Newsletter – 08-Mar-24

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Book Day

Thank you parents and pupils for making the effort with costumes to make World Book Day a big success at The Priory. Besides the parade in the morning, all classes were engaged in literature-related activities for the majority of the day, from re-enacting stories, to scavenger hunts, to rapping stories over famous songs, to writing mini stories. 

Thank you to the PTA for running the book sale. 

On a book related theme, we have a lovely school library, with stacks of excellent books.  The pupils do frequently visit the library to borrow books, but we could really do with someone to come and help get the library organised to help the children find and return books easily. 

If you are interested in helping (or know someone who might be interested), please get in touch with Georgia in the school office. 01256 850062 office@priory.hants.sch.uk 

Student Achievements

Well done to Darcy from Y5 who made a request to Mr Walsh that pupils get the chance to lead some assemblies.  Darcy then led an assembly about 3 inspirational women in aid of International Women’s Day on Friday 8th March. 

Darcy taught the rest of the children about: 

Jane Austen – English author who wrote some books under a pseudonym that went on to be classic novels

Rosa Parks – American civil rights activist whose refusal to give up her seat to a white person led to a change in the law and increased rights for Black people in America

Ann Makosinski – A young Canadian woman who, at the age of 15, invented a torch that didn’t require batteries to help people who couldn’t afford batteries.

A great achievement Darcy!

Cross Country Superstar!

Our very own Hetty (Year 5) represented Basingstoke (and of course our school!) in the Year 5/6 Cross Country County finals this week. She ran a brilliant race, competing against the best Hampshire runners to come an amazing 8th overall – WOW!     Unfortunately Hetty is too young to compete in the national competition despite qualifying with a top 10 place. Next year Hetty!  Well-done!

Priory commits to always #LetGirlsPlay

And play they did! All 87 girls in KS1 & 2 and at least half of the staff took to the field this sunny Friday afternoon for an hour of football fun.  We celebrated International Women’s day with a clear message to all about inclusion and equality in sport but also in our schools.  We saw some great skills from girls across every year group, with everyone trying their best and working cooperatively with their friends from across the school.  It was a lot of fun for everyone involved and a reminder to all our girls about their equal right to play any sport they choose at school, in clubs and beyond.

Netball Finals Next Week

Driving past school tomorrow morning, it may be a bit busier than is normal for a Saturday! Our committed and passionate netball team will be out on the back playground courts practising for the area finals of this year’s Basingstoke schools’ netball leagues. Hard work and team spirit for both pupils and coaches alike saw our brand new netball team qualify as 1 of twelve local teams competing for a coveted spot in the county final after Easter. Watch this space to find out how we get on. Good luck team!

Star of Wonder Awards

YEAR R: Nieve, Tobias and Victoria

YEAR 1: Charlotte, Skye and Elin

YEAR 2: Alice, Charlotte Cl, Freddie and Evie-May

YEAR 3: Lewis, Leonie, Gracie

YEAR 4: Primrose and Alexander

YEAR 5: Harry B and Fearne

YEAR 6: Verity, Charlie E and Amelli

Safeguarding and Wellbeing

Keeping Safe …… Vaping and Young Children

In PSHE our upper juniors in Years 5 and 6 have had lessons around keeping themselves safe in relation to drugs, smoking and vaping. The children were asked to discuss their existing understanding and knowledge about these topics in terms of health impacts and taking risks. They discussed and learnt how to feel confident to stand up to peers who may want them to take risks and dares. The children impressed with their maturity, knowledge and ability to come up with strategies to deal with the risks that they may face now and in the future. As parents, carers and professionals, who are responsible for our children’s safety and wellbeing, we also need to be as informed as possible about the risks our children face. Fortunately, there are a range of resources available to support parents and professionals to have the conversations.

Vaping is a very real and prevalent risk for our primary aged children. In recent years, more young people have been using e-cigarettes, known as vaping. Children are trying vaping younger than ever and the risks are less well known than with other substances. The Government are proposing a range of measures to protect children and young people from the promotion of and use of e-cigarettes following their public consultation in 2023

The websites below offer us a range of information, advice and guidance around the risks of vaping, how to have open conversation with our young people and what to do if we have concerns that our children and young people are accessing and using vapes.

NHS    https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/vaping-to-quit-smoking/young-people-and-vaping/#:~:text=Vaping%20is%20not%20for%20children,vaping%20products%20in%20the%20UK.

FRANK    https://www.talktofrank.com/drug/vapes

Action for Children https://parents.actionforchildren.org.uk/feelings-behaviour/safety-wellbeing/im-worried-about-my-child-vaping/

ASH              https://ash.org.uk/resources/view/ash-brief-for-local-authorities-on-youth-vaping

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