STAYNOR HALL ACADEMY NEWSLETTER
Friday 23rd January 2026
STAYNOR HALL ACADEMY NEWSLETTER
Friday 23rd January 2026
Dear Families
As we navigate the New Year, following Christmas where many children were lucky enough to be gifted new devices, we know that digital devices—from tablets and games consoles to smartphones—are an increasingly central part of our children's lives. While these devices offer incredible opportunities for learning and creativity, they also bring challenges that require our attention. We hope to be able to share some information to keep children safe on their devices and useful resources for parents.
Our goal is to work together to ensure our pupils develop a healthy, safe, and balanced relationship with technology.
For primary-aged children, the digital world can sometimes feel overwhelming. Key risks include:
Inappropriate Content: Accidental exposure to age-inappropriate videos, images, or language.
Excessive Screen Time: Research shows that too much "passive" screen time can impact sleep, physical activity, and even hand-eye coordination or social skills.
Online Interactions: Even within popular games like Roblox or Minecraft, children may encounter strangers or experience peer-to-peer conflict (cyberbullying).
Hidden Costs: Many "free" apps use persuasive design to encourage in-game purchases or "loot boxes."
You don't need to be a tech expert to keep your child safe. Here are five practical steps:
Keep it Central - Use devices in shared family spaces rather than bedrooms. This makes "passive" supervision much easier.
Set Up Controls - Use built-in tools like Apple Screen Time, Google Family Link, or Microsoft Family Safety to set time limits and filter content.
Check Age Ratings - Look for PEGI ratings on games and age limits on apps. Most social media platforms have a minimum age of 13.
The "Golden Rule" - Encourage your child to come to you immediately if they see something that makes them feel worried, "yucky," or confused.
Model Healthy Habits - Children follow our lead. Try having "tech-free" zones, such as the dinner table or the hour before bedtime.
If you are looking for specific guides on apps like TikTok, WhatsApp, or Roblox, we highly recommend these expert sites:
Internet Matters: Provides step-by-step "how-to" guides for setting parental controls on almost any device.
NSPCC (Keeping Children Safe Online): Practical advice for starting those "awkward" but important conversations.
Childnet: Offers a "Family Agreement" template to help you set clear household rules together.
Have a lovely weekend, kind regards
Mrs Winter
If you have a concern about the safety or welfare of a child in school please contact myself,
Mrs Cowling or Ms Steunou who are the safeguarding leads.
Move to Instagram from X
We now have a School Instagram account where all our updates will be posted. This is to replace X.
Please follow staynor.hall.primary to receive all our updates
Apple AirTag and tracking children on school trips
It has been brought to our attention both locally and nationally that parents/carers are using devices such as the Apple AirTag to track children on school residentials/trips/visits/outings. Other devices can also include electronic watches that are essentially tracking devices with the capability of sending video footage from the device back to the person tracking i.e. parent. Such devices have the potential to post locations of children’s whereabouts on social media. We are therefore advising schools to include this in the consent slip which parents sign prior to taking part in a trip that such devices will not be allowed under any circumstances and must not be hidden in pockets/bags etc. If any tracking devices are found on pupils they will not be allowed on the trip and will be returned to school.
Apple have released the statement below which can be found on their website:
“AirTag was designed to help people locate their personal belongings, not to track people or another person’s property, and we condemn in the strongest possible terms any malicious use of our products”
We are an allergy aware school.
Nuts are prohibited on school site, and should not be put in children's packed lunches or brought in as a playtime snack
Thank you
Please can we ask that your child does not ride their bikes or scooters on the school grounds.
Children are not play on the wooden trim trail before and after school.
Children are not play football on the field and playground before or after school.
As the school continues to grow the playground is getting busier and busier and it is important we keep everyone safe.
We would also like to encourage parents and children to not cross roads where visibility is reduced to ensure that roads are clear before crossing.
January - March - Tesco Stronger Starts. Blue Token Voting.
5th February - No After School Club available.
11th February - FOSHA's Valentine's Disco (Further information will be shared)
16th - 20th February - Half Term
5th March - Official World Book Day
6th March - Teacher Training Day
9th March - FOSHA's Super Hero Shop (Further information will be shared)
10th March - Parents Evening 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm (Further information will be shared)
16th March - Parents Evening 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm (Further information will be shared)
19th March - FOSHA's Easter Bingo (Further information will be shared)
27th March - Last day of school
30th March - 10th April - Easter Holidays
13th April - School reopens
4th May - Bank Holiday
22nd May - FOSHA's Colour Run (Further information will be shared)
25th - 29th May - May half term
15th June - FOSHA's Super Hero Shop (Further information will be shared)
19th June - Teacher Training Day
3rd July - Summer Fayre (Further information will be shared)
14th July - FOSHA's Summer Disco Shop (Further information will be shared)
17th July - FOSHA's Foam Party (Further information will be shared)
17th July - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
What's Cooking?
I have been working with Team Swale this week in celebration of the Chinese New Year which starts on 17th February and ends on 3rd March (15 day celebration). 2026 is the year of the horse, in celebration of fire and energy.
The children enjoyed making Chinese Noodles and ate them in Cook School (using chopsticks). They also enjoyed eating some prawn crackers and learning about some Chinese traditions.
The children were introduced to the EatWell Guide and got the opportunity to independently use measuring spoons. They also looked at a globe and enjoyed finding the UK and China. They also made some beautiful lanterns which they took home.
They have all been amazing and I look forward to continue working with Team Swale next week.
Mrs Soper
Cook School Lead