Gazette 17/01/2025

Year to date 94.4%

We expect pupils to be in school everyday.

We will not authorise term time absence except in exceptional circumstances and where appropriate, Essex County Council will issue fines.

Classes:

This week, the class with the highest attendance was 3P with 99.3%.  Well done!  The attendance reward will be coming your way.

School Office Access

Due to safeguarding reasons, please refrain from opening the door when visitors ring the doorbell.  Thank you for your understanding.

Mobile Phones

Pupils in Year 5 and 6 can bring mobile phones into school but they must remain in bags on school premises and handed in to the teacher at the beginning of each day.  Pupils are only able to use their phones between the main gates and the gate to the playground at the beginning and end of the school day to telephone their parents if they need to, for example, to clarify walking home or picking up arrangements.  At no time should pupils be using their phones for other purposes such as taking photographs, videoing, messaging or using social media.

A reminder about the age limits on social media platforms:

• Facebook: Users must be at least 13 years old
• Instagram: Users must be at least 13 years old
• Snapchat: Users must be at least 13 years old
• TikTok: Users must be at least 13 years old
• WhatsApp: Users must be at least 16 years old

Fortnightly Focus: Tolerance – Identifying and Helping Those Who Are Left Out

This fortnight, we are focusing on tolerance and what it means to be kind and understanding to everyone.  Sometimes, people feel left out because they are different or because others don’t include them.  But it’s important to remember that everyone deserves to feel like they belong.

Here’s what we can do:

1. Look Around – Keep an eye out for anyone who might be sitting alone or not joining in with others.  It could be because they’re new, shy, or simply feel different.
2. Reach Out – If you notice someone being left out, you can be the one to help!  Ask them to join in, sit with them, or simply smile and say “hello.”  Small acts of kindness can make a big difference.
3. Be an Ally – If you see someone being treated unfairly, stand up for them.  Let them know they are not alone.  You can be a friend by supporting others, even when it’s not easy.
4. Celebrate Differences – Everyone has unique qualities and that’s what makes us all special.  Embrace the things that make others different.  Ask questions, learn and be open-minded.  When we celebrate differences, we build a world where everyone feels accepted.

Let’s be the ones who notice when others are left out and step in to help.  Together, we can make our school a place where everyone feels included, valued and loved!

Music Moment of the Week

This week we have been listening to Fight Song by Rachel Platten.

Another musical nod to our Core Value of Resilience.  The song relates well to the story of Malala, “There’s a fire burning in my bones, I still believe, yeah, I still believe.”

Influential Figure of the Week

Malala Yousafzai is celebrated for her resilience after going against the rules of the Taliban in her native country, Pakistan, who ruled it illegal for girls to attend school.  She was punished for her ‘crime’ with a violent attack one morning on her way to school.  She was brought to hospital in Birmingham and after a long recovery, attended school and university here.  She did not give up fighting for justice and equal rights for girls to go to school and at the age of 17 became the youngest person to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.  As an adult she has continued to raise awareness for equality in education.