Learning This Week
This week in Year R the children have been growing their number knowledge of 6, 7 and 8. The children explored different representations of the numbers, finding one more and one less using the magic spinner. They demonstrated their number knowledge further by finding the number pairs within 6, 7 and 8.
This half term our topic in EYFS 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.
In Year 1 this week the children have enjoyed their visit to the SCARF tent. The topic for the visit was all about carrying around 'heavy feelings' and talking about some feelings that the children may feel sometimes, but do not always know what it is or what it means. The children talked through each feeling and we took part in some singing, dancing and listening activities around this. The children were also taught some strategies to use when they are carrying around these big and heavy feelings such as breathing or humming to regulate themselves again. The children also got to meet Harold the Giraffe who they hear and see often in our PSHE lessons.
This week, the children had a fantastic time during their SCARF workshop! They loved meeting Harold and exploring ways to express their emotions in fun and meaningful ways. PE was another highlight, where the children practiced using the wall bars safely and worked hard on incorporating the positions they have been learning on the apparatus. It’s been such an exciting and active week!
Parking
We have had a call this week from a local resident of Bedford Close whose road is frequently blocked by parents parking irresponsibly at drop off and pick up. She said that her and her neighbour have spoken to parents but have been met with rudeness. We'd like to please remind parents again to park with the safety and consideration of our children and neighbours in mind. If you spot dangerous and / or illegal parking, it can be reported here : https://www.eastleigh.gov.uk/parking-travel-and-roads/parking/on-street-parking-problems-and-enforcement
Jewellery
Can we please remind parents that our jewellery policy is that no jewellery of any sort should be worn in school unless there are particular religious or cultural reasons.
In particular with the girls in year 2 this is becoming a bit of an issue with things being lost, misplaced, and causing disagreements.
Resources Needed!
We are looking at having a revamp of some of our communal areas, with a view in particular to improving our SEN provision. If you have any of the following items that you would be able to donate, please drop them into the school office. Thank you in advance for your kindness!
Blankets / throws
Fidget poppers / spinners
Complete puzzles
Smooth pebbles
Bubble wrap
Small trampoline
A mirror
Fairy lights
Parent Governor
We currently have an exciting opportunity to join the governance board of Freegrounds Infant School. The role of school governor is very rewarding and it will enable to you to meet new people and work as part of a team. Don't worry if you have no experience as full training and support is available and you will be well supported by your colleagues on the governing body.
We currently have a vacancy for either a parent governor (your child must be a pupil at the school) or co-opted which means you do not need to be a parent or in the education profession. If you have an interest in education, and want to give something back to your community and you are keen to see future generations thrive then this maybe an ideal role for you!
If you are interested in finding out more or for an application form please contact Carly in the school office. The closing date for this is 31st January 2025.
Wear Your SCARF Day
This year's Wear Your SCARF Day will be taking place on Friday 7th February, 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'.
FISHES News
Don't forget Friday 24th January is our Bags2School collection, please bring all your donations to the wooden gazebo by 9am on this day. If your child attends Pippins the gates will be unlocked so you can drop your bags at this time too.
Thank you to everyone that has already purchased tickets to our 90s/00s adult disco on Friday 28th February. Tickets are on sale from our ticket platform https://buytickets.at/fishes Feel free to share this link with your friends also.
Following on from the information we have shared regarding the sponsored Junior Parkrun takeover on Sunday 23rd March please can we ask you to complete the following google form to let us know you will be attending and if you will also be able to help marshal the event. https://forms.gle/tpPvuJKqqoQY5yGz8 This is the first time we have done this and we are really looking forward to it. You can set up your child's own Just Giving page linked to the FISHES account by clicking this link: https://www.justgiving.com/freegroundsfishes and share this with your friends and family ahead of the takeover.
We have amazingly had a couple of parents come forward to say they will also run the Southampton Marathon on aid of FISHES which is just incredible. We are ramping up the training so if you see us out and about please do give us a cheer out your car window this would be very good motivation! If you would like to sponsor us for the marathon please use the following link: https://www.justgiving.com/page/carly-haines-1734518093440?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL thank you to everyone that has already kindly donated.
We will be meeting in the Barleycorn at 7pm on Thursday 23rd January to discuss the upcoming events. Anyone is more than welcome to come along and join in.
The Empowerment Approach
Please see the school website for the 2nd Parent Information Video about our Behaviour Policy. www.freegrounds-inf.hants.sch.uk/the-empowerment-approach/
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 - 95.22% attendance with 3 episodes of lateness
Red Class - 100% attendance with 0 episodes of lateness - WELL DONE RED CLASS!!
Yellow Class - 97.73% attendance with 0 episodes of lateness
Green Class - 96.15% attendance with 0 episodes of lateness
Orange Class - 98.97% attendance with 4 episodes of lateness
Purple Class - 95.93% attendance with 2 episodes of lateness
Scarlet Class - 98.62% attendance with 0 episodes of lateness
Turquoise Class - 98.33% attendance with 2 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
Friday 31st January - EYFS "Pirate Day"
Friday 7th February - Wear Your SCARF Day
Thursday 27th February and Tuesday 4th March - Parent's Evenings
Thursday 6th March - World Book Day
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
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
Friday 9th May - Quiz Night
Monday 19th May - World Baking Day
Thursday 19th June - Non-Uniform Day
Saturday 28th June - Summer Fayre
Friday 11th July - Disco
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 - Romeo for Independence & Respect, Stevie for Independence & Creativity
Red Class - Halo for Independence, Finlay for Thinking & Independence
Yellow Class - Freya and Lottie, both for Independence
Green Class - Isabella for Independence, Oliver for Resilience
Orange Class - Lexi for Thinking, Evie for Thinking & Independence
Purple Class - Belle for Creativity, George for Thinking
Scarlet Class - Finley H for Resilience, Jackson for Thinking & Resilience
Turquoise Class - Betty for Thinking, Eva for Resilience & Independence
The Solihull Approach
Trickbox
This week during Trick Box Tuesday the children in EYFS looked at colour breathing and the children in years 1 and 2 looked at sunny side and magic circle. You might like to try some of these things at home.