Blandford St Mary Primary School Newsletter Headteacher: Mr Paul Lavis Deputy Headteacher: Mrs Sam Harris April 2011 Volume 4, Issue 9
Dear Parents Easter has almost arrived and this can be a time for gift giving and receiving. I wonder how many children will be receiving console games, video games or other digital gifts. You may well have already made the purchase or maybe some grandparents have. I wonder how many of these gifts are games with any of these marks on them...
ments and pictures that are very difficult to retrieve once they are published. Children are not yet fully versed in the ways of the world—they don’t consider what consequences there might be for a phrase they use or an implication they inadvertently make. Adults find this difficult enough. Children are not yet capable. This goes for all social media— MSN for instance. These issues have been discussed with the children at length. Neglectful
I must say that is with growing concern that I write this month’s newsletter. Concern regarding the nature of some of the material and activities that our children (not just in Blandford but throughout the country) are exposed to and often it is condoned and not considered to be an issue. Let me tell you: it is an issue and it is having very real effects on our children and their demeanour, their play and more worryingly: their attitude towards what is socially appropriate and what is not. Digital Games & Media There are many, many violent and bloody digital games available on the market at the moment. They all have ratings on them that decree that these games are meant for players of a certain age. None of these games should be played (let alone owned) by children. These games cause all sorts of problems for the young minds in our society. To hear some of our children commenting that the horrific conflicts that continue in Afghanistan, Libya or anywhere else in the world “are just like a game” is deeply worrying. For those young minds to be inventing games amongst themselves that contain “assassins” or “killers” (all learned from these games) with all the role-play that goes with it, is hindering the building of relationships and development of an understanding of rights and responsibilities in the community. Of course— it’s not just gaming. Inappropriate films and television programmes are just as invidious. None of our children should be watching films rated 12 or above. There is a reason the films are rated this way. (Don’t get me started on what some consider to be suitable for PG films these days—or even 12 rated films when it comes to that.) Children will imitate what they are modelled or shown and we see the results of this at school—I’m sure you do at home too. Social Media Facebook. None of our children should be using Facebook. Full-stop. It is a service designed for teenagers and above. Anybody registering someone below the age of 13 or anyone pretending they are 13 or above are in breach of the terms of conditions of use. The impact of Facebook across the world has been huge. Used appropriately it is an amazing tool. But children aren’t yet mature enough to deal with the ramifications of its use yet. It can cause problems in the classroom and on the playground when comments and pictures are posted. Com-
Part of my responsibility as a headteacher is to ensure our children are safe from harm—wherever that harm might come from. I am trained to look for evidence of neglect in any form and my staff are required to pass on any information that points to any such evidence. The minds of children who are exposed to inappropriate games, films or television programmes are not being given the chance to develop appropriately. Children who are using social media tools—especially unsupervised—are being put in real danger: bullying, friendship problems and yes; abuse are all risks they are exposed to. To not allow our children to develop their minds and behaviour in a safe and secure way that will help them thrive in later life must surely be considered neglectful. Just Say No! I am a parent. I have a son who pesters when he knows his friends have new games. It isn’t easy to say no. But we have to. It is OK for you to say no. You’re right to expect that your children shouldn’t be exposed to any of the items discussed here when they visit a friend’s house for dinner or for a sleep-over. We all have a responsibility as parents to other people's children as well as our own. We are currently in negotiations with several agencies to provide some workshops with regard to parenting and the sort of subject matter discussed in this newsletter. I have spoken to many of you about inappropriate games and social networking and many of you are shocked that it goes on. Here at Blandford St Mary Primary School—as a staff and as a governing body—we are determined to make every effort to ensure that our children have every chance to develop free of these toxic influences that surround them. It breaks my heart to see young children who only want to write about violence or play violent games. It is awful to see young minds having to deal with the fall-out of comments made on the Internet that they can’t get back. Easter is a time of new beginnings. If you know that a change needs to be made—maybe now is the time. If you’re concerned about games or social media and your children then don’t hesitate to contact us here at school—look for the Safeguarding Page on our website and fill in the form at the base of the page. Have a great break—enjoy the weather whilst it holds and we’ll see you at the end of the month.
Blandford St Mary Primary School Newsletter
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Volume 4, Issue 9
Health Please see below an updated copy of our school Health policy and first aid practices as laid out in the school prospectus. Health Our school operates a NO SMOKING policy in the school grounds, including the car park. During the Reception year at our school, all children will have medical checks. We have close links with our school nurse and Medical Officer, Dr Gready. Do let us know if your child has experienced any health problems which could affect their schooling - for example a hearing loss. The more information that the school receives about each child the better. If your child has been unwell the previous evening or during the night please do not send them to school the next morning as it unfair to your child and to the other children in the class. Parents are requested to telephone the school on the first day of absence - an answer phone will pick up messages before 8.30 am. If your child has an accident or becomes unwell during school hours we will contact you immediately and for this reason it is essential that we have up to date contact telephone numbers from you. If your child suffers a bump to the head, a note will be sent home with them explaining the injury and what first aid has been administered. We will also notify you by way of a text message that this has occurred to prompt you to look for the note. Our support staff are trained in First Aid, including our Lunchtime Supervisors. The whole school staff work as a team to give any pastoral support a child may need in the classroom or playground. The teacher co-ordinates this support with the Headteacher. An unhappy child cannot learn effectively. Medicines in School No medicines are to be sent into school except those taken on a regular basis (such as for asthma). If your child has to receive medication throughout the school day, which has been prescribed by a doctor, a permission form is available from the secretary. We can not administer any other “over the counter� medicines such as cough medicine or painkillers e.g Calpol .
Hot School Meals We will no longer be sending out the new menus for the hot schools meals to every child. If you would like to receive a copy then please let us know in the office and we will make sure you receive one as and when they are available.
Blandford St Mary Primary School Newsletter Volume 4, Issue 9
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Do Something Funny For Money Comic Relief Update……. Our fantastic Enterprise Week ended with the ever popular 'Enterprise Market' where the children were able to spend their money on the products the classes had made over the week. Every stall was popular with a wide range of products for sale. Year 6 had designed and printed fabric to make lavender bags and cards. Year 5 had designed and made colourful and dramtaic masks. Year 4's clay pots were impressive feats in pottery. Year 3 had worked extremely hard developing their sewing skills making felt puppets. Year 2 had planted hundreds of plants in red nose themed pots. Year 1 had created imaginative paper weights from stones and googly eyes. However, the most popular and raising the most money was Reception with their tasty red nose biscuit men. Well done Reception class! Overall the week raised £485.82 which is a very impressive amount and will all go to Comic Relief. Many thanks for your support.
Notice board BLANDFORD AS/ADHD SUPPORT GROUP COFFEE MORNING WEDNESDAY 27TH APRIL 2011 10.00 – 11.30 am @ BLANDFORD CHILDREN’S CENTRE THIS SESSION WE HAVE A VOLUNTEER FROM CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU OFFERING SUPPORT FOR COMPLETING DLA FORMS Would you like to feel better supported? Would you like more information to support your child and you? Come along and meet other parents/carers who have children with an Autistic Spectrum Condition. Practical support with DLA forms and access to professional advice. We look forward to welcoming you to our friendly group! Tea, Coffee & Biscuits provided Blandford Children’s Centre, Black Lane, Blandford, DT11 8SW For more information contact Caroline on 07717 361356 email C.Anthony@dorsetcc.gov.uk or Kevin on 07776472746 email kevin.anthony@barnardos.org.uk Next dates: WEDNESDAY 27TH APRIL 10-11.30AM, MONDAY 16TH MAY 10-11.30, MONDAY 13TH JUNE 10-11.30AM.
Blandford St Mary Primary School Newsletter Blandford St Mary Primary School Birch Avenue Blandford St Mary, Dorset DT11 9QD Phone: 01258-453331 Fax: 01258-455865
Website : www.blandfordstmary.dorset.sch.uk
Governors Blog Diana Rose On Friday 1st April I came into school to see Year 5's play about evacuees and was asked to play the part of the farmer's wife! The children were all carrying 'gas masks' and labels to say who they were and had found clothes that reflected the 1940s. It was an excellent piece of role play and they entered into the spirit of the situation very well. What fun. I am sure that they now have a good idea of what it would have been like to be thrust from Lambeth into the Dorset countryside. Congratulations to all involved.
Diary Dates: Monday 11th ~ Friday 22nd April
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Easter Holidays
Monday 25th April ~ School closed (Bank Holiday) Tuesday 26th April ~ Children return to school Friday 29th April ~ School closed (Royal Wedding) Monday 2nd May ~ May Bank Holiday Thursday 5th May ~ School closed (Staff training day) Monday 30th May ~ Friday 3rd June ~ Half term Monday 6th June ~ School closed (Staff training day) Tuesday 7th June ~ Children return to school ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
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