May 2016

Dear Parents

We would like to start a Food Bank Donation point here at school. If you would like to donate any items please could you hand them into your children’s teacher.

We urgently need items such as: Tea, coffee, sugar, cereals, pasta, tinned food, Cup a soups, Mugs shots etc….

If you need more information please contact school 0121 675 3985

Thank you

Mrs Ruff

Our first ever Lea Forest Swimming Club was a great success with over 20 swimmers coming to the first training session. Well done to all those who brought back their forms and keep trying hard with your lessons if you weren't successful ... yet! Our gala is on Thursday 9th June, watch out for news of who will be picked to race for Lea Forest! We will try to build on last year's success.

Mr Haw

The NSPCC’s Speak out. Stay safe. programme is visiting our school to make sure our pupils have the knowledge and understanding they need to stay safe from abuse. I’m pleased to tell you that we will be working with the NSPCC, the UK’s leading children’s charity, who’ll be delivering their Speak out. Stay safe programme in our school this term. This is a nationwide programme for every primary-school-aged child in the UK and Channel Islands. With the help of their friendly mascot Buddy, they’ll be presenting an assembly to the children in years 1- 6 as well as workshops for Years 5 & 6.

What is the Speak out. Stay safe. programme?

Through child-friendly, interactive assemblies and workshops their specially trained staff and volunteers will give our children information about how to keep themselves safe from harm and how to get help if they have any worries, sensitively discussing issues like bullying and sexual abuse, without using scary words or adult language. We have studied the content of the materials and heard from other schools who have participated and are extremely confident that they are appropriate for primary-school-aged children. By the end of their visit, we’re convinced children will feel empowered – knowing how they can speak out and stay safe. If you would like any more information about the NSPCC Speak out. Stay safe. programme, including frequently asked questions, you can find it on the NSPCC website nspcc.org.uk/schools or please come into speak to me and I can provide more information.

Talking about the Underwear Rule with your children

The NSPCC’s work in schools will help encourage conversations about staying safe – and they have a number of child-friendly materials to help you carry on the conversation afterwards. That includes ‘The Underwear Rule’, a simple way for parents to help keep children safe from sexual abuse – without using scary words or even mentioning sex. The guide uses the rules of PANTS to teach children that their body belongs to them and them alone. You can find out more and download the free resources at nspcc.org.uk/pants. If you’d like to know more about the NSPCC’s work, or take a look at the wide range of information and advice which is available for parents and carers, please visit their website nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/

In April, a group of Year 3 children took part in the Big Cookathon during their very first cooking session with their parents. We used the Cookathon recipe to kick start our sessions as we thought it would be great to participate. There is a chance to win a prize for the children and school. They also learnt about food hygiene and healthy eating during our session.

We are very proud of the effort being made by our Year 6 pupils as they prepare for their SATs papers and we would like to thank you for the support that you are giving your child with their homework and ensuring they are in school for every lesson.

As you know, SATs week begins on Monday 9 May. We have included details below. It is imperative that children are in school every day for these tests.

· Monday 9 May - English reading test

· Tuesday 10 May - English grammar, punctuation and spelling test

· Wednesday 11 May - Mathematics Arithmetic; Mathematics Reasoning

· Thursday 12 May - Mathematics Reasoning

To enable the children to come into school and feel relaxed, we will be running a breakfast club each morning from 8.30am. The children will be able to come into school and choose from a selection of bacon sandwiches, vegetarian sausage sandwiches or enjoy a slice of toast with a glass of fresh juice if they wish. There will be no cost for this to parents.

If your child does not wish to eat in school, we would still like them to attend the early session as we will be preparing their bodies and minds for the tests with some ‘wake-up shake-up’ activities and games.

We hope you welcome this information and if you require any clarification, please speak to any member of the year 6 team or ask at the office.

Taken from article by Joe Perkins ESPA

Lea Forest concluded their regular league campaign with a resounding 4-0 win over a spirited P&P side on Tuesday afternoon. P&P boss, Mr Porter, commented after the game that his side were beaten by a very good team. Forest's win stretched their lead over Timberley and St Bernadette's, to 4 points. Timberley have just the one game to play whilst Bernies have 2. Forest though will be hoping for a play-off berth but will also be mindful of Heathlands - who can catch them - provided they manage to play all their remaining 5 games. It's up for grabs!