Headlines from Your Head Teacher Ewan Marshall

To our existing parents: Welcome back after what felt like a long and hot summer break. To our new parents: Welcome!

I hope you everyone had a pleasant break. The children are settling in and are finding their way to their new rooms and becoming familiar with their new teachers and routines.

Value of the month – Positivity

Dolly Parton, who died recently, really did embody a positive attitude. Did you know that her family suffered great financial hard ship and her father was unable to read? Despite these challenges her positive attitude helped her to master the craft of writing, playing, singing and recording music, creating magical moments for millions of people. She never let her humble circumstances stop her. Even more than this though, she used her money, profile and influence to help children learn to read, through her Imagination Library project. To date she has donated 300 million books to children across the world. Let’s all be a bit more Dolly.

Yes, I will be doing an assembly about her. No, I will not be singing her songs!

OPAL Play

Weather forecasts predicted to be a rainy Autumn so please ensure children have their wellies and rain coats and these are clearly labeled with their full name.

We invite Year 1 parents to an OPAL meeting on 23rd Sept 9.00 -10.30 in the Main Hall. 30 mins talk with OPAL Play Team about why managed risk, health and safety. Stay and play with your children afterwards. Dress appropriately for play!

OPAL Donations

Smartphone Free Childhood

For the first time anywhere in the world, there is now causal evidence that delaying smartphones improves children’s mental health. Find out more (share link to Smartphone Freeto find out more: https://www.smartphonefreechildhood.org/

We strongly recommend delaying smartphone ownership to protect children's mental wellbeing, improve focus, and preserve the natural spaces of real-world childhood.

Mobile phone use is not permitted during drop-off and pick-up times. These moments are important for ensuring children feel safe, supported, and supervised as they transition between home and school.

We will be hosting online safety workshops at school for children the week of 21st September.

We would like to invite all parents to an Online Safety Workshop on Thursday 24th September at 8pm on Zoom. The workshop is being delivered by The 2 Johns, who are ex police officers and current police trainers. They are experts in their field and have featured on BBC breakfast and other TV shows. With the current online landscape forever changing, we strongly recommend that you attend so you know how to keep your children safe online. To attend the workshop please use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87001669398

Access to the school

For Safeguarding reasons, the Coldfall Avenue gate is locked between 9.05 am and 3.15 pm. Please use the Everington Road entrance during these times. There are no exceptions apart from for Blue Badge holders. This applies to parents attending trips and special events. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring the safety of all children.

Key Staff Responsibilities

Staff News

Congratulations to Aisling Stapleton who welcomes her baby boy over the summer break.

Welcome to our new Class teachers:

India Beaumont Dove Class Teacher

Carla Jones Kingfisher Class Teacher

Eloise Lobbenberg Magpie Class Teacher

We also welcome our new Teaching Assistants; Parisa Nikmaram Masouleh (Y6), Aisha Aqill(Reception), and Hanna Saienko (Reception). Two Trainee Teachers also join us this term; Suraiya Chahal and Rujina Begum.

Diary Dates

Class Meetings

We are pleased to invite you to a class meeting in September where you will meet your child's new teacher as a group. You will learn about the upcoming curriculum and have the opportunity to ask questions.

All meetings will be at 3pm in the classrooms. Please see the remaining meetings below:

Year 2 - Wednesday 9th September

Year 1 - Thursday 10th September

Pelican Class - Friday 11th September

We hope to see many of you there but if you are unable to attend, any information provided in the meeting will be shared with all parents via email.

Assemblies this Half Term

Come along to your child’s class assembly and stay for a coffee afterwards.

Wren Class - Friday 11th September

Woodpecker Class - Friday 18th September

Toucan Class - Friday 25th September

Swan Class - Friday 2nd October

Robin Class - Friday 9th October

Swift Class - Friday 16th October

Parents Evening Dates

Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th November

Community Gardening – for the whole family!

Join us every other Wednesday after school again this year for some more free gardening with Mrs Greene (Green School teacher). All ages welcome! We’ll be digging and preparing the beds for Autumn this term, cutting back bushes and shrubs, and harvesting any remaining vegetables. Come along and meet other families and learn a bit about growing your own veg! These are free drop-in sessions and you don’t have to make a commitment – just come when you can.

Who: Parents / Carers / Grandparents / Staff and up to two children (adults must stay to supervise them)

When: Weds 9th Sept, 3:45 – 4:30
Weds 23rd Sept, 3:45 – 4:30

Weds 7th Oct, 3:45 – 4:30

Weds 21st Oct, 3:45 – 4:30

Where: School allotment (fenced off area left of the dining hall) behind playhouse

Bring: Nothing required, but bring gardening gloves if you have them