Measles / MMR vaccination

Measles cases are rising across the country, with over 102,000 children starting primary school in England being at risk of catching the disease. We are asking education settings to share key messages from the NHS about MMR / measles and how to get vaccinated.

The Back to school MMR Guidance from the NHS includes information to share, as well as example social media posts which can be found here: NHS Vaccine Poster and NHS MMR Poster.

Measles is highly infectious and if left unvaccinated nine out of ten children in a classroom can catch the disease if just one child is infectious. Please share these resources with colleagues, parents, and where suitable, community organisations to increase awareness and encourage parents to get their children vaccinated.

Attendopoly

Each week in our whole school assembly we celebrate children's attendance by playing a game of Attendopoly (based on Monopoly).  The class  with the highest attendance figure is rewarded with a class prize. 

The winning classes for the last two weeks were: 

Week of 18th September : Eagles Class with 99.3% attendance. 

Week of 25th September : Macaws Class with 99.4%  attendance. 

Our whole school target attendance for this academic year across all classes is 97%.

Times Table Rockstars

Across the school we have a weekly hall of fame, where we celebrate different aspects of times table recall. This includes effort, speed and accuracy. 

Well done to the following children who have logged on regularly at home and achieved a place in our hall of fame so far this half term in the following categories : 

KS1

2/10/23 : Most correct answers : Karlok

LKS2

2/10/23 : Most correct answers : Daniel, Joseph, Lilly, Thomas, Nicolas, Harleigh

UKS2

2/10/23 : Most correct answers : Beau, Aaron, Eliza, Ayomide

Shoebox Appeal

Our school Ambassadors will be sending out information over the next few weeks to let you know about an appeal we would like to be involved in to support those less fortunate.  We will be looking for donations to allow us to fill shoeboxes which will be sent to families and elderly people in the war-torn or poorest parts of Ukraine, Moldova, Romania and Bulgaria in time for Christmas. Watch this space for more details. 

Engine Idling Awareness

The Road Traffic Act (Vehicle Emissions) Regulations of 2002 makes unecessary engine idling (running a vehicle engine while stationary) an offence under section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. 

Central Bedfordshire Council wants to improve air quality and believes every unnecessary engine idling also adds to air pollution and creates health risks to those breathing in that pollution. This is particularly a problem outside schools, as younger people are more vulnerable to air quality issues.

Central Bedfordshire Council wants to encourage people to switch off their engines when they will be stationary for more than a minute to keep air clean, and to avoid the possibility of a fine.

We are carrying out an awareness campaign, using a variety of online and in-person activities to let everyone know about the impacts of engine idling.

We will be carrying out engagement days in locations where engine idling has been reported to us as a particular problem.

We want to reach as many of our residents as possible to help them understand engine idling impacts, and how they can help.

Where vehicles are believed to be idling unnecessarily, our Enforcement Officers will soon be able to ask drivers to switch off their engines, and these Officers will have the powers to issue Fixed Penalty Notices where appropriate.

Please switch off: save fuel and do your bit for cleaner air.

Parking

We have received a number of complaints recently from our neighbours whose drives have been blocked at morning drop off or afternoon pickup (as can be seen in the photo). This has resulted in residents being unable to exit their drives at crucial times. 

We are also concerned about some dangerous driving in the immediate vicinity of the school entrance. On a couple of occasions this week, there have been near misses where cars have mounted the pavement when trying to park, narrowly missing our children walking to school. This has been witnessed by a member of staff who we feel we have to have on duty each day due to the nature of the driving and parking. Please can we urge you to be more considerate and respectful as well as safe which are aspects we continually promote with the children. 

Artist of the Month

Yayoi Kusama

The children were fascinated to find out all about the life and works of Yayoi Kusama during our art assembly this week.  It has been wonderful to receive artwork completed by the children that has been inspired by her from children in the hope of becoming an Art Ambassador. If your child would like to apply please ensure their entry is in by next week.  Lots of children were keen to find out more about this artist and visit one of her exhibitions - here is the link to one which is running currently at the Tate Gallery London should you wish to take your child - what a lovely half term activity this could be.

www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/yayoi-kusama-infinity-mirror-rooms 

Music Hero of the half term

Stevie Wonder

Our music hero of the half term is Stevie Wonder, an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and child prodigy who developed into one of the most creative musical figures of the late 20th Century. We have listened to some of his music in school. Why not play the song at home and see if your child can remember any of the words to 'I just called to say I love you'!

Tissues

We would like to build up our supplies of boxes of tissues in readiness for the "runny nose" season. If you are able to donate a box, we would be extremely grateful.  Thank you in advance for your support.