Weekly Update from Mr Meehan

There has been lots of exciting learning going on this week, across the school from Early Years where children have been learning from each other about greetings in different languages, whilst in Year 6 it was a pleasure for me to visit earlier in the week and talk about the ambition to “maximise our potential” in the children’s prep for their SATs tests later in the year.

We’ve also had ‘wild west’ themed drama workshops this week in Years 1 and 2 and Year 4 also enjoyed a Roman experience on Tuesday, in a workshop considering what it would have been like to be a child in Roman Britain. Well done to Fox class, who ‘took to the stage’ yesterday for their class worship with some fantastic acting and singing; they enjoyed sharing their learning with us, bringing to life the story of the Great Fire of London. Our Open the Book worship this week was also a dramatic Bible story this week, which the children enjoyed getting involved in, especially when King Saul was throwing spears (not real ones…!). All in all, there has been a whole lot of drama and acting going on this week!

Thank you for booking your parent consultation appointments, which we are holding soon. Do also ensure you have in your diary our Learning Look later in the term, which is a great opportunity to come in to see your child’s learning in their books and their learning environment. This is scheduled for 21st March this term. Don’t forget you are always welcome to contact your child’s class teacher at any time to find out more about how they are doing in their learning.

As the weather hopefully continues to warm up a bit, I hope you and your family have a great weekend.

MRS COLTMAN RECOMMENDS

Mr Penguin and the Lost Treasure by Alex T Smith

Mr Penguin is a funny and endearing character. It's great fun going on an adventure with him and there is a twist you might not expect! If you love this, then you will be excited to know there are other Mr Penguin books. 

Our School Updates for Parents

School Trips - Payments/Contributions in Arbor

From the beginning of this term we have been setting up all payments for school trips and events in the School Shop area of Arbor. Please can you check in your Arbor account in Activities - School Trips - Past Trips to see if there are any outstanding payments/contributions for school trips, etc. from last term.

Any Spare Comfy Chairs?

We are looking to increase the areas we can read/work with children outside of classrooms, to create some more reading corners and nooks across the junior site. If your workplace is updating or letting go of any chairs similar to the ones in this photo, please let us know; these type of chairs are ones we are particularly interested in sourcing.

Slapped Cheek

In recent days, we have had a few suspected and confirmed cases of slapped cheek around the school. Please be mindful of the symptoms of this; more information can be accessed here.

Wearable Devices 

Just a reminder that devices such as smart watches are not allowed to be worn in school.  Whilst the wearing of a watch is encouraged to support the children in learning to tell the time, children are not allowed to wear smartwatches to school that have any of the following functions: wifi connection, ability to take photographs, ability to play games.

Wider Community Updates

Acting Opportunity for 10-16 year olds

Thames Music Theatre is a new theatre company aimed at young people in SW London, Surrey and nearby areas. It has been founded by professionals in the world of music theatre, including the founder of the National Youth Music Theatre. Their first show will be this summer in the Rose Theatre in Kingston upon Thames, and will be a hilarious music comedy set in Roman-occupied Lancashire and will be huge fun! They are looking for aspiring actors aged 10-16 to audition for this, with preliminary audition slots in early February and main rehearsals outside of term-time. Please see the attached poster or visit their website for more information and to submit an application.

Swimming Crash Course - February Half Term

Please see the attached flyer for details of a swimming crash course that will be run at Grand Avenue Primary School over the February half term for 4-12 year old children.

Our Camps - February Half Term

Our Camps are running a holiday camp at the Malden Centre in February half term, where the children will have the opportunity to have swimming sessions, participate in sports and physical activities, learn new skills such as skateboarding, be creative through arts and crafts as well as science experiments and much more! They work in direct partnership with the Councils and Local Authority partners to make attending camps FREE for free school meal children. Please see attached poster for details and how to book.

FREE Talking Teens Parenting Programme

Families Thriving Together are running a free 4-week online parenting programme for those parenting pre-teen and teen aged children, living in the Borough of Kingston. They are taking place from 6:30 - 8:00pm on 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th March. Please see the attached flyer which includes a QR code where parents / carers can register for the programme. 

Kingston Adult Education Courses

Please find attached a brochure outlining some of the courses available at Kingston Adult Education, part of Kingston Council, during the Spring Term. A number of these courses are free.  Courses take place at various times and locations across our borough, and include:

• Reducing anxiety and developing resilience in your child
• Help your child be a good friend
• Support your child through exam stress
• Assisting your child with their maths school work

They also offer a comprehensive range of vocational and creative courses to develop your skills, increase your earning potential and improve your wellbeing. For further information, please contact Kingston Adult Education directly on 020 8547 6700 or at adult.education@kingston.gov.uk

Key School Dates 

• Thursday 1st February - Gazelle Class Worship @ 2:45pm
• Monday 5th - Friday 9th February - Chums Week
• Tuesday 6th February - Safer Internet Day
• Tuesday 6th February - Y6 Junior Citizen 2024 @ Chessington WOA
• Tuesday 6th February - Y5 Viking Workshop (pm)
• Wednesday 7th February - Parents’ Evening @ 3:45pm - 6:45pm
• Thursday 8th February - Parents’ Evening @ 2:45pm - 5:45pm (School closes 1 hour early) 
• Monday 12th - Friday 16th February - Half term
• Tuesday 20th February - Nursery Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30am
• Thursday 22nd February - Y2 Brightsparks Concert @ Royal Festival Hall
• Thursday 22nd February - Y6 Trip to Kew Gardens
• Monday 26th February - Y4 Trip to Natural History Museum
• Thursday 29th February - Lion Class Worship @ 2:45pm
• Thursday 7th March - World Book Day
• Thursday 7th March - Tiger Class Worship @ 2:45pm
• Monday 11th - Friday 15th March - World Week & Wellbeing Week
• Tuesday 12th March - Paralympic Athlete Visit
• Wednesday 13th March - Y1 Zoolabs Workshop
• Wednesday 13th March - Y5 Easter Experience at the Baptist Church
• Thursday 14th March - Owl Class Worship @ 2:45pm
• Thursday 14th  March - Earthsong Workshops (Juniors)
• Friday 15th March - Earthsong Workshops (Junior site for Infants)
• Monday 18th - Friday 22nd March - Chums Week
• Tuesday 19th March - Reception & Y6 - National Child Measurement Programme
• Thursday 21st March - Y3 Trip to Butser Farm
• Thursday 21st March - Hedgehog Class Worship @ 2:45pm
• Thursday 21st March - Learning Look @ 4:30-5:30pm
• Friday 22nd March - Spring showcase for orchestra, recorders and bells @ 9am
• Tuesday 26th March - Year 5/6 choir at Cluster Concert in the Rose Theatre (pm)
• Wednesday 27th March - Infant Easter Bonnet Parade
• Thursday 28th March - Church Service @ 9:45am
• Thursday 28th March - Term finishes early at 1.05pm (infants) and 1.20pm (juniors). Connect will finish at 5:15pm
• Monday 15th April - Summer term starts