, so that there is more space in the KS2 classes for children to have space to enjoy themselves. This is a reminder that the disco is NOT a Halloween disco. The date of the disco is a week before the date of Halloween, and if children were wanting to celebrate halloween, there is plenty of time to do this with families over half term. There are many children who do not feel comfortable with Halloween fancy dress, covering faces, or enjoy the feeling of being scared. Our intention is that the disco is for EVERYONE in our school, and our intention is that ALL children want to come, and feel safe. Any child who turns up with a scary face covering will be asked to take it off.

A massive thank you to all parents who have signed up to support the discos. The PTFA will be in touch as to how to support and what the roles will be in order for all children to be safe and have fun!

​​MUSIC LESSONS

We have a team of visiting music instrumental teachers at the school offering music lessons on drums, guitar, keyboard, piano and violin.  

Concessions are available if your child is eligible for free school meals.  

To find out more please ask at the school office for details.  

READING BOOKS

The school is really investigating reading at the moment, ensuring that we are doing everything possible for children to enjoy books, and reading the right books from the massive range of books we have at school. We have noticed through talking to parents, children and staff that many children are reading books, which are too challenging (and so all the effort is placed on decoding and not understanding), or too easy (in which case they will not progress).

As a result of this audit, we have decided to band all the books for KS2 in the Reading Rec. We have ensured that there is vast range for all bands so children have a wealth of choice of genres within a book band.  There is absolutely no rush to move through the bands, and the focus is still enjoying the books within the band, and not rushing through them! Reading is not a competition, and to improve reading, children need to explore a range of genres and texts and vocabulary. Once on the right band, it is usual to stay on the same band for 2 or 3 terms.  

This may take a while to ensure that children are on the right bands, so please bear with us. We will explain this to all children in assembly as well. 

FACE TO FACE MEETINGS

This term, we are trialling virtual face to face meetings, using the same platform as Richard Lander School, and some other local primary schools. We will be using School Cloud, which enables parents/carers to book their own appointments online, and then use the link emailed to log on to the meetings. As with any first time trialing anything new, there may be some hiccups along the way, but if this is successful, this could be a really useful process, as it is far easier for parents/carers to access.

The invitation to book an appointment will be emailed to parents on Monday 18th October.

These will take place afterschool in the week Monday 1st November – Friday 12th November. 

During the week beginning 1st November there will be No After school clubs (Pebbles and Bibbles will continue as normal)

If your child is on the Record of need, your termly meeting may be held before half term and we would prefer this to be in person. Your class teacher, if they haven’t already, will make contact with you asap.

PTFA – My Childs artwork

My childsart artwork sheet has been sent home with every child today, for completion over the weekend, (we have spares in the office if you would like any younger/older siblings to take part). Please return to the school office by no later than Friday 22nd October. The PTFA will then collate and return them to the art company for processing. Once they have all been uploaded we will get notification that your child’s artwork is ready to view. Parents are then able to order their children’s artwork (Christmas cards, fridge magnets, tea towels etc). Any money raised will go to the PTFA.

PTFA – Second-hand uniform sale & Bake Sale 

On Friday 22nd October we have our final bake sale (donations from Year 5,6 & EYFS) after school. The PTFA are also hoping to have a second-hand uniform sale in one of the classrooms. All items will be 50p each. If you have any clean items you would like to donate, please bring them to the school office on the morning of Friday 22nd October 2021. If there are any parents who are able to help out at any of these events, please come along for 2.30pm. We would love to see you.

TEMPEST PHOTOS

Any orders for Tempest Photography, need to be returned to the school office no later than 9am on Wednesday 20th October 2021. Thank you 

LETTERS SENT HOME

• My childsart worksheets
• Confirmation letters for Y4, Y5 residentials
• Y4 swimming letters

DIARY DATES