November 2020 Newsletter
Christmas
The end of November is usually the time that the school begins to prepare for the Christmas season. The current Covid restrictions mean that we will have to do things a little differently this year but we will still do everything we can to ensure that pupils have an enjoyable time in the run up to the festive season. Below are some of the activities that we have planned:
Christmas decorations – The children will be making Christmas decorations in two afternoon lessons next week in order to decorate the classrooms, the corridors and the school hall.
Christmas video – Each year group has been learning to play a Christmas carol on the glockenspiel as well as learning to use sign language to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. We will be filming these and will post them on Google Classroom streams and our school blog just before the end of term.
Christmas school dinner – the kitchen will be offering a Christmas school dinner on Wednesday 9th December. If your child is interested in having Christmas dinner, they may order a dinner in the usual way.
Christmas Cards - If your child would like to bring in Christmas cards this year please ensure that they bring them in and post them in their class post box on a Monday or Tuesday only so that they can be distributed on Friday.
Christmas Parties (Thursday 17th December) - Children can come to school wearing party clothes. As the children will be unable to share food this year the school will provide each child with snacks and a drink. We therefore ask that you do not send in any food from home this year.
Christmas Jumper Day (Friday 18th December) – This is a non-uniform day so children can come into school wearing a Christmas jumper.
As we must limit the amount of people coming onto the school premises, if children do not come into school wearing their non-uniform clothes on either of these days we will not be able to allow parents to drop off alternative clothing to the school office during the day so please mark the days on your calendar!
A reminder that the end of term is Friday 18th December.
Homework
Thank you to pupils who have been submitting homework on Google Classroom each week. If your child is still experiencing problems accessing their Google account or submitting homework online, please do get in touch. It is really important that children complete homework to consolidate the learning taking place in class. A good homework routine also helps children to develop good habits in preparation for secondary school.
Social Media
We are aware that a number of our pupils are using social media accounts. Please be aware that many of these sites carry age restrictions and are not recommended for primary age children. We have had a few issues in school lately involving children who are upset about things that they have seen or read on these sites. Please ensure that your child is supervised at all times when using the Internet and that restrictions are in place on their account to prevent your child from being exposed to abuse. If you would like any further assistance with this, please contact the school.
P.E. Kit
As the weather has turned colder children are wearing tracksuits to school on their P.E. days so we would like to remind you that they must be plain dark tracksuits. Please do not send your child into school wearing tracksuits with transfers or logos on.
Sickness and Covid testing
Please ensure that if your child is displaying any Covid related symptoms that they do not attend school and that you contact the school to keep us informed. Equally, if your child has had a Covid test for any reason, please let the school know as soon as possible.
If you are experiencing problems getting a test please get in touch as we may be able to assist you.
Salisbury Road Car Free Street
We would like to remind you that as from September, Salisbury Road became a pedestrian and cycle zone only between 8am and 9.30am and 2.30pm and 4pm from Monday to Friday during term time. The zone is enforced by cameras positioned on Heath Park Road and Brentwood Road facing into Salisbury Road. Any vehicles entering the zone during these times will be issued with a penalty.
In addition, we have been advised by the Local Authority that for the week beginning 23rd November traffic counters were installed in many of the surrounding roads. The evidence collected from this monitoring will be used as part of the assessment for the scheme. A further consultation will take place before the end of the school year in 2021 with key stakeholders who will then recommend if the scheme becomes permanent or is removed.
Respecting our Neighbours
We have recently had some complaints from local residents about parents parking over their drives. Please can we therefore request that parents are considerate of our neighbours when parking and not obstruct driveways. Your cooperation would be greatly appreciated.
Breakfast Club
We are pleased to announce that we are continuing to provide our new breakfast club provision which is open from 7:45am. Each session costs £4 and we are now able to accept childcare vouchers for payment. We currently still have some vacancies so if you would like to enrol your child/ren please let the school office know as soon as possible.
Contact Information
Please ensure that you inform the school office as soon as possible if you change your mobile number or e-mail address. It is very important that we are able to communicate information to you, especially in case of emergency.
With all good wishes,
Mrs M Shipton
Headteacher
