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Attendance
Attendance
Well done Hedgehogs who are still leading the way with the higest attendance this year. Much closer if we look at the attendance for the term.
Punctuality is just as important as attendance. We start the morning with a 'busy time' activity that allows children to practice and embed the knoweldge and skills learnt in previous lessons which helps to embed them. Missing this can lose them valuable practice time. Arriving late and missing the start of a lesson can also make it much harder for a child to understand and achieve in that lesson.
Attendance this year
Attendance this term
Staff changes
Staff changes
Unfortunately, Mrs Young, after a period of absence has decided not to return to Watling. We are very sorry to see her leave and wish her all the best for the future.
We are also very sad to say that Mrs Brown will be leaving us also after the half term. We want to thank her for all of her hardwork over the years and although she won't be a member of staff, we are very pleased that she'll still be a close friend to the school as a parent and member of the PTA.
TT Rockstars: Scholars Trust Showdown
TT Rockstars: Scholars Trust Showdown
Last week we took part in a friendly (but competitive) TT Rockstars competiton between the trust schools. The idea being that a little friendly rivalry would help motivate children to play. We finished third overall as a school, just missing out to Samuel Ryder and Priory, but Woodpeckers were the best class across the whole trust, outscoring 42 others classes. It was a fantastic effort from everyone with a special mention to Brogan who finished as the 2nd Most Valuable Player across the whole trust.
Parent Consultations
Parent Consultations
The last week of half term, we have our Parent Consultation Evening on Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th February.
Due to staff absence, Year 1 will be offering morning appointments. These can be face-to-face or phone calls which hopefully means that most families will be able to make a morning appointment. For those families who can't, please let us know and we will make alternative arrangements.
The sign-up sheets will be available next week.
Lockdown and Fire Drills
Lockdown and Fire Drills
We have been practicing our lockdown and fire drills over the last couple of weeks and have a further lockdown drill this coming week. We always try to reassure children that they are only a precaution and it is highly unlikely that we will need to use either, but that it's important that we know what to do if it happens. The drill this week will include some of the Early Years children coming upstairs to the KS1 / KS2 classes which may mean that children are more likely to talk about it at home. This is a precaution we would only use if we felt that someone was a direct threat to the school .
NSPCC Number Day
NSPCC Number Day
On Friday 6th February, we are celebrating the NSPCC number day meaning we will be incoporating lots of numbers and maths into our day.
As part of the fun, we are inviting children to wear non-uniform with a numbers theme.
Your child needs to choose a top / dress that has a number associated with it, e.g. if they wear a top with the KPop Demon Hunters on, the number could be 3 for the number of girls in the band.
Your child needs to know the number but keep the reason a secret. Then in their classes, they will play a game where they try to work out what the number of a classmate relates to on their top.
The reason must be a visible one. For example, it wouldn't be fair to wear an Arsenal top and for the number to be 14 for their FA cup wins because it can't be worked out by looking at the shirt.
But you could wear an England shirt and choose the number 1 for the number of World Cup wins because there is a star on the shirt to signify it.
Other ideas:
* Anything Adidas branded and choose the number 3 for the stripes.
* Wear a multi-coloured top and count the number of different colours
* Wear a top with a name written on it and count the number of letters.
* Wear a stripey top and count the stripes.
Coffee Morning - Anxiety
Coffee Morning - Anxiety
We would like to invite you to a coffee morning taking place on Monday 9th February from 9:00–10:00am in the school hall.
We are pleased to welcome our guest speaker, Educational Psychologist Natasha Mead, who will be giving a short talk on 'Anxiety and how best to support children who may be struggling with anxiety'. This will be an informal and supportive session, with time to listen, reflect, and ask questions.
Tea and coffee will be provided, and we hope this will be a relaxed opportunity to come together as a school community.
If you would like to attend, please email sendco@watlinglower.org.uk to let us know and help us plan numbers.
Sponsored Pancake Flip
Sponsored Pancake Flip
The Friends of Watling have organised another pancake flip for Tuesday 10th February. Hopefully the children from Grasshoppers to Woodpeckers have all brought home a sponsor form and have been busy signing people up to sponsor them. Please return all sponsor forms to the school by Monday 9th February.
Caterpillars and Butterflies will be joining in with a pancake style shuttle run for fun. The Friends of Watling have asked for a donation of £1 to be paid on the day.
I am sure it will be be flipping good fun (sorry).
Reminders
Reminders
A few reminders of some school rules:
Trainers must only be worn on PE days. School shoes must be worn on the other days.
Children must not bring any toys to school unless previously agreed with the teacher. These would only be toys to aid concentration - fidgit toys.
No jewellery except for stud earrings or a watch. We don't allow smart watches, hoop or dangling earrings or children's homemade bracelets / necklaces.
Half Term
Half Term
A quick reminder that the last day of this half term is Friday 13th February. We all return to school / nursery on Monday 23rd February.
Term dates 2026-2027
Term dates 2026-2027
Our term dates for 2026-2027 are available to view on our website and as a year planner below:
Term dates 2026-27.pdfDiary Dates
Diary Dates
A much quieter term ahead:
Wednesday 4th February - Fire engine visiting Year 2 (subject to cancellation at short notice)
Friday 6th February - NSPCC Number Day
Wednesday 11th February - Parent Consultation Evening (Year R - 4)
Thursday 12th February - Parent Consultation Evening (Year R - 4)
Friday 13th February - Last day of half term (lucky for us)
Monday 23rd February - First day of 2nd Spring half term
Monday 9th March - International Women's Day - special curriculum day
Wednesday 11th March - Scholars Education Trust music concert
Friday 20th March - Red Nose Day non-uniform day
Monday 23rd March - Jewish Passover - special curriculum day
Thursday 26th March - Year 3 and 4 visit to Think Tank
Friday 27th March - last day of term
Monday 13th April - INSET day - school and nursery closed
Tuesday 14th April - school and nursery OPEN
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