Fairfields Primary School

Dear parents and carers,

We are nearly at the end of this half term and I think we should be really proud of everything we have achieved despite the challenges.  Well done to all of the children in the school for continuing to work hard and learn, whether their teacher is in school or on Zoom. 

We are reviewing the curriculum that has been missed this term due to staff shortages and have agreed that some year groups may continue with the topic they are learning after half term.  Please do ensure your child is in school as much as possible unless they are unwell as we also need to catch up with assessments. 

We will be continuing to look at attendance in the school but will not penalise pupils who are not in school due to a period of illness related to COVID.  The main concern for us at present are the number of children who are arriving late to school and having to come through the school office to register.  Lessons begin as soon as the class are in the classroom. 

The other concern we have are the pupils who are not attending school for an odd day or sometimes the same day each week.  We will be contacting parents who fit into these two categories and agreeing ways to prevent this from happening in the future. 

Parent Meet-up Mondays – starting after half term!

We understand that some families are under extreme pressure.  This has also worsened with rising bills and changes to employment.  Please do remember that we are committed to working in partnership with parents and we may be able to help.  For this reason, Terri Hope, our Home-School Link Worker, will be holding a parent meet-up in the cabin every Monday morning. 

This is a chance for you to ask questions, share concerns or seek advice about anything that may be affecting you. It could be that you just want to ask a question about something you are unsure about.  You do not need to book, just turn up and say hello to Terri between 8:40am – 9:30am.  This will begin after half term. 

Children’s Mental Health Week and Internet Safety Day

This week we have been learning about the importance of staying mentally well and healthy.  This has included looking at how we are growing resilient and stronger together, even through difficult times.   We have also looked at the importance of sleep, reducing screen time and behaving responsibly when online. 

Here are some key facts about sleep:

• Most children between the ages of 5 and 12 years old are somewhere in between, needing 10 to 11 hours of sleep. Some children might need more and some need less. It depends on the child.
• Skipping 1 night's sleep can make a person have low mood and irritable.
• After missing 2 nights of sleep, a person will have problems thinking and doing things; his or her brain and body can't do their normal tasks nearly as well.
• After 5 nights without sleep or with very little sleep, a person can hallucinate (this means seeing things that aren't actually there).
• Eventually, it becomes impossible for the brain to give its directions to the rest of the body without sleep.

Too much screen time can lead to obesity, sleep problems, chronic neck and back problems, depression, anxiety and lower test scores in children. Children should limit screen time to 1 to 2 hours per day. Adults could also try to limit screen time outside of work hours to model healthy habits with screen time. 

We are looking at how we can help parents manage screen time with their children.  This includes our computing teacher leading sessions for parents.  Please also see the advice and links on our web page for parents: https://www.fairfields.hants.sch.uk/parents/keeping-your-child-safe-online

Thank you to both Mrs Hopkins and Mr Hewlett for organising activities throughout the week.  Please check out what the classes have been doing on the well-being page on our website.  https://www.fairfields.hants.sch.uk/wellbeing

The Relaxed Kids session for parents was successful this afternoon and we will be looking to run other sessions after half term. 

COVID Update

We are pleased to see that the number of cases in the school continues to fall.  Please do still keep monitoring your child for symptoms and only send them into school if they are well. 

Please find attached information on symptoms of COVID in children, which was sent out by the World Health Organisation in November 2020.  These are still relevant now.

Comic Relief, Red Nose Day – Friday 18^th March

To raise money for Comic Relief, we will be inviting children to come into school wearing non-school uniform.  This can include red accessories or red face paint or your child may just want to wear red clothing. 

Please can we ask anyone taking part in the non-school uniform to donate £1 for charity.  This will be collected in the playground in the morning. 

We will also be holding a talent contest in the school on the day.  Each class will be auditioning an act to compete in the whole school event. 

Finally, have a wonderful weekend.  Please take time to rest and prepare for the final week!

Yours sincerely

Miss Kelly Dillon

Headteacher