Updates from Mrs Norden

Today's newsletter has lots of new information and updates, including about community events.  The last couple of weeks have been incredibly busy, and so I will let the news articles linked below to provide the details of some.  There will be more articles to come, so keep checking the website for updates.

Thank you to those who completed the e-safety survey Mrs Seaden and Mr Jiggins sent out earlier this term. From this they have begun a new blog which will provide 'Online safety tips'.  The link for this can be found below the news articles today, but in future weeks it will be with the other blogs a little further down.  Updates will focus on new tips with accompanying documents to support you at home in helping children to be safe online.

Unfortunately, our school dinner cost will be increasing from 1st April due to the rising costs of food, fuel, energy and employment.  From the start of the summer term a school meal will cost £2.60.

If you plan to join us for our reading workshop and activity on Wednesday 27th March (2.15pm), please remember to complete the online form by clicking here. The closing date is Friday 22nd March.  Final details will be sent out after the closing date.

We're looking forward to testing the little grey matter later this evening and I look forward to seeing those of you joining us for the PTA quiz.

                                                                                                              _{Anna-Claire Norden} 

_Headteacher

Admin General Information

Office hours - 8.30am to 4pm except Wednesday which is 8.45am to 4pm

EY and P Payments - a reminder these are due at the start of the month and all balances should be paid on receipt of payment request.

Useful Information for parents and carers - can be accessed on our website page 'Parent Information' which can be accessed by clicking here.

Diary Dates - can be accessed on the website by clicking here

Chicken Eggs - If you would like a pack of our chickens' eggs please complete the very short form accessed by clicking here.

Community News

Astronomy Institute Open Day - an opportunity to attend an Astronomy Open Day at the Institute of Astronomy Madingly Rise Site, Madingley Rd, Cambridge CB3 0HA. The event will be running 2pm-6pm, Saturday 16^th March.  Over the course of the afternoon, members of the public can enjoy a range of events including: Talks all day, Virtual stargazing, Interactive black hole, Exoplanet travel agency, Arts and crafts and a Cafe

This event is open to any age, and is an excellent opportunity to learn more about space, the work of the institute, and visit a place of STEM learning within our local community. 

Standing Tall Exhibition and Trail - 21st March to 2nd June - Riley our Rights' Respecting Giraffe went into the Grand Arcade this week for the 'Standing Tall' exhibition.  The exhibition is made up of large giraffes decorated by local artists and mini giraffes decorated by Cambridgeshire schools and youth organisations.  You can find a poster with more details by clicking here.

Cambridge Festival 23rd - 24th March -  free talks, workshops and interactive activities for families.  Please click the links below for posters for more information:

Family Weekend poster with QR code for more details

What would nature do? an imaginarium takeover poster

Young'Uns Sean Cooney performs 'When Cambridgeshire sings' project songs including our very own 'To the Lakes' written by our Year 5s of 2019.

Cambridge Literary Festival - 20th - 21st April.  Click here for the children's programme

Fen Drayton Tennis Club are  providing a junior tennis coaching programme, running term time from now until the summer holiday.  Lessons are available on Wednesday afternoons. Click here for further information.

PTA News - access their website page here for ways to support our fundraising

Next Events

Easter Cake Sale 25th March - see poster below for details.  Donations of cakes very welcome.

Read our School Council, Eco-Committee and Rights Respecting School Committee Blogs below:

Phonics training for Parents/Carers - Supporting Your Child at Home

Dandelion Learning Ik are offering a free session for parents/carers to support phonics at home.  Whilst this will be a generic session, and not bespoke to Little Wandle the scheme we now use, Dandelion training has always been of good quality and you may find this session useful. 

This training is aimed at parents of children in EYFS and primary school.

Learning to read and enjoying reading is fundamental to children's life chances. Phonics is key to decoding and parental support is a crucial factor in ensuring success in reading progress. The aim of this session is to give parents the confidence to support developing readers and writers so they make great progress in reading...and love it!

In this free 1 hour session the trainers will explore:

• What phonics is and why it is important.
• Phonics terminology.
• How phonics is taught in schools.
• How you can help your child with their phonics at home.

Choice of dates and times:

• Friday 26th April 2024 10am - 11am
• Monday 17th June 2024 7pm - 8pm

Click here to access the booking page

SEND, Safeguarding, Health and Wellbeing Links

SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) information can be accessed through our SEND website pages here

Safeguarding Information - please click here for our Safeguarding page especially should you have concerns relating to the safeguarding of our children and families.  Please click here to go directly to our Safeguarding policy.

Attendance Policy - please click here for the school's attendance policy. It is vitally important parents and carers are aware of their responsibilities and the formal processes for attendance matters.  The NHS have created a useful webpage to support decision making when children are unwell - you can click here for the link.

SEMH (Social Emotional Mental Health) resources for parents - Please click here to access an overview sheet with signposted resources for you to use at home to support your children.  The overview sheet can also be found at the bottom of the SEND page on our website here.  

H.A.Y Cambridgeshire Community Wellbeing support -  How Are You South Cambs? | Home (haysouthcambs.co.uk)

NHS Mental Health Services - www.keep-your-head.com and SHOUT - a new Text service on 85258 which provides real-time support to people of all ages who are struggling with their mental health (text the word HEAR to 85258).

Chat Health is a NHS confidential NHS service for help and advice. It’s safe and easy for you to speak to a qualified health professional. Just send a message, you don’t have to give your name. Discreet and quick. It only takes one message to start making a difference. You’ll get confidential advice from trained health staff in your area. Click here to access the site to start a web chat today.

Could you foster? 

At Nexus Fostering based in Lolworth, we’re looking for local people like you to become foster carers. By providing a loving and stable home environment, you can support the increasing number of children and young people in the local area who cannot live in their family homes. Not all children require long-term care. We also need foster carers for short-term placements, respite care, and to provide temporary homes to support young parents and their babies. So, if you have a spare room and are ready to change lives, please give us a call on 01223 903 503 or email Leanne on leannea@nexusfostering.co.uk.

Please access their poster here

To find out more about Pupil premium and Free school meals, please visit our Pupil Premium page by clicking here. 

Links to each Phase page under the Curriculum tab on our website.

                                Reception    Yr1/2    Yr3/4    Yr5/6