Fairfields Primary School

Dear Parents and carers,

I hope you are enjoying the half term holiday and are finding some time to enjoy the intermittently good weather.  Well done to everyone for such a fantastic first half term of learning with so many achievements. 

Thank you also to everyone who attended our Diwali celebration on Friday afterschool.  The sense of community during these events is incredible and I am always struck by how important it is that we are able to together, celebrate the diversity within the school.   Well to especially to the children who danced from the Kala and the Arts group, Ishwari who performed a solo dance and also choir!

I hope that our families have enjoyed their Diwali celebrations over the last few days!  We are looking to build a community webpage on our website and I would really appreciate any photographs of Diwali celebrations taking place at home.  If you are happy to share these, please email them to admin@fairfields.hants.sch.uk.

We will be continuing to plan for both our PTA Christmas Fair on Wednesday 7th December and Chinese New Year celebration on Monday 23^rd January.  Both of these events will take place afterschool and we are asking for as many parents possible to help organise them.   We are lookoing for any donations of nearly new or new toys and games to use as prizes.  If you have any of these, please do bring them to the school and we will arrange for an official PTA day to collect them.

If you are able to help with the Christmas Fair, please visit the PTA page on our website: Fairfields Primary School - PTA.

If you are able to help organise the Chinese New Year celebration, please email Mrs Harper using the email, admin@fairfields.hants.sch.uk.  

School Meals for Pupils

HC3S have written to us to say that they regrettably will have to increase the price of the school meals.  This is due to the increase in inflation which has impacted on the cost of both food and other supply costs.  They will continue to lobby for increased funding from the Government to subsidise the meals on our behalf.  This does mean that the cost of a meal will increase by 20p from £2.60 to £2.80 with effect from Monday 31^st October. 

If you are struggling financially, please do let us know by contacting either myself, Mrs Hopkins or Terri Hope in the office.  We may be able to apply for grants or have access to funds which can pay for other costs.  You can also check if you are eligible for free school meals via the Hampshire website: https://www.hants.gov.uk/educationandlearning/freeschoolmeals.

Change to Staffing from January

We are happy to announce that Mrs Raggett will be returning from maternity leave in January but not to replace Mrs Bracken in Year 2 as planned.  She will be returning to school for four days a week and will be teaching in Year 4.  Mrs McGuire has made the sad decision to leave the teaching profession and will be therefore leaving at the end of December.  Mrs Raggett was previously a Year 4 teacher and knows the curriculum and expectations well.  Mrs Powers will teach the class on Wednesday each week as she already teachers the other class on Friday.  This means that the Year 4 team will consist of Miss young, Mrs Raggett and Mrs Powers and should aid consistency across the year group. 

Mrs Bracken will be leaving the school in December as planned and will now be replaced by a new teacher to the school.  Mr Bainbridge will be joining us in January as an experienced Key Stage one teacher.  He will be visiting the school throughout December to meet the class and have a detailed handover with Mrs Bracken before he starts. 

Top Tips for Parents

Instead of saying “Please!” to your child when giving an instruction, swap it around and say, “Thank you”.  This changes it from a question to a command. 

Children hear “Will you put your shoes on please!” as a question and can sometimes refuse (especially if they are doing something more interesting).  Saying, “Put your shoes on, thank you!” is definitely a command. 

We use this in school.  Instead of “Can you walk, please!” we say “Walking, thank you!”.

Dates for your diary

Parents Evening 1^st and 2^nd November

Please do make sure that you have booked an appointment for Parents Evening on either of these two days.  It is so important that we work together to help your child reach their potential.  There are options of virtual and face to face meetings.

Monday 7^th November – We will be organising a winter coat swap on this day.  If you have any unwanted washed coats or wellington boots, please do bring them into school next week.  We will then put them out after school on Monday 7^th November for parents to ensure that every child has a winter coat. 

Friday 11^th November – Individual photos are being taken in school. 

Monday 14^th November – Odd Socks Day in school to mark the start of Anti-bullying Week.  Children, Staff and parents are invited to wear odd socks to school on Monday.

Friday 25^th November – Advent Calendar making in the Hall afterschool 3:20 – 4pm.  This is a free activity for children to create their own advent calendars in preparation for the Christian period of Advent.   

Have a wonderful rest of the holiday and I look forward to seeing you back at school on Monday 31^st October.

Miss Kelly Dillon

Headteacher