Newsletters

Newsletters 2022-23 Friday 26th September No.1

Deanshanger Primary School (@DeanshangerS) | Twitter

It was so lovely to reopen the doors of the school last week to 332 eager students! A new school year often starts mid-week, so it was quite a big ask to be in for five consecutive days after relaxing summer breaks, but the children coped brilliantly! They took their new year group, the routines and inevitable changes in their stride. I was really proud of them all. Thank you for ensuring that they were well-prepared for the start of term. Their positive attitudes, timekeeping and smart uniforms were a real credit to you all.

We also welcomed our new Reception children this week and again, they adapted brilliantly. I popped in to see them a few times during the week and I was very impressed with how quickly they were adapting to school life and hanging on to every word of the Reception team. From Monday (12th), they will be staying for whole days so will no doubt be very tired at 3.25pm.

It was also wonderful to welcome Mrs. Kelly Jacobs to Reception, Mrs. Emily Christophers to Year 4, Mr Webb to his new whole school music role and Mrs. Sue Flannery to Wrap Club. 

The 8.45am start and 3.25pm pick-up seems to be going well too. Wherever possible, please ensure that your child is in by 8.45am to have the smoothest start to the school day and not miss any learning. 

Please be reminded that the children leaving from the 'big gate' (Y3,4,5 and 6), will be observed by the teaching team as they come over to you, but unless you have told us otherwise, we allow them to come out of the gate and walk across to you without identifying you first. If they can not see you, they are always asked to stand with the teaching team.

Lots of children travel to and from school on their bikes and scooters - this is great to see. We have plenty of room on our bike racks for them to leave them safely there for the day. Children on bikes must wear helmets.

If you have any questions about school routines and indeed any part of school life, please always make contact with us via the school office, class teachers, in person at the gate at the end of the day, or via email... We are always keen to help and address any concerns early so don't hesitate from making contact with us even if it seems like a very small question or concern. 

If you would like to volunteer in school on a regular basis with activities such as reading, group work or forest school, please make contact with the class teachers. They will be delighted to hear from you. 

Here's to a successful and happy year of learning.

As shared in previous communication, we are now officially a member of the Grand Union Partnership; the official joining date was September 1st.  We have benefitted from working with the GUP for several years, and it is now great to be officially one of the partnership schools to support school improvement and collaboration.

As you might have seen on Twitter, we joined up with the GUP schools for a training session on 2nd September and as well as being warmly welcomed by the CEO, Mr Phil Webster, we enjoyed a motivational presentation by the Olympian Derek Redmond. It was a great start to the new year and the school's journey.

The Queen will be missed by us all

The news of the Queen's passing was very unexpected on Thursday. As a school, we can all relate to the picture of a great-grandmother with her family and the sadness that her passing brings to her family and millions around the world. It is a significant event in our British history with the dawning of a new era with King Charles III's new reign.

 We led an assembly on Friday to pay our respects, observe a two-minute silence and to give the children and staff the opportunity to talk about Queen Elizabeth and celebrate her life.  Many children joined in by sharing their memories, photos, visits to  Buckingham Palace, Madame Tussaud, special commemorative coins etc, it was very touching. The children's respectful behaviour was exceptional.

We recognise that talking about the Queen's passing might trigger thoughts and feelings about other losses; we will continue to provide listening ears and support as needed. 

We have started condolence messages and will be sharing a book for you to comment in next week. 

If you have friends, family and neighbours with children of school age next year, please spread the word that we are starting individual school visits now and will also be setting up open mornings very soon. Dates and times will be shared soon. 

Run a Mile will be starting again from Monday 12th September  

Children in Years 1- 6 are warmly invited into school at 8.30am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (via the main front office), to run a mile on the top playground before the school day starts. 

As this is a short running session before registration starts at 8.45am, the children must be at the school office promptly at 8.30 am if they would like to join in. 

Thank you very much to Mrs. Young for leading this opportunity.

All the miles that they run are added up and added to the house points for the sports days in the summer. Children also have the opportunity to earn a house colour T-shirt!

Later in the school year when the Reception children are settled, they will have an opportunity to join in too. 

Many activities and clubs (before school, during and after school) are starting next week. 

Here is the current list:

Run a Mile with Mrs Young

Year 1 - 6 every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8.30am prompt.                      No charge and no sign up needed. Regular school uniforms can be worn with running shoes.

Lunchtime choir with Mr. Larcombe and Mr Webb (our new music teacher)

Every Wednesday at lunchtime for Y3,4,5 and 6 (this term) - no charge

Drumming Club with Mr. Webb

Wednesdays from the end of the school day until 4.00pm for Y1,2 and 3.

If you would like your child to be considered for this, please email the school office. The first 30 names will be selected and after 6 weeks, children on the waiting list will be contacted for the next block of sessions after the half-term break. Children should be collected from the Willow Tree gate at 4.00pm. No charge.

Zoons Dance with Sian and Lianne

Tuesdays in the hall for Year 1-6 (and Reception from January 2023). From 3.25pm - 4.25pm. Contact Sian and Lianne on 07824904228 to book a place. Each session is £5.50.

Film Club

There are various film clubs planned across the school year. Please look at the school calendar on the website for dates and year group information. There is a £1 cost for the film club.

Football

Year 1-6 every Tuesday from 3.25pm - 4.30pm. Contact Ryan, All Sports

Dodgeball

Year 1 - 6 every Thursday from 8.00am - 8.45am.  Contact Ryan, All Sports

Basketball

Year 1-6 every Thursday from 3.15pm - 4.15pm. Contact Ryan, All Sports

Athletics

Year 1- 6 every Friday from 8.00am - 8.45am. Contact Ryan, All Sports

To sign up for any clubs with Ryan at All Sports, simply text your child’s name, year group, club and school to 07899 906026 and make payment to book your child’s place!

Jado

Monday evenings in the school. Contact Jake for more information - 07598 276472

Homework Club

Information about a homework club for years 4, 5, and 6 and a separate or Year 1 and 2 will be shared shortly

BNTO 

Miss Stanley will be running the Be Nice to Others Club at lunchtime for children in Year 1 - 6 shortly

Rocksteady

Weekly sessions with a new leader - Charlene, will be starting on Tuesday 20th and every week thereafter. For more details on availability and cost, visit rocksteadymusicschool.com, click ‘sign-up’, and search for our school or call 0330 113 0330.

School uniform

We have a huge stock of good second-hand uniforms in the front office and warmly encourage you to come and have a look and take whatever you would like, free of charge. We have an abundance of good quality jumpers and trousers. Thank you so much for your kind donations.

If you have lots of coat hangers at home that are surplus, please feel free to drop a few off to the office for the rail of clothing - thank you

 

Please put Friday 30th September in your diaries and try to join us for a cake and coffee and tea in the studio from 9.00am until about 10.30am. Whilst this is an opportunity for adults, we will sell any cakes left over at the end of the school day outside the front of the school to the children. 

Cake donations are very warmly invited - these can be shop-bought or homemade. They can be dropped off at the school office on Thursday 29th September or before school on Friday 30th. 

If you would like typo to know more about where the money raised will go, please looks at the Macmillan website. 

World's Biggest Coffee Morning 2022 | Macmillan Cancer Support

 

Friday craft sessions at village library. 3:30pm - 4:45pm

Drop-in sessions - no need to book

Squash and biscuit included

 

16th September create extending BFGs. (Roald Dahl Day is the 13th September)

23rd September black bead spiders, painted butterflies, beetles and ladybirds (lots of insects about especially spiders)

30th September Scarecrows (The Library is entering the Deanshanger Village Scarecrow Trail, using mainly recycled materials help create “Bedtime Story” scarecrow scene.)

7th October Scarecrows  (as for 30th September)

14th October Leaf rubbing (Great Autumnal activity)

21st October Apple prints (It is Apple Day)

28th October Witches hats and other spooky crafts (for Halloween)

4 th November  Firework pictures. (Chalk/foil on black paper)

11th November Remembrance Activities Crafts based around the poppy and WWI and WWII images

18th November Turkey headdresses (Ready for Thanksgiving)

25th November  Weave a “tartan” coaster (St Andrews Day 30th November)

2nd December Wish Tree, paper chain, decorations (The Wish tree and paper chain activity will continue up to the 23rd December, an activity you can add to whenever you visit the library. Hopefully, you will donate any decorations to cheer up the library)

9th December Christmas decorations (to take home)

16th December Christmas cards

Please always check with information in the village library to check that these planned sessions are able to run.

Thank you, Mrs. Atkinson, for arranging and supporting these fun sessions

Rosh Hashana recognised in class and in assembly
8:45am – 12:40pm
14
September
PTA AGM - all existing members and prospective new members welcome
6:00pm – 7:00pm
14
September
Film Club in the hall for Years 3-6
3:25pm – 5:10pm
20
September
Phonics and Reading information session for Reception via Zoom
5:00pm – 6:00pm
22
September
Year 6 residential trip
8:45am – 3:25pm
From 26 Sep until 29 Sep
26
September
Macmillan Coffee morning for the community
9:00am – 11:00am
30
September

We are very well-supported by the Parent and Teacher Association, PTA, and are always keen to welcome new parents and carers to join us.  Come along to the first meeting of the school year on Wednesday 14th at 6.00pm at school if you can.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

Rachel Rice

head@deanshanger.northants-ecl.gov.uk 

Follow us on Twitter - @DeanshangerS