This week, we’ve messages about measles, free school meals and a couple of forthcoming events in school. Before that, a well done and a thank you…
Phonics
In case you missed it, make sure you read the letter from the Rt Hon Damian Hinds, the Minister for Schools, congratulating us on our ‘outstanding achievement in the 2023 Phonics Screening Check’. Well done to all the pupils, now in Year 2, for this fantastic achievement, and thank you to parents and carers for supporting their child at home.
Watch us while we work
For parents and carers of children in Years 1 -6, this afternoon we’ve had another Watch Us While We Work session – the second of the year. Thank you if you were able to come to school to find out ways to support your child at home.
Based on parent feedback, we’ve a new feedback form for planned-in visits like this – things like Watch Us While We Work, Topic review sessions and Reception Stay and Learns.
Measles
This comes from the Department for Education (DfE):
There have been recent localised outbreaks of measles centred around the West Midlands. There is a risk of further outbreaks in other areas unless urgent action is taken to increase Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination take up in areas with low MMR vaccine rates.
Measles spreads very easily among those who are unvaccinated, especially in nurseries and schools. The best protection against measles for children and adults is to get both doses of the MMR vaccine. It is never too late to have these vaccinations.
Read the NHS advice for parents and carers.
Read the DfE has published an Education Hub blog with guidance on measles and the MMR vaccine for parents.
Free School Meals
Circumstances can change for anyone, as the enormous impact from the pandemic continues to prove. Some families can suddenly find themselves trying to cope with a new financial strain and pressure, perhaps as a result of a stressful new situation: separation, loss of a job, decreased working
hours, illness etc. If your household income is low or has recently decreased, your child may well qualify for Free School Meals.
Find out whether you’re eligible.
In addition to securing free school meals, your child would also become eligible for pupil premium funding. This provides us with extra money that we use to support children.
Finally this week, a couple of events coming up…
Wear Red Day
Our school charity this year is Children’s Heart Surgery Fund.
Wear Red Day is an annual fund-raising event to support the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit, its patients and their families.
The day is still a uniform day, but we invite children to come to school wearing some red, too – how might they adapt their uniform? Red socks, red polo short, red shorts…
This is an optional event. We welcome any donations, all of which will go towards our charity.
Safer Internet Day
This is on Tuesday 06 February. We’ll be making the day in school, but you might want to check out some resources to use at home.
Have a great weekend!