${item_alt_tag}$

Friday 15th December 2024

Messages from the Principal, Miss Jarrett

${item_alt_tag}$

Dear Parents and Carers,

This morning, it was fantastic to see so many EYFS parents attending our Reception Diwali celebration. A heartfelt thank you to those parents who supported the festivities by helping with the beautiful mendhi designs for the children to enjoy. Your involvement helps make these events so special for our children.

We are incredibly fortunate to have such a wonderfully diverse school community. It provides our children with rich opportunities to learn about and celebrate important festivals and traditions from around the world, fostering understanding, respect, and joy.

Looking ahead, we are excited about our upcoming Christmas events. If you are able to help with the Christmas Fayre, please do get in touch with Nikki. Last year, we found that we needed more parent volunteers to run stalls at the start of the Fayre, allowing teachers time to dismiss classes safely. Even half an hour of your time would make a huge difference and help make our Fayre even better for everyone.

Next week is Road Safety Week. As we move into Winter and the nights become darker, please think carefully about your child’s coats and outerwear. Reflective or brightly colored items can help keep children safe when walking to and from school. See the information below for simple ways to help ensure your child is visible and safe.

Don’t forget our Eco Council’s "Cut Your Carbon" Challenge! Completed sheets are due back at the end of the month, and we can’t wait to calculate how much carbon our school community has saved together.

Thank you for your support for Children in Need this week. We raised a fantastic £200 for this great charity that supports children.

We have received the results of the parent survey and these are overwhelmingly positive. We are in the process of reviewing all the comments and will feedback more information in the coming newsletters.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support in making our school a vibrant and inclusive community.

Warm regards,

Miss Jarrett

Principal

SAFEGUARDING

${item_alt_tag}$

As the days grow shorter and nights darker, it's vital to ensure your child stays safe on the way to and from school. In the pictures above a child is positioned in the same place on both photos. The child wearing a yellow jacket is veasily visible but it is very difficult to see the child wearing the black jacket.

Here are some simple steps parents can take to support road safety:

Clothing and Visibility

Bright or Reflective Clothing: Choose coats, bags, or accessories with reflective strips or bright colors to make your child more visible to drivers.
Light-Up Accessories: LED armbands, shoe clips, or reflective stickers on backpacks are great additions for visibility.

Safe Walking Habits

Practice Road Safety Skills: Teach your child to always stop, look, and listen before crossing the road. Encourage them to use pedestrian crossings wherever possible.
Avoid Distractions: Remind children not to use phones or headphones while walking near roads.

Cycling Safety

Helmet Check: Ensure your child wears a properly fitted helmet when cycling.
Bike Maintenance: Check that lights and reflectors on bicycles are working and keep tyres properly inflated.
Hi-Vis Gear: Invest in a high-visibility vest or jacket for cycling.

Travel to School Safely

Plan Safe Routes: Choose routes with safe crossing points, pavements, and good lighting.
Accompany Young Children: Walk with younger children and reinforce safe habits as you go.
Park Responsibly: If driving, park safely and avoid areas that create risks for pedestrians.

By taking these steps, we can all work together to ensure our children stay safe and confident on the roads this winter. Let’s make Road Safety Week a time to reinforce these vital lessons!

Celebrating our Children!

In History the Year 1 children have been learning about the 1950's in England and what childhood was like then. In one of the lessons, they compared if being a child in the 1950's or now is better. We had a very good discussion and spoke in detail about how it was normal for children to play out on the street. The children were very surprised by this!

In English this week, children have been reading the book 'Traction Man'. They have then wrote about what they liked about the book and what their favourite part was. Year 1s have enjoyed reading this book and found it very funny.

Reception had a fantastic Diwali celebration. We loved that so many families were able to join us and are particularly grateful to those who supported with mendhi and glitter! Children had the opportunity to make Divas, rangoli patterns and decorate bread. Such a great celebration!

Falcon and Eagle classes this week visited Hampton Court Palace. They took part in a workshop, explored the palace and particularly enjoyed seeing the fire in the kitchens and the portraits! Buzzard class are going on their trip next week.

During UN Day, prior to the Half Term holiday, Mehtab, who is an amazing linguist, wrote in about 12 different languages! He is so talented!

${item_alt_tag}$

Student Leadership

${item_alt_tag}$

Our School Council did an amazing job selling poppies last week for the British Legion and in honour of Remembrance Day. Thank you to everyone who donated.

Music Updates

Slough Christmas Carol Concert - Choir Opportunity
3rd December - 6pm

Once again we have the opportunity to take a group of children to sing as our choir in the Sough Music Service annual Christmas Carol Concert at St Mary's Church in Slough. Please complete the forms survey below if you would like your child to attend. Places are limited and the deadline to sign up is Monday.

https://forms.office.com/e/WjhSgs0hTc

This is a great opportunity and is always a wonderful evening so please do sign up. You will need to bring your child to the church earlier for a rehearsal and then return to watch the performance and collect your child from the church. Children who will attend will learn the songs in school in singing club. And children who are already attending singing club will be given priority.

ATTENDANCE

Well done to all parents/carers who continue to ensure their children attend school regularly.

This week Year 2 has the highest attendance of any year group across the school. Well done!!

The class winners in each year group can be seen below.

All attendance expectations can be found on our website.

Please do get in touch if you would like any support getting your child to school and on time.

${item_alt_tag}$

RECEPTION CLASS WINNER

Well done to Robin class who won the attendance trophy this week.

Keep it up!

YEAR 1 CLASS WINNER

Well done to Swan class who won the attendance trophy this week with 98%.

Keep it up!

${item_alt_tag}$

YEAR 2 CLASS WINNER

Well done to Buzzard class who won the attendance trophy this week with 99%.

Keep it up!

Attendance - why is it important?

According to the UK Department for Education (DfE) Attendance Matters guidance, regular school attendance is essential for children’s academic and social development. Here’s a summary to help understand why consistent attendance is so important:

Academic Achievement: Missing even a few days can disrupt a child’s learning. Regular attendance ensures children stay on track with lessons and build knowledge progressively. When children are frequently absent, they miss critical instruction that can impact their performance in exams and assessments.
Social and Emotional Development: School is not just about academics; it’s a place for children to build friendships, develop social skills, and learn how to interact positively with others. Regular attendance helps them feel part of the school community, boosting their confidence and sense of belonging.
Setting Good Habits: Establishing good attendance habits early sets children up for success in later life. Learning to be punctual and committed to daily responsibilities prepares them for higher education and future employment, where reliability is valued.
Reduced Anxiety: When children attend regularly, they feel more connected and are less likely to feel anxious about returning after being away. Absences can sometimes make children feel behind, which can affect their confidence and comfort in the classroom.
Parental Impact: Children with parents who emphasize the importance of attendance tend to view school positively and are more likely to have strong attendance records. By supporting regular attendance, parents help reinforce the importance of school in their child’s life.
Legal Requirement: Ensuring regular attendance is also a legal responsibility for parents. Persistent absenteeism may lead to legal consequences, as regular attendance is seen as essential to every child’s right to education.

In summary, attending school consistently helps children achieve academically, develop socially, and establish life-long positive habits. By supporting attendance, parents are investing in their child’s future success and well-being.

What can I do when my child is unwell?

Using your local pharmacy.

${item_alt_tag}$

Using a local pharmacy for your child’s health needs offers tailored, accessible, and expert care for minor ailments and general health support. Here’s why it’s a great choice:

1. Quick and Expert Advice

Pharmacists are trained to provide advice on common childhood conditions like colds, fever, coughs, allergies, or minor rashes. They can guide you on how to treat these effectively at home or suggest if further medical attention is needed.

2. Child-Friendly Medications

Pharmacies stock a wide range of over-the-counter medications designed specifically for children, such as liquid formulations and age-appropriate remedies. Pharmacists can help you choose the safest and most effective option.

3. Convenience and Accessibility

Pharmacies are often open longer hours than GP practices, including evenings and weekends. This makes them a convenient first stop for health concerns, especially for busy parents.

4. Free NHS Services

Some pharmacies offer free services that benefit children, such as flu vaccinations for eligible ages, advice on managing long-term conditions like asthma, or support with eczema and other skin conditions.

5. Support for Minor Injuries

Pharmacists can provide first-aid advice for minor cuts, bruises, or insect bites. They can also supply appropriate dressings and creams to aid recovery.

6. Prevents Unnecessary GP Visits

For minor illnesses and concerns, visiting the pharmacy first can save time and avoid unnecessary trips to the GP. This helps ensure your child gets timely care while reducing pressure on NHS services.

7. Tailored Guidance for Parents

Pharmacists can provide practical advice on topics like teething, fever management, and healthy nutrition. They can also guide parents on how to use medications like paracetamol or ibuprofen safely for children.

8. Health Monitoring

Pharmacists can assist with monitoring your child’s growth and overall health, including advice on vaccinations and developmental milestones.

9. Privacy and Comfort

Many pharmacies have private consultation rooms where you can discuss your child’s health concerns confidentially.

In summary, your local pharmacy offers quick, expert, and child-friendly care for minor health issues, providing peace of mind for parents while supporting your child’s health and well-being.

${item_alt_tag}$