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Friday 20th December 2024
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Messages from the Principal, Miss Jarrett | |
Dear Parents and Carers,
I can hardly believe we’ve reached the end of the Autumn term already! What a fantastic few weeks we’ve had to round off the year. Some particular highlights include:
- Our "small but mighty" choir of eight Year 2 children performing beautifully at the Slough Music Service Carol Concert.
- The charming Nest Christmas Show, which brought so much joy to everyone who attended.
- Our spectacular Christmas Fair—thank you for your support! We hope you agree it was a step up from last year, raising an incredible £1,500 for our school.
One of our key aims is to provide children with a wide range of opportunities and experiences to enrich their understanding of the world and build their vocabulary, which is essential for their academic success. This term, we’ve taken steps toward this goal with some wonderful trips:
- Reception visited Aldi to buy lots and lots of bread
- Year 1 enjoyed a theatre trip, to watch Pinocchio this week.
- Year 2 explored both Iver Environmental Centre and Hampton Court Palace.
- Our Nest class have been everywhere from Aldi to Cippenham Library.
Looking ahead to the Spring terms, even more exciting trips are planned:
- Reception will visit Windsor Castle.
- Year 1 will experience the London Eye.
- Year 2 will venture to Black Park and selected children will enjoy a special opportunity to attend an orchestral concert in London.
We’re especially thrilled about our Year 2 trips to London. By the end of the Spring term, two-thirds of the year group will have had the chance to travel into London by train, bringing us closer to our goal of ensuring every child in Year 2 has this valuable experience by the end of the school year.
Thank you for your continued support in making these enriching experiences possible for our children. I wish you all a joyful and restful holiday season, and I look forward to seeing you in the New Year! Merry Christmas!
Best wishes,
Miss Jarrett
Principal
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As we approach the festive season, we want to ensure our children stay safe, happy, and secure during the holiday break. Below are some key safeguarding tips and advice to help you support your child over the Christmas period:
Online Safety
- Supervised Screen Time: If your child is using new devices, ensure parental controls are set up and that apps, games, or websites are age-appropriate.
- Limit Personal Information Sharing: Remind your child not to share personal information (like their name, address, or photos) online.
- Use Safe Platforms: If video-calling family or friends, stick to trusted apps and stay with your child during the call.
- Gaming Safety: If your child plays online games, ensure chat functions are monitored or turned off to avoid contact with strangers.
Out and About
- Busy Places: If you’re attending events, markets, or shopping, teach your child what to do if they get separated—find a trusted adult (e.g., shop staff or security) and stay in a safe, visible spot.
- Road Safety: With the excitement of festive outings, remind your child to hold hands near roads and always stop, look, and listen when crossing. Ensure they have brightly coloured coats and avoid dark colours (black/navy blue).
At Home
- Visitors and Family Gatherings: Help your child feel comfortable by introducing them to visitors and ensuring they know it’s okay to speak up if they feel uncomfortable in any situation.
- Toy Safety: Check age recommendations on toys and avoid small parts or items that could pose a choking hazard.
- Fire Safety: Keep decorations, candles, and lights out of children’s reach. Share basic fire safety rules, like staying away from matches and open flames. Ensure your smoke alarms are working by regularly testing them.
Emotional Wellbeing
- Routines: Try to maintain some structure over the holidays, including regular bedtimes and mealtimes, to help your child feel secure.
- Talk About Feelings: Encourage your child to share how they’re feeling, especially if there are changes to their routine or family dynamics over the holidays.
- Quality Time: The holidays can be busy, but spending time together—reading, playing, or talking—can help your child feel valued and loved.
Who to Contact in an Emergency
If you have any concerns about your child’s safety or wellbeing during the holiday, please don’t hesitate to seek support:
- NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (for adults worried about a child)
- Childline: 0800 1111 (for children who need to talk)
- Local Safeguarding Team: 01753 875362 (Slough Children First Emergency number)
- In an emergency: Call 999.
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Celebrating our Children!
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Year 2 went to Iver Environment Center for their Winterwatch program. The children got to take part in different activities including; using their senses to investigate, bird watching, learning about evergreen and deciduous trees, pretending to be squirrels and making bird feeders to help the birds out in Winter. It was a chilly but fabulous day out in nature!
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We are incredibly proud of our pupil leaders and the amazing contributions they’ve made recently!
Our School Librarians truly went above and beyond at the Christmas Fair. Initially volunteering to run the book stall, they stepped in to help with other stalls throughout the hall, playing a big role in the event’s success. Their teamwork and initiative were a shining example of leadership in action—well done!
A huge thank you to everyone who donated to our food bank collections during the Nativity and Carol Concerts last week. On Monday, our School Councillors delivered the donations to the food bank, along with a fantastic £218, which was gratefully received and will make a real difference to families this Christmas.
Thank you to all our pupil leaders and the school community for your generosity and support—it’s inspiring to see the values of kindness and responsibility in action!
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The Nest performed their own Christmas Show this week which was amazing. They sang 2 songs, decorated the Christmas tree and enjoyed sharing their favourite activities with their parents. We are all so proud of them and how far they have come.
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A reminder to sign up for clubs as soon as possible. These can be found on parentpay or the links to Fencing and Rocksteady are on Class Dojo. Gymnasics club is already full so do sign up for other clubs as soon as you can!
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Our School Choir performed at the start of December in the Slough Music Service Christmas Carol Concert. They were amazing! There were only 8 children but they sang beautifully, signed Makaton perfectly and were an asset to the school.
There is currently 1 space in singing club for the new year so if you would like your child to join, be quick and sign them up via Parentpay. Singing club takes place at lunchtime on Thursdays.
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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.
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RECEPTION CLASS WINNER
Well done to Robin class who won the attendance trophy this week.
Keep it up!
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YEAR 1 CLASS WINNER
Well done to Heron class who won the attendance trophy this week with 95%.
Keep it up!
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YEAR 2 CLASS WINNER
Well done to Falcon class who won the attendance trophy this week with 95%.
Keep it up!
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The Importance of Attendance
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As we end the 1st term, I'd like to take a moment to emphasize the vital role regular attendance plays in your child’s education and development during their time here at Phoenix Infants.
Why Attendance Matters
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Building Strong Foundations
In the early years, children learn the basic building blocks for reading, writing, and maths. Regular attendance ensures your child does not miss key lessons, activities, or the chance to develop crucial skills that set the stage for lifelong learning.
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Social and Emotional Growth
Infant school is not just about academics. It’s also a time for children to make friends, learn to work in teams, and develop confidence in social settings. Every day at school is a step towards building these important life skills.
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Consistency and Routine
Young children thrive on routine. Coming to school every day helps establish good habits that lead to better focus, discipline, and adaptability – all essential for success in later schooling and beyond.
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Catching Up Can Be Hard
Missing even a few days of school can create gaps in learning, as it can be challenging for young children to catch up on what they’ve missed. Regular attendance helps keep your child on track.
How You Can Help
- Plan Ahead: Schedule appointments or family trips outside of school hours.
- Establish a Routine: Set consistent bedtimes and morning routines to make getting to school easier.
- Communicate with Us: If your child is unwell or facing any challenges that impact attendance, please let us know so we can support you.
Together, we can give your child the best possible start to their educational journey. Thank you for your continued partnership in fostering a love of learning and ensuring every day counts!
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Wishing you all a lovely Christmas Holiday and a Happy New Year.
TOGETHER WE SOAR!
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