Sarratt School Newsletter
Courage Compassion Creativity
Dear Families,
It's been a lovely week here in school. Yesterday we welcomed visitors from Sarratt Village into school to come and see what life is like behind the school gates. The visits were organised and led by a group of Year 6 children, who were hosting the event as part of their entrepreneurial plan to raise money towards the Year 6 Residential Trip later this year. The visitors were given a tour of the school, refreshments and were shown photos and artifacts from the school archive including a 25 year old Gold Book with a few familiar names in it! All of the children showed the school in the best possible light and the visitors were thrilled to have been given the opportunity to see the school in action. We look forward to more events in the future.
There's been a lot to acknowledge and celebrate in the classrooms this week so let's see who's made it into the Gold Book...
Warmest regards,
Nicola O'Hare
Head of School
PS: Check out our new Instagram Account for Updates on the School and Individual Classes.
Gold Book
Reception
Elsie has been brave, settling into the rhythm of school with growing confidence .
Ben and Charlie are working enthusiastically with motivation and determination no matter the challenge.
Year 1
Grayson showed determination to succeed in a dance lesson - an attitude seen in class too!
Zach has been entered for his helpful nature and kindness to others.
Year 2
Amiya has produced amazing English work - wow!
Year 3
Lilah is an Ancient Greek Mythology Expert!
Year 4
Ginny showed commitment in dance and was very supportive towards younger members of her family group.
Charlie and Amelia are entered for their wonderful and inspiring descriptions of rainbows.
Year 5
During science, Felix showed a lot of enthusiasm during the session and produced a beautifully detailed, labelled sketch.
Year 6
Flynn demonstrated excellent organisation and communication skills during the community open day - a credit to the school!
Theo spoke incredibly well and provided excellent tech knowledge to the community members - apparently worth every penny!
Books
We have noticed some of our home reading scheme books have not been returned or, when returned to school, they are in poor condition. If your child brings home a book, please do ensure that they are looked after and maintained as they are a valuable resource needed to support all of our children. The new reading books have been financed by SPA donations and school budget. Unfortunately, books in our scheme can not be bought singularly and are therefore difficult and costly to replace. Should books come back damaged or are not returned we will need to ask for payment towards replacing.
Spotted in Sarratt
Here's some more highlights from last week's Languages Day - Hola Mexico!
Children's Health Updates from Herts
Important: Measles cases are rising in the UK
Measles cases in the UK have been rising since November 2023. While Hertfordshire has no outbreaks at the moment, we are close to London and the West Midlands where there has been a large rise in cases. The UK Health Security Agency has declared the increase in cases of measles a national incident (19 January 2024). There is the potential for cases and outbreaks in Hertfordshire as uptake of the Measles Vaccination (MMR) in the county is lower than recommended.
Measles is a highly infectious viral disease that can have serious and sometimes fatal consequences. Measles spreads quickly from person to person, especially in schools. Spending more than 15 minutes in direct contact with someone infected with measles is sufficient to transmit the virus. A child with measles will infect almost all unprotected children they have contact with. Measles is spread through coughing and sneezing, close personal contact or direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions. For more information about measles and the symptoms, see Measles - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Important for staff and pupils
If someone thinks they have measles they should not come into school or work for at least 4 days from when the rash first appears. Your school could be impacted if unvaccinated staff or children contract measles. Unvaccinated individuals are at risk of contracting measles and, if identified as a close contact of someone with measles they may be asked to self-isolate for up to 21 days.
Call to action
We are urgently asking that you advise your staff and parents to be alert to signs and symptoms of measles and ask parents to check that their children are fully vaccinated. If anyone has missed one or both doses of the MMR vaccine, it is not too late to catch up. Please can you advise parents to contact their GP practice to book an appointment as soon as possible if they have missed either dose. The MMR vaccine is free on the NHS, whatever your age. Our best protection against measles is MMR vaccination and this will help stop outbreaks occurring in the community.
In addition further advice and guidance can be found here:
MEASLES - Protect yourself, protect others (publishing.service.gov.uk)
MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Oral Health
Dates
Week beg. 19th February Half Term
Mon 26th and Tues 27th February Parent Consultations
Thu 7th March World Book Day
Thu 28th March 1.30pm School Closes for Easter
Save The Dates
SPA Quiz Night
Friday 15th March from 7pm
Sarratt Village Hall
SPA/ School Easter Discos
Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th March
More information to follow
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
Parent Consultations
Consultations are an important part of our annual school calendar. It is a time when the teacher can share more information about the curriculum, how your child is progressing and how they can best be supported in their academic, social and emotional development. It is also an opportunity for you to share any information about your child that will enable us to provide the best possible experience for them.
We will be offering both face-to-face and virtual meetings to allow for you family/ childcare needs.
Face-to-face meetings will be held on Monday 26th February (Y1 - Y6)
Virtual meetings will be held on Tuesday 27th February
Reception Face-to-face meetings will be held on Wednesday 28th February
All meetings are to be booked using the School Cloud System.
As always, if attending a face-to-face meeting, please do not bring your child/ children as there will be no provision available. If you are unable to arrange childcare, please book a virtual meeting. Video meetings will be set up and hosted via the School Cloud System.
Please visit https://sarratt.schoolcloud.co.uk to book your appointments.
The system is going live this Tuesday at 6pm. Appointments are booked on a first come, first served basis. If you are unable to make the dates or times, please contact the school office to arrange an alternative.
If you have difficulties logging in, please contact the school office 01923 262 003 or admin@sarratt.herts.sch.uk.
Sunset and Sunrise Holiday Club
The Sunrise & Sunset Club are running a HOLIDAY CLUBS this Spring Half Term in CHORLEYWOOD near the Common. They offer an intimate, nurturing, free play environment where we encourage the children to play OUTDOORS. We have an experienced & caring team. BOOKED ON OR BEFORE THIS SUNDAY GET 10% EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT. For more information go to their website www.sunriseandsunsset.org
SPA News
Church News
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
The latest ‘DSPL8 Parent/Carer Newsletter: Spring Term’ & ‘Dacorum Parent/Carers courses and support' newsletters are available to download from our website via the following link:
https://dacorumdspl.org.uk/online-resources-for-parents-and-carers/
This fortnights newsletter includes:
DSPL8 EBSA Coffee Morning: 30.01.2024
Anxiety Unravelled Course by Bounce Forward: 28.02.2024-13.03.2024
DSPL7 & DSPL8 Emotional Based School Avoidance coffee mornings. For parents and carers with children (Year 7 - 11): 25.01.2024
Spring Term DSPL8 Parent/Carer Support
Dacorum Parent/Carer courses and support from various local providers:
Hertfordshire Space February Activities
NESSSIe Webinars for Parent/Carers
WithYouth Online Groups
Diverse Families, Childrens Club
Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner Workshop: Spring 2024 Term
Supporting Links Talking Families course
Families Lives Courses
Families in Focus February 2024 Courses
Angels Autism & ADHD Support
Family Centre Drop in Groups for Hertfordshire families (ages 0-5)
SignVideo for Deaf Residents (all ages)
Applications for supported internships with Mission EmployAble are open (ages 19-25)
Over The Rainbow SEN Support
New Herts Haven Café for young people’s emotional wellbeing
Neurodiversity Support Hub
SEND Drop-in sessions
Parenting Courses and Support in Dacorum Spring Term 2024
Please also follow our social media pages for the most recent updates:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dspldacorum
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dspl_dacorum/
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.
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!
Adverts
Do you have a business you would like to promote to the school community?
Put your advert here for £25 per term
Contact the school office for more details