Newsletters

Newsletter 79 (10.11.2023)

Swavesey Primary School Newsletter

Issue 79

 

 Easy fundraising here,

Amazon Wish List here and My School Fund via ESPO here.

Updates from Mrs Norden

Today's newsletter is full of new information, including forthcoming events, and some important updates.  It's at least the length of a cup of tea or coffee, with maybe a biscuit to dunk.  Based on recent testing teaching staff have undertaken (in the name of science assessment CPD), I would suggest a digestive biscuit is a good dunker.

I am pleased to announce that Mr Nunn, will take up our vacant parent governor role, which was uncontested.  Mr Nunn brings a wealth of experience in education, and we are very much looking forward to him joining the governing body.

Next week (13th to 17th) is National Anti-bullying week and will be an important focus for us across the school.  The theme this year is to 'Make a noise about bullying'. The theme came about following consultation with teachers and pupils by the Anti-Bullying Alliance which coordinates Anti-Bullying Week every year in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Teachers and children wanted a theme that empowered them to do something positive to counter the harm and hurt that bullying causes.  The week begins with 'Odd socks' day on Monday, where we encourage children and adults to wear odd socks to celebrate what makes us all unique.  We know that wearing things which are 'odd' can cause some of us to feel off balance, and so we encourage the wearing of socks which are bright and bold if possible instead.

Activities next week will culminate in us supporting Children in Need on Friday (17th), with a non-uniform day to raise money for this worthwhile cause.  The children can come in clothes which should be suitable for outdoor play in the present muddy, and possibly cold and/or wet conditions, as well as indoor learning.  We encourage spots and the colour yellow to tie in with Pudsey Bear, but this is not a requirement. Donations need to be cash and will be collected in classrooms.

As you may remember from a previous newsletter, myself and Hannah Parish, our Chair of Governors, met with Parish Council representatives to discuss the complaints they have received, and ongoing concerns, about the issues caused by illegal and inconsiderate parking at drop off and pick up times. We were all in agreement that there has been an increase in such parking in recent months, leading to an increase in accidents, near misses and related anti-social behaviour. 

During our meeting we discussed and agreed initiatives to try to improve the situation, and the South Cambridgeshire introduction of civil parking enforcement, which will shortly come into force.

As always, I ask you to walk to and from school for the sake of our children and community but if this really isn't possible for you to park legally and considerately of our neighbours, as well as, all pedestrians and other road users. 

We will be proactively taking part in National Road Safety week (19th- 25th November) this year to develop our children's understanding of how to stay safe, especially as it has been reported to us that several of the 'near misses' have involved our children and families.  From this we will then be undertaking a linked art activity to create signage which will be displayed along areas near to school to remind drivers to help keep our children and community safe when parking.

Additionally, we are investigating the option for reinstating a walking bus, which ran several years ago collecting children from various locations through the village walking them to school and then home again. To support this please can I ask you to complete the very short form which can be accessed here, so we can gather information to support this process. 

As you will have noticed, we now have new road markings and signs outside the front of the school which relate to the changes in parking enforcement. SCDC are introducing wardens to patrol villages who can issue fines for illegal parking and speak to drivers about inconsiderate parking.  We understand that the wardens are likely to start their patrols within the next few months.  This is the extension of a scheme which has already successfully rolled out in Cambridge City.

Hopefully the weather will remain drier, but we know that as November moves on the rain may return, and it is definitely getting colder with the shorter days.  Please help the children to remember their coats, gloves and hats to help them stay warm and dry.

Thank you for all your donations to support the RBL poppy appeal. We know that the monies raised support service personnel and families directly, and they are very grateful for all the contributions made. Many of our community will be taking part in Remembrance Day services and parades this Sunday, and we hope the assemblies this week, which have focused on Armistice Day and its meaning, have supported our young people in developing their understanding of the past and the reasons for the events they attend.  

In developing our understanding of the convention for the rights of the child, we have come to know that article 38 says we should protect children from war. In honouring those who have given their lives so that we can have a better future, we hope that we, and the generations of the future, will protect all children and strive for peace across the world.

Anna-Claire Norden 

Headteacher

09 Nov 2023
Halloween Lunch Spookily Satisfying
The children thoroughly enjoyed our Halloween themed lunch prepared by our fabulous catering team.
Read more
09 Nov 2023
WE NEED YOUR HELP! Tesco Bags of Help Grant
If you visit Bar Hill Tesco, please use blue tokens to vote for Swavesey Primary School! If successful, this grant will support our Early Years Reception garden renovation. Our aim is to provide new exciting opportunities to care for the environment and further enhance gross motor ski...
Read more

Click here to access previous News Articles

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Anti-bullying week
All Day
From 13 Nov until 17 Nov
13
November
Children in Need - dress up day
All Day
17
November
PTA Christmas Shopping Evening
All Day
28
November
Talk and Tour
9:15am – 10:15am
28
November
Santa Run week
All Day
From 04 Dec until 08 Dec
04
December
EY and KS1 Christmas Production - dress rehearsal
All Day
04
December
EY & KS1 Play dress rehearsal (PM)
1:30pm – 3:15pm
04
December

PE days Autumn Term - Second half term

(please note change for Otters)

Rabbits and Mice - Thursday and Friday

Yr1/2 Foxes, Squirrels - Monday and Tuesday, Otters -Monday and Tuesday

Yr3/4 Kingfishers and Badgers - Tuesday and Wednesday, Swans - Tuesday and Friday

Yr5/6 Owls and Swallows - Wednesday and Thursday, Ravens - Monday and Wednesday 

Autumn Term Clubs

Monday pm - Yr3/4 Boys Football

Tuesday am - Yr5/6 Netball worker BEE club

Wednesday pm - KS2 Girls Football 

Thursday am - Yr5/6 Netball NEW BEES

Thursday pm - Yr5/6 Boys Football 

Friday am - Golden Mile 

Morning clubs - 0800hrs start and access via back gate

Afternoon club - pick ups from back gate.

Autumn Term Updates and Admin

Book Fair Letter - please click here for the Book Fair letter above, for the live link. This was also sent as an attachment with this week's newsletter link.

PE Kit for gymnastics - many of our classes are doing a gymnastic unit for PE this half term, and if this is the case shorts may have been requested to support safety, especially when using certain equipment.  However, it is really important that children are dressed appropriately for both the weather and for school in general, which should be prioritised.  Therefore, if children need to come in long trousers/bottoms for this priority and change into their shorts,  this can be accommodated.

New Intake 2024 Talk and Tours - if you have a child starting school in September 2024 please complete the form which can be accessed here to join our last session this term on 28th November. 

Date change for Annual School Flu Vaccination Scheme -  The NHS vaccination team have been in contact to change the agreed date for the flu vaccinations due to the original date being after their 'flu season'.  The new date for vaccination session will be Friday 15th December. NHS nurses will come to deliver the annual Flu vaccinations for all children in our school.  Details for this will be sent out once received from the vaccination team.

Early Years (preschool and Reception) and KS1 Christmas Productions - As you will have seen in our diary dates, the Early Years and KS1 productions will take place during the week beginning 4th December (4th Dress rehearsal, 5th and 6th afternoon performances).  Specific details for booking seats and timings will come out to the relevant parents shortly.

Midday Supervisor Vacancies - We have several vacant hours for midday supervisors.  The advert for this role can be found here.

 

Admin General Information

Office hours - 8.30am to 4pm except Wednesday which is 8.45am to 4pm

EY and P Payments - a reminder these are due at the start of the month and all balances should be paid on receipt of payment request.

Diary Dates - updated list can be found here. (15/9/2023)

Volunteering -  Please click here to access our volunteering 'form' and help if you can in any way.

13 Oct 2023
Gathering Project Ideas.
Having understood our new role, we have been gathering ideas for new projects from our classes.
Read more
10 Nov 2023
Eco Committee Tip 5
Donate something you no longer need to cut your carbon!
Read more
03 Sep 2023
Bronze: Right Committed
First stage of the RRSA achieved
Read more

Community News

Rotary St Ives competitions and activities - click here for details

H.A.Y Cambridgeshire -  It stands for 'How Are You' and focuses on wellbeing.  

This is a really useful website and is user friendly.  It is separated into geographical areas in Cambridgeshire and then into Activities and Support that is local to you. 

How Are You South Cambs? | Home (haysouthcambs.co.uk)

 

To find out more about Pupil premium and Free school meals, please visit our Pupil Premium page by clicking here. 

SEMH (Social Emotional Mental Health) resources for parents - Please click here to access an overview sheet with signposted resources for you to use at home to support your children.  The overview sheet can also be found at the bottom of the SEND page on our website here.  

We hope you find these useful and easy to access.

SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) information can be accessed through our SEND website pages here

Attendance Policy - please click here for the school's attendance policy. It is vitally important parents and carers are aware of their responsibilities and the formal processes for attendance matters.

Click here to find the MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS from Jane Rogers, our Education Inclusion Family Advisor, and team. 

Latest workshop details:

Parental wellbeing – 14th November 2023

 Click here to access the Cambridgeshire Young Peoples Safer School's Newsletter

 

   

School Lunches

 Click here for School Meal information

Click here for the new menu after half term

Click here to find information on Clubs and wider community events.  Use the right-hand tabs of the webpage to access different groups/events.

Links to each Phase page under the Curriculum tab on our website.

                                Reception    Yr1/2    Yr3/4    Yr5/6

Access SCOPay Parent Information here and EYandP Fees and Funding Page here

Could you foster? 

Would you like to find out how you can provide a family home to children in your area? Nexus Fostering is a well-established and highly regarded fostering agency, based in Cambridgeshire, who are urgently seeking new foster carers. The agency is rated Ofsted 'Outstanding' in all areas and provide 24/7 support and care to every one of our foster carers and, in turn, the children and young people placed with them. To find out more about becoming a foster carer in your area please call 0800 389 0143 or email foster@nexusfostering.co.uk

Please access their poster here