Week Beginning 29th November 2021
Week beginning 29th November
Assembly: well done to Class 12 who led a fantastic class assembly to parents on Wednesday. We were transported back in time to experience what it would have been like to be an evacuee during the war. It was a powerful and moving tribute to those who fought in the war to enable the life we have today. The acting, singing and dancing was fantastic and we all thoroughly enjoyed the assembly. Thank you Class 12.
Sport: well done also to the netball team who played a friendly match against Kenley (away) and our football team who had a league match against Kenley (at home). Both teams represented the school brilliantly and played with confidence. The netball team lost 2-0 but showed great teamwork and the football team won 6-0 with hat tricks from Ethan and Jack. Well done to all who took part. We are very proud of you.
Post Box: from next week, we will have our post box up in school. If the children wish to write Christmas cards for their friends they are welcome to bring them into school and post them in our box. If you have not already done so, please can we ask that envelopes are not licked, just tucked inside to keep the spread of germs to a minimum. To ensure the cards make it to the right person please can we ask that on the front you have the recipient’s name and class. If there is more than one child in the class with the same name, we advise you to also use the first letter of their surname e.g. Sally B, Class 10. Thank you.
Free School Meals: whilst we are sure you are aware that children in Yr R through to Yr 2 receive free school lunches under the Universal Free School Meals programme. We would like to ask all parents of children in Reception to check their eligibility for free school meals. This is a quick and easy process that can be completed in less than 5 minutes using the following link: Free School Meal Eligibility Checker (lgfl.org.uk). If eligible, this attracts additional funding into school that can be used to directly support your child. Those eligible will have guaranteed funding for the next 6 years of their children’s schooling so it really is worth taking the time to check.
Year 2 Phonics Testing: next week, the children in Year 2 will take part in a phonics screening check. This is a short assessment in which children are asked to read 40 words (real and pseudo words). It is conducted 1:1 with their child’s class teacher and lasts approximately 5 minutes. Once all checks have been completed, results will be shared with you as soon as possible.
PTA: congratulations to the winners of the PTA raffle prizes. Ismay, Taylor and Zachary- we hope you enjoy your calendars! Congratulations. Thanks to the PTA for organising this raffle.
PARKING: please can we appeal to the small minority of parents who are continually parking over residents’ driveways in the mornings to stop doing so. Whilst this may be convenient for you, it is not for them and we are repeatedly having to talk to you and deal with complaints from local residents about inconsiderate and dangerous parking from parents in our school community. This is not the relationship we want to have with our neighbours and urge you to park with consideration and courtesy please. The Police are aware and have monitored from time to time but this is down to individuals to stop, please.
Safer Internet: Tuesday 30th November is cyber security day and with children spending more time on line. Please click on this link to learn more about cyber-security and how to keep safe online. It is worth reinforcing these messages with children and making sure they know what to do if they see something or hear something online that makes them feel worried or unsafe.
Health: on Wednesday 1st of December, the school nursing team will be in school to carry out height and weight checks for pupils in Year 6. During these checks, the children’s privacy is respected and no results are shared with the school. If there are any concerns, the nursing team will liaise directly with parents.
Croydon Schools Music Association: on Thursday, we wish the children in the drama club good luck as they perform a nativity tableau at the Minster Church in Croydon as part of the CSMA concert. The children in Year 5 and 6 will be attending this concert and we have no doubt that they will thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to listen to a live orchestral concert that includes a selection of Christmas songs and hymns. Parents of children performing (in the drama tableau) are also welcome to attend this concert and need to be at the venue for a 10:30 start.
Sport: also, on Thursday, after school there is a home football fixture against St. David’s school. Kick off will be at 3:45. Good luck team!
PTA: following the success of our Spooktacular bake sale which raised £700 for the school, on Friday 3rd December, the PTA are hosting a Christmas bake sale after school. If you would like to donate any baked goods for this event, they will be greatly received. Please remember that we are a NUT FREE school and bring your donations to the school office on Friday morning. Items will be available for purchase after school from as little as 50p. There will be an opportunity inside school for those attending clubs to buy a treat just before the end of the day. There will also be the chance to buy Christmas hats and reindeer food.
Christmas Performances: we are going to make a decision about ticketed EYFS and Year 1 performances early next week. Covid numbers are rising in our community and we want to be as safe as possible, particularly so near to the holidays. We have heard today that three local schools are videoing their performances for the same reason- which we know would have been disappointing. However, safety is of the utmost importance. We will be in contact with you early next week.
Miracles of Nature Competition: a massive well done to all the photographers who entered into our first photography competition. During the last few months, children have been taking wonderful photos of nature at its finest when going for a walk or staying at home, in their garden. The talent has been astounding. We will run the competition again in the winter, spring and summer – it is great to get out and see the beauty around us and the children certainly captured this. A massive well done to all who entered - you are all so talented. A huge thank you to Mrs Staines who has been the administrator for this competition. Because there were so many amazing entries, the judges: committee of the school council, the school governors and myself decided to have more winners- one from each year group. A collage has been designed and this will take pride of place in one of our large frames in the lower corridor. The winners will also have their photos published on our website in due course. Today, everyone who entered, received a certificate- well done again.
The winners of this year’s autumn wonders of nature photography competition are:
Reception: a huge well done to Orla with her fabulous Pumpkin Picking Patch. The school council said: a lovely scene with autumnal colours, a sense of beauty. Unevenly scattered pumpkins, a natural affect. The colour ‘pops out’ at you.
Year 1: well done to Devon who took this photo of autumnal leaves, called Firework leaves…..our school council said beautiful contrasting colours, the description fits the photo, well focussed, leaves stand out with a foliage blur.
Year 2: well done to Thomas for your toadstool in autumn. The school council said: a red, stunning colour. The background shows autumnal green highlights alongside red and orange. The fungi has lovely and bright tips that blend into orange.
Year 3: A huge congratulations to Oliver who created the Golden Light photo with the sun sinking behind the tree. The school council said golden leaves cover the sky as the sun pops out. Sun balances with a beautiful hue and the golden light is mystical.
Year 4: Well done to Amelie! A wonderful photo of an autumnal reflection with birds hovering overhead. Our school council commented: birds flutter in the sky whilst the red bright reflection shimmers on the glistening lake.
Year 5: Ascending to the Autumn Sky- excellent Byron! A photo where he positioned himself under the thin branch to capture the depth and tones that only autumn can bring. Our judges remarked: the colours blend perfectly, it looks like the sun burning in the trees.
Year 6: Well done Anabela! A leaf with a bright ladybird – in focus, showing contrast and clarity. Our judges said great combination of spots on the ladybird and buds about to bloom. Autumn shades blend in well. Good focus on the insect with the green of the foliage behind.
Well done again to all who entered.
Thank you for your ongoing support and have a lovely weekend.
The Hayes Team
