Newsletter 31

W/c 13th May

2024

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ST STEPHEN'S NOMINATED BY BRITISH DODGEBALL ASSOCIATION FOR MAJOR AWARD

There are only ten schools nominated for the title British Dodgeball Primary School Award 2024 by the British Dodgeball Association. This is a huge honour and down to the hard work put in by our PE coach, Mr Cain, and our valiant dodgeballers. The final result is down not only to our dodgeball league ratings but also a public vote. You can help us win! Please click on the links to vote. Thank you.

Help us win: Cast your vote here!*

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelITRJPjqbInZpKJXRiXmTndCTrIjJ_sMKtlwgIemWM2-b6A/viewform

We caught up with Mr Cain for a report on all things dodgeball at St Stephen's. He told us: "Dodgeball is on offer to all children as a club throughout the year. Since September, it has been part of our PE curriculum too. Indeed, this year, for the first time in the school's history, we have entered dodgeball tournaments. Dodgeball is an integral part of our PE lessons; our pupils are enthusiastic about the sport and many participate in before/after school clubs. We also have links to an out-of-school (community) club that some of our pupils attend. In lessons the pupils can now use appropriate terminology, want to know how to improve their technique and develop. The school regularly takes part in competitions, both within the school, as part of inter house competition, as well as borough competitions. Such is their enthusiasm for this sport that our children now actively ask if they can play dodgeball in their PE lessons. We encourage them to make team plans that include everybody and communicate with their teammates." Our children are loving our dodgeball initiative and having such fun playing this exhilarating game in their PE lessons.

DATES AND REMINDERS

(THESE ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Monday 20th - Friday 25th May - Walk to school week

Tuesday 21st May am - Primary Music Festival (Choir - Rose Theatre)

Tuesday 21st May - King Class Assembly

Wednesday 22nd May - Anning Class Assembly

Wednesday 22nd May - Moormead Pavilion Meeting - 7pm - Winchester Hall, The Turk's Head

Monday 27th - Friday 31st May - Half Term

Monday 3rd June - Children return to school

Thursday 6th June – Year 3 trip to British museum (further details to follow)

Wednesday 5th June - World Environment Day

Friday 7th June - FOSS Bike Ride to Paris

Friday 7th June - The Flying Seagulls Project Circus Fun Day

Monday 17th June - Year Four trip to The British Museum

Tuesday 18th June - Group photos

Wednesday 19th June pm – KS2 sports day at St Mary’s University

Saturday 22nd June - Orleans vs St Stephen's Football Tournament

Monday 24th June am – KS1 sports day – Moormead Park

Monday 24th - Friday 28th June - Diversity week (tbc)

Wednesday 26th June - Reception drop in sessions - 3.45-4.15pm

Thursday 27th June am – Reception sports day playground

Thursday 27th June - Year Two trip to St Stephen's Church

Friday 28th June - INSET Day (Stars open 8:30-4:30)

Monday 1st - Wednesday 3rd July - Year Three - Safer walking

Monday 1st July - Transition morning

Monday 1st July - FOSS and class reps meeting for new Reception parents

Monday 1st - Wednesday 3rd July - Year Three Safer Walking

Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th July - Year Six production - 7pm

Wednesday 3rd July and Thursday 4th July - Reception trip to Twickenham Beekeepers (morning) (further details to follow)

Saturday 6th July - St Margaret's Fair

Friday 12th July - FOSS BBQ (tbc)

Tuesday 16th July - Open Day

Tuesday 16th July - Year Six Leavers’ service - St Stephen’s Church (tbc)

Wednesday 24th July - End of term. School closes at 2.15pm

ATTENBOROUGH AT THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM - FULL STORY ON PAGE TWO

School Attendance

Please be reminded that time off from school for holidays and travelling, including leaving school early to travel, is not authorised, in line with our schools attendance policy.

Non-urgent and routine medical appointments should be planned, where possible, outside of school hours.

Collecting children early from school or during the school day for non-urgent appointments, to travel or to go on holiday is disruptive to both the class and child's learning.

Please be mindful to plan non-urgent appointments and travel for holidays after school finish time.

Thank you

MESSAGE FROM MRS BACHOUR

Our children's behaviour and learning at St Stephen's is excellent. In order to maintain our high standards, we ask children to prepare for the day by lining up silently and in one line. Some of the children are finding this hard in the morning as sometimes parents stand next to their child and talk to them. In order for us to start the day well, please could we ask parents to move away from the lines once the bell has been rung. Thanks you for your help.

Health and Safety

Please may we remind you that children must not use the play frames or equipment before and after school as we do not have a member of staff monitoring the use of these areas.

Senior Leaders in the Playground

Please remember that members of the senior leadership are often in the playground at the beginning and end of the day. We are there to react to any situation within the playground or to talk to members of the community.

Attenborough's Butterfly Garden

Attenborough class has been a popular destination for visitors recently, as we have all wanted to drop in and view the wonderful butterfly garden and its inhabitants. Thank you so much to Thomas, who donated this lovely present to his class.

It all all started with the arrival of the transparent butterfly house which contained five caterpillars and all the necessary nutritious food they needed to thrive. Patient watching and feeding saw them change into chrysalides and beautiful Painted Lady butterflies. The child have been fascinated to watch as the caterpillars remained in their cup and grew to ten times their original size. After the chrysalides hardened they were then gently moved into the butterfly habitat and the children checked in on them every day to see them emerge into butterflies.

MESSAGE FROM TWICKENHAM POLICE

Last week we received numerous enquiries about a female approaching Nursery aged children due to a circulation via social media.

From what we understand, through enquiries, this occurred at one nursery school and the female is known to Police and other services and this is being followed up.

Our advice is to be mindful of what is posted online, as although helpful for the community, it can also lead to unnecessary fear for some and misinformation being spread.

Please continue to ask us if any confirmation is required, and do not hesitate to contact 101 or 999 in an emergency.

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