Newsletter - 27th November
- rharfield
- Nov 27
- 8 min read
Updated: Nov 28
Spotlight on Our Christian Value: Courage
This month we are focusing on the Christian value of Courage
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Headteacher's Update
Headteacher’s Welcome: Mrs Alison Story-Scrivens
As this is my first newsletter as Headteacher, I would like to take a moment to introduce myself and say how delighted I am to be joining such a welcoming and charming school community. Over the past few weeks, I have had the pleasure of getting to know the children, staff and families and I have been truly impressed by the warmth, enthusiasm and dedication that shine through every part of school life.
My aim as Headteacher is to build on the strong foundations already in place and to ensure that every child feels valued, supported and encouraged to achieve their very best. I am committed to working closely with families and staff so that together we can continue to create a school where children flourish academically, socially and emotionally.
Thank you for the kind messages and friendly conversations I have already received, they have made my start here incredibly positive. I look forward to meeting many more of you in the festive weeks ahead and to sharing in the successes and exciting opportunities that lie before us.
Update from our Chair of Governors - Amanda Letch
Hello families,
I wanted to introduce myself to you as I have recently taken over as Chair of Governors for Ecchinswell and Sydmonton Primary School.
First, a little bit of background - I moved out of London to Ecchinswell last April (2024) and joined the Governing Board in Sept 2024. I am an educator - having spent over a decade running an outstanding school, I now run my own consultancy supporting schools in their own improvement journey. I have four children (now grown-up) of my own.
Since my election as Chair, there have been quite a few changes at the school, which I also wanted to clarify. My ethos is to be as open and transparent as possible with parents and staff. Following Paul Davies' unexpected departure, the Governing Board swiftly moved to action the appointment of Alison Story-Scrivens as Interim Head Teacher. Alison and I are working together to ensure that your children receive the best possible educational provision.
Some of you have also been asking about the SENDCo. Kathryn Knapp is Paul's SENDCo from his Woolton Hill schools and therefore when he was urged to step back by his Governors, Kathryn sadly felt that she wanted to step back too. A double blow. This week we have been having conversations with Francois Walker - he leads a SENDCo network for a group of schools in West Berks. As soon as we can confirm the name of the new SENDCo, we will. Handover with Kathryn has taken place this week.
I now have a new email address: CoG@ecchinswellsydmonton.hants.sch.uk
Please contact me on this address, if the school cannot answer your query.
Lastly, as you will be aware, there are spaces in various classes at Ecchinswell and Sydmonton CE Primary School - if you know anyone who might like to send their children to our lovely school, please spread the word. The power of 'word of mouth' is amazing!
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
Please can we remind you of the following. Parents have the legal responsibility for ensuring that:
• their child attends regularly
• their child is in school ready to learn by 08.45 hrs
• avoid medical and dental appointments during the school day
• they take holidays during school holiday periods
• they inform school of absence daily or give an expected return date
• any applications for leave of absence during term time are made in advance
• they work alongside the school and Local Authority to improve lateness and attendance
Examples of unsatisfactory explanations which will be marked as unauthorised include:
• a child’s/family member’s birthday
• shopping for uniform
• having their hair cut
• closure of a sibling’s school for INSET or other purposes
• a sibling being ill
• inability to bring your child to school
• “couldn’t get up” or "the baby had a bad night and we are tired"
• Illness where the child is considered well enough to attend school without medical intervention and in the absence of a communicable disease.
• leave during term time taken without authorisation of the school
• head lice – let the school know and communication will then be sent to all parents in a confidential manner
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 | 96.4% |
Silver | 96.3% |
Speedwell | 94.3% |
Starting Infant or Junior School in September 2026?
Does your child start junior school in September 2026? Do you know someone who is looking for a school place starting in Year R? Come along to our open morning to meet staff and children and to see our brilliant School in action.
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
If you are a member of the public and wish to report a welfare or safeguarding concern, complete our online enquiry form.
At all other times, contact the out-of-hours service, phone 0300 555 1373
Pupil Showcase
During November we had 4 rugby matches against local school teams. We played under the flood lights at the Fieldgate Centre in Kingsclere. The teams played well the first week and were narrowly defeated despite showing fantastic team work.
On the second trip their hard work was rewarded and they came out victorious in both matches. They all played incredibly well and supported each other both on and off the pitch. The team enjoyed a well deserved cup of hot chocolate at the end.
We are all very, very proud of the team. A huge thanks also to our amazing parents for their support.
PTFA News
Our PTFA are excited to end the year with some great festive events.
Friday 5th December: We are holding a Christmas movie and craft afternoon, where the children will be watching The Christmas Chronicles and enjoying some creative activities.
Friday 12th December: Our Christmas Fayre is back! There will be brilliant games run by the children, plus all the favourites - Tombola and a raffle with some fantastic prizes.
* A meal voucher for the Carpenters Arms.
* A family ticket for 4 Kingdoms.
* 6 sessions at the Darling Dogs of May
... along with many more fantastic hampers and prizes to be won!
Friday 19th December: To end the term we would love to invite friends, family and the community to join us for a festive coffee morning. Join us as we get into the Christmas spirit and listen to the children's beautiful singing.
Tuesday 13th January we have booked M&M Productions to perform the pantomime 'Sleeping Beauty' to the whole school, we can't wait!
We are already looking forward to the new year and more exciting events. We'd love to welcome more friendly faces to join us on the PTFA team.
Why reading with your child matters
Reading aloud to your children can be one of the most joyous and rewarding habits you develop as a parent. But many of us stop reading aloud once our children can read by themselves.
This means potentially missing out on an opportunity to bond and building a lifelong love of literature. Whether your child is a toddler or a teenager, the benefits of reading out loud continue well beyond the early years.
Why reading out loud matters
When you read to your children, you do more than tell a story. You provide comfort, build their vocabulary and help them develop empathy. Listening to stories allows children to experience emotions and situations beyond their day-to-day, which helps with mental and emotional development. Reading aloud also help children to become lifelong readers – which can also improve academic performance across lots different subjects, not just English.
Winning the battle against screen time
In an era where screen time often dominates, books can seem like a tough sell. But reading out loud can be a powerful tool to reclaim some of that time. By creating a special time for reading each day, you’re not just limiting screen time but replacing it with an enriching, educational, and enjoyable activity. Books offer a depth of experience that screens can’t, as well as a shared adventure that can bring your family closer together.
Becoming your family’s book matchmaker
Finding the right books to read out loud can feel overwhelming with so many options. Start by considering your child’s interests – are they fascinated by space, animals, or fantasy worlds? Your local librarian or online resources like The Reading Agency and Chatterbooks can be great for finding books that match your family’s tastes. Booktrust has reading lists grouped by age, so start here if you’re really stuck for inspiration. Once you find that perfect book, your children may start to look forward to reading time, eager to dive into the next chapter!
Dates for your Diary
Thursday 27th November 2025 | Open morning for prospective parents 9 am till 10.30 am |
Tuesday 2nd December 2025 | KS2 to visit the Ecchinswell Community Cafe |
Friday 5th December 2025 | Daily Mile - Santa Run |
PTFA - Movie night | |
Thursday 11th December 2025 | Silver Class - ‘Space Day’ |
Friday 12th December 2025 | Christmas Jumper Day for Save the Children |
PTFA Christmas Fayre - 1.30 pm till 3 pm | |
Sunday 14th December 2025 | Christingle Service 4 pm at St Lawrences Church |
Tuesday 16th December 2025 | Whole school nativity 9.30 am (ticket only) further details to follow |
Whole school Christmas lunch - further details to follow | |
Wednesday 17th December 2025 | Whole school nativity 2 pm (ticket only) further details to follow |
Thursday 18th December 2025 | Class parties and disco - further details to follow |
Friday 19th December 2025 | Community Coffee Morning with carol singing 9.30 am till 10.30 am |
Last day of term - 3.15 pm finish | |
Monday 5th January 2026 | Inset Day |
Tuesday 6th January 2026 | Children back to school |
Wednesday 7th January 2026 | Open morning for prospective parents 9 am till 10.30 am |
