Dear Parents & Carers,
It’s February, the shortest month of the year. Yesterday’s sunshine was a welcome break from the recent gloom and reminded us that spring is just around the corner. It’s still cold but at least the days are getting longer and by the end of March the days will be longer than the nights!
On the left is a favourite quote about kindness from the Julia Donaldson book ‘The Smartest Giant in Town’. We can all do a little bit to help others in need where we can. They are called common courtesies because we commonly expect them.
Thank you for your patience whilst we have had no internet for these past few days, although if you are reading this, it does mean the internet has been restored!
Kind regards Mr McCadden
Spring Parents Evenings
It is parents evening and our book fair during week commencing 10th February 2025. Parents’ evenings are a vital part of the home-school relationship so please make every effort to attend. This year, Tuesday 11th February is for Goldfinch, Peacock, Golden Eagle and Kingfisher classes, Wednesday 12th February is for Robin class and Thursday 13th February is for all the classes.
The system is now open for booking appointments and the earlier you can go online and book, the better the choice of appointments will be.
Punctuality and Absence
Unfortunately, our school continues to be monitored by the local authority based on our poor punctuality and high absence. I need to remind you that school starts at 8.45am and all children should be here before that time.
If any child has to leave early or arrive late due to a medical or dental appointment then we need to see evidence please. Most doctors and dentists will send a text reminder for an appointment which I would ask you to please show the office, otherwise the time off is considered unauthorised.
Evacuee Day
Mr Byrne and Miss Pottle organised a brilliant Evacuee day for their children as part of their topic work on World War 2 which includes class reading of ‘Goodnight Mr Tom’ and ‘Letters from the Lighthouse’. Before evacuee day could even begin, Mr Ullson (a local historical re-enactor) came in to talk to the children about the war and how it affected the children of the UK. The children then had an afternoon to make their own gas masks from cardboard and plastic bottles, so they could see how restrictive they were when worn.
During evacuee day, Mr Byrne and Miss Pottle made an air-raid shelter in the hall and simulated an air raid complete with sirens to demonstrate what an air raid might have been like!
Supertato Day
Monday last week was Supertato Day! We all had to dress up like our favourite superhero but in the interests of budget friendly options, the children were set the challenge of recycling or upcycling their own costumes to make something new from what they have at home.
It was so lovely to see all the creativity in making the costumes. We then had fun creating capes, writing adventure stories and a great meat vs vegan debate.
Veganuary Week
Veganuary week started with an introduction from Miss Pottle about how we can all increase fruits and vegetables into our diet, plus making some changes like using plant-based spreads in our sandwiches.
We can make small changes which can improve our health and introduce more fresh and alternative produce into our diets. Every day, each class then cooked a vegan dish which they shared with each other.
(It was an excellent week, although I will still be eating some meat!)
Is my child too ill for school?
There is some useful information from the NHS about common childhood illnesses here: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
With significant numbers of children away from school with the usual coughs/ colds and sore throats as well as chickenpox doing the rounds, please make sure you ring or email the office every day so that we know they are safe at home. Registers close at 9.15am so to avoid an unauthorised absence, please ensure it is done before then.
The answering machine is on overnight, so even if you need to ring super early then we will always pick up a message when we arrive in the office. Please remember that the responsibility for letting us know always remains with you and on the first day of absence.
Weather Appropriate Clothing
It is astonishing how many children come to school without a jumper or coat. It is often cold in school and particularly out at playtimes so please make sure your child has weather appropriate clothing with them at all times.
AND FINALLY...
Speak to your children as if they are the wisest, kindest, most beautiful and magical humans on earth. For what they believe is what they will become. 😊
Upcoming Dates
| February 2025 | |
| Friday 7th | Tea/ coffee & bacon butties on the bus at 8.30am |
| Tuesday 11th | Parents Evening for all classes except Robins and Book Fair 1/2 |
| Wednesday 12th | Parents Evening for Robin class only |
| Thursday 13th | Parents Evening for all classes & Book Fair 2/2 |
| Monday 17th | Half term |
| Monday 24th | Return to school and Prayer Spaces (tbc) |
| Thursday 27th | Talent Show auditions |
| March 2025 | |
| Monday 24th | Y6 Bikeability (TBC) |
| Thursday 20th | Talent Show |
| April 2025 | |
| Friday 4th | Last Day of Term & Church service |
| Tuesday 22nd | Return to school |
| May 2025 | |
| Monday 5th | Bank Holiday (school closed) |
| Wednesday 21st | 60th birthday party (TBC) |
| Friday 23rd | INSET Day 5/5 (school closed) |
| Monday 26th | Half Term |
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
Academic Year 2023/2024
