Covid update
Numbers continue to remain low – there are 6 children and 3 staff currently isolating at home after a positive test. We plan to remove some restrictions in school and return to whole school assemblies on Fridays, but just the one assembly for now. We will also start our school council, eco-club and reading champions which involve children of different ages mixing inside. We’ll go slowly and see what happens. There’s an announcement about national restrictions in half term too, so we’ll keep an eye on that to see how it affects our plans.
Reports and parents’ evenings
In my last newsletter I presented the results of the parent survey about reports. If you remember, there was an 80% vote in favour of Spring Term reports. Staff have started these already, and we can now provide you with these dates:
Spring Term reports home to parents: Wednesday 30th March
Parents’ evenings to discuss the reports:
- Tuesday 5th April 3.30 – 5.30pm
- Wednesday 6th April 3.30 – 5.30pm
- Thursday 7th April 3.30 – 5.30pm
CCPP reviews (for parents of children with SEN): Tuesday 5th April
Governors
Some of you may know some of our governors, but I bet not many of you know who they all are! Well, that’s shortly going to change because there are plans afoot to raise their profile and let you know a bit more about what they do. We have recently welcomed two new governors, which is very exciting, and will be telling you more about them, too. In the meantime, here’s a list of all our governors:
Keith Evans Chair of Governors
Pete Barrow Vice-chair of Governors
Sheena Chamberlain Parent Governor
Rebecca Sanderson Parent Governor
Kate Carter Local Authority Governor (and parent)
Rev Jo Haine Co-opted Governor
Rose Threlfall Co-opted Governor
Paul Mason Headteacher
Caroline Wood Deputy Headteacher
Drama Club
I have sent out a ping to Y3/4 parents today about a drama club starting up after school on Thursdays. If you are an interested parent, please make sure you see the ping. The school is funding the club so it will be completely free.
We plan to roll the club out to Y5/6 children after Easter – watch this space!
Book Week (Monday 28th February – Friday 4th March)
We love reading every day here at Southill but in celebration of World Book Day on Thursday 3rd March we have put together a whole week of exciting events with this year’s theme You Are a Reader.
We have live interactive events with world-famous bestselling authors as well as a visit from multi award-winning author Simon Philip whose books are very popular and much loved throughout the school.
Instead of sending home vouchers, this year children have pre-selected the book they’d like to bring home for World Book Day. There’s a surprise storyteller every lunchtime and even Fitness Thursday has a booky theme that week!
On Thursday evening at 6.30pm we’ll be streaming a special bedtime story read by Mrs Wood, we’ll also be sending a chocolate chip cookie or alternative home this day (kindly donated by Belle’s Bakers) for children to enjoy while listening to the story.
Join in the fun by entering our lolly stick character competition – children have brought home lolly sticks in their bags today. Prizes up for grabs.
Also we’d love to see pictures of children reading at home at half term. Send them in to media@southill@dorset.sch.uk and they’ll be featured on Bookflix TV!
Further details of all Book Week events and competitions can be found on the website – link here
That’s all for this half term. Have a great break everyone. We look forward to seeing the children back on Monday 28th February.
Messages to parents from other organisations
Family Matters
I am writing to let you know about an initiative that works with families supporting families who are struggling. It is called Family Matters and is part of the Refresh charity run by the churches in Weymouth and Portland. We take good quality donations of equipment, coats and clothes (0-3 years), limited furniture, toys and books, bedding, nappies, baby food and formula and give it to families who, for whatever reason, cannot manage to provide it for their children at that time.
From Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service
The Fire and Rescue Service have provided some half term activities for your child, with a chance to enter a prize draw and win a VIP trip to a fire station.
The link can be opened on any device with internet connection.
Cooking – staying safe and healthy (office.com)
You can use it to discuss with your child how they can stay safe in the kitchen, what to do if someone gets hurt or there is a fire.
To keep your child active, follow the links to the “Meet the firefighter” videos and take part in a daily challenge.
For those who enjoy cooking have a look at Firefighter Paul’s Make and Bake videos.
If you do not have working smoke alarms or would like further advice please visit Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service | Safe and Well visits (dwfire.org.uk) From Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service
The Fire and Rescue Service have provided some half term activities for your child, with a chance to enter a prize draw and win a VIP trip to a fire station.
The link can be opened on any device with internet connection.
Cooking – staying safe and healthy (office.com)
You can use it to discuss with your child how they can stay safe in the kitchen, what to do if someone gets hurt or there is a fire.
To keep your child active, follow the links to the “Meet the firefighter” videos and take part in a daily challenge.
For those who enjoy cooking have a look at Firefighter Paul’s Make and Bake videos.
If you do not have working smoke alarms or would like further advice please visit Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service | Safe and Well visits (dwfire.org.uk)