Term 3 2526 Herbert Morrison Newsletter Issue 63 Thursday 29th January 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
This week’s theme across the school is COURAGE — the courage to try something new, to speak up, to keep going when learning feels tricky, and to proudly share our successes. It has been wonderful to see this reflected in so many areas of school life.
Our children continue to show great courage in their learning in and out of the classroom. This has included library visits to promote reading for pleasure, as well as a very special event for our Food Ambassadors, who confidently shared their excellent work and impressed many people at the beautiful Fishmongers’ Hall. They represented the school with real pride, confidence and enthusiasm.
Thank you to our Year 3 and 4 parents and carers who attended the recent MTC (Multiplication Tables Check) meeting. It was great to see such strong support — you really can count on us to keep multiplying opportunities for success!
The PowerPoint from the meeting has been emailed and is also included in this newsletter. We kindly ask that KS1 children practise their number bonds, and that KS2 children work on quickly recalling their times tables. These speedy skills are an essential foundation for success in Maths.
Our Internet Safety Open Morning was very well attended, showing just how important this subject is to our community. We also have National Safer Internet Day coming up, which we will be marking in school. Online safety is always on our minds, and we encourage you to continue these important conversations at home too.
We are also pleased to confirm that Breakfast Club from 7:30am is back, thanks to JAGs giving it another go. Breakfast Club is currently running on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Please do make use of this provision — if it is not well used, we risk losing it.
✨ We’ve moved to Instagram! ✨
The school has now officially moved over to Instagram. We are all learning how to post and share updates, so please bear with us — but the move has happened!
👉 Follow us for news and celebrations at @HMPrimarySchool
Thank you, as always, for your continued support and for the courage you encourage in your children every day.
Kind regards,
Mrs Peake
Headteacher
Our amazing Food Ambassadors enjoyed every minute of their trip to the very fancy Fishmongers’ Hall for the School Food Matters conference — even the taxi journey along the Thames!
It was the perfect way to bring their in-class Geography learning to life, spotting landmarks and making links along the way. We love it when learning travels beyond the classroom! 🌍✨
They were interviewed on stage by the Councillor and truly impressed everyone with their confidence, spirit and knowledge! 💬✨
They represented our school so proudly — articulate and enthusiastic. 👏💚
They were busy serving breakfast and talking to delegates about their food journey — confidently sharing their expertise and doing it all with huge smiles! 😁
We are so proud of how brilliantly they represented our school. What superstars! ⭐
We have been learning about Jack and the Beanstalk. We developed our mathematical language by comparing heights, widths, length and weight. We then tried to make the tallest Giant to go on our display. We made a beanstalk that stretched up to the ceiling of our classroom. That lunchtime the giant visited, luckily he wasn’t a bad giant but he made a huge mess. He left us a letter to say sorry, so we wrote back to him! Finally we tried to grow our own beanstalks using broad beans.
The children arrived to find their classroom in a mess… the Naughty Giant had been back! 😲
Our Nursery children wrote letters to the Giant to tell him how they felt and why his behaviour wasn’t kind. A brilliant way to build early writing, communication and confidence ✏️💬
We’re so proud of them — let’s hope he listens! 💜
This is one of the brilliant posters created in Year 5 during Safer Internet Morning, all about Healthy Screen Time 💻⏰
It’s a great example of the excellent work produced together with parents and children at our Open Morning — thoughtful ideas, important messages and fantastic teamwork! 👏🎨
We love seeing learning shared and shaped as a community 💜
These children have been recognised for their incredible effort and excellence! They will receive a golden certificate, a big round of applause during the celebration assembly, and a coveted spot in the prestigious Gold Book. Well done to all our shining stars!
We are so proud of you!!
YN - Daphne and Lena
YR - Felix and Yari
Y1 - Nariyah and Beydan
Y2 - Lucy and Stella
Y3 - Elliot and Juno
Y4 - Jenayah and Rhys
Y5 - Joao and Rital
Y6 - Khalil and Ilyas
A huge shout-out to our Times Tables Rock Stars champions — these children are THE BEST! 🤩👏
Their dedication, speed and focus have paid off and we are so proud of them.
Want to win an award too? 👉 Keep practising at home and you could be our next rock star! 🏆💥
Thank you to those who were able to attend the MTC ( Multiplication Check Test) Parent meeting - here is the power point that was shared.
This widget has been added to the homepage of the website - please click and use to report a child's absence. Thank you.
Attendance so far this term is 95.1%
A Reminder About Appointments and Holidays
We kindly ask that, wherever possible, parents arrange medical or personal appointments for their children outside of school hours. There are only 190 school days in the year, but a generous 175 non-school days available for holidays, family time, and events. By keeping appointments to these non-school days, we can work together to make sure every child enjoys the very best attendance and learning opportunities. Thank you for your support!
📢 Illness Reminder 📢
If your child is unwell at school, we will call you to collect them. Please ensure we have your up-to-date contact details.
Please remember to inform the school of your child's absence each day; even if the school knows they are home due to vomiting - this is to update school if new symptoms develop. The best way to do this is via Studybugs.
Currently, 69% of parents are using Studybugs—if you’re among the 31% who haven’t signed up yet, please do so as soon as possible!
Please download the STUDY BUGS app and support us in raising our attendance %.
Overall we are at 95.2% for this academic year. With your help we aim to maintain this to the end of the year. Please download the STUDY BUGS app and support us in raising our attendance %.
Please help your child achieve by ensuring they are in school when they are well enough to be here.
Medical Appointment Documentation
Please ensure all appointments are made outside of school hours.
To help us accurately record absences, please email a copy of any medical appointment texts or appointment cards to the school office for confirmation when your child(ren) is absent for health-related reasons. This ensures their attendance records are kept up-to-date.
When making appointments please ask your doctors for a medical slip or appointment text to give to school.
Thank you for your cooperation and support.
Miss Nathalie can be contacted on 0207 720 3439 or via email on admin@herbertmorrison.lambeth.sch.uk
Miss Nathalie works with us 3 mornings a week.
Please note that all letters are available on the school website under NEWS - LATEST LETTER
Term 3 Dates to Note in Your Diary
Friday 30th January, Year 5 Class Assembly 2.45pm (Parents and Carers invited)
February is LGBTQ History Month
Wednesday 4th February; Parent Art4Space Workshop (letter sent) SIGN UP so you DON'T MISS OUT
Wednesday 4th February; Year 5 Library Visit
Thursday 5th February; Year 5 Cultural Foodie Day (letter sent)
Friday 6th February; 9am PTA Meeting in the Cabin
Friday 6th February, Year 2 Class Assembly 2.45pm (Parents and Carers invited)
Tuesday 10th February; Safer Internet Day
● Wednesday 11th February: London Fire Brigade visiting Years 2 and 5.
Friday 13th February PTA Valentines Bake Sale
● Last day of Term 3: Friday 13th February, 3:30pm finish.
Sign up to the Parent Wellbeing Clay session by registering your attendance below
2 WEEK DIARY
Check if clubs are on, trips are coming up, events are happening - get excited about the many events for the next 2 weeks.
Please ensure your child comes into school wearing the full PE kit on their PE day.
Year 5 will need their swimming kit; including a swim hat and goggles EVERY TUESDAY.
Trips off site - PLEASE ENSURE CHILDREN HAVE A WATERPROOF COAT INCASE IT IS RAINING FOR THE JOURNEY THERE OR BACK.
Water bottles must not be kept in the book bag to prevent book damage.
Trainers must ONLY be worn with PE kits and not with school uniform. Please support our school uniform policy. Thank you.
To drop off or collect your child please call the JAGs bell by the front door inside the school gate or call 07570 377 689
Discover a fun-filled daily schedule at Junior Adventures Group Breakfast & After School Clubs!
How Parents Book
Bookings follow a regular weekly pattern (e.g., every Monday), secured for the full school year.
This system is similar to the existing instalment plan model that many families are familiar with.
We are making this change to:
Support demand management where waiting lists are common
Ensure fair access for families looking to secure consistent care
Enable earlier, more accurate staffing and programming plans
Rise then Shine
Rise then Shine Breakfast Club IS BACK from 7.30am on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
The FREE school Breakfast Club is still available for all pupils ( Reception Class to Year 6) from 8.30am.
This will be from 7.30am - please book now!
After School Clubs
JAG’s After School Clubs, called Stay And Play, offer fun, happy and safe places for children to play freely across age groups and take part in structured activities such as arts and crafts and active play. Providing an energising end to the school day, children can join group activities, enjoy a healthy snack, or chill out with toys and games that are all set up and ready for them to enjoy.
Find out more by clicking here - Click here to register and book
Try your new Stay And Play Club for free at Herbert Morrison Primary School!
Book your child's space now and claim a free session using code: TRYHERBERT
If you do have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to call the friendly JAG team on 0333 577 1533 or drop them an email at hello@junioradventuresgroup.co.uk.
The question of the week is -
How can you support someone who is struggling but not asking for help?
We discuss the values and question of the week in assembly. Discuss these with your child at home.
The value of the week is: COURAGE
Children and young people are increasingly turning to social media for mental health advice, but much of what they encounter online is unverified, oversimplified or misleading. This guide explores why platforms like TikTok and Instagram have become go-to sources, and how misuse of clinical language and viral trends can distort children and young people’s understanding of mental health.
Aimed at parent and educators, it offers clear, expert-led strategies to counter misinformation. The guide looks at topics such as encouraging open conversations, identifying reliable sources, and strengthening school–home collaboration. Use this information to build young people’s critical thinking, resilience and confidence in seeking appropriate professional help when needed.
SPECIAL DIETRY REQUIREMENTS
If your child has an allergy please scan this code and ensure that you complete the new caters online information. We have passed over the information we have and it is all going digital now. Please feel free to speak to a member of staff if you need any support with this.
All allergy referals must be accompanied by medical evidence.
Thank you.
The lunch menus are on a 3 week rota -Yum! All meat dishes are offered as halal and non-halal options.
Please note that on the rare occasion there may be a slight change on offer - this is usually due to delivery delays.
Sign up to the Parent Wellbeing Clay session by registering your attendance using the QR code
LEARNING AT HOME
📚✨ Homework Heroes!
There are lots of great online homework support sites your class teacher will share with you. The most important homework of all is daily reading and times tables practice – little and often makes a big difference! 💡
We’d love to hear how your child (and you!) are getting on – let us know and celebrate those learning wins together! 🎉
More information and a weekly update of these low cost suggestions can be found on the Oval Learning Cluster Website - Families Page. Our School works in Partnership with the Oval Learning Cluster.
To note yoga has been cancelled and refunds have been issued for this term.
For information on how to sign up to Terms 3 and 4 Clubs at HM see the clubs letter on the website.
Please note that club payments are non-refundable. If your child is not behaving in the club they may lose their place. Thank you for your support.
Extra-curricular activities are a vital part of school life, supporting pupils’ confidence, wellbeing and personal development. We value the importance of a broad and balanced education that helps pupils thrive beyond the classroom.
Through our extra-curricular offer, pupils are able to:
Explore interests and talents beyond the curriculum
Build key life skills such as teamwork, leadership and resilience
Strengthen wellbeing through sport, creativity and positive experiences
Develop character and confidence to support future success
We are proud to offer a wide range of opportunities that enrich learning and support the whole child.
Please support the PTA to support the school with this easy and helpful fundraising tip - https://www.herbertmorrisonprimaryschool.co.uk/PTA-Fundraising/