Newsletter
09.12.22
Principal's Message
This week we hosted another EYFS open evening and we look forward to welcoming all the prospective children into our school community in September 2023. With our growing school roll, it will be great to welcome 60 children into Marden next year.
As part of Year 5 central idea on art forms, they visited the Tate Modern. It was a fantastic experience and a page has been added with pictures of the experience. Education goes far beyond the realms of the 4 walls of the school and opportunities like these will be
Thank you all for joining us at the church this week for the various renditions of jingle bells, drums, bells, recorders and violins. It was a wonderful demonstration of our commitment to musical education and I am ever so proud to see them perform.
Mr N Dosad
Monday 12th December 3.30-4.30pm - KS1 Football Match Marden v Tiger
Wednesday 14th December 1.30pm - 6.00pm - Parent Consultations
Wednesday 14th December - Christmas Lunch
Wednesday 14th December - Christmas Jumper Day
Thursday 15th December 10.00am EYFS & KS1 Christmas Morning Performance
Thursday 15th December 10.00am - 12.30pm - Year 5 Nativity Musical Trip @ Cornwallis Academy
Thursday 15th December 2.00pm - EYFS & KS1 Christmas Afternoon Performance
Tuesday 20th December 9.00-10.00am - Christmas Church Service
Tuesday 20th December - Last Day of Term 2
Office Messages
Free School Meals & Energy Vouchers for Vulnerable Families
Children in receipt of benefits-related free school meals will once again be provided with food vouchers over the forthcoming Christmas break. Funding has been set at £10 per week per eligible child for the 2-week holiday so parents will receive 1 x £30 voucher.
Vouchers will be issued to parents on Friday 16th December.
In addition, arrangements are in hand for the distribution of £50 energy vouchers to families with children receiving benefits-related free school meals. The method of distribution is still to be agreed but KCC has confirmed they will notify schools of the precise details when available.
We appreciate there will be other families who will also need cost of living support. The access route for any family needing help is via Kent Together - Kent County Council. The site provides a variety of support options, including the potential for supermarket or energy vouchers via Kent Support and Assistance Service (KSAS).
If your circumstances have recently changed and you think you might be entitled to benefits-related free school meals for your child(ren), you can apply here:
https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/kent/
The school office will automatically be notified if your child's eligibility to benefits-related free school meals is confirmed.
Christmas HAF Programme for Vulnerable Families
The Christmas break is the next Holiday Activities and Food Programme delivery point. This will enable children receiving benefits-related free school meals to access free holiday provision for 16 hours a week, for one week.
Vouchers were issued to parents on Monday 21st November 2022 via the usual online EVoucher system.
If you did not receive a voucher, please let Miss Holness in the office know as soon as possible.
Our annual Christmas Lunch and Christmas Jumper Day is taking place on Wednesday 14th December.
Christmas Lunch - Final numbers have been submitted to the kitchen. If we did not receive a response from you, your child has been put down as a packed lunch. Children will not be able to request a school meal on the day.
Christmas Jumpers - Children are asked to wear Christmas jumpers over their normal uniform. No donation necessary.
Christmas Card Post Box
The Christmas Card Post Box will be on display in Reception until the last day of term. Children are invited to write cards for their friends and staff and then post them through the letter box.
Please ensure the recipient's name and class are written on the front of the envelope and our Year 6 elves will do daily collections and deliveries to the classrooms.
Due to GDPR we are unable to provide class lists to parents, however, staff should be able to help with a list of first names upon request.
Fabulous Projects Christmas Play in a Day
Experience the magic of Christmas, with a day of fun drama, singing and dance, followed by an enchanting performance to family and friends.
Open to children aged 7-15years. Marden Congregational Church.
Wednesday 21st December 2022 £30.00
Email Jen/Maryjane fabulousprojectsinfo@gmail.com for more details.
Local Christmas Events
National Online Safety
A free online safety guide on HiPal.
HiPal is a trending social media app which turns phones into walkie-talkies, allowing people to have voice conversations with friends or strangers. There are two account options: one for users aged under 12 and one for those aged 12 or above. The former has fewer features and limits interaction with strangers; enabling use of the walkie-talkie feature or photo sharing with friends and family only. The 12+ accounts offer more options, including adding strangers as friends, sharing photos and videos publicly, send private messages and holding voice chats with strangers as well as friends.
In the guide, you'll find tips on a number of potential risks such as contact with strangers, dangerous challenges and intrusive features.
