Welcome Back
Dear Parents and Carers,
We hope you enjoyed the spring break if you were lucky enough to take some time off. We loved seeing the wonderful photographs from holiday club. They certainly made the most of the opportunity to spend time in the garden, exploring their fascinations, and reflecting on their exciting day around the fire pit.
This will be quite a short term as we break for Easter on Thursday 28 March, however, we have lots planned so it's super important that you come to school. Our attendance average has dropped this term to 82%. Let’s hope we can improve upon it this term.
Special Dates
Orchard Room’s parents are invited to come along to Rhyme Time on Wednesday 28 February at 11.40am/15.40pm
Also, on Wednesday 28 February we have a ‘Library Visit’ and one of the lovely ladies will be coming along to share stories with Orchard Room between 11.00am and 11.30am and Woodlands Room between 11.30am and 12.00pm. They will return Thursday 29 February to repeat this in Orchard Room 14.00pm-14.30pm and in Woodlands Room 14.30pm-15.00pm.
The first day of March marks the start of Women’s History Month, whilst the reasoning behind this event is quite complex and difficult to understand at 2, 3 and 4 years old, we thought it would be a good opportunity to focus our attention on female authors who have inspired us. We will be using World Book Day to celebrate some of these authors such as Judith Kerr, Julia Donaldson and Alexandra Penfold.
World Book Day is Thursday 7 March, and we want to make it a day of celebration. We know not all children wish to dress up, so we suggest they either come to school in their pyjamas, or dress as their favourite character, or just come as themselves. We will have lots of spare 'dressy ups' for them to choose who they might like to be once in school!
We will also be celebrating those special women in our lives as we invite you into school in honour of ‘Mothering Sunday’. Orchard Parents are invited on Wednesday 6 March at 11.15am/14.15pm. Woodlands Parents are invited to come in on Friday 8 March between 9.00am and 10.30am/13.00pm and 14.30pm
Parent Progress Meetings will take place the week commencing 4 March. Please make sure you make an appointment with your child’s key educator so you can discuss your child’s progress and achievements. This is a very special event as it’s an opportunity to share your child’s achievements at home and consider together how best to ensure they reach their full potential.
21 March is a particularly busy day in the school calendar as it is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It’s also World Poetry Day and we will also be joining Together 21 in their celebrations for World Down Syndrome Day by participating in their ROCK YOUR SOCKS (RYS) 2024 campaign. This year’s theme is “Stop the Stereotypes!”. Children are invited to come into school wearing their odd socks. The socks are a visual representation of diversity and uniqueness, which can spark conversations around inclusion, and the aspirations and abilities of people with Down Syndrome. We will also be learning and performing a new Makaton song.
Together 21 is a project delivered by Northeast charity the Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) that supports children and young people with Down syndrome and their parents to acquire essential skills that will equip them to meet the future with confidence. They do this through focused education programmes, learning support groups, one-to-one support, training, and advice, as well as being a forum of peer support for the whole family. Together 21 relies entirely on donations and fundraising to continue its work so, bring along a donation of a £1 and jump in with both feet. Join the millions of people who will be standing tall and showing support by wearing outrageous, colourful and non-matching socks.
Please remember the term ends on Thursday 28 March. Holiday Club will be available from Tuesday 2 April – Friday 12 April and we return to school Monday 15 April.
Any questions – please do get in touch.
Kindest regards
Helen Dummett
Executive Head Teacher
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