Newsletter – 17-May-24

Dear Parents and Carers

Walk To School Week – Monday 20 May – Friday 24 May 2024

Next week is national walk to school week. Whilst we are a rural school, it would be good to see some families making the effort to walk, cycle or even car share. 

We are currently working closely with the Hampshire travel team and Highways agency to make the roads outside school a safer place for everyone. Reducing the amount of cars is one solution, though not possible for many of our families who live further afield. 

Coffee Afternoons

Next week we are running two coffee afternoons, both with the same theme, but one for KS1 parents and one for KS2 parents. 

The theme for these events is Community and Curriculum.

I will present the Priory view about these themes with some ideas about intended developments in these areas. I would also like to get some ideas from parents about ideas for development. Following this will be a chance to mingle and chat over a cup of tea. 

KS1 parent coffee afternoon – 2.45pm Wednesday 22nd May

KS2 parent coffee afternoon – 2.45pm Thursday 23rd May

PERFORM drama workshops 

Thank you to the PTA for funding the PERFORM drama workshops which will be happening on Tuesday and Wednesday next week. 

These are hands-on workshops designed to complement curricular learning. The theme for each year group will be as follows:

YR: People who help us

Y1:  Toys of yesterday and today

Y2: Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing

Y3: Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing

Y4: Vikings vs Anglo Saxons

Y5: Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing

Y6 Black Icons  

Parking

Parents should not be parking in the staff car park, on the playground, or on the driveway to the playground as this causes obstructions and therefore dangers to others. Thank you for your cooperation.

Long Distance Running Races – 12th June 2pm

Thanks to all for the positivity surrounding our new look sports day – GO Team! We are also planning a new look longer distance running event as part of our extended festival of sport this year. This frees up some time at sports day and allows younger children to also be involved as part of our sports opportunities for all initiative! Details:

• Six races split by age group and gender: Year 1/2, Year 3/4, Year 5/6
• Points will be allocated to the top 3 runners from each year group in both the boys and girls races and these will be added to the house team sports day totals.
• Participation will be optional – all children will do some practises as part of their normal PE and sports day preparation and can then sign up for the long distance race event. Everyone that participates will earn a point for their house team sports day total!

This will be an open event, so if your child decides to participate why not come along and cheer them on. If the weather is nice we would love to offer some refreshments and/or ice creams at this event – if this is something you would be happy to organise or help with please do get in touch. Thanks Priory Team!

Star of Wonder Awards

YEAR R: George, Freddie and Victoria

YEAR 1: Annie, Elin, Archer and Sophia.

YEAR 2: Evie, Freddie and Toby

YEAR 3: Cohen, Sienna, Elodia and Olivia

YEAR 4: Alice, Sonny, Isabella and Austin

YEAR 5: Ruby, Cassidy and Evelyn

YEAR 6: Alex, Freya, Ezra and Charlie

Special Achievement in Piano 

Goes to… Manpal, Dabira and Toby

Special Mention to...

Superstar Alannah, competed in her first gymnastics competition in Crewe.  She was amazing, and her team took home a bronze in the trampette & tumble!

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS

To our incredible Y6, who have now completed their SATs.  Fantastic work, well done.

Safeguarding and Wellbeing

IN THE NATIONAL PRESS THIS WEEK – New Draft Guidance for RSHE (Relationships, Sex and Health Education)  in Primary Schools

The statutory guidance on relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) – which schools must follow by law – is currently under review. Following in the footsteps of the existing statutory guidance issued in 2019, today saw the issuing of the new draft guidance to Primary and Secondary schools. The draft guidance is now open to a 9-week consultation period before being finalised as statutory guidance to schools.

How you can have your views on future RSHE…

To contribute to the consultation process and to see the draft documents members of the public can find all of the relevant information and the online survey here – do contribute as this is your opportunity to contribute positively to your child’s future learning and development.

https://consult.education.gov.uk/rshe-team/review-of-the-rshe-statutory-guidance/

What are the current RSHE rules?

Relationships education has been compulsory for primary schools since September 2020.

Children are taught about healthy, respectful relationships, focusing on family and friendships – including online and social media. They also learn about physical health, parts of the body, boundaries and puberty.

At The Priory we deliver and use the Coram Life PSHE curriculum that covers all of the statutory requirements of the 2019 guidance in an entirely age appropriate way in relation to RSHE. As parents and carers you are very welcome to request further information about what we are teaching, how we are teaching it and the context within which concepts and information are shared with the children. You have the right to request this information and we would be delighted to share this with you using the lessons, plans and Learning Journeys that are available from the Coram curriculum. Whilst the new guidance goes through the consultation process we want to reassure you that current lessons and topics being covered are entirely in line with existing guidance and our staff are experienced at delivering the sessions across the school.

We have been in contact with one of Coram’s experienced educators who has reassured us that they will be making any necessary changes to their resources, plans and teaching documents once the statutory guidance becomes law.

Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience, Friendship

If you would like to see more resources and information about the curriculum which we use go to the main website at – https://www.coramlifeeducation.org.uk/family-scarf

Coram Life – Scarf Resources for parents to complement the curriculum at school  – here you will find more specific information and resources that you can use at home.

https://www.coramlifeeducation.org.uk/family-scarf

Growing and Changing Units of Learning from Early Years to Year 6…

For your information we will also add the Learning Journeys for the Topic – Growing and Changing which covers the key areas of RSHE in relation to Sex education for Primary aged children. This unit is covered each year at school, normally in the Summer term, so that the children’s learning and development is progressive and comprehensive.  More information can be found on the each class’ page on the website.

Online Monitoring 

As part of the national requirements for safeguarding pupils in schools (Keeping Children Safe in Education), we monitor the pupils’ online activity on the school internet. Our monitoring system is set up to flag any potential issues with:

• Bullying
• Self harming
• Extremism
• Pornography 
• Violence/harm to others

This is monitored by our Safeguarding Leads, Mrs Adams and Mr Walsh. 

So, if, for example, a child typed a word linked to one of the categories above into a search engine, it would be flagged on our monitoring system and would be followed up with the pupil to ensure they were safe. If we had any concerns, we would contact the child’s parents. 

Our internet is very secure and has a firewall to ensure no inappropriate images or content is accessible to pupils, but the system above adds an extra layer of protection.

Summer Clubs

Please note that there will be two new summer camps running at The Priory this summer and The Oaks will continue to run their summer club at Mortimer St Mary’s.

• 22nd – 26th July:  Summer Camp with Mrs Enticknap

  (a Priory parent and qualified teacher) . Please click here for full details and then click here for the booking form and email to zoe@hillyardmail.com

• 29th July – 16th August: Curveball Summer Camp with Coach Zack

  Please click here for more information and click here to book

• 5th – 23rd August:  The Oaks at Mortimer St. Mary’s

  Please click here for details or email office@theoakschildcare.co.uk for more details.