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Dear parents and carers
What a brilliant week! We absolutely love having everyone back in school and seeing the beginning of normality returning. The vast majority of children have returned with beaming smiles, and have shown us that they are happy to be back in the building. Teachers have spent the week reconnecting with everyone, and ensuring that their class feel together again, with everyone having a sense of belonging. Thank you for everything you have done to support your children – I hope you have all had a good week too!
Covid Symptoms
Just a reminder that if you, or anyone in your household has any symptoms of coronavirus, for example persistent cough, high temperature and loss of taste/smell, you must all isolate until a test result is confirmed. Please do not send children in if there are any symptoms in your household. This helps us to keep the spread to a minimum. Thank you.
A couple of other reminders!
Now everyone is back, there are the usual pressures from traffic around the school site. We like to keep our neighbours happy, so please could you make sure that you aren’t parking in front of their driveways or on yellow lines. Those of you using the Eastleigh Close entrance, please walk along the main path – do not walk through the car park, as we would hate anyone to have an accident. Thank you!
Census Day
We’re delighted to announce that we are taking part in the Census 2021 primary school education programme: Let’s Count! From the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The census is a survey that happens every 10 years and gives a picture of all the people and households in England and Wales. It is important as it helps to plan and fund public services in our area. The Census day is on Sunday 21 March 2021.
On Wednesday 17th March, the children in each year group will be completing counting activities in school to allow them to learn what the census is and give them a chance to create images and graphs to share their findings.
Starting on Friday 12th March and ending on Thursday 18th March 2021, the whole competition is done online via play.ttrockstars.com or the TT Rock Stars app. For every correct answer to a multiplication or division question, your child will earn their class a point. The Times Tables Rock Stars platform will calculate the class average (the number of correct answers per pupil in the class who play during the competition hours). Winning classes in the school will be the ones with the highest average.
All game modes (Gig, Garage, Jamming, Studio, etc.) will count but only from games played between 9.30am and 3pm on Friday 12th to Thursday 18th inclusive.
Thanks for your support, Gurdeep Kaur
(More information is available at ttrockstars.com/page/rockdownreliefuk)
Food Bank:
Thank you from us and from Resound for your donations to the food bank. Here is this month’s shopping list. Once again, we will happily take any donations in school and deliver them to Resound.
SHOPPING LIST - March 2021
NO pasta or baked beans please as we have lots!
- tinned fruit
- Custard – tins, cartons, packets
- jellies
- rice pudding
- Angel Delight
- Small bottles of squash
- Jam and peanut butter
- Chocolate spread
- Meat paste
- Small tins of meat – spam, corned beef, ham
- Instant hot chocolate
- Small jars coffee
- Instant noodle blocks (NOT Pot Noodles)
- Tinned sweetcorn
- Dried pasta ‘n’ sauce sachets
- Sponge puddings
- Tinned spaghetti
Two of our children, Lewis & Dylan successfully completed the 'Big Bath Sleep Out : At Home' challenge. They slept outside all night with only cardboard and blankets to keep them warm (in temperatures as low as -1 degrees!). This has really increased their understanding of what homeless people face and thanks to generous sponsorship, the boys raised £545 for the charity Julian House who do fantastic work supporting rough sleepers. Congratulations to Lewis & Dylan, we are very proud of you both.
Christ Church Downend are inviting people to come and tie a ribbon on the Tree of Hope in memory of a loved one or as a simple prayer. They have renamed the yew tree in the churchyard a 'Tree of Hope', as it symbolises that hope goes on even in hard times. This will be from 20th March until Easter and white ribbons will be available.
We are STEM School, a company with over 7 years of experience of providing coding education for children aged 7 -11 with amazing student outcomes. We are running a virtual coding camp for pupils this Easter, offering access to expert tech teachers and small group learning for long-term STEM success.
Playing Minecraft is fun. But coding your own worlds or building your own maps using logic and creative thinking is exhilarating! This Easter, advance your child’s coding skills with our Virtual Minecraft Coding Camp, whether they are new to coding or a pro, they will receive full tuition from our online instructors, make new friends and kick start their career in game design. Our virtual Easter Camp is the ideal activity for young game designers or coders bursting with creativity.
Schedule
Every day for a week. 3 hours per day tuition. 29th March – 1st April, 6th – 9th April or 12th – 16th April.
Live Teachers and Small Class Sizes
Your child will be matched to a group with a similar tech experience with direct support from the group teacher.
Certification
They will achieve a coding certificate at the end of the week.
BOOK AT: WWW.STEM-SCHOOL.CO.UK
It is the turn of Badger class and Mrs Pike to give their book recommendations this week.
Miss Hudson’s book recommendation:
'The Squirrels who squabbled' by Rachel Bright
"I love this picture book because the squirrels in the story are so expressive and the illustrations take you on the nut-chasing journey with the squabbling squirrels! You even have to turn the book around at one point to see what is happening! It has a great rhythm and my class found it rather funny. This is a fantastic book for people of all ages."
Gus and Edward’s book recommendation:
'The tiger who came to tea' by Judith Kerr
A classic! The boys love this because…
"It is funny and the tiger eats everything in the house. He just knocks on the door and walks in! He even drinks all of the water in the house. The illustrations are very, very realistic too!"
"I am really enjoying reading 'The Lorax' by Dr. Seuss to the classes that I am teaching Forest school to at the moment.
Even though the rhymes and unusual words sometimes leave me tongue-twisted I love the meaning behind the story.
Trees, nature, plants and animals are so important to look after. Nature needs us as much as we need it. We need to recycle, care for plants and animals, consider how we can do more to protect the environment. But also, the link between mental health, well being and nature cannot be ignored. Fresh air, exercise, being out in peace and quiet and listening to the wind blowing through the leaves is all very calming and relaxing.
I hope you enjoy reading it and watching the film too if you get chance."
Congratulations to the following children who have received the "Champion of the Week" certificate this week:
Hedgehogs - Phoebe, Squirrels - Zane, Owls - Reux Deer - Leo, Foxes - Joey, Bats - Carlos, Badgers - Tyler, Kingfishers - Mylo, Woodpeckers - Charlotte, Otters - Kai Pine Martens - Maisy, Falcons - Harry, Kestrels - Korbin.
Congratulations to the following children who have received "Hot Chocolate Friday" packs:
Hedgehogs - Daisy, Squirrels - Sidney, Owls - Kieran, Deer - Freddie, Fox - Beau, Bats - Angel, Badgers - Theo, Kingfishers - Harley, Woodpeckers - Regan, Otters - James, Pine Martens - Katom, Falcons - Sebi, Kestrels - Harrison.
Upcoming dates for the calendar:
Friday 19th March - Red Nose Day, dress down day for donation of 50p-£1
Thursday 1st April - Last day of Term 4
Monday 19th April - INSET day, children do not attend school
Tuesday 20th April - Start of Term 5, children return to school