Dear parents

Welcome to the March edition of the News Roundup.  What a fantastic turn out for todays World Book Day!  It was a joy to see the creative and imaginative costumes. Our recent author visits were a hit, sparking a renewed enthusiasm for reading among our children.  

Last week, we were fortunate to host a visit from Google who were thoroughly impressed with the use of innovative use digital technology in our school. To learn more about what they thought, take a moment to read the article below.  

Exciting update on the infrastructure front! The replacement of pipe work and radiators is well under way and the second phase of the project- replacing the boiler that serves the early years and KS1 classrooms has just commenced! Hopefully all the work should be completed in the summer term.  

I am pleased to announce that Cathy Burns, has made a fantastic start as our interim SENCO.   I am delighted to share that she will be continuing with us next term. We are actively working towards recruiting someone full-time for this role from September.

It is with mixed emotions that we announce the retirement of Sue Denny, Deputy Headteacher, at the end of this term.  Sue has been an integral part of our school for 11 years and has made a significant contribution to its success. We look forward to marking her retirement in style over the next few weeks! 

A very big thank you to those of you who have made voluntary contributions to support the school.  We greatly appreciate your support.  To make a contribution, log onto Parentmail, go to ‘Shop,’ and find the payment item called ‘Voluntary Donations to School.’ Please input the amount you wish to donate before adding it to the basket and making the payment.

We look forward to seeing many of you during our "Come Learn With Me" sessions next week. As always, thank you for your continued support.  

With my very best wishes to you and your families 

Tijen Hassan

Headteacher 

Please click to view term dates for 2023 - 2024 

Please click here to view term dates for 2024 - 2025

A massive well done to our ‘Always Stars’. ‘Always Star’ children are children who ALWAYS show that they follow the Big 3, they are ALWAYS respectful, resilient and show responsibility and they ALWAYS try their very best, taking on new challenges with a growth mindset and never giving  up. 

Here are the Always Stars’ for the last half term.

Grange Park would like to welcome you into school for our Spring Term Come Learn With Me event.  This is an exciting opportunity for you to come into your child's classroom and join in with their activities! Please see the dates below:

Last week we began celebrating World Book Day with a two day book fair from Usborne books and an author visit from Hannah Shaw. The children enjoyed listening to Hannah read some of her books and participated in a draw-a-long session where they learnt to draw Hannah’s favourite character from her books, Unipiggle!

Hannah led a workshop in the classrooms where children created their own magical maps and characters. She also signed children’s copies of her Unipiggle books. 

This week, author Jodie Garnish has been in to visit the children. Jodie spoke about her path into becoming an author and her background acting in theatre and love and passion for the fantasy genre. She spoke about the story behind her book and why she chose the characters she did. She also read a chapter of the book to the children.

Times tables play a crucial role in shaping our children's mathematical proficiency, problem-solving capabilities, and critical thinking skills, all of which are vital for their success in academics, careers, and everyday life. It is therefore extremely important to encourage your child(ren) to regularly practise this fundamental skill. By doing so, they will build a strong foundation for their mathematical journey at Grange Park and beyond.

Well done to these children for leading the way in the following categories:

By nurturing curiosity in our children, we empower them to become lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and innovators of tomorrow. Together, let us embark on this enriching journey of exploration and discovery, as we watch our children's curiosity blossom into boundless possibilities.

It can be hard to talk to your children about racism. Some parents worry about exposing their children to issues like racism and discrimination at an early age. Others shy away from talking about something they themselves might not fully understand or don’t feel comfortable discussing. Yet others, especially those who have experienced racism, simply do not have such choices. Conversations about racism and discrimination will look different for each family. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, the science is clear: the earlier parents start the conversation with their children the better.

Babies notice physical differences, including skin colour, from as early as 6 months. Studies have shown that by age 5, children can show signs of racial bias, such as treating people from one racial group more favourably than the other. Ignoring or avoiding the topic isn’t protecting children, it’s leaving them exposed to bias that exists wherever we live. Children who encounter racism, can be left feeling lost while trying to understand why they are being treated a certain way, which in turn can impact their long-term development and well-being.

Why Is it Important to Talk About Race and Racism?

When we teach children early on that it's OK to talk about race, we help them to understand, respect, and appreciate the differences between people.

This builds empathy and compassion for others so that kids are better able to see when things in their world seem unjust or unfair — and can do something about it.

How to talk to your child about racism

The way children understand the world evolves as they grow, but it’s never too late to talk to them about equality and racism. Here are some age-appropriate ways to start that conversation and explain that racism is always wrong:

Under 5 years

At this age, children may begin to notice and point out differences in people they see around them. As a parent, you have the opportunity to gently lay the foundation of their worldview. Use language that’s age-appropriate and easy for them to understand.

1. Recognise and celebrate differences – If your child asks about someone’s skin colour, you can use it as an opportunity to acknowledge that people do indeed look different, but to point out things we have in common. You could say, “We are all human, but we are all unique, isn’t that amazing”! 

2. Be open – Make it clear that you’re always open to your children’s questions and encourage them to come to you with them. If your children point out people who look different – as young children can often do from curiosity – avoid shushing them or they will start to believe that it’s a taboo topic.

3. Use fairness – Children, especially those around 5, tend to understand the concept of fairness quite well. Talk about racism as unfair and unacceptable and that’s why we need to work together to make it better. 

6-11 years

Children this age are better at talking about their feelings and are eager for answers. They are also becoming more exposed to information they may find hard to process. Start by understanding what they know.

1. Be curious – Listening and asking questions is the first step. For example, you can ask what they’re hearing at school, on television and through social media.

2. Discuss the media together – Social media and the internet may be one of your children’s main sources of information. Show interest in what they are reading and the conversations they are having online. Find opportunities to explore examples of stereotypes and racial bias in the media, such as “Why are certain people depicted as villains while certain others are not?”.

3. Talk openly – Having honest and open discussions about racism, diversity and inclusivity builds trust with your children. It encourages them to come to you with questions and worries. If they see you as a trusted source of advice, they are likely to engage with you on this topic more.

Most importantly, take every opportunity to challenge racism, demonstrate kindness and stand up for every person's right to be treated with dignity and respect and remember, it’s OK to not have all the answers.

Other useful websites

Talking to your children about racism - NSPCC

Talking to your children about racism - Barnardos

10 Top tip for talking to your children about race - embracerace.org

Talking about race and religion with young children - BBC

We would like to remind you of the timings of our school day. School begins between 8.45 and 8.55am, after this time children will be marked in late at the office. Our day finishes at 3.25pm, in the event that you are running late your child will be taken to the office to wait for you. For the safety of your child, it is extremely important that when collecting your child late from school that you enter the school and sign them out at the office. Please do not just collect your child without letting a member of staff know in the office. Thank you.

Did you know you could hire the school for clubs or for a one off event?   We have classrooms of varying sizes and halls within the school that can be used in the evenings after 4.30pm and on a Saturday until 2pm for clubs or children's parties. If you are interested in hiring a space please contact lettings@grangeparkprimary.org with details of your proposed club or event. We will then confirm cost and availability.

Let’s Welcome Spring Together! 

As the days grow longer and nature bursts into life, we're thrilled to invite you to join us for a delightful journey into the wonders of spring! Our Spring themed Holiday Club is a vibrant celebration of the season's renewal, growth, and endless possibilities. During our time together, we'll immerse ourselves in a whirlwind of exciting activities, from outdoor adventures to creative crafts, designed to spark imagination, curiosity, and joy in every child.

Enfield have launched an Early Help directory 4 all. Please click the link to access: https://enfielddirectory4all.co.uk/

This directory brings together local and national services to support children, families, community members and practitioners. The services are under very useful subheadings, each service is explained and contact and referral details are given.

If your child would like to take part and you are able to accompany them, please complete the attached google form. Many thanks for your continued support.

Please do not hesitate to contact us via email on gppsa@hotmail.co.uk if you have any questions, want more information about vacancies on the GPPSA or how you can help us.  

Thanks in advance for your support.

GPPSA

Please also bare in mind the initiatives that are available year round:

• School lotto:  www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/grange-park-primary-school-association 

• Donate page - http://easydonate.org/HTDT007

Reception were lucky enough to have a visit from the incredible Chicken Shed who led a workshop based around our recent core text: The Billy Goat’s Gruff. The children took part in a dancing, singing and storytelling workshop. They shook their bodies and stamped their feet to the beat. Thank you Chicken Shed for a fun filled experience!

Year 1 students were immersed in the vibrant world of 'Supertato,' showcasing their comprehension through active retelling. They explored characters, settings, and key events, bringing the narrative to life in lively discussions. Harnessing technology, students illustrated scenes on computers, adding a modern twist to artistic expression. 

‘I really like the story of Supertato it’s really exciting’ - Lara - Grasshopper         ‘Evil Pea is so funny in the story’ - Rae - Dragonfly

‘I liked drawing the characters’ - Robin - Butterfly ‘I loved finding the beginning, middle and end of the story’ - Theo - Ladybird

This half term, we’re venturing into the vibrant world of Madagascar! The children are channelling their inner Henri Rousseau, exploring jungle and rainforest landscapes and creating stunning foliage artwork. In geography, the students are diving into maps and using Google Earth to pinpoint Madagascar’s location.

Year 3 had an amazing opportunity to take part in forestry school. We worked in teams outside to build huts to prevent rain from coming in. Afterwards we created our own dream forest using pastels and colouring pencils. We had the opportunity to explore the mud kitchen and create mud brownies. Ezra said: “When you step foot in forestry everything changes, you get an instant smile on your face and you step into mud the feeling of the squelch feels good”. Taya said: “We had lots of fun”. 

In year 4, the children have been learning about narrative poems; a style of poetry that tells a story using rhythm and rhyme. Using what they have learned in history, the children applied their knowledge of the Roman invasion of Britain to write a narrative poem. 

As part of their Religious and World View Education studies about Islam, Year 5 visited Palmers Green Mosque. Year 5 had the opportunity to explore this building and find out about its features and how people of a Muslim faith use this building to practise their faith. In addition, our children also found out how the mosque supports and provides for people in the community.

These visits are important in developing children's knowledge, tolerance and respect for others from different faiths, as we prepare our children to live and work in the multicultural world in which we live.

In Year 6, students recently engaged in an innovative and immersive experience for their Religious and World Views Education lesson. This unique learning opportunity involved the use of Virtual Reality (VR) technology, which allowed the children to explore a mosque in a fully immersive and interactive way. The VR experience provided an in-depth and realistic view of the mosque, enabling the children to observe its architectural features, learn about its significance in Islam, and gain a deeper understanding of the practices and rituals associated with the religion. By experiencing the mosque in virtual reality, the pupils were able to step into the shoes of others and gain a more nuanced perspective on the world.