This is the end of the second week of the second half of the Autumn Term. We have been exploring  Love and Kindness this week through the lenses of Anti-Bullying and Remembrance. We began by reflecting on how God sees himself in each of us, that every person is wonderfully made and deeply loved by Him and how this shapes the way we treat one another.

In our Remembrance worship we explored Jesus’ words in John 15:12–13, thinking about what it means to love others in the most selfless and courageous way. Thank you to the SAS who did a marvellous job supporting this important worship session.

Year 4 also did an amazing job this morning showcasing their learning and their excellent problem-solving skills to their parents. It was wonderful to see their confidence, teamwork and enthusiasm.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

This verse captures the heart of our theme. It reminds us that kindness is not only a gentle action but a powerful choice rooted in compassion and understanding. When we choose kindness – especially when it is hard – we reflect God’s love and help build a community where all can flourish.

Next week, we will be looking at serving in tough times and we will be visiting the church on Thursday to further explore this theme together.

UK research from the Children’s Society highlights that children often experience increased emotional fatigue and stress between November and January due to darker evenings, busier schedules and disrupted sleep routines. A key protective factor is predictable routines at home – such as consistent bedtimes, regular family check-ins and calming end-of-day habits. Maintaining strong routines can significantly support: overall wellbeing, emotional regulation and improved learning in school. This ties closely to our focus on kindness: children are more able to be patient, kind, and resilient when they feel rested and secure.

Following on from the parent safeguarding survey before half term, this week we are addressing another important area raised by families:

“How does the school deal with concerns about unkind behaviour or bullying?”

• We have a values-based behaviour policy based on our vision of Love, Serve, Grow.

• All staff follow a consistent approach to recognising, addressing and recording unkind behaviour.

• Concerns are logged on CPOMS, which allows us to monitor patterns, follow up promptly and ensure no concern is missed.

• We use restorative conversations so that children understand the impact of their behaviour and learn how to put things right.

• During Anti-Bullying Week and throughout the year, we teach pupils how to recognise unkind behaviour, how to seek help, and how to support one another.

Thank you again for your thoughtful survey responses. We will continue addressing a different safeguarding theme each week so that parents feel fully informed, confident,and included in our safeguarding culture.

Have a lovely weekend.

Best wishes

Mrs Harris

Headteacher

Anti-Bullying Week:

On Monday we came together as a school in our ‘odd socks’ to raise awareness of bullying and to highlight ways of preventing and responding to it. We discussed the anti-bullying theme this year, ‘Power for Good’.

Also on Monday the Year 1 and 2 children took part in the ‘What would you do?’ workshop. Utilizing interactive role-play, storytelling, and group activities to empower them to recognise, understand, and constructively respond to bullying. They explored scenarios covering physical, verbal, and online bullying from the perspectives of the bully, target, and bystander, which helped them think critically about harmful behaviour and its consequences. By the end of the session, the pupils were able to distinguish bullying from teasing or conflict, appreciated the power of empathy and teamwork, and acquired practical strategies to support themselves and others, ultimately promoting respect, resilience, and responsibility.

Children in phase 2 and Year 3 took part in a dynamic, age-appropriate online safety workshop, which equipped them with the confidence and skills for kind and safe online behaviour. Using a lively mix of drama, games, and discussion, pupils explored their use of the internet and how their decisions impact others. They focused on common digital situations like messaging and gaming, using role-play and interactive activities to practise spotting warning signs and moving from being a bystander to a 'defender'. The session clarified what respectful communication and cyberbullying truly entail, highlighting the importance of empathy and consent. They concluded by collaboratively creating "Top Tips for Positive Online Behaviour" and received clear guidance on seeking support, ensuring they left with a practical toolkit for protecting their reputation, supporting peers, and reporting harmful content.

In the EYFS, we read numerous high-quality picture books (Monty the Manatee, You be You, Peggy The Always Sorry Penguin, and Kind, written by Axel Scheffler) which help support children in developing key emotional literacy and social skills, focusing specifically on cooperative play and respectful dialogue. 

As anti-bullying week draws to an end, the theme will continue throughout the year as part of the whole school priorities:

Priority 4: Behaviour and Attitudes 

Embed a consistent, whole-school approach to feedback between staff and pupils that promotes our school values, respect, responsibility, and personal growth.

Priority 5: Personal development and well-being

To strengthen staff and pupils’ understanding of respecting rights and the role of duty bearers, enabling them to act with respect, confidence and care for others and the world around them. 

Hannah Lightning

PSHE lead 

Black History Month Exhibition Photos:

Love In A Box Collection:

Thank you once again for your generous donations that will bring Christmas cheer to children around the world

Year 3 Reading Workshop:

The Year 3 parent workshop was designed to introduce children to a wide range of books, authors, and illustrators, helping to foster a love of reading and support their journey toward becoming confident, independent readers. 

During the session, children and their adults enjoyed an informal and relaxed discussion, exploring a variety of age-appropriate texts together. Over biscuits and drinks, the children answered questions about books they had chosen that reflected diversity, inclusion, and a range of different genres and authors. The session provided a wonderful opportunity for families to share their thoughts, discover new stories, and celebrate the joy of reading together in a welcoming and engaging environment.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the parents and carers who attended. It was a fantastic turnout, and your enthusiasm and participation clearly demonstrated the importance you place on promoting reading for pleasure at home. 

Your support helps to inspire our children to see reading not just as a skill, but as a lifelong source of enjoyment, curiosity, and connection.

Chloe Fryer

Literacy Coordinator

6H Visit to Parliament:

On Monday, 6H visited the Houses of Parliament, entering through the Sovereign Steps. 

They saw Queen Victoria’s throne outside the House of Lords and King Charles’ throne inside. 

The class learned how Parliament works, how MPs are elected, and why democracy is important.

They also discussed how people become Barons or Baronesses and sit in the House of Lords. 

It was a fascinating experience to see centuries of Britain’s political history brought to life.

Freya Hotten

Year 6

Year 6 Visit to Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court:

Year 6 had an exciting trip to Lavender Hill Magistrates Court on Wednesday! 

The children loved exploring the courtroom and even got a sneak peek inside the cells. 

The highlight of the visit was re-enacting a real court case, where they took on the role of jurors and decided whether the defendant was guilty or not guilty. It was a fun and memorable experience that brought the world of law to life!

Year 4 Celebration of Learning:

Year 4 led us on a real adventure celebrating all their learning from the year so far! They were transported to a magical realm and had to work together to answer questions to get back to school. Luckily, they knew the answers to those questions from all the learning they have been doing in class. The children have worked so hard learning lines and the song, showing great collaboration and persistence, and we are so proud of them. 

A big thank you also to Mrs Yung and Miss Green for the beautiful costumes and the Year 4 team for the work behind the scenes!

Lucy Barter

Year 4

Year 1 Grandparents Visit:

What a very sweet scene it was in the Hall yesterday afternoon when many of the grandparents of Year 1 pupils kindly came in to share their toys and their childhood memories.

W/c 17th November Worship Focus:

Serving In Tough Times

Spiritual Question:

"How can we choose to serve even when it's hard?"