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We have had a wonderful first week back with a plethora of activities for the class groupings (with the launch of new units of work), plus staff training (GDPR and our curriculum - International Primary Curriculum), Grand Union Partnership meetings, another wonderful celebration assembly from Y3 BFG, the start of the Book Fair, an orienteering event and a few pancakes!
Big thanks to the Wrap Club team for running a fun and active week of activities during the half-term break and to Mr Harris for keeping up with ongoing maintenance jobs.
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The next teacher strike day for NEU members is on Wednesday 1st March. As before, we are unable to know the full impact of this on our school until possibly the day itself, but we will endeavour to keep school running in some form whilst also fully respecting the views of our striking colleagues. It is worth considering a back-up plan though just incase we are not able to open for every class.
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We all had updated GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) training this week in order to ensure that our understanding is well known, up to date and that we are always compliant.
For more information about GDPR @ Deanshanger Primary, you can look at the following information on the web page.
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We are absolutely blown away by the generosity of Tesco as they open their new store in Stony Stratford. Later today (Saturday 25th February), we will be presented with a cheque for £500 to put towards our forthcoming outside play projects. Thank you very much to the children coming along to be part of the store opening and presentation.
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A very warm welcome to two new members of staff that joined us this week.
Mrs Emilie Simons started in her part-time librarian role and Mrs Venita Slater in a 1:1 support role.
Thank you for bringing unique strengths to the staff team
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What's coming up next week ?
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Book Week – Monday 27th February to Friday 3rd March 2023
The focus for this week is on reading for pleasure celebrating the joys of books and authors. We would encourage you to either read aloud to your child and/or read with your child during this week. Your child should be reading at least 5 times a week, recording their reading in their ‘Home School Diary’. Ideally, we would like the children to read 7 times a week!
Reading is so, so important!
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 On Monday 27th February reading morning will be extended until 9:15 am. Reading morning will take place across the school from Reception to Year 6. If parents/carers are unable to attend, children will be encouraged to share books with each other until 9:15 am.
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The Book Fair continues until Tuesday 28th February in the Drama Studio. This will be open after school until 3:50 pm. We are taking World Book Day £1 vouchers. The vouchers have been handed out so they can be used in the Book Fair. Please visit the Book Fair with your child. This also enables us to raise money for books to go into our school library.
We have a card reader available should you wish to use your bank card for payments.
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This is based on the theme of ‘Ambition’ and all children will be invited to write a piece based on this theme. Some of the writing will be published in a Grand Union Partnership book. The rest of the stories will be shared within the school and our newsletter. We might also video some of the children reading them.
We will all be focusing on this @DPS on Tuesday 28th February
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Our first author of the month is Michael Morpurgo. Michael Morpurgo is a celebrated British author.
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Michael Morpurgo has written many books. These include ‘War Horse’, ‘The Birthday Duck’, ‘Why the Whales Came’, ‘Mudpuddle Farm’ and ‘Conker’ to name but a few… If you would like to find out more about
Michael Morpurgo, please visit his website at:
https://www.michaelmorpurgo.com
We would love you to read some of Michael Morpurgo’s books during the remainder of February and March. Please send us a book review. We would really enjoy reading these!
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World Book Day – Thursday 2nd March
All children, and staff are invited to dress up as their favourite book character even if they have PE! Please do not spend money on a costume; homemade is best!
At the end of the school day, there will be a book parade on the Key Stage 2 playground. Parents/carers are invited to attend from 3 pm. During the day, within phases, children will be choosing one of the World Book Day Books to go and listen to a story. The Fresh Start team will be running a book-based competition at lunchtime. There will be a variety of activities taking place all based on books and reading!
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We are lucky to have over 140 parents coming in for the below event. Please book on Arbor and join us!
On Friday 17th March, we will be hosting an event for Mums and Mum figures (of course this might include dads). You are invited to enjoy a Fish Friday with your child/ren. After booking, you are invited to join us for lunch at the time of your youngest child. E.g., If you have a child in Y2, 3 and 5, you will come for lunch at the time shown for a Y2 child (12.00pm).
Reception at 11.30am; Year 1 and 2 at 12.00pm; Year 3 and 4 at 12.30pm; Year 5 and 6 at 1.00pm
Adults will sit with their children in the hall and enjoy fish, chips and mushy peas followed by a delicious Victoria sponge. There will be a vegetarian alternative available too.
The cost will be £5 and this will include a donation to Red Nose Day . Bookings are limited to no more than 2 adults per child or family, please.
Bookings can be made on Arbor now.
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As Comic Relief rightly say - It feels like we all need a laugh right now, and this Red Nose Day is all about coming together, spreading joy, and having the best day ever in school.
We have some fantastic news, we will be selling Red Nose Day noses, one per child, in every class for £2.50. These will be available in class from Monday 13th March. The design this year is very special.
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We are excited to announce details of our next Rocksteady concert with our amazing music leader - Paul Ford. If your child has Rocksteady sessions, please try to join us for the concert on Tuesday, March 21st at 9.30am. The concert will include bands across the school and a full pupil audience. It promises to be a fun concert showing great talent from across the year groups.
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Disco Dates for your Diaries!
Thursday 30th March and Friday 14th July
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Ensuing that the school site and buildings are well maintained, meet health and safety standards and our needs, is an ongoing priority. There are a few jobs in the pipeline including roof repairs, addressing uneven surfaces, rebuilding a retaining wall, developing a huge sandpit and considering building an amphitheatre type area on the sloping bank.
These large projects are in addition to the everyday projects that are supported brilliantly by our site supervisor, Mr Stuart Harris. These projects range from everyday maintenance to laying Astroturf in the outside banda / classroom , improving the mud play area and building wooden strange boxes for our ukulele collection.
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As always, I'd like to remind you to make contact with us immediately if you have any questions or comments about school life. Open door communication is very important to us all.
Have a lovely weekend,
Rachel Rice
head@deanshanger.northants-ecl.gov.uk
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