Wear It Pink
Thanks to everyone for your support for our special fundraising day. It’s great to see the effort the children (and parents!) have gone to. I can’t tell you how much we’ve raised because the cash is in quarantine over half term. We’ll update you after that.
Progress Reports
By now, you will have received your child’s progress report. As I have explained before, the decision to send home written reports in place of a telephone or virtual meeting was dependent on many factors. Other local schools have done similar things, others have done differently – but each school has made the best decision it could in its own particular circumstances. Nothing about schools is easy at the moment.
The teachers have done a great job writing the reports – each one takes a while, as you can imagine – and the reports have been well received as providing timely and useful information. Some of you have followed up with questions via email and I urge everyone to do that if you need to.
Next term will have different challenges but we’ll keep you informed about our plans for reporting to parents in good time, as always.
Changes to drop-off and collection times
A reminder that we are changing the start and finish timings of the school day now that things have settled down and parents have become used to leaving the children in the playground and moving on quickly.
This has meant that the collection times at the end of the day have also had to change to make sure our older children are getting the right amount of curriculum time.
Drop off:
Reception children between 8.45 and 8.55am.
All other children between 8.40 and 9.00am please.
Collection (from the usual gates)
- Reception: 3.15pm
- Year 1 and 2: 3.05pm
- Year 3 and 4: 3.10pm
- Year 5 and 6: 3.15pm
Face coverings
Parents are reminded of the request to wear face coverings on school grounds.
We also ask you to remember that there are some circumstances where parents may not be able to wear a face covering. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances, noting that some people are less able to wear face coverings, and that the reasons for this may not be visible to others.
Non-fiction November
What will YOU discover? We will be doing all we can next month to encourage children to read factual material as part of Non-fiction November.
Why not do the same over half-term? There are a myriad of interestingly written and presented non-fiction books which children will enjoy. This poster is just a start!
Poppy Appeal: message from the Royal British Legion
Due to the current Covid situation, the Poppy Appeal is unable to run in the normal way. We are hoping that households will download the poster and colour it in, before displaying it in their window as a sign of support. We also attach a QR code for donations. Many thanks.
Halloween Family Fun
I have been asked to forward details of Nothe Fort’s plans for the half-term:
Due to the wonderful large spaces of Nothe Fort, we have been able to develop an exciting and covid-safe half term family activities programme. Please see the poster for details.
Road safety and dark nights: from a safeguarding advisor
On Saturday night we will be setting the clocks back an hour and summer time will end. Road traffic collisions increase by 20% in the fortnight after the time change. Sadly, some of those collisions will involve child pedestrians and cyclists. Children under-16 are one of the most vulnerable groups of road users.
The latest available government statistics show that 58% of children who die or are seriously injured in a road collision are involved in incidents between 3 and 7pm. From next Sunday, much of those will happen in darkness.
Whilst younger children are at risk, the data shows that 11 – 15 year olds are actually at more at risk from accidents that kill or result in serious injury.
The resources below will help remind children, especially teenagers, about road safety and safe cycling.
Teaching Road Safety: A Guide for Parents https://www.rospa.com/media/documents/road-safety/teaching-road-safety-a-guide-for-parents.pdf
Safety First – Cycling at Night https://www.cycletraining.co.uk/cycle-training-and-cycle-safety/safety-first-cycling-at-night/
Road safety teaching resources for children https://www.think.gov.uk/education-resources/
Keeping children safe during lockdown and beyond – Parents’ pack https://www.capt.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=44e36e43-bd5e-4dd0-acae-e040f37fe2ef
Halloween: a message from Dorset Police
AVOID TRICK OR TREATING IN THE SOUTH WEST AND ENJOY HALLOWEEN AT HOME
With Halloween season fast approaching, families may be wondering whether trick or treating is worth the risk this year.
This year police and partners across the South West are asking families to ditch the usual trick or treating plans and channel all their creativity into celebrating safely indoors as we all continue to do our bit to prevent the spread of coronavirus and keep infection rates low across the region. To help with planning the spooky season, Dorset Police wish to share their ideas for Halloween at home, that cost little or nothing for families choosing to stay in.
Top tips-
- Organise a Halloween themed scavenger hunt around your house or garden.
- Arrange a virtual fancy dress party online and invite your friends and family.
- Out-boo your neighbours and have a window decorating competition.
- Get creative in the kitchen. Go online to find the recipes for spooky snacks.
- Decorate your living room and create your own scary cinema.
- Play Halloween inspired games with your friends and family.
- Try safely carving a pumpkin and share images with your friends.
Firework Safety: from the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service
We are currently reminding everyone about the dangers of fireworks to help keep people safe this bonfire and firework season. With many organised events cancelled, emergency services are preparing for a busier night than usual as people celebrate in their own gardens. We are asking everyone to show RESPECT this Bonfire Night.
Whilst most people enjoy fireworks responsibly, in the wrong hands they can cause real misery. Remember that fireworks are explosives, and as such should be treated with respect and only used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the Firework Code.
- Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable, and ensure it finishes before 11pm
- Only buy fireworks which carry the CE mark, keep them in a closed box and use them one at a time
- Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary
- Light the firework at arm’s length with a taper and stand well back
- Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks
- Never return to a firework once it has been lit
- Don’t put fireworks in pockets and never throw them
- Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators
- Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire
- Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.
Respect the Emergency Services
We are currently amidst a global pandemic and we are asking people not to take risks, putting additional pressures on our emergency services. Injuries can be prevented by following the Firework code. If you suffer a burn, ensure you:
- Cool the burn under cold running water for at least ten minutes.
- After the burn has been cooled, cover it with cling film or a clean plastic bag.
- Call 999 if necessary. Always seek medical advice for a baby or child that has been burned.
Respect your neighbours
Fireworks can frighten people and animals. The elderly and children are frequently scared and intimidated by firework noise. After all, fireworks are explosives. Tell your neighbours if you’re a planning on letting off fireworks and avoid purchasing really noisy ones. Please be considerate when having a firework party and make sure the noise is over by 11pm.
Show some RESPECT this Bonfire Night.