20 December 2019
Seasons Greetings Primary Newsletter
Safeguarding Children As part of their curriculum, the children learn how to keep themselves safe. The following website has been set up by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) to offer parents and schools advice on how to raise safeguarding awareness with children. There is a notable section called ‘The Underwear Rule’ which is of particular support and guidance to parents. The website also offers advice regarding ‘online safety’ and how to obtain support or advice regarding the safeguarding of children. www.nspcc.org.uk
Uniform Information & School Uniform Purchases The Primary uniform can be purchased through the Khalsa Schoolwear website or can be bought at Khalsa Schoolwear shop in Bethnal Green. To save on the cost of delivery charges, Khalsa Schoolwear does a school delivery once every month. You can find further details of the delivery dates on their website or you can ask the reception office staff.
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We expect every child to be in full uniform every day with their top button done up and wearing their tie All coats must be plain black Shoes must be plain black – no trainers, plimsolls or boots! If you are not sure about the types of shoes that are part of our uniform policy, please ask. Please label every item of clothing One pair of plain stud earrings can be worn Nail polish is not allowed Jewellery is not permitted Long hair for both boys and girls must be tied back. Hair decorations must be small and plain and match the school uniform
Important reminders •
Schools starts at 8.45am (8.35am for Year 3, 4 & Year 5). It is important that your child arrives on time every day so that the teachers can start the lesson promptly. The school gate will be open from 8.25am and will close at 8.47am.
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School finishes at 3.45pm (3.35pm for Year 3, 4 & Year 5) every day other than Tuesday when we finish at 3.00pm (2.50pm for Year 3, 4 & Year 5).
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If any of your details have changed e.g. your address or phone number – please ensure you contact the office to inform us, so that we can update our records and contact you in case of an emergency.
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Please ensure your child attends school every day and on time. If your child is sick then you must call the office to let us know by 8.15am. If your child has a medical appointment you must let us know in advance.
2 Primary Newsletter
20 December 2019
From Tam Broadway – Primary Headteacher
It has been an incredible term with so many wonderful opportunities and events across the school. The staff and children have worked extremely hard to make this a great term but also a wonderful 2019. As we enter into a new decade the Primary staff would like to thank you all for your continued and tremendous support and take this opportunity to wish you all a restful break and a very Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing you all in 2020! The children return to school on Tuesday 7th January at the usual time. The Pupil Progress Reports will be sent out to you on Friday 10th January and Parent Progress Meetings will take place on Tuesday 14th January. Further details will be sent out in due course. You should also have received notification of your child’s enrichment which start from the first week back in January. If you have any queries, please see Ms Chaggar and Ms Begum in the reception office.
Absences immediately before or after a school holiday If your child is absent before or after a school holiday we must see evidence for the absence. This may be medical evidence if your child is unwell, or evidence of flight delays or circumstances beyond your control. We cannot authorise any absences before or after a holiday without this evidence and you risk being issued with a penalty notice. Cover Photo: Year 1 with their Christingles. 20 December 2019
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Lovely Learning this week! We were fortunate to have been given some free Pantomime tickets to see Goldilocks and the Three Musketeers as part of the Bloomberg Startup Celebrations at the Battersea Arts Centre, with travel expenses and snacks included. With a small allocation of tickets, Ms Jeremy ran a competition and selected the lucky winners from Years 4 and 5. The pupils had a great time and were also entertained by the fact that Mr Crosby was selected to wear a Goldilocks wig throughout the performance – an improvement, we’re still deciding?
4 Primary Newsletter
20 December 2019
More Lovely Learning this week! Year 2 went on an adventurous trip to Stratford Theatre, to enjoy the pantomime show, Dick Whittington. The children were really excited when they saw the Theatre and were able to identify places on the map. Everyone enjoyed getting into the pantomime spirit by joining in with the singing and helping to cheer on the good characters and boo the bad! Their behavior throughout the trip was exemplary. Well done Year 2!
20 December 2019
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Great Fire of London - Year 1 This week, to finish their Great Fire of London learning with a flourish, Year 1 pupils went over to the Secondary building to watch an experiment to find out which materials burn, and which don't. Stone, brick and wood were burned. From this, we found out that one of the reasons why the Great Fire of London spread so far so fast was that the houses were built out of wood, a material that catches light easily and burns quickly. Finally, for an extra exciting finish to our topic this term, we burned some of the Tudor houses we had made in art! A big thank you to Dr Mounsey and the Science department for helping the Year 1 pupils' investigative learning.
6 Primary Newsletter
20 December 2019
Christingles - Year 1 Year 1 had fun creating their Christingles this week!
20 December 2019
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Wildlife Area Clearing Day! BEFORE
AFTER
Enormous thanks to the parents and children who were able to give some time on Saturday to help pull up weeds in the patch of ground by the bike sheds that we are hoping to turn into a wildlife area. Although there was a little rain we also got to experience some nice sunny spells. Now, thanks to some mighty muscles, invaluable soil preparation expertise and terrific teamwork, the area is ready for developing in the spring‌. Thank you!
To help harvest our parsnips and continue our gardening adventures in the new year, I am looking for a parent/carer volunteer to help in Gardening Club. If you are free 4:00-4:45pm on Thursdays and would like to get involved, I would love to hear from you! Leave a message for me with the office or speak to me at the start/end of the day. Many thanks. Ms Wilcox
8 Primary Newsletter
20 December 2019
Breakfast and Afterschool Club Every parent has Wisepay details and a password, which will enable you to book a place for ‘Breakfast Club’ or ‘After School Club’. Payments must be made in advance. If you experience any problems, please contact Ms Chaggar who will be happy to help. Breakfast is available each day from 7.45am and costs just £2.50 per day. The children enjoy a range of cereals, toast and different topping, juice or milk and fruit. Any child attending must be brought to the main reception area by 8.20am at the latest. After School Club runs from 3.45pm – 6.00pm (3.00pm – 6.00pm on Tuesdays) and costs just £5.50 per hour. The children enjoy a range of snacks each evening and a variety of games and activities.
Composer of the Fortnight Florence Beatirce Price
For the first few weeks after the break we will be listening to and learning about Florence Beatrice Price as our Composer of the Fortnight. As a suggested activity to support at home, you could gather some facts about Price in preparation for the coming weeks. You can find out some facts and hear some of her music on the following links. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Price http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/b8f27069-283c-4a2d-979a-7ee9e0b49c75 20 December 2019
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BRIDGES in the Primary Phase “We build too many walls and not enough bridges.� Isaac Newton BRIDGES are habits of mind or learning characteristics that develop a pupil's character and learning power and enable him/her to grow into a well-rounded individual and resilient learner. There are seven BRIDGES habits that we will be working on, which will rotate on a weekly cycle throughout the year. The BRIDGES habit of the week will always be introduced at the beginning of the week during the Monday assembly and reinforced throughout the week across the curriculum. Each class teacher will award a certificate to a pupil that they feel has demonstrated the BRIDGES focus for the week. Each week we will update you on the BRIDGES habit that will be introduced in the coming week and offer some top tips on how to reinforce the habit at home too. Please also refer to the Primary BRIDGES wheel below.
10 Primary Newsletter
20 December 2019
Week commencing 6th January 2020
Bravery
Bravery comprises five dispositions: Leadership Risk-taking Courage Optimism Experimentation At School • We encourage the children to try new things and experiment every day whether it is a food that they have not tried before or new activities that they may not normally choose during the afternoon sessions. For Year 1 and 2 we would encourage the children to try different reading books or authors/topics they might not normally consider reading or to experiment with the paint during art – trying to create different effects etc. • We always encourage the children to have courage when they fall over and hurt themselves and to remain as calm as possible while we help them. • We aim for all pupils to demonstrate their leadership skills by helping others, being smart in their appearance, being kind, having good manners and generally demonstrating all their BRIDGES characteristics. • We encourage some of the quieter pupils to have the courage to share their ideas in class and to have work with optimism and develop a real ‘can do’ attitude.
At Home • Encourage your child to try as many different things as possible – whether it is food, different enrichment clubs, books etc. • Support your child to develop their own mind and not just follow what everyone else is doing. It is important that the pupils are able to try things without worrying about getting it wrong or worrying about what other people think. • Celebrate the fact that by making mistakes we are always learning. • Give examples of times when you have had to be brave and try something for the first time, or when something did not go so well the first time but you learned from the mistakes you made and got better. • Help remind your child at home about being smart in their appearance and rolemodelling good behaviour through their leadership skills. • Allow your child to help with jobs and roles at home, taking on the responsibility for cleaning their room, keeping their books or toys organised etc.
20 December 2019
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Spring Term 2020 Monday 6th January –Friday 3rd April 2020 INSET Days Monday 6th January Monday 3rd February Friday 14th February
Tuesday 7th January
Back to school for students
Thursday 9th January
Reception Information Evening 6.00pm – September 2020 intake
Friday 10th January
Pupils Progress Reports sent home
Tuesday 14th January
Parent Progress Meetings – pupils finish at 12.15pm
Thursday 16th January Thursday 23rd January
English SATs Information – Year 2 Parents - 9.00am & 6.00pm Relationships and Sex Education Workshop – Year 5 Parents - 9.00 & 6.00pm
Friday 24th January
Ramanujan Class Assembly – Year 4 - 9.00 – 9.20am
Friday 24th January
Glennie Class Assembly – Year 1 – 10.20 – 10.40am
Monday 27th January
Wonderful Handwriting Week
Thursday 30st January
Maths SATs Information – Year 2 Parents - 9.00am & 6.00pm
Thursday 6th February
Parent Coffee Morning – 9.00am
Friday 7th February
Rahman Class Assembly – Year 5 - 9.00 – 9.20am
Friday 7th February
Fibonacci Class Assembly – Year 2 – 10.20 – 10.40am
Thursday 13th February
Break Up for Half Term – 3.45pm
Monday 17th – Friday 21st February
HALF TERM
Thursday 27th February
High Attainers Parent Workshop - 9.00am & 6.00pm
Monday 2nd March
Home & Family Week – No enrichment clubs
Monday 2nd March
Literature & Wonderful Handwriting Week
Thursday 5th March
World Book Day – (Dress up as a book character)
12 Primary Newsletter
20 December 2019