๐ Newsletter 03.11.2023
Mr J Sharp
Pupil Chaplains
Following on from their success at our recent Harvest service, our Pupil Chaplains have been busy again.
They have been decorating a corner of the KS2 playground and providing ideas for reflection, and on All Saintsโ Day, the Pupil Chaplains visited all the classes from Year 1 to Year 6 and delivered a collective worship.
They talked about what saints, and what it might been for us to be saintly in the way we act towards each other.
As with all our collective worship, the Pupil Chaplains provided points for everyone to reflect upon and then invited people to join in with prayers if they wished to.
Thank you to Mrs Flatman for leading on our new Pupil Chaplains.
NEWS AND UPDATES
You might know the phrase remember, remember the 5th of November. But why do we remember it. And why do we set off fireworks? Watch to find out!
Parent Portal
Use this for updating contact details, child medical information, permissions, payments and seeing your childโs reports.
โน๐ฝ ๐๐ผ Please check our school uniform page for things such as P.E. kits, accessories and watches etc ๐ โฑ
โน๐ฝ ๐๐ผ Please check our school uniform page for things such as P.E. kits, accessories and watches etc ๐ โฑ
Good Attendance Draw!!
Donโt forget, for every week that your child has an attendance of 96%+, they are allocated a digital ticket for a draw that will take place every half term. The more weeks with an attendance of 96%+, the more chances to win!
Services and Events
Parish Sung Eucharist Sundays 10am - 11am
Sermon, music and Holy Communion
Place of Welcome Thursdays 10am - 12pm
Time for a brew and a chat
More information from Father Andrew can be found here
Messy Church
It typically includes a welcome, a long creative time to explore the biblical theme through getting messy; a short celebration time involving story, prayer, song, games and similar; and a sit-down meal together at tables.
Community News and Support
World Festivals and Celebrations
This day provides a chance to offer thanks for the work and witness of all Christian saints, recognising that not all are known or specially celebrated. Many churches stress this day rather than Halloweโen, which falls the day before, by holding events especially designed for children.
On the 2nd November it is All Soulsโ Day. This day in particular the departed are remembered and prayers on their behalf are offered. From earliest times Christians have prayed for the souls of the dead. In the year 998, All Souls, โthe faithful departedโ, began to be remembered in the Church calendar on this day.
Article 9: Keeping Families Together
Article 9 of the UNCRC says that a child or young person shouldnโt be separated from their parents unless:
- staying with their parents could be harmful to them; or
- itโs impossible for them to stay with their parents.
A child or young person may be separated from a parent in a way that respects Article 9 if:
- that parent isnโt able to take care of them,
- that parent is acting in a way thatโs not in that child or young personโs best interests, or
- that parent is unable to keep that child safe and happy.
Hall Ceiling Update
After the unnecessary stresses before half term, the work on the hall ceiling is progressing really well so far.
Even though less work was completed in half term than planned, we are still on course for the hall reopening week beginning 13th November.
The timber joists are nearly all in place now, and therefore all the RAAC panels are now supported. The next steps will be the fitting of plywood to the joists, painting and then the fitting of new light fittings.
We really canโt wait to get back in for P.E., lunches, Breakfast Club and getting to and from the dining room/kitchen.
Farewell to Mrs Phillipson
Sadly Mrs Phillipson is leaving us next week.
She has worked with us for some time and supported many, many children and staff members in that time. Mrs Phillipson will be missed and we wish all the very best for the future.
Welcome back everyone!
It has been lovely to see everyone in school after the holidays, and already have so much to celebrate.
I was bowled over by the standard of the Mayan masks made by the Year 6 children at home. They are so creative and professionally made. It makes me so proud to see the children put so much effort and care into their learning, and in their own time too. Well done Year 6.
I am really pleased to see the improvements in punctuality this year, and to see the vast majority of the children in their classrooms on time. I am again concerned about attendance, with nearly 1 in 3 children persistently absent (less than 90% attendance). This will remain a huge priority for us all this year.
Every year is always very busy, and this year is going to be no exception. Improvements to the building and grounds will continue at a pace. As well as the current work on the hall ceiling, we will likely (or plan to) complete:
Making safe the RAAC ceiling in the hall โ
Removal of asbestos from the boiler room โ
Making safe damaged trees โ
Clearing flooding around the boiler room โ
Upgrading some water heaters
Upgrading to LED lighting
Upgrading railings on KS2 playground
Repairing hard surfaces damaged by tree roots
It can be frustrating spending money on things for the building and grounds, and I wish we received more funding from the government for these things. However, we are absolutely determined to have a safe, healthy and inspiring environment for the children and staff, and will continue to work hard on this current building for as long as we have it.
I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Thank you
