Learning This Week
On Monday this week in Early Years, the children spotted some foot prints! They thought about what could be at the end of the trail and followed the footprints to find a teddy bear!
This inspired the classes to read the story, 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt'. The children have enjoyed making, "Wanted!" posters for the bear and retelling the story in their play.
This half term our topic is Amazing Adventures! As part of this we will be having a "Pirate Day" on Friday 31st January - this will be an opportunity for your child to dress up as a pirate for the day, and take part in pirate themed activities in school.
This week in Writing and Science the children have been looking at the seasons and what happens when they change. They went on a winter walk around the school to see what signs they could find. They saw new buds appearing on the blossom trees and thick ice on the field. The children loved walking through the frosty grass and seeing it on their wellies.
This week, Year 2 have thoroughly enjoyed exploring materials in science by going on a walk around the school and filling out a table to identify and categorise the different materials they encountered. Additionally, the children have had a great time building their, "chocolate word banks," by tasting different types of chocolate and then using descriptive adjectives to capture the delicious flavours and textures, enhancing their vocabulary and sensory awareness.
Parent Governor
We are currently recruiting for a parent governor. If you would like to find out more information about what is involved with this role, please contact Carly in the office.
Wear Your SCARF Day
This year's Wear Your SCARF Day will be taking place on February 7 2025, during Children's Mental Health Week (3-9 February 2025). We're inviting everyone to wear a scarf on this day as a symbol of support for children's mental wellbeing, while celebrating the values of SCARF - Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience and Friendship. Throughout Children's Mental Health Week we will be providing activities relating to the theme 'Know Yourself, Grow Yourself'.
Don't forget that Coram Life Education (SCARF) will be in school on Monday & Tuesday next week to hold workshops with the children. There is also a workshop for parents on Monday 13th January at 2.30. Please see information on the workshop and how to sign up on the poster here.
Water Damage to Books
We would like to remind parents again to please not put water bottles in your child's book bag. Leaky bottles have caused water damage to several of our reading / library books. Parents will be expected to pay to replace damaged books in this instance.
Courses for Parents
Courses can be booked online here : https://shop.hants.gov.uk/collections/learning-in-libraries
FISHES News
Happy new year to everyone, we hope you all had a lovely break.
FISHES are straight back on it with events for the Spring term! Please note the attached dates in your diary.
Bags2School - Friday 24th January
We have another Bags2School collection arranged for 24th January. This is a perfect opportunity to have a good clear out at home! We are able to accept clothes, paired shoes, handbags, hats, bags, scares, ties, bras, jewellery, socks and belts. Please bring your donations to the wooden gazebo on the playground by 9am on this date. If your child attends Pippins the gates will be unlocked so you can drop your bags at this time also.
Adult 90s/00s Disco - Friday 28th February.
We are really excited for this new event. Tickets are £7.50 per person and is a BYO event, please bring your own drinks, snacks and cups. The disco is being held at Hedge End Village Hall and all your old favourites will be played by the DJ. Tickets go on sale 6pm Sunday 12th January via the following link: https://buytickets.at/fishes
Junior Parkrun Takeover
On 6th April 2 members of the FISHES team will be running the Southampton Marathon in aid of FISHES.
To help the children to be involved in this fundraising event Freegrounds Infant School will be taking over the Hedge End Junior Parkrun at Dowds Farm. This will take place on Sunday 23rd March. This is a 2km run around the course at Dowds Farm, but the children could challenge themselves by completing 11 / 21 Parkruns which equates to a half or full marathon - if they did this they would receive a wrist band and certificate from Parkrun. We hope to see as many children there as possible we would also ask for parent volunteers to help marshal the Parkrun - this means you will be able to see your child on the route and cheer them on. If you are planning on joining us and your child has not done a Parkrun before they will need to register on https://www.parkrun.org.uk/dowdsfarm-juniors/
To sponsor us for the Southampton Marathon event or the children running the Parkrun please click and share the following link with your friends and families: https://www.justgiving.com/page/carly-haines-1734518093440?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL
If you would like to join us in either the 10k, half or full marathon you are more than welcome to and please consider choosing FISHES as your charity.
If you see us running around Hedge End please do give us a cheer out the window as drive past as training is hard going!
Lastly, if you have any unwanted alcohol, presents etc from Christmas please do consider donating them to FISHES as these would all help at future events.
We are holding a meeting on Thursday 23rd January at 7pm (location to be confirmed), this is to plan for future events such as the Easter fayre - if you would like to attend please let us know and make a note of the diary.
Lunar New Year Menu
Thursday 16th January will be a change of menu to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Children with diet restrictions will be offered an allergen safe version.
After School Clubs
TPA Theatre Kidz - Mondays - Book Here.
Saints Academy Football club - Tuesdays & Thursdays - Book Here.
Computer Xplorers - Tuesdays - Book Here.
Funky Playbricks Lego Club - Wednesdays - Book Here.
Zumba - Wednesdays - Book Here.
February Holiday Club
Premier Education will be running holiday clubs in Boorley Green Community Centre in February half term. Prices start from £21 per day, and there is funding available for children entitled to Pupil Premium.
Nut Free School
We would like to remind parents that we are a nut free school. We have members of both the staff and student community who are anaphylactic to nuts of all varieties. This includes obvious things like hazelnut spread in sandwiches, but also many types of cereal bars and biscuits also contain nuts. Please check the ingredients list of all food items that you send into school.
Year Group Home Learning Newsletters
Attendance This Week
If you are struggling to get your child/ren to school on time each day, please do get in touch so we can try to help.
Blue Class - 99.13% attendance with 2 episodes of lateness
Red Class - 95% attendance with 0 episodes of lateness
Yellow Class - 99.09% attendance with 0 episodes of lateness
Green Class - 96.92% attendance with 0 episodes of lateness
Orange Class - 98.97% attendance with 5 episodes of lateness
Purple Class - 98.52% attendance with 5 episodes of lateness
Scarlet Class - 98.28% attendance with 5 episodes of lateness
Turquoise Class - 98.33% attendance with 5 episodes of lateness
Attendance Guide for Parents / Carers
What YOU must do:
Try to telephone the school before 8.30am each day of your child’s absence.
Tell the school in advance, of any medical appointments and bring in appointment cards/letters.
If you are not sure whether your child is well enough to attend school, send them in anyway as they often perk up on arrival.
If you and your child are experiencing difficulties with school attendance then talk to us as a first step so we can help!
What WE will do:
Check your child’s attendance every day.
Phone home to discuss your child’s attendance with you.
Invite you into school for attendance meetings if we are concerned.
If we cannot establish a reason for absence, then we may make a welfare home visit.
Dates for Your Diary
Monday 13th January @ 2.40pm - SCARF Parent Workshops
Wednesday 15th January - Year R & Year 3 applications close
Thursday 16th January - Special Menu
Friday 31st January - EYFS "Pirate Day"
Friday 7th February - Wear Your SCARF Day
Thursday 27th February and Tuesday 4th March - Parent's Evenings
Friday 7th March - Year 2 to SeaCity Museum
Friday 14th March - EYFS to Longdown Farm
Monday 31st March - Year 1 to Hillier Gardens
FISHES Dates (more info to follow!)
Friday 24th January - Bags 2 School Collection
Friday 28th February - 90's / 00's Disco (Adults)
Friday 21st March - Non Uniform Day for Rainbow Raffle
Sunday 23rd March - Infants takeover of Junior Park Run
Saturday 29th March - Easter Fayre
Tuesday 1st April - Easter Bake Off
Sunday 6th April - Southampton Marathon
INSET Days 2024/2025
Friday 14th February 2025
Friday 20th June 2025
You can view Hampshire term dates at any time here.
Head Teacher Awards
Blue Class - Ebony for Respect, Laraya for Creativity & Independence
Red Class - Frankie and Ellysia, both for Respect
Yellow Class - Elsie-Mae and Jack, both for Resilience
Green Class - Ava for Creativity, Mia for Resilience & Independence
Orange Class - Willow and Ellie, both for Independence
Purple Class - Brody & Evan, both for Independence
Scarlet Class - Hattie for Resilience, Reuben for Thinking
Turquoise Class - Olivia for Resilience & Independence, Jessie for Resilience
Happier January 2025
All Behaviour is Communication