Newsletter 

20.10.23

Principal's Message

We have finally reached half-term and after nearly 8 weeks of learning we think the children have all earned this break. So much learning has already taken place and it's been lovely to see the classes settle back into the routine of school. Thank you for all your support and help this term - it's much appreciated. 


It was lovely this week to see the children’s completed homework tasks. They had a great time sharing their work with their peers and were all very proud of what they had completed. Thank you for supporting your children with this. We cannot wait to see what they complete next term! 


On the 10th October, SLT met with our Parent Council. Lots was discussed and we got some great feedback on things that would help to make Marden even better. One suggestion was to have the opportunity for parents to come and check in with the teachers at the start of the term to find out what the children will be learning. We have therefore decided that moving forward we will be having an open event for this on the first Wednesday of each term at 3.15 - 4.00pm. A letter with more information on this will be shared with you today. If anyone else would be interested in joining our Parent Council please email the office. 

When we get back on Monday 6th November, we are straight into our events for Remembrance followed swiftly by the festive sparkle that won't yet be mentioned! 

I hope you all have a lovely half term.

Mrs H Penning

Monday 6th November 2023 - First day of Term 2

Monday 6th November 2023 - Year 3/4 Road Safety Workshops

Tuesday 7th November 2023 9.15-10.30am- EYFS Open Event for children starting in September 2024

Wednesday 8th November 2023 - Non-Uniform Day (for Christmas Fair donations)

Friday 10th November 2023 - KS2 Remembrance assembly at the Church

Friday 10th November 2023 3.15 - 4.00pm - Poppy Walk 

Saturday 25th November 2023 11.30am-1.30pm PTA Christmas Fair

Monday 11th December 2023 - Christmas Pantomime Aladdin 

Tuesday 12th December 2023 9.30am - 11.00am - EYFS/KS1 Nativity

Wednesday 13th December 2023 - Christmas Jumper Day

Wednesday 13th December 2023 - Christmas Lunch

Wednesday 13th December 2023 2.00-3.00pm  - KS2 Christmas Carols Concert

Thursday 14th December 2023 - 1.30pm - 3.00pm - EYFS/KS1 Nativity


Office Messages

Christmas is Coming.........

Space 2 Be Me Family Support Service

We continue to offer our Space 2 Talk drop-in sessions, where parents can connect with each other and get advice from an experienced Family Support Officer in a friendly environment. We have lined up guest speakers to attend our Virtual Space 2 Talks and have introduced new ‘Topic Focus’ for our groups in Snodland. Please see the below flyer for more information.

 

Parents and carers can now also request 1:1 Family Support by completing an online Parent Request form, which will give them the option of directly booking a 30-minute clinic appointment or waiting to be contacted by a Family Support Officer.


We are very excited to offer our first Understanding Autism workshop for Extended Family members. The workshop is aimed at grandparents, aunts, uncles, and any other close friends or family members who want to better understand loved ones with autism. This will take place on Wednesday 29th November 2023, 10:00 -12:00 at the Howard de Walden Centre in Maidstone and spaces must be booked.

National Online Safety 

For 20 years, FIFA dominated the football video gaming arena, attracting legions of devoted fans and scooping up accolades like a digital Real Madrid. After parting ways with the sport’s governing body, however, renowned developers Electronic Arts (EA) have now launched their own individual bid for the title. It’s called EA Sports FC 24, and its effectively FIFA 2.0.

Familiar action delivered by the same team, of course, points to a comparable level of popularity – especially among those young gamers raised on the FIFA franchise. As our #WakeUpWednesday guide highlights, however, EA Sports FC 24 also carries many similar risks to its predecessor, including addictive gameplay, abusive voice chats and expensive in-game purchases.