Week beginning 31st October 2022

Week beginning 31st October

We hope that you are all having a fantastic and restful October half term. We return back to school on Monday 31^st October.  

Culture and Diversity: before we broke up, we had a lot of fun celebrating Diwali, International Language Week (culminating in Spanish Day on Friday) and of course, the end of Black History Month. At the bottom of this bulletin, you can read a report about Diwali and in the next bulletin, we will share a report on BHM. Please see our website- gallery for photos of artwork and writing about the many Black people who have influenced our children alongside Diwali artwork, Flamenco dancing and many photos of various activities, taken between September and October.  A massive well done and thank you to Ms Smallwood who organised a fantastic Spanish Day on Friday – walking around the school, it was clear all were enjoying speaking to each other in Spanish. Additionally, all children learning the basics in Flamenco, led by a very talented Spanish Flamenco dancer. A great way to end the Oct half term.

Football: well done to The Hayes Mixed football team who played in a cup match against Winterbourne. The team won 15-0, well done to all of our team and also Winterbourne, all of whom were great sportspeople. The scorers were: Darcy, Lilybell, Sam and Harry W.

 

Here’s what is coming up…

Secondary School Applications: firstly, a reminder that Monday 31^st is the closing date for secondary school applications. If you have a child in Year 6 and have not yet submitted your preferences, please ensure you do so prior to this deadline.

Nasal Flu Immunisation: on Monday, the children whose parents have given their consent, will have their nasal flu immunisation. This will be administered by the school nursing team.

Parents Meetings: on Tuesday 1^st of November, at 11am, the sign-up system for parents’ meetings will go live. This term, parents’ meetings will take place on the 8^th and the 10^th of November between 3:45 and 6:15. We shall be trialling a hybrid model in which parents have the choice of either a face-to-face appointment with the teacher or a virtual meeting which may suit working parents. Please bear this in mind when you make your appointments using the following table as a guide. All appointments must be booked via the usual sign-up system (see website/ParentTeacherMeetings). In person appointments will take place in our hall, where a 10-minute bell will be sounded to end the meeting and you will then leave via the doors leading to the car park. There will also be a one-way system in place where you can come into the hall via the foyer and exit via the car park gate. Please come to your meeting just before your time to minimise any crowding either in the hall or corridor. More info on this to follow.

 

Open Afternoon: we are bringing back our Open Afternoons, where you can share your child’s books with them and celebrate their hard work. This will take place on Friday 25^th November, from 1:45pm. Once your child has shared their books with you, if you wish you can take your child home with you.

Wellie Walk: on Tuesday, the children in Reception will be going on a wellie walk in the woodland area at the rear of the school to explore signs of autumn. It is likely to be muddy so please ensure that your child has her/his wellies in school and a warm jacket. If it is cold, you may also wish to provide a hat and gloves. If you have a child in reception and are interested in helping at this event, please do let your child’s class teacher know.

Swimming: after half term, Reception will begin swimming lessons! Safari class will swim on the first Wednesday back (2^nd November) and Rainforest will swim the following Wednesday (9^th November). Please ensure your child comes to school on their relevant swimming day with a swim hat, towel, plain dark coloured costume/trunks and goggles, if wanted all in a separate bag to their school bag. No earrings on swimming days please. 

Football: on Tuesday, our football team have a home match against St David’s school. Kick-off is at 3:45pm and we wish the team the best of luck #Bethebestyoucanbe.

Coffee Morning: there will be a SEND coffee morning on Wednesday 2^nd November, at 9am in the breakfast club room. If your child has SEND, or you are concerned that they may have an additional need, please do come along to join us and meet with our Inclusion leader and other parents of children with SEND.

Second hand Christmas jumper and Spooky cake sale: on Friday after school, the PTA will be holding a second-hand Christmas jumper sale in the playground and this will run alongside the postponed spooky bake sale. Cakes will be available from a cost of 50p. If you are able to donate any cakes for this event, please bring them to the school office on Friday morning. Thank you.

Junior Travel Ambassadors: lastly, we would like to congratulate our new Junior Travel Ambassadors (JTAs) who have been elected from Year 5:  Polly, Terry, Ajwah and Lemar.

Road Safety Week: starts on 21^st November and will include a Be Bright Be Seen Day on Friday 25^th November, when children can come to school dressed in their brightest clothes.

Wishing you a very lovely rest of half term.
The Hayes Team
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Diwali
We are writing a report about one of India’s most important festivals. We are Hindus and we celebrate Diwali (which is taking place right now, as we write this report). It is one of our favourite festivals that lasts over five days. The word Deepawali means "rows of lighted lamps." It is a festival of lights and we celebrate it by having joyous fun!
During this festival, people light up their houses and shops with Diyas. These are small cup-shaped oil lamps made of baked clay.  We consider it as a celebration of life and use the occasion to strengthen relationships – we are stronger together.
In some parts of India, it marks the beginning of a new year- people clean and decorate their houses before the festival and do colourful rangoli artworks on floors. We get coloured powder and put it on our doorstep to welcome people. We can do any pattern we wish with any colour but usually bright.
We celebrate Diwali over five days:

Day 1: Dhanteras: this day marks the birthdays of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and Dhanvantari, the god of health and healing. People clean and decorate their homes and offices and lights are arranged. They also use this day to buy gold and silver jewellery. This is because we believe that Gods and Goddesses look over us, so we want our houses to look fabulous.

Day 2: Naraka Chaturdasi: on this day, people celebrate the Goddess Kali and Lord Krishna’s defeat of the demon Narakasura to free the world from fear. Women and girls decorate their hands with henna designs. Families are also busy preparing homemade sweets for the main Diwali.

Day 3: Lakshmi Puja: this is our main celebration day. We wear new clothes or our best outfits as the evening approaches. Then diyas are lit and pujas are offered to Lakshmi. We ask for her blessing for a good year ahead. We open our windows to let her in. After the puja, we go outside and celebrate by lighting up fireworks. Next, we head back to a family feast and family time.

Day 4: Padwa, Balipratipada: Padwa is celebrated differently in different parts of India. This day celebrates the love between mum and dad. Our dads give thoughtful gifts to our mums. Lord Krishna is also honoured on this day.

Day 5: Bhai Duj, Bhaiya Dooji: the last day of the festival is called Bhai dooj, where it is the major day. We celebrate our sister-brother loving relationship. In our family, the boys give the girls presents and are very kind to them on this day!

Why not learn some traditional Indian dance steps?
Click here, to see six-year-old Aishwarya with her mum learning some dance moves for Diwali! Try it out!

By Kabir (Class 10), Arjun (Class 9) and Ava (Class 12)