Sarratt School Newsletter


Courage   Compassion   Creativity


Dear Families, 

The new year brings change to our school's local governing board with Julie Disdale, our Chair of Governors, stepping back from her role. It's the end of a wonderful 8 year service to the school in which she has been a huge part of the school's progress and played a key role in it's smooth and positive transition to academisation. Thank you so much for all you have done for our school community, Julie! 

We look forward to a new era and continuing on our school journey with Mel Boda as our new Chair. It's also been lovely to welcome new families to our school and seeing the warm welcome given to new children by their classmates. Smiling faces and kind words really do warm up these cold January days!

Warmest regards,



Nicola O'Hare

Head of School


PS: Check out our new Instagram Account for Updates on the School and Individual Classes.

Instagram

A letter from Our Chair of Governors

Dear Parents and Carers

 

It’s the start of the new year, and for many that brings resolutions. For me, Christmas marked the end of my eighth year on the school’s Board of Governors. That’s enough time for one of my own children to have completed their whole school journey here, with another about to do the same. That time has also been marked by significant change and progress; not least, the school’s academisation and resulting restructuring of its leadership team and buildings. All that hard work culminated in an incredibly positive Ofsted report in the Autumn. The school now boasts a happy parent cohort, engaged learners and a talented, creative team who continue to have big aspirations for this small school with its huge heart. It’s been my absolute pleasure to work with them, and play some part in that success story.

While I hope to continue to support the school looking ahead, I will now be handing over the Chair’s role to my fellow governor, Mel Boda. She not only brings a passion for community values, but also an expertise in equality, diversity and inclusion. I’m sure she will do a fantastic job of helping steer the school through its next stage of development - there are more big plans afoot -  and hope you will join me in wishing her every success in her new role.

 

Kind regards

 

Julie Disdale

Gold Book

Reception 

Kellymarie brightens our day with her sunny disposition! She always faces the day with determination and keenness to learn.

Stanley always 'gets on' with the task in hand and is showing a great enthusiasm for learning to read!

Year 1

Sol is turning into an excellent mathematician. He can explain tens and ones clearly and is an enthusiastic participant in lessons. 

Year 2

Henry, Helena and James have had a wonderful start to their time at Sarratt School! They have settled in so well to their new class and we love having them here!

Year 3 

Megan is in the Gold Book for her achievements in swimming this week. Having not been swimming before, she was nervous but she got straight in and was swimming on her back by the end of the lesson - awesome determination!

Year 4 

Iris is in the Gold Book for her amazing sentences using persuasive techniques and vivid language - wonderful!

Year 5 

Hannah always shows the Sarratt School Core Values. In class, she pays attention and has made so much progress since starting Year 5. 

Year 6 

Quin consistently works hard in the classroom. This week he has given amazing explanations in Maths using excellent vocabulary.

Spotted in Sarratt

Reception have been busy bees, investigating Polar regions in their Arctic Research lab!

Dates

Week beg. 22nd January Anti-Bullying Week

Thu 25th and Fri 26th January Languages Days

Wed 31st  January Y6 Holocaust Outreach Visit

Week beg. 19th February Half Term 

Thu 26th and Fri 27th February Parent Consultations

Thu 7th March World Book Day

Thu 28th March 1.30pm School Closes for Easter


Save The Date

SPA Quiz Night

Friday 16th March from 7pm

Sarratt Village Hall

Spring Term PE Days


Reception - Thursday

Y1 - Monday and Thursday

Y2 - Monday and Friday

Y3 - Monday and Tuesday (wear PE kit and bring a Swimming kit)

Y4 - Tuesday and Friday

Y5 - Monday and Thursday

Y6 - Tuesday and Thursday




Important Reminders

Hair

Long Hair (below shoulder length) must be tied up for school (i.e. in a ponytail, bun or plait). Any hair decoration must be discrete and in school colours.

Jewellery

Jewellery is limited to a watch and small ear studs only. Earrings must be removed on PE days. 

Make-up

Make-up and Nail Varnish are not permitted. 

Uniform

On non-PE days, children must come to school in full uniform including black school shoes or boots (not UGG Boots). On wet/ icy days, children can bring a change of footwear for school if necessary. Please ensure your child has an outdoor jacket everyday. We always aim to have the children outside as much as possible during playtime and lunchtime.

Punctuality

The beginning of the day is an important time in school. Please ensure that children are in school by 8.50am when the gates close.

Snacks and Water

Make sure your child comes to school with a water bottle each day. Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are provided with a snack in the morning. Children in KS2 can bring a fruit or vegetable snack to school for playtime. 

Medication

If your child needs additional medication, please  fill in this form and drop it into the school office. 

Request for school to administer medication form

Health and Safety

The climbing frames are out of bounds before and after school. When entering the school via the main gates, please use the path to the side of the carpark. Please park considerately and turn-engines off when dropping off and picking up. 


Lost Property

We've reuinted anything with  names, but all of of these items are without name tags. Please let the office know if any of these items belong to your family. If these are not yours but you are interested in adopting them, please come to the office. 

There was also an enormous amount of uniform in lost property including:


SPA News

Church News


LITTLE SAINTS’ TODDLER GROUP STARTS THIS COMING TUESDAY IN ST PAULS PARISH ROOM 


BENEFICE VISION DAY

On the 20 January, 9.30am start with coffee and croissants in the Parish Room. There will be a short talk on mission and outreach, small group discussions and time for fellowship. Please bring your own lunch. The vision day is open to all those who live in either the Chipperfield or Sarratt Parishes and those who attend our churches. Please RSVP back to holycrossstpauls@outlook.com if you plan to attend as this helps with refreshments.


URGENT REQUEST
HOLY CROSS VOLUNTEER PCC SECRETARY REQUIRED

Have you got some spare time please to help Holy Cross?

We are looking for a secretary please. The position involves attending the Standing Committee to plan the PCC agenda, taking the minutes of the PCC meetings (approx. 5 meetings per year) and supporting the preparation of the APCM. Rest assured that no previous experience is required and you will be helped to settle in. Please email the Benefice Office on holycrossstpauls@outlook.com if you are interested, or simply wish to chat the position through first.

 

Community News

Support our Campaign for Clean Air

Please do not leave your engine idling at drop off and pick up times. Exhaust fumes can cause significant health risks to our children and community. 

Community Support in the Dacorum Area  


  

 DSPL8 Parent/Carer Newsletter; Dacorum SEND courses, support & information for families 


Online Safety


Online Safety is an important part of keeping children safe from harm. 


We have security measures in place in school, which are constantly reviewed, to help safeguard pupils from any potential dangers. Online Safety is taught   to all pupils explaining and demonstrating how to stay safe and behave appropriately online.

 

We can only be successful in keeping children safe online if we work with you to ensure the e-safety message is consistent.  Your help is needed to talk to your children about how they can keep safe and behave appropriately online.

 

Children are accessing a greater amount of content online, than we were ever exposed to in our childhood. Children can accidently or deliberately be exposed to   unwanted or unpleasant content or comments online and there are steps you can take at home to minimise this risk.


 The NSPCC provide guidance on how to protect children online for parents including setting controls, talking to your child and how to report concerns.

 

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/


Communication

We have always prided ourselves on being an open and approachable school and believe that good communication with our families is important to the success of our school.

Class Whatsapp groups are a valuable platform for parents to share information, particularly for those families who are new to the school and have limited opportunities to interact in the playground. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any area of school life or would like to share important information regarding your child, we would ask you to speak to the school directly. There are very clear channels available for doing this, outlined on the parent information pages of our website. We are always here to listen and will endeavour to address any issues quickly and effectively. 

Below is the link to the list of who to contact should you need any information about a specific area of school life. Should you wish to raise any questions or concerns directly regarding your child, the class teacher is always the first point of contact. If you have spoken to the class teacher but feel the issue is not resolved or should you require further information, then please make an appointment to see the Phase Leader – Mrs Whittaker for Reception and KS1 children and Mrs Serby for KS2 children.


Attendance 

DFE advice:

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advice remains clear that children can continue to attend as normal unless they are unwell and have a high temperature. Further information on when a child is too ill for school or nursery is available. There is no requirement to be absent from school on a precautionary basis. School staff should continue to maintain their high expectations for face-to-face attendance. 

Good attendance starts at primary school - children who have attendance of 97% or above achieve better outcomes in school and have the best opportunities in their adult life.  

 

If your child misses school regularly, this will affect friendships as well as academic outcomes. It can be hard for a child who misses lots of school to form and maintain relationships with their classmates.

 

Being on time is also vital. Arriving late at school can be very disruptive for your child, their teacher and the other children in the class.


Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!



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