Dear parents / carers

I hope you are looking forward to having a half term break. I know the staff and children certainly are. Thank you for your support over this past term in these very challenging times. I think we should take a moment to celebrate how well the children have done in this very long term, following a prolonged absence for many of them. Well done everyone, have a lovely half term!

Covid related: Over the half term the Covid risk assessment will be updated to reflect the most up to date guidance. There will be one or two changes but there are some key points that I would like to remind you of

• Please can adults wear a mask when on the school site
• We are operating a one-way system for drop off and pick up. Please use Jubilee and Station Road to come on to the site, and Penny Lane and Eastleigh Close to leave. Please can you remind children who walk to school by themselves that they should also be doing this.
• If you have a confirmed case in your household, please call the school. If you are isolating because of contact elsewhere, please call the school. If this happens over half term, there is guidance from the local authority (see below)

Your support with these actions is very much appreciated – if there are things that other parents point out, it is where masks are not being worn, or where the one-way system is not being adhered to. Please help us to keep everyone safe!

Competition: Over the half term, we would like the children to design a poster to use in the school grounds to highlight the safety measures we have in place. This could be a reminder to wear a mask, or to use the one way system, or to wash hands. If your child would like to make a poster, please can they return it to school by Friday 6^th November, for the attention of Mrs Haydon. We will give a small prize to the best poster from each bubble!

South Gloucestershire have produced a list of ideas and activities for you to do over the half term if you wish, which can be found here https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/guidance-for-events-and-celebrating-occasions/

Poppy Appeal: We are taking part in the annual poppy appeal, and have a supply of poppies for the children in return for a donation to this very worthy cause. We will be sharing the poppies out amongst bubbles in a Covid secure way, but please note we only have poppies this year.

Friday 13^th November will be a non-uniform day for Children In Need. We will be collecting your donations for this and would recommend a minimum of 50p per child. If your child has PE on a Friday, they should wear suitable non-uniform for exercising in. Thank you.

National Anti-Bullying week takes place from Monday 16^th November to Friday 20^th November and we will be taking part in this annual event to raise awareness of what bullying is and how we can stop it from happening. As part of this Monday 16^th will be ODD SOCKS DAY. The children should wear their usual school clothes, but also have odd socks on! There will be a particular focus during the week on anti-bullying, as well as managing our emotions and general wellbeing.

Reminders:

• Child absences from school must be reported to the office, preferably before 9.00am. This can be done via email or via the school website
• Dinner money must be paid in advance of your child having a school meal

This week's recommendations come from Squirrels and Kestrels.

"I would love to share one of my favourite stories with you this week.

‘Winne and Wilbur: The Amazing Pumpkin’

I love this story because Winnie inspires me to eat lots of vegetables!

She has a problem with a very large pumpkin and I laugh out loud at all of her funny tricks and spells.

There are lots of hidden creatures on every page too!

Plus, there are lots more adventures about Winne and Wilbur to read.

I hope you enjoy!"

Miss Thomas , Squirrel Class

Ruby’s Book Recommendation

‘Topsy & Tim and The New Baby’

“I love it because My Granny bought it for me.”

Miss Kaur’s book recommendation:

 “‘Wonder’ by R J Palacio, is one of my favourite books to read to my class. It’s the story of August Pullman, who wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid but his class peers do not see beyond his extraordinary face. What I love about the book is that it switches from different perspectives. So, August starts off by telling his stories and events and then it switches to Via (his confident older sister), his classmates and many others. As August is transiting from home schooling to secondary school, it fits in well with our Year 6’s journey ahead and it is also a lovely book to delve into topics including belonging, empathy, compassion, acceptance and true friendship. I cannot recommend this book enough!”

Seb in Kestrels really enjoys reading as he says he finds it peaceful. Seb says:

‘I really like Roald Dahl books especially “Danny the Champion of the World” because it is interesting. It is about poaching and the relationship about a father and son. I really enjoyed the story and the pictures too!”

Congratulations to the following children who received the"Champion of the Week" certificate:

Hedgehog - Jack,  Squirrel - Wade,  Owl - Jack,  Deer - Reece,  Fox - Lola,  Bat - Ella,  Badger - Casey,  Kingfisher - Amelie,  Woodpecker - Alex,  Otter - Miles,  Pine Marten - Genie,  Falcon - Sam,  Kestrel - Ava.  

Congratulations to the following children who received "Hot Chocolate Friday" tokens:

Hedgehog - Elsie,  Squirrel - Maja,  Owl - Annabelle,  Deer - Freddie,  Fox - Ashton,  Bat - Hannah,  Badger - Alfie-Joe,  Kingfisher - Evan,  Woodpecker - Tyler, Otter - George,  Pine Marten - Dylan,  Falcon - Evie,  Kestrel - Sam.

Upcoming dates:

Friday 23rd October: Last day of Term 1

Monday 2nd November: INSET day, school closed to children

Tuesday 3rd November: Start of Term 2, children return to school

Monday 9th November: Reception 2021 tour, 6.00 pm (Fully booked)

Tuesday 1st December: Reception 2021 tour, 6.00 pm (please book a place on the tour with the office)