Weekly Update 7 2023/2413 October 2023 (by admin) |
Dear Fairfields Community,
Thank you understanding this week regarding the late opening on Wednesday. The leak was discovered next to the main supply to the school and was repaired on the day.
It has been a great week in school, with pupils starting to take on their new responsibilities as leaders in the school. Thank you for supporting them with their applications and for encouraging them to apply.
Physical Education in School
Thank you to the parents who raised in person their concerns about physical activity and enquired as to why there is only one formal PE lesson a week.
We refer to the National Curriculum document when making decisions about what to teach and when.
The curriculum for PE can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7c4edfed915d3d0e87b801/PRIMARY_national_curriculum_-_Physical_education.pdf
You will note that it does not state how much time should be spent on PE lessons and promotes physical exercise in general. The Education Act 2002 prohibits the Secretary of State for Education from prescribing the amount of time to be spent on any curriculum subject, including PE. The Government also does not set a target for how much curriculum time schools must dedicate to PE. However, we recognise that there is a lot of misinformation that parents may be accessing.
We view physical activity as an ongoing learning experience; as opposed to a single lesson. For that reason, on top of the formal PE lesson, each lunchtime we employ two sports coaches for four days a week. In addition, we provide activities in the fenced area and in the playground by two qualified play leaders. We also provide dance teaching four days a week and also circus skill activities every day during lunchtime. We also cater for yoga and have mats and activity cards available for pupils to use on the astro turf. This equates to pupils having access to a minimum of 3.5 hours of physical activity a week.
We are satisfied that we offer a broad and balanced curriculum which includes as much physical activity as possible. This was also the case for OFSTED last year when they rated us as Outstanding for Personal Development.
We make use of the field when the weather permits and when adults are available to support toileting back and forth from the field to the main school building. We require an additional two adults per year group (on top of those supporting children with additional needs) to use the field safely. Time can also be a limiting factor as it takes approximately 15 minutes to walk children to and back from the field safely. Doing this at lunchtime would reduce the active participation in physical activity as pupils would spend a proportion of their break lining up and walking to and from the field instead of playing.
The school has one school hall which is used for lunches, interventions and music lessons in the morning. In the afternoon there are only 2 hours when the hall can be used each day. Each class has 1 hour of PE which can be moved to the hall if the weather is wet or too cold. There are 12 classes who have formal PE lessons and only 10 hours where the hall is available. This means that we make use of the playground and field as much as possible. When the weather is drier, we are able to take pupils over to the field for PE lessons and this happens mainly at the start of the Autumn term, second half of the Spring Term and throughout the Summer Term. We also offer swimming lessons to pupils in Year 3 and bikeability in Year 6.
Black History Month-
To celebrate Black History Month in the UK, on behalf of the Mary Seacole Trust pupils from the following year groups of our school have been formally invited to take part in the 2024 Young Seacole Ambassadors initiative.
- Year 5 & Year 6
Following the success of previous competitions, they are encouraging more children across London and the South to get involved in nominating someone that inspires our youngsters.
The competition will require participants to submit a piece of work describing who they regard as their modern day Mary Seacole and telling us why.
Through the competition, they aim to encourage children to recognise the qualities of an inspirational person who embodies the qualities of Mary Seacole. The shortlisted participants will have an opportunity to attend a reception at The Underglobe (Shakespeare's Globe Theatre), London, where the winners and runners up will be announced on 21st March 2024 and prizes awarded for both individuals and their schools.
To register for the 2024 Young Seacole Ambassadors competition, please complete the form via this link: https://www.maryseacoletrust.org.uk/ysareg2024/
To find out more visit the toolkit (https://www.flipsnack.com/mst2018/ysa2024-booklet-pdf/full-view.html).
Entries should be submitted either by a parent or guardian via email to: education@maryseacole.org.uk. The deadline for submissions is Friday 15th December 2023.
Changes to Staffing for Budapest and Canberra
We have a number of changes in the teachers for Budapest and Canberra following Mrs. Dawson’s decision to reduce her hours. This means that from next week, Mrs. Dawson will teach Budapest on Monday. Miss Bos will then teach the class Tuesday to Friday until Miss Bradley returns in January. Miss Bos taught Budapest during Mrs. Dawson’s period of absence and already knows the class well. She will also conduct the parents’ evenings on the 15th and 16th November.
Miss Rees will teach Canberra class on Friday each week until January. This is due to the changes described above.
Communication Concerns Raised by Parents
It is important to us that parents/carers are receiving regular informative communications from the school. We have worked hard to improve our communications and continue to regularly review our approaches, including the school website, my weekly note and the use of the School Jotter app. These are our official mechanisms for communication, where you will find the latest news and updates.
Many of you may be part of informal WhatsApp groups that have been created by parents for individual year groups. It's important to remind you that the school does not use these for our communications, nor do we have any control over what is posted. Any information posted may be inaccurate or based on a personal experience or a perception. No individual within such groups is communicating on behalf of the school. We ask that you treat our official mechanisms for communication as the source of school information, and do not rely on information pertaining to the school posted within WhatsApp groups or any other form of communication.
Several parents/carers have contacted us to raise their concerns on information posted in WhatsApp year groups. For instance, we are aware that a few parents are making use of social media to question systems in the school. If you feel uncomfortable with any content posted, parents/carers should feel confident in not participating or leaving such groups.
Again, if you have a concern, please do come and see a member of staff first so that we can attempt to resolve it. If you feel the school has not resolved this to your satisfaction, the Complaints Policy, along with our Communication Policy, is available via our website.
Diwali (13th November)
Thank you to the parents who have come forward to offer to help with our Diwali celebration. We will have a quick planning meeting straight after school on Wednesday 1st November. All are welcome!
PTA Update
Christmas Fair - Thursday 14 December
Please visit our website at www.FairfieldsPTA.uk for details of the Christmas Fair, which includes a sign-up sheet for anyone that is able to spare some time to help with the event. There is also a flyer attached to this email to give more details of what is planned.
We are also on the lookout for good quality second hand toys or raffle prizes that parents would be willing to donate for this event so if you can help then please either bring them to the school office or email us and we can collect.
Details of how you can buy raffle tickets and tokens will be available nearer the time but it will be free entry so please pop it in your diary - everyone is welcome.
If you can help with anything or just want to find out more without committing then please email us directly at fairfieldspta@gmail.com.
Christmas Card Designs
Your child should soon be coming home from school with a sheet where they can do their own design which can then be turned into Christmas cards, mugs, tea towels etc - these need to be returned to your class teacher by 1st November the latest, so perhaps an activity to do during half term. Should you require an additional design sheet then these can be collected from reception who have some spares.
There is no obligation to buy when returning your child's design. You will receive a unique link during November to allow you to choose to buy items with this design. For every purchase made the PTA receives funds so this is a great way to raise money for school improvements.
Top Tip for Parents
The Mental Heath in Schools Team are offering monthly virtual sessions for parents and carers around common concerns in primary age children. The first sessions will be 'Overcoming Childhood Anxiety' aimed at understanding and managing anxiety in children under 12'.
Please see the attached flyer (not School Jotter) for more information about how to access this support.
As October Half-Term is fast approaching, Southampton City Council are pleased to announce that we have a wide range of activities for children and their families to keep everyone entertained this Autumn!
They have planned programme of history and art workshops cover everything from fun family walking tours to hands on workshops and all day wrap around care. Workshops are engaging, accessible and designed to promote family learning. Please see attached flyer (not School Jotter) for details. Tracey is looking forward to sharing more activities with you on Monday at the Sunflower Café which is free to parents from 8:40am in the cabin area in the playground.
Updates from Year Groups
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Foundation Stage |
No updates this week |
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Year 1 |
The children have worked hard preparing their toy museum this week. Thank you to those of you who were able to attend. We hope you enjoyed it. If you were unable to attend, we will upload a video on the school website on the year 1 page. We will also upload photos. As we would like to post photographs on the school website, we would like to remind you to complete the Annual Declaration form if you have not yet done so. Here is the link: https://forms.gle/wYKv2XGpXkamhDWg6. We will work on the website next week and will only put photos of the children we have permission from. Can we please ask that children in year 1 do not wear watches to school. Children are becoming distracted by them which is preventing them from concentrating during lessons. Thank you for your understanding. |
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Year 2 |
On Monday 15th, we are going to be building hedgehog habitats. This will be on the field so please could your child come in with some wellies on that day in case the field is muddy!
Our topic for RE this half term is remembering. On Monday 15th we would like to invite the children to bring in an object or photo (if possible named) that helps them remember someone special. These will form part of our discussion about the importance of remembering. We will take photos and return these on Monday afternoon.
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Year 3 |
Year 3 have worked super hard this week to create beautiful pieces of work based on the Stone Age, we can't believe this unit of work is nearly over! Thank you to the parents waiting with their child outside of the canopy in the morning. Children should only be allowed under once their class teacher arrives. We would like to remind parents that only healthy snacks are allowed at break times. Please question us if you are not sure about a specific snack. There have been lots of biscuits and chocolate bars appearing, and this is not healthy. Thank you for your support! |
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Year 4 |
No updates this week |
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Year 5 |
Next Wednesday 18th October, Year 5 will be evaluating and tasting Indian food as part of our DT learning. All food will be vegetarian we have considered all allergies that we are aware off, however, please talk to us about any concerns you may have about this activity. |
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Year 6 |
Parents have been sent a report regarding their child's reading ability, please let your child's teacher know if you have any questions about it. Year 6 teachers are looking for a parent representative who could work with the PTA and help with fundraising and organising special end of year events for the Year 6 pupils. Please speak to Miss Cox if you would be able to support us, so a meeting can be held after half-term. If there are no volunteers we would find it very difficult to have Year 6 occasions, such as the leavers disco and to have the year-book made.
As you know, applications for transfer to Secondary School in September 2024 opened on 11 September and will close on 31 October 2023, immediately after the half-term holiday. It is very important that all families apply before the closing date, through their home local authority, to ensure that their children have the best chance of a school place offer at their local or preferred school. |
Dates for next week
Please come and join the Sunflower Café which starts next week. Tracey will send out details, but please do come and have a cup of tea or coffee and meet other parents.
Monday 16th October – Year 2 Hedgehog House building day
Thursday 19th October – Open morning for Foundation Stage children starting in September 2024.
For other key dates – please look at the calendar on the website or School Jotter.
PE days
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Foundation |
Due to start PE lessons in the Summer Term |
|
Year 1 |
Tuesday |
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Year 2 |
Monday |
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Year 3 |
Friday and every other Wednesday (Children can wear PE uniform on both days if easier to remember) |
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Year 4 |
Tuesday |
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Year 5 |
Monday and Thursday (Children can wear PE uniform on both days if easier to remember) |
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Year 6 |
Monday and Wednesday (Children can wear PE uniform on both days if easier to remember) |
Start and finishing times are as follows:
Foundation Stage, year 1 and Year 2: 8:40am – 3:10pm (Foundation Stage have a staggered start at the beginning of the year and so please collect at the times you have been given).
Years 3- 6: 8:45am – 3:15pm
Have a wonderful weekend!
Miss Kelly Dillon
Headteacher
