What a wonderfully busy and impactful week it's been! Our days were filled with music for Early Years Nursery Rhyme Week, enjoying lots of classic songs and activities. We started the week strong with Odd Socks Day on Monday to officially launch Anti-Bullying Week, emphasising the importance of individuality and inclusion. On Tuesday, we paused for meaningful reflection to observe Remembrance Day. Spreading warmth and smiles was the focus on Wednesday for World Kindness Day. We rounded out the week today by supporting Children in Need with various fun fundraising activities! Finally, we were delighted to welcome the Academy Committee Members on Thursday, who had a successful visit observing our PE lessons and meeting with our fantastic Sport Leaders.

Reminders for all parents and carers 

We want to ensure a safe and smooth experience for all children. Please be reminded that your supervision is essential at the end of the school day during pick up time. For the safety of all, children should not be using the playground equipment or accessing other areas of the school grounds once they have been collected.

To help us plan effectively, please return trip consent forms in a timely manner. Also, a reminder that we require at least one week's notice if you wish to order a school packed lunch for your child for a trip. 

Should you need to notify us of a change to your child's pick-up arrangements, please contact the school before 12 PM unless it is a genuine emergency.

Finally, we are pleased to introduce Medical Tracker, our new system for tracking and recording all medical and first aid incidents. While you will still receive a phone call for all serious incidents, you will also receive automated emails providing details of any incident recorded for your child.

Road Safety - Week commencing 17th November 

Be Bright, Be Seen Mufti - Monday 17th November 

3L Class Assembly - Thursday 20th November

EYFS Christmas performances - Thursday 4th December 2.30 pm and Friday 5th December 9.15 am

Christmas Fayre - Saturday 6th December 

KS1 performances - Monday 8th December 2.15 pm and Tuesday 9th December 9am 

Christmas Jumper Day - Thursday 11th December 

KS2 Carols in the playground - Wednesday 17th December 

Nursery closed - Friday 19th December 

Last day of school  - Friday 19th December

Hurst Park Primary Academy PTA has their very own dedicated microsite on PTA Events, which acts as a central hub for all things PTA. Here you will find details of events we are hosting, where to buy tickets, how to volunteer as a helper, how to contact the PTA, and much more. Once registered, users can opt to receive bespoke communications on activities we are running, so you always know what's going on.  For more information, please click here. 

There is a PTA meeting on 19th November at 7.30pm. Click here for the link to the meeting and the agenda. 

PTA reminders: 

- Toy and book donations (ongoing)

- Reminder to buy grotto tickets (£5 per child), advanced tokens for the Fayre, and enter the front row ticket raffle for Early Years and KS1 shows on 12 November (3- 3:30pm) & 14 November (8:30-9am) in the playground

- 17 November at 23.59: Early bird discount ends for My Child's Art

- 19 November at 7.30pm: PTA meeting

- 21 November: Chocolate donations (non-uniform)

- 27 November at 7-9.30pm: Wreath making (only a few tickets available now)

- 28 November: Bottle donations (non-uniform)

- 5 December: Cake donations (normal uniform day, no nuts)

Anti bullying Week and Odd Socks 

This week, we paused for a moment of quiet reflection to observe Armistice Day. The entire school stopped together to hold a special two-minute silence. This important time gave all of our students and staff a chance to reflect on the sacrifices made and to remember those affected by conflict. It was a deeply respectful and meaningful moment for our community.

We're asking all parents and carers to please complete a quick baseline survey about school lunchtimes; your feedback is invaluable now as we are still in the planning stages to enhance play. In addition to your thoughts, we are also reaching out for some specific donations to boost our play activities: we'd be grateful for pieces of astro turf, any spare dressing up costumes, and various items suitable for the sand pit. Finally, we are planning to build an exciting mud kitchen, and if you know of anyone in the community with building or carpentry skills who might be able to help us with this project, please contact the school office via email. Your support, whether through feedback or donations, is crucial to the success of OPAL!

Academy Committee Visit

Wrap Around Care Staff Member Vacancy

We are currently seeking an enthusiastic and reliable member of staff to join the Hurst Park Wrap Around Care team! This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to top up their hours and make a real difference in the lives of our children.

The role involves supervising activities, assisting with the service of breakfast and tea, and ensuring the safety and well-being of the children.

The available fixed hours are:

-Breakfast Club (Tuesday to Thursday): 7:15 AM – 8:45 AM

-After School Club (Monday to Thursday): 2:45 PM – 6:00 PM

How to Apply

If you, or anyone you know, who would be perfect for this role, please share/apply via the official application link: [Link Here]

Celebrating achievements 

If your child has celebrated a sporting achievement and you would like them to be included in the newsletter, please let us know by completing this form. There is an option to attach photos/certificates if you would like but this is optional. 

Hurst Park Primary Academy is looking for volunteers to enhance children's learning. Volunteers are highly valued and appreciated by children and staff. In the past, volunteers have helped children with reading and maintaining the Library. Volunteers must complete a comprehensive induction programme, including a DBS check, and adhere to our Safeguarding procedures. Volunteering hours are flexible.  If you are interested in making a difference, please complete the Volunteer Registration form  to apply. Please note that volunteers will not be placed in their child's class.

Amazon Wishlists 

We have updated the Amazon Wishlist with books that we would like to have in each class for storytime. You may view the list of items by following this link. Once purchased, these items will be delivered directly to school and opened with the children – what a great treat! 

If you would like to purchase a Wishlist present and gift a book to the school, please follow the link, add to your basket and buy. Please deliver directly to the school using the school address Hurst Park Primary School, 438 Hurst Road, West Molesey, KT8 1QS indicating year group.   

Thank you so much for all your support and generosity.  

Last week Puffins achieved highest attendance. Well done.

Hattie (1P), Ryan (3L) and Curtis (5B)

EYFS Nursery Rhyme Week 

Nursery singing 'Five little speckled frogs’ and ‘Five little ducks go swimming one day’

We searched for the stars, ordered them and then sang about them. We also found some spiders hiding in the leaves and we thought they might be Incy Wincy.

Year 2 Fire Safety 

Year 2 had a very important visitor this week. A fireman came to speak to us about how we can stay safe! We have learnt how to call 999 if we have an emergency! We learnt "Get out, Stay out and Call 999. 

Year 6 Imperial War Museum Trip 

Year 6 went back in time to learn about the extraordinary experiences of everyday life during WWII. The children explored hands-on exhibits and interactive displays. It was a truly engaging, immersive day. 

Year 6 Game Changer Workshop

Year 6 took part in an interactive, immersive drama-based workshop which raised awareness of the key social issues facing young people in the UK today. The children focused on their emotional resilience and how to keep themselves safe.   

Wrap Around Care 

Look at this brilliant work created by in Wrap Around Care this week demonstrating fantastic collaboration, following the instructions carefully and working together seamlessly to achieve this impressive result. Great work! 

Sporting Fixtures

Brilliant effort from our Y3 & Y4 boys at the LEO Football Tournament! Both teams were fantastic and finished in an impressive place Huge thanks to West Ashtead for hosting — Well Done, everyone! 

Young Carers 

At Hurst Park, we are aware that some of our pupils are young carers. A young carer is someone under 18 who is caring unpaid for someone at home who has an illness, a disability, or is affected by mental ill-health or alcohol/substance misuse.  They could also be a child who has a sibling with a disability. They often take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult or miss out on things due to their siblings' needs. There are at least 800,000 young carers in the UK but many young people do not realise they are a young carer.

We know that young carers may need a little extra support to enjoy and do well at school. At Hurst Park, we are committed to ensuring that all pupils who are young carers are identified, and supported effectively. The school has a Family Support Worker and Emotional Literacy Support Assistants who can offer reassurance and emotional support and help engage with external services.

Surrey Young Carers are a fantastic organisation and support young carers through activities such as holiday clubs, youth clubs, 1:1 mentoring etc. For more information visit their website and register a young carer using this form. 

If you think your child might be a young carer, please let us know by filling in this google form.

If you do not feel comfortable doing this, or have any further questions, please contact myself directly. Any information that is given will be treated sensitively and no information will be shared without your knowledge.

Cyberbullying Advice

Children being bullied online, particularly in games and via messaging apps, remains one of the top concerns of many parents and their children. Internet Matters have a range of guides and articles to support parents and carers which we have listed below:

• Talking to children and conversation tips for ages 6-10, 11-13, 14-17 and vulnerable children - HERE

• What is cyberbullying and what are the signs - HERE

• Helpful ways to prevent cyberbullying - HERE

• How to deal with cyberbullying - HERE

• Parents experiences of cyberbullying - HERE

• Useful resource - HERE