Newsletters

Deanshanger Primary School - Newsletter 6   6-11-2020

 

Thank you very much for making the return to school this week go as smoothly as possible. It was great to welcome the children back refreshed and good to see you all helping with the challenges of this by taking on board additional measures to help us all minimise the risk of transmission ie,  by limiting the number of adults by the gates, wearing face coverings (where you can) and sticking carefully to the staggered drop off and pick up times. Thank you very much. 

We will continue to work in this way until government advice and DfE guidance suggests otherwise.

Although we would all prefer not to have to have various restrictions in place, it is heart-warming to see how everyone is pulling together to keep school life going as well as possible in the best interests of the children and community.

A warm welcome back to Miss Venita Slater as she rejoined the midday meal supervising team on Monday. It's great to have you aboard again. 

Congratulations to Harry Maynard in Y4 for becoming our second word millionaire of the year and Milo Marks-Eden in Y6 for being the 3rd! An impressive achievement.  You'll recall that Sienna Keswani in Y4 was our first millionaire of the year. The message to everyone is to keep having fun reading!

Huge congratulations also extend to Courtney Rogers for passing a record breaking amount of tests with flying colours!

Governors update from Mr David Aaronson, Chair of Governors

It has been a very busy week for governors.

On Monday we had a personnel meeting (held via Zoom) and we discussed staffing and how we are dealing with the pressures of COVID. Governors are extremely impressed with the systems and strategies that are in place and potential new initiatives to provide additional support across the school.

On Wednesday we had a finance and resources meeting, again via Zoom. Thank you to Naomi, our Business Manager, for a very detailed report on our finance, ongoing projects and new initiatives to ensure the school is getting value for money across a wide range of resources. It is so important to shop around and Naomi has been able to source some real savings.

Rachel added details to the use of covid catch up monies received from central government and how they are being used to engage and support groups and provide additonal support (due to the lockdown) within FS, KS1 and KS2. We also discussed Pupil Premium and Sports Premium as well as Health and Safety and how we communicate between school and governors

Our new governors have settled in to their roles very quickly and already made valuable contributions to the committees and school in general.

Today I joined a Zoom meeting with Rachel, Sarah Webb, Jo Hutchinson - School Improvement Partner, Phil Webster and Jez Wilsdon from New Bradwell/Grand Union MAT. We discussed a wide range of issues from lock down to behaviour, and from Curriculum to governance. It was a very valuable and positive experience and highlights the ways we are ensuring engagement with the LA and our other partners.

Stay safe during lock down and both Staff and Governors will ensure that we support your children throughout this period in providing a positive and stimulating educational experience.

David Aaronson (Chair of Governors)

Email - chairofgovernors@deanshanger.northants.sch.uk

06 Nov 2020
Community Design Workshop
    Please find below information from the Local Authority regarding setting up a community workshop to provide support during this second lockdown for families and lone parents.
Read more
06 Nov 2020
FS Bonfire Party
On Wednesday, the FS children and team headed off to Forest School with an extra spring of excitement in their steps! They had the most wonderful bonfire party complete with sparklers, marshmallows and a camp fire. For more photos, click here.
Read more

Week Commencing 09/11/20

Week Commencing 16/11/20

Future events coming up...

Launch of BNTO Week
9:00am – 3:30pm
09
November
Remembrance Day observed + Assembly led by Rev Pennington
10:55am – 11:05am
11
November
Year 2 Phonic meeting for Parents/Carers via Zoom
11:00am – 12:00pm
12
November
Children in Need
9:00am – 3:30pm
13
November
Reading and Phonic Meeting for EYFS and Year 1 families via Zoom
7:00pm – 8:00pm
17
November
Assessment Meeting (via Zoom)
6:00pm – 7:00pm
18
November

With the launch of BNTO in mind next week and Children in Need taking place on Friday 13th of November, we will be highlighting the importance of caring, Random Acts of Kindness and friendships. 

Next week we will be following Five to Thrive, a unique programme set up by BBC Children in Need for schools and young people to take part in. There are five activities that we will be looking at over the course of the week. These are, Connect, Take notice, Get active, Be curious and Give. 

Every morning there will be an exclusive 5-minute morning moves activity from BBC Children in Need, created especially for Primary Schools by Joe Wicks! These will be quick morning energisers. 

On Friday 13th, children are invited to dress down and wear something spotty, something related to Children in Need (something yellow or a Pudsey top) or they can wear pyjamas or a onesie for a £1 donation.

Kind regards, 

Miss Peers

Our plans to recognise Remembrance Day have had to look slightly different this year. In recent years, we have been very proud to create beautiful and fitting tribute outside the school but this year, for various reasons, there will not be a such a big display. Whilst this is a real shame, we hope that you understand.

We will be observing the silence, sharing the meaning with the children and, as previously, we are continuing to sell poppies and poppy related items in year group bubbles - I hope that you enjoyed Mrs Watson's fabulous QVC style poppy video.  The village service at Holy Trinity on Sunday 8th will go ahead in a virtual form only. On Wednesday 11th, we will also be holding an assembly (Zoom style) with the Rev. James Pennington and three children will be laying a wreath at the church on behalf of the school community at 11.00am.

Look out for the Christmas card design from you child/ren today! They are all unique and beautiful. If you would like to buy any cards, gift tags, tea towels or bags with this design on, please use the envelope provided. 

Any orders and money needs to be back in school no later than Tuesday 17th November 2020. 

Wishing you all a safe and happy weekend.

Rachel Rice   

head@deanshanger.northants-ecl.gov.uk