Newsletter 

26.01.24

Principal's Message

This week we were visited by staff from the FD Group who kindly delivered an assembly to KS2 about careers. This was an excellent opportunity for the children to learn about a range of job roles within a company and the skills required to complete them. The children really enjoyed this and asked lots of well thought out questions. We are keen as a school to invite other visitors in to talk to the children about their job. If you know anyone who would be willing to support us with this please email the office to let us know. 

We have been continuing to promote reading this week with Acacia class visit to the library and EYFS story time event with parents today. Thank you to those of you who came. It was lovely to see the children's excitement and love of reading at such a young age. 

As we mentioned previously, parking on Goudhurst Road at the beginning and end of the day has been a concern as some people have been parking in inappropriate places. We would please ask you for your support in parking carefully and in appropriate places to ensure the safety of our school community. We have been in touch with the Council and Police about this as we share your concerns. All children have also had road safety lessons delivered by the Kent Road Safety Club which we hope will support them in crossing the road and walking home safely. 

Mrs H Penning

Monday 29th January 2024 15:30-16:30 - RESCHEDULED KS1 Boys Football Marden v Barming (HOME)

Wednesday 31st January 2024 - 3BEECH Marden Heritage Centre Visit, 10 - 12.00

Wednesday 31st January 2024 - 4ACACIA Staplehurst Trip

Wednesday 31st January 2024 15:30-16:30 - RESCHEDULED KS2 Boys Football Marden v Coxheath (HOME)

Thursday 1st February 2024 - Whole School Karate Workshops

Monday 5th February - Friday 9th February 2024 - Mental Health Week

Tuesday 6th February 2024 - Safer Internet Day

Thursday 8th February 2024 - Valentine's Disco EYFS/KS1 3:30-4:30PM KS2 4:45-5:45pm

Thursday 8th February 2024 - Last Day of Term 3

Friday 9th February 2024 - Staff INSET Day (no pupils in school)

Thursday 22nd February 2024 - Girl guiding World Thinking Day. Any members of Rainbows, Brownies, Guides or Scouts are invited to wear their uniform to school.

Office Messages

Valentine's Disco - Thursday 8th February 2024

YEARS R-2:  3:30PM-4:30PM (children do not need to be collected at 3:15pm, they can bring their disco clothes to school and staff will help them get changed at the end of the day).

YEARS 3-6: 4:45PM-5:45PM

An individual ticket is £3.00 and a family ticket is £5.00 (includes squash and crisps).

Payment can be made via the 'School Shop' section of the My Child At School (MCAS) app. Cash payments will not be accepted.

Bring your pocket money (£10 maximum) to buy fun toys*, sweets and tattoos.

*due to previous safety concerns, we will no longer be selling button battery toys

National Online Safety 

Freedom of expression is enshrined in international law. Some individuals, however, misunderstand the right to share their opinions as a license to target others with the most horrendous prejudice. So how do we balance people’s prerogative to have their voice heard against everyone’s right to live in a respectful, inclusive society?

This conflict frequently unfolds in the digital world. Online posters can be falsely accused of hate speech, while actual hate is often defended as merely being ‘free speech’. To help children and young people learn to identify the boundaries and recognise genuine hate speech when they see it, our #WakeUpWednesday guide provides some helpful definitions and guidelines.