Headteacher Newsletter 429

Dear parents,

WELCOME BACK! I hope you had a fantastic summer with your family. We have loved welcoming the children back to school this week and seeing them settle in so quickly!

Our Curriculum

Our whole school curriculum is designed around four curriculum drivers - conflict, culture, communication and conservation. Each of these four drivers act as a focal point to help pupils acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values of the National Curriculum to become more globally aware, educated citizens. Our children learn from the past to help shape a better future.

Our Curriculum Theme for this term is…Conflict

Throughout this theme, we shape learning tasks to enable children to understand what conflict is, why it exists, the difference between positive and negative conflict; before linking this understanding to why conflict remains a global issue.

We want our children to learn how to handle disagreements constructively and resolve their differences in a positive manner. Conflict can be seen as an opportunity for learning about and understanding our differences. We can all live harmoniously, despite conflicts, as long as we know how to responsibly manage these struggles.

Parental Engagement for the year ahead

The results of our recent Parent Survey were fantastic, with all statements being agreed by over 91%. Two of the lower outcomes were:
The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year - 93% agree
The school lets me know how my child is doing - 92% agree
Although these percentages are still very high, our aim is always 100%
Therefore, below is a table of information outlining some of the ways in which we plan to let you know how your child is doing and what they are learning. You may wish to update your family calendars!

Date

Event

Details

Monday 16th September 3.15-3.45pm

New Class Drop-ins

A chance to visit your child’s new classroom

Monday 7th October 6pm

FS Curriculum Meeting

Foundation Stage parents

Tuesday 5th November 3.30-6.30pm

Thursday 7th November 5.30-8.30pm

Parents’ Evening

Progress Meetings

Monday 11th November 9-9.30am

Tuesday 12th November 9-9.30am

Wednesday 13th November 9-9.30am

Thursday 14th November 9-9.30am

Friday 15th November 9-9.30am

Achieve with Me

Year 1 - Phonics Focus

Years 2 and 4 - Spellings Focus

Foundation Stage - Phonics Focus

Years 5 and 6 - Spellings Focus

Year 3 - Spellings Focus

Monday 20th January 6pm

Residential Meeting

Year 6 parents

Tuesday 4th February 3.30-6.30pm

Thursday 6th February 5.30-8.30pm

Year 6 Parents’ Evening

Year 6 parents only

Year 6 Parents’ Evening

Monday 10th March 2.30-3pm

Tuesday 11th March 2.30-3pm

Wednesday 12th March 2.30-3pm

Thursday 13th March 2.30-3pm

Achieve with Me

Year 1 and 3 - Wider Curriculum

Years 2 and 4 - Wider Curriculum

Foundation Stage - Wider Curriculum

Years 5 and 6 - Wider Curriculum

Tuesday 25th March 3.30-6.30pm

Thursday 27th March 5.30-8.30pm

Parents’ Evening

Progress Meetings for Years FS-5

Monday 28th April 6pm

Google Classroom Meeting

Year 2 parents

Monday 7th July 2.30-3pm

Tuesday 8th July 2.30-3pm

Wednesday 9th July 2.30-3pm

Thursday 10th July 2.30-3pm

Open View

Year 1 and 3 - Book Looks

Years 2 and 4 - Book Looks

Foundation Stage - Book Looks

Years 5 and 6 - Book Looks

For information on our curriculum, please see https://www.wvps.northants.sch.uk/page/?title=Curriculum&pid=9
As always, teachers will be blogging each week to show you a range of learning experiences across all subjects. Your child’s class teacher will be posting their first blog of the year next week.
Coming soon…all year groups are preparing Year Group Guide Videos which I will share with you when they are ready.

Homework

The children will be bringing home their first reading books very soon so they can continue with their reading progress at home. These will be accompanied by their new Reading Records or Logs. Make sure you read the information inside so that you know how to support your child with reading at home.

General homework information will be shared next week with homework starting from the 16th September. Homework Club will also begin from the week beginning 16th September on Mondays and Thursdays 8.15-8.45am for any Key Stage 2 children who have struggled to complete any tasks at home.

Clubs from Staff and External Providers

As always, we aim to offer a wide range of extra-curricular clubs and activities. Many of our staff run clubs before school, at lunchtimes and after school (free of charge). I am thankful to any member of staff who gives up their time to provide wonderful opportunities for the children.
Some of the clubs led by staff last year included: Strictly Dancing (Y2-6), Dance (Y4-6), Drama (Y6), Choir (Y2-6), Sticker Club, Netball (Y6), Football (Y5&6), NfL (Y6).
Children will be informed of lunch clubs when they begin, and parents will be informed of before or after school clubs.

Our plan for clubs led by external providers is outlined below. Some have already started, others will be starting soon. Communication for all of these comes separately.

*Craft Barn Club is hoping to offer Y4-6 children opportunities later in the year

Key Dates

Monday 16th September - Parent Drop-in opportunity - 3.15-3.45pm
Tuesday 17th September - Flu Immunisation for children in school (see previous Ping Bulletin for details)
Monday 7th October - Curriculum Evening for Foundation Stage parents - 6pm in school
Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th October - Individual and Sibling School Photograph Days
Friday 25th October - School Term Ends

Yours sincerely,
Mark Horsley
Headteacher