Newsletter – 01-Mar-24

Dear Parents and Carers, 

World Book Day

We will be celebrating World Book Day on Thursday 7th March.  Like last year, we will invite the children to dress up as a character from a favourite book on the day.  We will have a little parade on the front playground at 8.40am which parents are welcome to stay to watch.

There will be no donation for this event.

No Parking at Priory Pamber End Church and Priory Farmhouse

Further to my previous message about this, there has still been a lot of damage to the grass area on the verge of this private driveway which had been repaired over half term.  Thus, I have been asked to request that no parents park on the driveway of the Church/private house until further notice.

Front Gate Security

The front gate will automatically be locked at 8.45am instead of 9am from Monday.  Parents arriving late will need to buzz in after 8.45am.

Please note that as per our attendance policy, KS2 pupils should be in school by 8.30am, and KS1 pupils should be in school by 8.40am.  The school registers close at 8.45am. Pupils who arrive late but before the register has closed will be marked as late, using the appropriate code.  Pupils who arrive late after the register has closed will be marked as “Late, after the register closes”, which will affect their attendance.

Parent-Teacher meetings

Thank you to all of the parents who were able to attend the Parent-Teacher meetings this week.  I hope you found the meetings informative and useful. If you did not attend for any reason, please get in touch with the school via phone or email to book a separate appointment with your child’s teacher.

Student Achievements

Well done to this superstar for achieving gymnast of the week at C&M Gymnastics club for her hard work and determination to improve specific skills.

Pupil quote of the week: 

Thomas Y2, “Maths is good for your brain. It helps you to learn more and more and you need to learn maths if you want a good job.”

Thomas mentally worked out that 3 x 37 = 111!

It’s been a quiet sports week but in school we have a saying…

Silence is golden. 

Unless you’re a teacher. 

Then silence is suspicious!

And that doesn’t just apply to the children! At the Sports Desk we have been quietly hatching some pretty ambitious plans for a spring and summer of sports at The Priory so be sure to keep checking the newsletter to see what we have in store! The excitement begins next week as, for the first time ever, we get involved with the #LetGirlsPlay campaign launched by the FA and England Football. On Friday 8th March – International Women’s Day – all 87 girls in Years 1-6 will be taking part in a 1-hour special football session aimed specifically at encouraging girls to access school sports and establishing a framework in schools where girls’ access to sports like football is the same as boys. At The Priory girls already have the same access to sports but this can be very different at secondary school, so by taking part in the initiative we are giving our youngest children the expectation of equal access and involvement in sport at all levels. We hope this will help create a mindset change within the education system and society as a whole, and have a positive impact on inclusion and equality in sport for all.

Our Priory girls will be joining over 300,000 girls across England enjoying a bespoke football session on 8th March. Please ensure all girls come to school in PE kit on that day. The session will run on the school field so please be mindful of the weather and send children with coats and layers as appropriate. Thank you for your support!

Do you know any women playing, coaching or working in competitive football that would be willing to come and talk to the children during an assembly on 8th March, or indeed another day? If so please get in touch ASAP. Thank you!

Star of Wonder Awards

YEAR R: Paige, Otto, Aaria and Quinn

YEAR 1: Arthur, Archer, Annie and Xanthe

YEAR 2: Toby and Oscar

YEAR 3: Charlie, Harvey, Lawson and Alex

YEAR 4: Joey, Alice and Keira

YEAR 5: Mecca, Isla, Elsie and Hetty

YEAR 6: Ella, Alexander and Thulasi

Safeguarding and Wellbeing

Resources from CAMHS and other local Support

Following our attendance at the Basingstoke CAMHS P.A.C.E event last week we want to share some of the useful resources that were available on the day.

As parents and carers you can already access a wealth of resources on the CAMHS website in their Parent and Carer Section – https://hampshirecamhs.nhs.uk/help/parents-carers/

Here you will find resources for a wide range of common problems and life issues that you and your child may experience at anytime.

BRAAIN – Be Ready ADHD ASD Information Network       ASD and ADHD parent support

https://www.braain.co.uk/

When you are not sure where to turn, BRAAIN will give you the information you need. From details on specialist schools in the area, to accessing professional help, to finding out about clubs for your children and support groups for you. We are here to help make life a little easier on this journey.

Wherever you are in the diagnosis process, BRAAIN is here to help. Parenting a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and / or other special needs is amazing, tough and sometimes isolating.

PLEASE SEE THE COPIES OF THE P.A.C.E LEAFLETS FOR LINKS AND QR CODES THAT ENABLE YOU TO ACCESS A VARIETY OF RESOURCES ABOUT A WIDE RANGE OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. 

These include podcasts, videos, self help guides and leaflets to provide advice and support.

To view the P.A.C.E leaflets…  click here to download  or click here to head to the safeguarding section on our website. 

Reporting concerns

Key actions to take if you have a concern that a child is in danger, may suffer harm and maltreatment…

MAKE A REPORT IF…

• If you fear that a child is in immediate danger CALL 999 and report the concern
• IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS AND YOU ARE NOT SURE WHAT YOU SHOULD DO – report your concerns to the DSL and team at school

Alternative options – as a member of the public you can report a concern to Hampshire’s Child Protection Services directly – information about the services is available here – this site provides useful information and learning about a range of abuse as well as what will happen when concerns are reported –

https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/childrenandfamilies/safeguardingchildren/childprotection

If you are a member of the public and wish to report any welfare/safeguarding concerns DIRECTLY TO CHILDREN’S SERVICES:- you can complete Hampshire’s online form here: online enquiry form

You can report a concern over the telephone and via email –

Phone 0300 555 1384   
Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm
Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm

Email childrens.services@hants.gov.uk     Please note: Emails are dealt with during normal office hours Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. At other times phone our out of hours number.      

Out of hours – Out of hours contact telephone number for Children’s Services Phone 0300 555 1373 

REMEMBER – SAFEGUARDING IS  EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY

Please remember future CAMHS events are still running…. 

Mental Health – Workshop Opportunities from CAMHS 2024

Across this coming year CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) are offering their FREE health and wellbeing events for parents, carers and professionals at a range of locations across Hampshire.  Having attended a previous event this opportunity is highly recommended. The information included lists the dates, times and venues as well as the itinerary for the days. The workshops on offer range from supporting children with eating disorders, managing ADHD, understanding and managing anxiety, supporting your autistic child to thrive and looking after yourself to support your child amongst some of the sessions on offer. If you are interested in attending, or would like to find out more, go online at hampshirecamhs.nhs.uk/events to book your workshops.