Newsletter February 2025

Ecchinswell & Sydmonton
7 days ago
4 min read

Spotlight on Our Christian Value: Courage

This month we are focusing on the Christian value of Courage.

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me” - Philippians 4:13

Headteacher's Update - Alison Story-Scrivens

I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable half term break. It has been wonderful to welcome our children back to school this week, refreshed and ready for a busy and exciting second half of the Spring Term.

February may be a short month, but it is always a productive one. Classrooms are already buzzing with purposeful learning and I have been so impressed with the enthusiasm and focus the children have shown on their return. Thank you for your continued support in ensuring strong attendance and punctuality, it really does make a difference to your child’s progress and confidence.

Over the coming weeks, we have a number of exciting activities planned, including curriculum enrichment opportunities, sporting events and preparations for upcoming assessments in some year groups.

As always, our staff remain committed to providing a safe, nurturing and ambitious environment where every child can thrive. If you have any questions, concerns, or simply wish to share positive feedback, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support. We are looking forward to a fantastic remainder of the Spring Term together.

Highlights from this term from our classes

Here is a little insight from Dandelion, Silver and Speedwell for this term:

Dandelion class loved the topic of The Great Fire of London. They remembered many key facts about the fire, how it started in the bakery and spread quickly because the houses were so close together. They enjoyed learning about Samuel Pepys and his diary, writing their own diaries in English. They created dances and art work and designed and built their own fire engines which could move.

Silver class are working hard this term researching the cities of Portsmouth and Boston and making a comparison between the two places. They are building on their knowledge of Portsmouth from the trip to The Historic Dockyard.

Through MyHappymind they are learning to be grateful for themselves, others and experiences.

They are enjoying the National Year of Reading and are very keen to read as much as possible and reduce their screen time at home.

Speedwell class have been inspired following on from the live lesson with rapper and poet Salim Kamara:

Yo, Speedwell class is in the place, ready to create,

Droppin’ rhymes on superpowers - yeah, the lines sound great!

After Storytelling Week, we’re feelin’ alive,

That live lesson lit the spark, now the raps all thrive.

We got word wizards, rhyme heroes takin’ the lead,

Super-speed writers with the power to read

Minds, time, space - whatever they choose,

Every student in the room got a power to use.

From invisibility bars to fire-and-ice flows,

Turning imagination into lyrics that glow,

Speedwell class rising up, yeah, they’re owning the hour,

’Cause nothing hits harder than a story with power!

Safeguarding

Matters

If you are concerned then contact Hampshire Children Services:

Monday to Thursday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Phone: 0300 555 1384

👉 Here is a useful link from the NSPCC on advice on mobile phones

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’s attendance this term to date:

Dandelion	96.0%
Silver	96.3%
Speedwell	94.0%

Dates for your Diary

Wednesday 25^th February	Parent consultation evening 3:30-7:00
Thursday 5^th March	World Book Day
Friday 6^th March	PTFA Holi colour run at 3:30 pm
Friday 13^th March	Mother’s Day Service 2:15 at school
Friday 20^th March	Comic Relief - Wacky clothes, cake sale and scooterthon
Monday 23^rd March	Easter service 2:00 at the church
Friday 27^th March	Inset Day
Monday 30^th March to Friday 10^th April	Easter Holidays
Monday 13^th April	Back to school
Monday 4^th May	Bank Holiday
Monday 11^th May - Thursday 14th May	Year 6 SATs.
Wednesday 20^th May	Silver and Speedwell to the ‘Insight’ exhibition at The Base
Thursday 21^st May	Rugby tournament year 5 and 6 girls Chineham Rugby Club
Monday 25^th May to Friday 29^th May	Half Term
Monday 8^th June – Friday 12^th June	Year 1 and 2 phonic screening
Wednesday 17^th June	Sports day 1:30 at school