Newsletter - 27th January
- rharfield
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Spotlight on Our Christian Value: Respect
This month we are focusing on the Christian value of Respect
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control." (2 Timothy 1:7)
Headteacher's Update - Alison Story-Scrivens
A very Happy New Year to all and welcome back to the new term. I hope you all enjoyed a restful break and had the opportunity to spend time with family and friends. It has been a pleasure to see the school come back to life, with smiling faces, renewed energy and a real sense of purpose across our community.
This term promises to be a busy and exciting one. Our focus remains firmly on high expectations, strong relationships and ensuring every child feels safe, supported and challenged to be the very best they can be. Alongside our academic goals, we will continue to place great importance on wellbeing, character development and the wider life of the school.
I would like to thank our staff for their continued commitment and professionalism, and our families for the support you provide each day. Working together is what enables our pupils to thrive, and we are grateful for the positive partnerships we share.
Please keep an eye on upcoming newsletters and communications for key dates, events and opportunities to get involved. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to get in touch.
I wish everyone a positive and successful term ahead and look forward to all that we will achieve together.
Update from our Chair of Governors - Amanda Letch
Currently we have a vacancy for a Parent Governor. If anyone is interested in becoming a Parent Governor, please email me on cog@ecchinswellsydmonton.hants.sch.uk
I will happily talk to you about what the role of Parent Governor entails and invite you to observe one of our meetings in order to see the work that the Governors do.
Attendance Matters
School attendance, as always, is a focus for our school this year.
Our school attendance target is 97% and above for all children at Ecchinswell and Sydmonton Primary School, we are committed to:
• Promoting good attendance and reducing absence, including persistent absence
• Ensuring every pupil arrives at school on time and ready to learn
• Ensuring every pupil has access to full-time education to which they are entitled good attendance means being in school at least 97% of the time (184 days or more) good punctuality means being in school at 08:45 ready to learn
Strong attendance is directly linked with stronger academic achievements as well as contributing to increased sense of belonging and strong social relationships. Here is a summary of each class' attendance this term to date:
Class | Attendance |
Dandelion | 96.2% |
Silver | 96.7% |
Speedwell | 93.8% |
Safeguarding Matters
Key safeguarding messages for parents
Empower children to speak out: Teach children they have the right to say no and to talk to a trusted adult if they are worried, uncomfortable, or anything happens that makes them feel unsafe
Promote open communication: Have regular conversations with your child about their day, their friends, and what they see online to help them feel comfortable discussing any issues that arise
Establish boundaries: Create clear rules about personal space and online activity to help children understand and respect their own and others' boundaries
Prioritise online safety: Guide children on recognising online risks, understanding safe online relationships, and managing their use of technology and social media
Recognise warning signs: Be aware of potential indicators of abuse or neglect, which can include changes in behaviour, mood, or physical well-being
Know where to get help: Keep contact information for school safeguarding staff, Hampshire Children's Services, and charities like the NSPCC and ChildLine readily available
Work with the school: Understand that we have safeguarding policies in place and designated staff who can offer support. Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mrs Hartley and our Deputy Safeguarding Lead is Mrs Story-Scrivens, report any concerns to our Safeguarding Leads so they can act to protect the child
Report concerns immediately: If there is an immediate risk of harm, contact the police by dialling 999 or for non emergency please contact Hampshire Children Services via the contact details below:
Hampshire Children Services
Monday to Thursday 8:30 am to 5 pm Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, phone 0300 555 1384
Online safety hints and tips
It is often difficult to know how to protect your children online. These two links below provide step-by-step guides and show you how to activate parental controls to manage children’s devices, apps, and platforms to give your children safer online experiences.
Highlights from this term from our classes
Here is a little insight from Dandelion, Silver and Speedwell for this term.
✨ A chilly start to Spring Term for Dandelion Class!
Dandelion class were very excited when it started snowing this term. They loved playing in the outside area, exploring and investigating the snow.
✨ Silver class' sparkling ditty for the start of Spring term ✨
Silver Class and the Mary Rose
Silver Class were buzzing,
With history in the air,
Learning about King Henry,
And the Tudor world he’d share.
They read about his castles,
His feasts and royal might,
About the ships he built with pride,
The Mary Rose, his knight.
So off they went to Portsmouth,
Excitement running high,
To see the mighty warship,
That once ruled sea and sky.
They tiptoed through the galleries,
Eyes wide with wonder bright,
Peering at the treasures,
Raised again into the light.
They saw the giant timbers,
The cannons lined in rows,
The tools, the shoes, the stories,
Of the sailors long ago.
And Silver Class imagined
The ship in days gone by,
Her sails filled out with ocean wind,
Her colours flying high.
Back at school they chattered
About everything they’d seen,
History brought to life again,
In gold and salt and green.
For Silver Class discovered,
As every learner knows,
Adventure lives in stories,
And in ships like Mary Rose.
✨ Speedwell Class – Spring term successes ✨
Upon fair Speedwell’s voyage bold, to Portsmouth’s harbour wide,
We learned of Mary Rose of old, her timbers worn by tide.
King Henry’s tales of wives we heard six stories, grand yet grave,
And wandering through that ancient hall, felt history from the wave.
Great marvels met us on our way, such treasures to behold,
The ship restored from ocean’s grey, her secrets long untold.
We laughed, we learned, we had great fun each step a tale anew,
A Tudor world before our eyes, in oak and iron hue.
Now turned to light, our studies bright, where beams in straight lines glide,
We traced how candles cast their shapes and shadows stretch and hide.
From prism’s dance to colours born, we watched their patterns fly,
And marvelled at the wondrous ways that light can trick the eye.
The eye itself, a chambered orb, with lens and pupil clear,
Shows how the world comes into view when light draws ever near.
From cornea to retina, its workings we explore,
A story just as rich and deep as those from Tudor lore.
PTFA News
We have some exciting news!
We will be holding a disco on Friday 13th February and Holi colour run on Friday 6th March - details to follow
Dates for your Diary
Monday 2nd February | SORA workshop for YR, 1,2,3 & 4 children and parents - details to follow |
Monday 2nd February to Friday 6th February | National Story Telling Week |
Tuesday 10th February | Safer Internet Day |
Friday 13th February | PTFA disco from 3.30 pm - details to follow |
Monday 16th February to Friday 20th February | Half term holiday |
Monday 23rd February | Back to school |
Wednesday 25th February | Parental consultation evening - booking details to follow |
Thursday 5th March | World Book Day - details to follow |
Friday 6th March | PTFA Holi colour run at 3.30 pm - details to follow |
Friday 20th March | Comic Relief - details to follow |
Friday 27th March | Inset Day |
Monday 30th March to Friday 10th April | Easter holidays |
Monday 13th April | Back to school |
