Fairfields Primary School

Dear parents and carers,

It has been a busy week in the school with Year 5 conducting a river studies trip at the Gilbert Whites Field Studies Centre.  The weather stayed dry for them and the children thoroughly enjoyed using and applying their knowledge to a real river. 

As well as this, a Magic Merlin drama workshop took place with children in Foundation Stage, Year 1 and 2 today.  The children took part in singing and drama activities.  Thank you to the staff and parent helpers who have helped to make these opportunities happen.   

Medical Condition Form

We have only received half of the medical forms we would expect. Please do check your emails for the one with the links to the medical forms, if your child needs one.  The electronic form needs to be completed so that we can help your child in the correct way.  From next week, we will be contacting parents directly and asking for them to complete the form so that we can take care of their medical needs. 

Library Update

The children have begun using the school library this week.  Foundation Stage children had their first visit and were wowed by the tree house and toadstool chairs.  We are in the final stages of organising  the books and are awaiting confirmation of a date for an official opening with a special guest.  We are now looking for a carpenter who will be able to make some book ends for the shelving.  We have the wood available but need someone skilled to make the ends out of them.  If this is you or anyone you know, please let Mr Mardell , our Site Manager know in the playground. 

Parent Forum

Thank you so much to the parents who attended the Parent Forum on Wednesday this week.  We discussed how the school manages behaviour and also our medical conditions process. 

As a result, we will now be providing ‘Top Tips for Parents’ and including pieces of information relating to behaviour in the weekly update.

We are going to also be running a session for parents with the Primary Behaviour Service who have provided excellent training for us over the last few years.  This is a session for adults only and is in person, in the school, on Wednesday 5^th October 6-8pm.  Your child will have brought a leaflet home this week. 

Clubs

The school is able to offer a selection of clubs each term, but this is only based on the good will of the staff who are happy to give up their time.  Unfortunately, this does mean that we are not able to offer clubs for all of the children in the school as there are not enough trained teachers. 

We understand that there have been complaints about the amount of clubs being run.  Please be aware, that there is no expectation for schools to offer wrap around care other than that offered by Energy Kidz (previously Freddies).  However, we will now look at external providers for clubs which will increase the amount of clubs being run.  Please be aware that these clubs there will be a cost to parents. 

Nuts in lunchboxes

We have found cashew nuts on the floor of the dinner hall after packed lunches had been eaten on one day this week.  Please can we remind everyone that nuts should not be brought into school due to some children having severe allergies. 

Children who have instrument lessons with Mr Timms in school

Mr Timms would like to hold a meeting with parents who have signed up for music tuition this year.  The meeting will take place on Zoom on Tuesday 27^th September at 7pm using the code below. 

At the meeting Mr Timms will explain how the lessons work, how to access the HMS website, how to hire instruments, how to contact him and how to help and support your children with their learning and practice.

To Join the Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/94812178566?pwd=U29KbGczTVFOaUw1NVZVTGJ6UWp3QT09

Meeting ID: 948 1217 8566

Passcode: 157507

Top Tips for Parents

If your child comes home and normally says that they aren’t enjoying elements of school or found it difficult, consider reframing the questions. 

For example, instead of asking “how was your day?” you could ask:

What was the best thing that happened today?

What was your favourite lesson?

You could finish the conversation with:

If you had to make something better, what would it be?

This will help to focus them on the good things and on the improving things that aren’t going so well.

Finally, we have a number of swivel chairs and tables from classrooms which have been replaced due to wear and tear.  Please see Mr Mardell on the playground if you would like to take these for your home. 

Have a wonderful weekend

Miss Kelly Dillon

Headteacher