Fairfields Primary School

Dear Parents,

A belated Happy Easter and Eid Mubarak!  Thank you to the PTA for the exciting Easter egg hunt which took place after school on Friday.  Thank you also to all of the parents and children who supported this event.  We have had a fantastic week back at school with all of the classes starting their new topics for the Summer Term. I hope that the children have been enthusiastic about this and have already shared their knowledge with you at home. 

We are looking forward to a busy term ahead of us with Healthy Lives Week (including Sports Day), Arts Week and also our Diversity Festival.  To begin the festivities, we would like to celebrate the King’s Coronation at our Coronation Celebration on Friday 5^th May.  You are invited to join us in the playground to watch our parade in celebration of King Charles III.  Please arrive between 1:50 and 2:05pm.  The gates will then be locked and the parade will then take place, covering a route around the playground and finishing in the green smooga area for the finale song. There will be performances by both choir and the whole school for everyone to watch.  The event will finish by 3pm and the children will then go back into school to collect their home-time things.

Please note if you arrive after 2:05pm you will not be able to get into the playground.  For safety reasons, we must lock the gates whilst the parade is in process.  Both the top and bottom gate will be unlocked for parents to access the site from 1:50 - 2:05pm only.

Late Arrangements

Thank you to everyone for supporting the office by arriving to school on time this week.  The average number of pupils arriving late has reduced from 26 to 6 each day!  We will continue with these arrangements for the rest of this half term, as it has helped the office to deal with parent enquiries more quickly.

Strike Day Update

As mentioned in the last update, the NEU have announced two days of industrial action on Thursday 27^th April and Tuesday 2^nd May.  After careful consideration we have made the decision to again proritise the Year 6 classes and will also be open to classes where the teachers are not taking industrial action.  Unfortunately, we will not know this until 7:45am on the day.  We will send an email at this time to confirm which classes are open. If your child’s class is closed on the day, you will be able to access learning via the Oak National Academy:  All subjects by key stage - Oak National Academy (thenational.academy). 

We understand that this does not give a lot of notice and that you may want to make alternative arrangements for childcare.  For this reason, attendance on this day is non-compulsory. 

Water Bottles

We have noticed that some children have been bringing in squash, juice, or fizzy drinks instead of water in their bottles.  As a school, we want to encourage children to develop healthy habits especially as the weather begins to get warmer.  From Monday 24^th April please can parents check that their child only has water in the bottle they bring to school.  We will be asking children to empty bottles containing anything other than water and refill them with water.  If you would like your child to have electrolytes or additional vitamins, these can be given before and after school. 

Farewell to Mrs Roe-Gilby

We are sad to announce that Mrs Roe-Gilby (Mrs Anna) will be leaving us on Friday 28^th April.  She has been an incredible member of our team and has supported so many children over the years.  She will begin a new role as a Parent Support Advisor in a local Secondary School.  On behalf of the whole school community, we wish her good luck in the future!  We have arranged for other members of support staff to cover her role going forward and so colouring club and games club will still continue. 

Flapjack Friday

School Council have organised for flapjacks to be sold on Friday at break time as a healthy snack.  They are hoping to raise money for the playground equipment.  These will be sold by the council members under the canopy at morning breaktime for 50p each.  You will need to pay for these via our new system for payment which will soon be announced and so please do not send your child into school with money.  The first day of sales will be on Friday 5^th May. 

Free Shop in town

We are aware that some of our older pupils (who walk home) are visiting the “Free Shop” at Holy Trinity Church on London Road and near May Place.  Unfortunately, there are other unknown adults who are also in this area and we are concerned about the contact they may have with our pupils, without supervised.  Please speak to your child and deter them from visiting this shop.  If you are struggling financially, please also let us know as we have many contacts who can help.

Top Parenting Tip

Now it is lighter children will be spending more time outside.  Have you taken time to discuss a safety plan with your child? Have you agreed a safe place for them to go if they are worried e.g. The Discovery Centre or shopping centre?  All of this will help your child to be safe as they become more and more independent.

Finally, Primary Behaviour Support will be visiting during the drop in sessions in the cabin on Monday 8:45 – 10:30am.  They have been really helpful with some of our families.  Please come along to share ideas and have a cup of coffee.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Miss Kelly Dillon

Headteacher