Dear Parent/Carers,

As yet another school year comes to a close under very exceptional circumstances, I am writing to thank you for your loyalty, support and encouragement over these very difficult few months. I would also like to thank all the staff of the school for being so flexible in adapting so quickly to support me with the running of the school in such an uncertain situation.

At the end of this term we will be saying a fond farewell to Mrs Smith (Reception) and Miss Downes (Y3). Both have worked at the school for a many number of years and have a significant impact on life at Wrotham Road School in their time with us. I also want to thank Miss Brady, one of our Year 4 TA’s, who will also be leaving us at the end of this term. I wish them all well in their future careers.   

 

New Classes for September 2020:

Year	Teacher
Nursery	Mr Nouri
Reception	RB: Mrs Bhathal	RS: Mrs Shaxted & Mrs Strevens

: 

Year 1	1M: RBH go to Miss McIntosh	1CT: RBS go to Mrs Chappell & Mrs Taffs
Year 2	2S: 1CT go to Miss Stone	2B: 1S go to Miss Butt

 

Year 3	3F: 2E go to Mrs Foord	3A: 2M go to Miss Anwar
Year 4	4T: 3F go to Miss Tan	4E: 3D go to Mrs Evans

 

Year 5	5A: 4S go to Mr Alderson	5S: 4A go to Miss Stenson
Year 6	6K: 5S go to Miss Karim	6S: 5K go to Mr Smith

 

This year, in order to support the return to school life, pupils will stay in their present class groupings as they move up. 

 

Leadership Structure for September
Deputy Headteacher - Mr Bennett		EYFS Leader – Mrs Bhathal
SEND & Inclusion Leader - Mrs Catlow		Phase Leader Year 1/2 – Miss Butt
		Phase Leader Year 3/4 – Mrs Evans
		Phase Leader Year 5/6 – Mr Smith

 

We will break up on Wednesday 22^nd July. Please note the change of date.

Sadly, we did not get the opportunity to say any sort of traditional farewell to our Year 6 pupils; we know that they will all achieve great success as they move on to secondary school. We all wish them luck and hopefully we will see them all again in the not too distant future.

All that remains is for me to wish you all a wonderful summer. Enjoy the break and see you all in September.

 

PLEASE REMEMBER, WE RETURN TO SCHOOL ON Tuesday 1^st September 2020

NEW Staggered Arrival and Departure Times:

The government has directed us to ensure that adults do not gather on our site. In order to comply with this, we are staggering our arrival and departure times and using as many access points as we can.

Access Points:

Nursery pupils will arrive/depart by the front Office gate and go to Nursery gate

Reception pupils will arrive/depart by the new front Reception gate and go to Front playground.

Year 1, Y2 and Y3 pupils will arrive/depart by the front Office gate and go to Middle playground.

Year 4, Y5 and Y6 pupils will arrive/depart by the back Sheppy Place gate and go to Top playground.

On arriving at their school playground, apart from Reception children, pupils will have immediate access to their class rooms, there will be NO lining-up. Staff will be at all gates and in all playgrounds to guide your child and support social distancing. 

 

Arrival and Departure Times:

Nursery: (AM) Drop off 8.30 - 8.45. Pick up 11.30.  (PM) Drop off 12.45 - 1.00. Pick up 3.45 

Reception: Drop off 8.45 - 9.00. Pick up 3.00 - 3.15 – Front playground (via front Reception gate).

Year 1: Drop off 9.00 - 9.15. Pick up 3.30 – Middle playground (via front Office gate).

Year 2: Drop off 8.45 - 9.00. Pick up 3.15 – Middle playground (via front Office gate).

Year 3: Drop off 8.30 - 8.45. Pick up 3.00 – Middle playground (via front Office gate).

Year 4: Drop off 9.00 - 9.15. Pick up 3.30 – Top playground (via back Sheppy Place gate).

Year 5: Drop off 8.45 - 9.00. Pick up 3.15 – Top playground (via back Sheppy Place gate).

Year 6: Drop off 8.30 - 8.45. Pick up 3.00 – Top playground (via back Sheppy Place gate).

If you have more than one child at school, please drop off the youngest child and your older children will be allowed to walk through the school site to access their entrance. Only one adult per family is permitted on site.

Parking in Sheppy Place: Please avoid driving into this very narrow street directly behind the school, as there will be an increase in the number of pedestrians in this area. It is a resident only parking area.

As you can imagine, the logistics behind all of the above is mind-boggling and there are bound to be teething problems. Our prime concerns are the safeguarding of our children and the health of our community. I am sure you will be patient.

Packed lunches: These will no longer be kept in the canteen. Your child will take it with them into the classroom.

More detailed information will be provided on the blog a few weeks before the first day of term. 

Please ensure the school office have any new contacts details for you so we can inform you via text of any updates (01474 534540)

Kind regards,

Mrs Sarah Jack

  Reception 2019

 On your first day, you were so small

But you put on your brave boots and stepped into school. 

 

You travelled to space and found buried treasure

Had outdoor fun, in windy and rainy weather

  

And then Lockdown came, you sailed on through 

Always trying your best - I’m so proud of you

 

From writing, to counting, painting and more

You can do anything and that is for sure

 

Sadly I won’t be there to see you along the way 

But know that I will be thinking of you all each day.

 

After 14 years and many memories made

It’s time to move schools but the memories won’t fade

 

Thank you Reception, I have had so much fun

It’s now time to sparkle and shine in Year 1!

 

From Mrs Smith 

Dear Class 3D,

 

It fills me with great sadness to tell you that I am leaving Wrotham Road Primary School at the end of this year. I wanted to write to you, as I won’t get chance to say goodbye properly before the Summer.

 

I taught some of you in Year 2, and some of you have been new faces for me this year. I have really enjoyed teaching each and every one of you and will miss you all very much. You are funny, intelligent, talented, kind young people who I truly believe have the potential to do so well. You all work hard, you persevere when things don’t go your way the first time and you are incredibly resilient when things get tough. I’ve also enjoyed the laughs we’ve had during our time together. I like the jokes you tell me, I like the cheekiness that you put into your writing, and I love that you each have your own personalities.

 

As for me, I’ll be moving to the brand new St. George’s Primary School just down the road, near Woodlands Park. I’ll be teaching Year 1 which I’m incredibly excited about but very nervous! I’m looking forward to the new challenges and opportunities that will come my way.

 

For now, though, it’s a goodbye from me. I hope to see you all very soon for a proper goodbye and a cuddle! I hope you’ve all been staying safe and healthy during the pandemic and that you have a wonderful Summer break.

 

Best Wishes,

Miss Downes  

Last Day Of Term

We will close for the Summer on Wednesday 22nd July at normal collection time. 

 

Booked - Year 2, 3 and 4 Information

Year 4: Wednesday 15th July - 10am to 12pm

Year 3: Thursday 16th July - 10am to 12pm

Year 2: Friday 17th July - 10am to 12pm

As you can imagine a lot of organising has had to go into this and we will only be able to offer the day and time allocated if you responded “YES” on the register on Monday 13th July.

 

- Children should be dropped off and picked up via the back gate. (One parent to drop off and pick up)

 

- Please be on time and do not be late and this will affect the rest of the school’s timetable

 

- Wait on the Year 5 and 6 playground and please follow social distancing rules

 

- School uniform is not required

 

- No school bags or food please

 

- Children should bring a water bottle as there will be no other way of providing water.

 

Last week Of Home Learning - WB 13th July

Click Here 

Summer Holiday

Some of you may be travelling abroad over the summer holidays. It is really important that you understand quarantine procedures for each individual country and that you book any trips with this in mind so that pupils are ready for school on 1st September. If you have already booked a trip that will require quarantine beyond 1st September please make the school aware as soon as possible. Many thanks.

Online Counselling and Support

MindFresh is an App and a website designed to meet the growing need for better communication and support in children and young mental and emotional healthcare. https://Mindfresh.nelft.nhs.uk

bigwhitewall.com - The heart of Big White Wall is its community of members, who support, help each other and share what’s troubling them in a safe and anonymous environment. The site is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You can find support simply by logging on.

Elefriends is a mental health social network, managed by mind. It aims to provide a supportive online community for people aged 18 and over to chat about their lives, including any mental health problems, and just to be themselves https://www.elefriends.org.uk

Kooth offers emotional and mental health support to 11-19 year olds (or 25 with SEND). Young people choose an avatar and can have 'drop in' chats with a counsellor or therapist, book a 1:1 session, or talk to other young people anonymously https://kooth.com/

Mind provides advice, support and information on an extensive set of topics from sleep problems to suicidal thoughts. https://www.mind.org.uk/

The Mix provides support and information for the under 25’s on a range of topics including, mental health, substances, your body, relationships and others. Also has a free phone number: 0808 808 4994; and a Crisis Messenger service. https://themix.org.uk

Samaritans is a charity dedicated to reducing feelings of isolation and disconnection that can lead to suicide. You can call Samaritans free on 116 123 from any phone, 24hrs a day, 365days a year. You can also email jo@samaritans.org - someone will reply within 24hrs.

Live Well offers advice for improving mental and physical wellbeing for those aged 17+. Provides useful contact numbers if you are in emotional distress and require urgent support. https://livewellkent.org.uk

Childline is a counselling service for children and young people up to their 19th birthday in the United Kingdom provided by the NSPCC. Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, talk to a counsellor online, call us on 0800 1111, send Childline an email, or post on the message boards https://www.childline.org.uk/

Work Booklets For Parents

White Rose Maths is excited to have produced a range of work booklets for parents and children to use over the summer or during next year. These booklets can be found on Amazon for the Kindle or downloaded below.  There is one booklet for each of our blocks for Y1 to Y6.

Click Here

Letter from the Chair of Governors

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

As we come to the end of the summer term, the governors and I have reflected on what has happened over the course of the year. We held our final virtual Local Governing Body meeting for 2019/2020 on Wednesday last week, and discussed what has occurred in this school year and the plans for the future. 

 

As I’m sure you will all agree, this year has been very different to others. I would like to thank you all for looking after the most valuable members of our school community - the children. I know it can be very hard to be in each other’s pockets all the time, whether you are a keyworker or have been working at home whilst caring for your families and helping your children with home learning. Your support has not gone unnoticed.

 

My heartfelt thanks goes to Mrs. Jack and the fantastic staff at Wrotham Road who have been absolutely amazing in their dedication and commitment to the children and the school. Although our school ‘shut’ in March, it has never been completely closed with provision being made initially for our most vulnerable children and the children of keyworkers. The staff have been working tirelessly since then supporting the children, parents and families both at home and in school. They have been integral in implementing the government’s rapidly changing guidance and advice, while supporting families who have been overwhelmed by the changes in society in such a short period of time. The positive impact of this support was evident as the school welcomed back children in Nursery and Years R, 1 and 6. It has been wonderful to hear how well the children have adapted to the ‘new normal’. The measures put in place to keep you, the children and staff safe are robust, and have taken a great deal of planning and preparation by Mrs. Jack and Senior Leadership Team. It might surprise you to learn that the schools do not get advanced notice of government announcements, however, the staff at Wrotham Road have worked tirelessly to continually modify their plans in light of these announcements. 

 

I would also like to thank my fellow Governors for their help, support and willingness to work in this new way of Governance.

 

Moving into the new school year, we will continue to support the school in adapting to the guidance issued by the government and ensuring that we as governors fulfil our duties. We will work with an emphasis on supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of the children, families and staff in the next school year.

 

I hope you all have a wonderful summer. 

Kind regards,

 

Lucy Hornby

Chair of Governors

Breakfast and Afterschool Club Next Academic Year- Sept 2020

In September we intend to re-open Breakfast and Afterschool Clubs. 

 

The pupils will be zoned depending on what Key Stage they are in but if you intend to send your child in, you need to be aware that they will be mixing with other year groups from different bubbles.

 

Prices have had to slightly increase next academic year.

 

Breakfast Club- 7.55am start- £3 per session (£15 week) 

 

Afterschool Club (half session 4.30pm pick up) £5.50

                             (full session 6pm pick up) £11.50

 

If you would like your child to attend please complete the attached form and send back to the school office admin@wrotham-road.kent.sch.uk

Breakfast Club Form

Afterschool Club Form

 

New forms will need to be completed if you previous attended last year.

 

Please ensure you have updated any changes to medical, dietary or collection arrangements with the club manager.

 

Payment will need to be in advance via ParentPay. 

 

https://app.parentpay.com/public/client/security/#/login

 

 

Please be aware that spaces are limited within all clubs, however waiting lists are kept and we will need 24hrs notice for your child to attend. 

 

For further information on any of our services please do not hesitate to call or email the school office 01474534540.

 

 

Week beginning 29th June is now on the website!

Click Here 

Free School Meals

Free School Meals Entitlement

If your circumstances have changed e.g. you have been furloughed, are no longer employed or you are currently receiving certain benefits, we would encourage you to make a quick application for free school meal vouchers as you could be eligible for this financial support. 

Even if your child is not attending school this term, if eligible you will be entitled to £15 supermarket vouchers every week and will be provided throughout the Summer holidays as well.

Registering is really quick and easy–you can apply on the Kent County Council website at https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/kent/ and get an immediate answer. 

No one will know you have registered and it will not affect any other benefits you are claiming.

Year 5 Hub Registration

The Year 5 Hub registration is now closed and parents will be no longer be able to be added.

Change to last day of term.

Our last day of term will now be Wednesday 22nd July.

Deadline Date

The deadline date for you to decide if you want your child to return to school (if your child is in Nursery, Reception, Year 1 or Year 6) is Friday 3rd July 9am.

This Weeks Home Learning Is Now On The School Website

Click Here

Assemblies- Oak National Academy

This week we're incredibly excited to be joined by The Duchess of Cambridge, who wants to share the importance of spreading a little kindness for our mental wellbeing. This assembly is based on a lesson plan which is available on the Mentally Healthy Schools Platform. It was developed in collaboration with children’s mental health charity Place2Be and encourages children to explore ways in which they can show kindness, and recognise the benefits of kindness to others.

Click Here

What a lovely first day. It was so nice to see the children back into school today. Each 'Hub' took advantage of using the outside areas at much as possible.

Unsure Return Question - Nursery, Year R, Year 1 and Year 6

 I have said I don’t want my child to return to school, what if I change my mind? 

The school is now ready to welcome back those children whose parents have confirmed that they will be attending on Monday 15th June.

If you have chosen not to send your child in and then at some point change your mind, the earliest they will be able to attend is Monday  22nd June.

As you can appreciate, we hold our pupil’s safety as our key priority and we need to group them in stable and secure ‘bubbles’. An increase in numbers will mean a possible rearrangement of these social bubbles and this will take time. 

Please ring the school if you wish your child to return and please do not expect a return date earlier than the following Monday. 

01474 534540

New Home Learning Is Now Available!

15th June Home Learning is now available on the school website.

 

Click Here

Returning on the 15th June for Year N, R, 1 and 6 ONLY

Arrive by the correct gate- see guidance below

To drop off and  pick up from the correct playground 

Only one adult to be allowed on site to drop off their pupil

Every child to bring in their own water bottle as there will be no access to a water fountain at break break-times

Keep at a safe social distance for all parents and pupils

Do not hang around on the playground once dropped off, please leave the site immediately

Packed lunch for all pupils, which they will keep with them at all times. School packed meals can be ordered but you will need to order through the school office (see below post for more details)

Please do not be late dropping off or pick up as this will have an affect on the routines of the other key hubs within the school which will be arriving at different times.

Do not come to the school office - it will be closed for all adults. If you have any question please ring the school or send an email. 01474534540   

Please follow these clear guidelines to keep the school staff and pupils safe during this phased re-opening

WB- 15th June Arrival Times And Pick Up Times

8.45- Key Worker Pupils- BACK GATE - Parent Support Centre Hub (pick up at 3pm- BACK GATE) 

8.45- Year 1 FRONT GATE  ONLY- Meet Year 3 and 4 Playground (pick up 3pm)

9am- Year 6 - BACK GATE ONLY- Meet Year 5 and 6 Playground (pick up 3.15pm BACK GATE)

9am - Year R- FRONT GATE ONLY- Meet in KS1 Playground

(pick up 3.15pm FRONT GATE)

9.15am - Nursery- FRONT GATE ONLY- Go straight to Nursery- AM ONLY

(pick up 12.15) 

PACKED LUNCHES TO NOT GO INTO CANTEEN- THEY STAY WITH THE CHILD

If you are late to school you will be refused entry on that day.

School Lunches- WB 15th June

If you are in Reception, Year 1 or Year 6 and require a school packed lunch please email

enquiries@wrotham-road.kent.sch.uk 

Phase Re- Opening Letter

Return to school plan for 15th June

 Click Here

Breakfast Club and Afterschool - CLOSED

There will be no Breakfast or Afterschool Club provision. 

  

Language Of The Term

Our new Language of the Term is Spanish!

Follow this link to see a school pupil sharing useful Spanish phrases. Encourage your children to listen to and repeat the phrases, focussing on their pronunciation.

https://www.newburyparkschool.net/lotm/spanish/player.html

Adobe Flash Player may need to be enabled for this page to work. Click on 'First Words', which takes you to the list of phrases.​​

Enjoy!

Key Workers Today

11+ Registration Is Now Open

Is your child currently in Year 5?

Do you wish your child to sit the Kent grammar school test?

If the answer is yes to both of these questions, you must register your child’s details between 1st June and 1st July 2020

Register Online Click Here 

Support

If you require any assistance applying online please email Kentonlineadmissions@kent.gov.uk

Assessment is normally done through testing during the autumn term.

Once the registration window has closed, Kent will contact registered families directly with any new information that may be required. Any reference to ‘Kent Test’ or ‘registration’ does not guarantee when or if testing will take place.                                                                 

Leaflet Kent Test - Click Here

New Home Learning

                         

New home learning is now live On The School Website

Click Here