Dear Parents  and Carers,

Basketball competition (Years 3 & 4)

On Monday, Years 3 and 4 took part in a basketball competition.  They were split into their house teams with everyone trying their very best.   They used all of the skills which they have learnt over the half term and put them into practice which was amazing to see.  The house captains from Year 6 (Joshua, Jackson, Freya and Roman) helped to organise the teams, referee and advise their team on what to do during the games.  Their teamwork skills were super.  Lots of enthusiasm and eagerness to win.  Well done to Northern Ireland who were the overall winners.

Year 6 artwork

Yesterday, Year 6 were busy sketching and colour mixing to produce some wonderful portraits.  They were using skills learnt from throughout the half term to ensure the facial features matched the portraits and the mixed colours matched the skin tones.  Well done to all of Year 6 for their patience and effort.

Year 5 Career Related Learning (CRL)

Year 5 took part in a very interesting lesson about careers and the skills needed for a variety of jobs which can be found in the NHS.  They learnt that there aren’t just doctors and nurses but technicians, gardeners, maintenance staff, cleaners, counsellors and many more important roles.  There seemed to be a lot of discussion on the skills the cooks would need to have, which made most of us very hungry!

A very thoughtful and important session for all of the children.  

CRL

Throughout the year and throughout the curriculum, children will be learning about why we need to learn what we’re learning and how this can help with their future.  All children across the school have been talking about their aspirations for when they’re older.  We hope that by discussing a variety of jobs throughout the year, this will further their aspirations.  

Afghan Evacuees

On Monday 1st November, we should be welcoming our new children into school.  We have been talking to our children about the issues that our new children will have faced.  They have watched videos and have spoken about the possible feelings which the new children will experience not just coming to a new country but leaving their parents to come to school.
I know our children will make them feel so welcome and thank you again for the donations of school clothes and shoes.

Parenting Smart (Place2Be)

The children’s mental health charity, Place2Be, has launched a new website aimed at helping parents with typical situations they can find themselves in with their children.

Advice can be found on over forty topics including:

• Understanding sibling rivalry 
• My child is lying, what does it mean, what should I do?
• My child has trouble going to sleep
• My child says ‘I hate you!’
• Cultural identity: who am I?

The Parenting Smart website can found here: https://parentingsmart.place2be.org.uk/

And finally …… we’ve had a spooktacular day today!  The children have looked amazing in their outfits.  Thank you so much to everyone for making the effort.  I know it’s not the same as a Halloween disco but they’ve certainly had a lot of fun with their friends and scaring me.  

Dear Parent and Carers,

It’s getting to that time of year when everyone has a cough, runny nose and sore throat.  Please can we ask that if your child has any of these symptoms, you test them before coming into school.  It’s more than likely to be a Winter cold.

Cases are rising quite significantly in and around school.  If we all check, we can hopefully minimise the spread and keep children and staff in school.

Year 3

Year 3 have had a fun filled morning today.  They’ve been busy making jelly dream jars!  The children have been reading the BFG and have been discussing dream jars and what would go in theirs.  This is linked to their English and D&T work.  You can see photos of this on the website.

Early years

Nursery children have been busy learning outside, catching leaves and counting with leaves.  We had some visitors in the Early Years at the beginning of the week and they were very impressed with the children, their learning activities and their superb behaviour.  Well done to all of the children and the staff.

Year 5

Year 5 have been very busy today with their D&T work.  They have already designed a ‘bird hide’ and this morning were busy constructing the structure with their carefully measured dowling and triangle support.  The glue guns were out!  The children worked so well together to create structures that stood up.  The amount of care and thought which the children put into these was amazing.  Their next lesson will be making the actual walls and roof by using leaves and twigs and other natural materials which they find in the woodland area.

Safeguarding

During this week and next week, staff will be focusing class assemblies on keeping children safe.  The NSPCC has provided all schools with material to support the teaching of keeping safe, saying no, positive relationships and if something is upsetting a child or someone harms a child; who they can go to for help and support.

Sexual harm and sexual violence is very high on the government agenda for schools due to so many children affected by this.  This may be in the form of calling a child a derogatory name to actual physical acts.  We will be talking to children about this, in an age appropriate way, throughout the year.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend.

Take care and stay safe.

Mrs Wilmer

Dear Parents / Carers,

I’ve received some information from childnet about Twitch, a new streaming app where young people create and watch live videos of people.  Apparently it’s becoming more popular.  Here’s an article which you may find useful from childnet

Childnet is an online organisation helping to keep children and young people safe on the internet.  There’s lots of advice on this site should you have any concerns linked to this area.

Dear Parents / Carers,

This week, we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming new children to our school, with more new children joining us next week.  Our children have welcomed these children and helped them to settle very quickly.  Thank you children for ‘showing you care’.

Reward and Recognition Event

I have the pleasure of informing you that 4 of our staff have been nominated for their roles in school and for going above and beyond with the ways of being.  We are attending a presentation evening later today, where we hope one of them will be the overall winner.  Congratulations to Miss Goodwin, Mrs Dean, Mrs Hartley and Mrs Bebbington. 

Wellbeing & Mental Health Information

During the last 18 months many of the newsletters have had links and website information on to support wellbeing in children and adults as well as mental health information.  I hope you have found this information useful as I plan to continue to do this.  This week, we have received leaflets from ‘Mind’ regarding these issues rather than electronic versions.  If you would like a leaflet or you think someone would benefit from one, they are in the main entrance.   Feel free to take one.

Harvest

Usually, we enjoy inviting parents into school to take part in our harvest celebrations.  As levels of Covid are still high in the area, we will be holding a harvest festival but for the children only.  We would however, still like to support our local charity Alice as we know how much our donations have meant to families who are in need.
Our celebration is Monday 11th October.  The donations that have been recommended are toiletries, sanitary products, baby products and tinned products.  

Thank you in advance for your support with this charity.

Parking in Abbots Way

As mentioned last week, the number of complaints about people parking illegally along Abbots Way (and roads off Abbots Way) is growing daily.  I have spoken to the local council who are very concerned about this.  They will be meeting soon to discuss ways to tackle this problem.

I know some parents have asked if I can actually do anything further, but the police have made it very clear that I can’t.  If you do see someone parked illegally, please report this to the police on 101.  They will then take further action.

Please can I ask that you make any adult who collects your child aware of this situation.  Thank you.

Thank you for your continued support.

Wishing you a lovely weekend.

Take care

Mrs Wilmer

If you need to contact the school the number is 01782 470401. 

Friarswood STAR values

On Friday, our year 3 class got to go on the first school trip of the year! They went to a place called Amerton Farm and were very excited. The children travelled on a bus and cheered very loudly when we arrived! The first activity was meeting all the animals on the farm. There was a big pig called Winston who was an instant hit with our children (even though he was a bit pongy!)

After we met Winston we all had the chance to stroke a duckling, the children thought that the ducklings were very cute!

We met cows in the field, donkeys,a beautiful horse, reindeer with the most amazing antlers and cheeky alpacas, all ready for our attention, which they loved.

Cuddling a Rabbit called Elsa was very popular! She was very soft , the children loved her!

After meeting the animals, the children went on a tractor ride before having their lunch and having a play in the fun barn.

Then it was time for Forest School! This is where the children were set different challenges. They had to work together and solve problems to complete them with success. The children had a great time making mud pies and using the nature around them to paint with, like dandilions, non-stinging nettle leaves and elderberries. They finished off their session by watching a camp fire being lit using cotton wool and sparks before dry wood was added to make the fire bigger. They had a great time in Forest School!

The children and staff had such a good time at Amerton Farm. The children thoroughly enjoyed everything and couldn’t believe how quick the day day went! A big thank you to everyone at Amerton for making this a super day for our children.