Week beginning 26th April

Welcome back to the summer term. We are delighted to see the children back in school after the Easter break and hope you are all feeling well rested. Welcome also to any of our new families who have just found out that they will be joining us in September. We will be in touch shortly and very much look forward to meeting you all, along with your children.

This week we welcomed our new caterers, Chartwells. We have been really impressed with the quality of food that the children are being offered and have already noticed the number of children opting for a school dinner increasing. If you would like to see some of the food being provided, check out the school twitter feed. Also, if your child has a food allergy and you have not already returned the allergy form, please can you do this as a matter of urgency. Thank you.

We also welcomed the Metropolitan Police into school this week to talk to the children in Year 5 and 6 about the age of criminal responsibility, anti-social behaviours and the safe use of public transport. The police brought in a car for the children to look at and many of them enjoyed activating the sirens!

Whilst talking about appropriate behaviours, it is with much disappointment that recently we have had to deal with a very small minority of children in KS2 who have considered it appropriate to use racially discriminatory language towards their peers. The school take this matter very seriously and have zero tolerance for racially abusive language. We are an inclusive school and promote equality at all times. The diversity within our school and our community should be celebrated and we feel very strongly that no child should be subject to racist language.  We work closely with the Anne Frank society to educate our children on issues relating to prejudice and discrimination and are in the process of organising additional workshops for the children in KS2 on identity to supplement our curriculum and remind them that, while we all have unique qualities that make us special, we all also have a shared identity as members of The Hayes community.
Additionally, following the recent periods of school closure, we will be revisiting with our pupils the values that underlie our work as a UNICEF Rights Respecting school. In this community the expectation is very clear: respect for all is non-negotiable.

Next week, our Year 1 children have a great fire of London workshop to participate in on Tuesday. As per the letter sent out to Year 1 parents, the children are invited to dress up. If you have not already made your contribution to this workshop, please do so on parent pay before Tuesday. Thank you. Next week, swimming lessons will take place for the even numbered classes, so please ensure kits are in on the appropriate days.

Finally, a reminder for your diaries. May 3rd is a Bank Holiday and school will be closed. May the 6th is an INSET day because our school is being used as a Polling Station (this is non-negotiable) and school will be closed to children.

Thank you for your ongoing support and have a lovely and safe weekend. ​