Wednesday 13 September 2023

WRPS at the NHS

On Monday, 16 members of Y5 visited Canterbury University as part of the trust's ongoing NHS project. The aim of this project is to expand children's horizons and open the possibilities of aiming for a career in the NHS.

The children experienced three workshops: 

- Helping them understand the functions of the body and organs. 

- Discussing mental health care in the NHS, as well as 

- Looking into the role of an ODP - Operating Department Practioner who help with operations. 

All very practical and educational. It was an interesting experience that the children enjoyed. 







Monday 11 September 2023

Knowing Me, Knowing You... Ahaaaa!

Meet the Teacher - in relevant classroom unless otherwise advertised

Tues 12th: Y5

Weds 13th: Y4 and Y1

Thurs 14: Y3

Fri 15th: Y2

Tue 19th: Y6 (combined with secondary school info)

Can't promise that there will be any burgers or ABBA or flares but please do come and say 'Hello' to your child's new teacher. Apparently some do a good rendition of 'Sweet Caroline'.


Bon Appetite

New catering bring new ideas - from this week the teachers will not simply ask your child whether they are having school dinner or packed lunch, they will also ask for a choice of school dinner.

The options are:

- main meal

- jacket potato

- veggie option or

- pasta

Then comes the fun of seeing if they can remember their choice when they get to the canteen.

UPDATE: They can! Lunchtime today went remarkably smoothly, although a number of children asked if I could put the menu up on the website to help them with their selections. So here it is:


I am I the only one who looks at the dessert option first?


Sunday 10 September 2023

Let's get physical

Long overdue, here are the PE days for each year group:

RHB: TUE

RBD: THU

Y1: TUE, FRI

Y2: MON, THU

Y3: MON, TUE

Y4: MON, THU

Y5: MON, WED

Y6: WED, FRI (SWIM)

On these days, children should come to school in their PE kits.

PE kit is plain white T-shirt, black or dark blue shorts/'joggers'. PE is often outside so black trainers are a good choice. Many parents like their child to bring these to school in a separate PE bag, others prefer them to wear them to school.

Unless the weather is hot, the school sweatshirt/ jumper should be worn over the T-shirt - in very cold weather, an extra 'track suit top' can be added as long as it is plain black or dark blue and unbranded. 

I often say to the children that wearing branded sportswear interferes with our existing sponsorship deals - it is unnecessary and undesirable, although we do understand that very occasionally PE kits are stuck in the wash. Football shirts are never acceptable in a PE lesson - I am an Everton supporter so I need to avoid any reminders of the football season.

Finally, please, please, PLEASE - I can't emphasis this enough - write your child's name AND class somewhere on each article of clothing. The overflowing lost property box outside the school canteen is now beginning to haunt my dreams. Please feel free to visit it if you are convinced your child has misplaced their PE kit.

Friday 8 September 2023

Beautiful people!

Thank you to so many of you who turned out to our first Welcome back! BBQ. It was hot and slightly chaotic but you were kind and patient and clearly quite hungry. 

The staff loved seeing you and we all agreed that maybe next time we will go bigger! 

Have a great weekend



Welcome back!

As it's BBQ weather, let's have a BBQ!

Shall we say on Y3Y4 (middle) playground? 

See you there!



Tuesday 5 September 2023

A New Start - September 2023

Well that all went by in a bit of a blur didn't it? 

September arrives and the nerves begin to rise and you start to wonder if you are going to cope with the new challenges of a fresh school year.

And that is just me settling into place as the new - if just temporary - Head of this wonderful school.

I need not have worried, whilst the staff were very reassuring and positive, it was the arrival of the children who gave me that feeling of acceptance. They are delighted to be back - smiles met smiles which created even more smiles - every classroom is full of happy and confident children and staff. Suddenly headship does not seem so foreboding when you are surrounded by pupils and teachers who want our school to be simply the best place to come to every school day.

Thank you also to those parents and families who have had kind things to say about my new role -  it is an absolute honour to be trusted with the education and welfare of your children. You know I will do my best to keep them safe and happy.

So enough gushing, I have got the arrival of our reception children still to look forward to - plenty of opportunity to play with LEGO and call it supporting school induction. Here's to another brilliant year at our amazing school

And a photo of our new 'pavilion' - what should we name it?



 

Andy Bennett

Acting Head.

Friday 10 March 2023

Next Friday - Red Nose Day

On Friday 17th March, we will be raising money for Red Nose Day by having a non-school uniform day. Children are invited to come into school in their own clothes and bring in a donations for Comic Relief.



Thursday 9 March 2023

E- safety Advice

 


House Captains

The House Captains have been working on a history project this term, they wanted to connect their houses to the living history that we have here in Gravesend. As teams, they have created PowerPoints showing the historic figures explaining why they have been linked to each house and our school values.

Blue house - Sir Peter Blake 
Yellow House - Katherine Hamnett CBE 
Green House - Muhammad Singh Pujji
Red House - Lady Rebecca Rolfe






Wednesday 8 March 2023

OPEN

The school is OPEN.

Please take care on the roads and paths first thing. 

Thank you.



Tuesday 7 March 2023

Year 5

Year 5 had an engaging talk with James Hensman this morning. He spoke to us about Katie's Story which focused on social media, peer pressure, risk and decision making. We learnt how to be safe online and within new friendship groups. 



Friday 3 March 2023

World Book Day 2023













 

Year 4 and 5 Parents - Overseas trip to Barcelona in September 2023

                    Dear Parents and Carers of Year 4 and Year 5 (currently) ,

 
I am writing on behalf of The Golden Thread Alliance about a brand new and exciting opportunity for our Year 4 and Year 5 children across the Trust. We are inviting children in Year 4 and Year 5 to accompany us on an overseas trip to Barcelona in September 2023. The Year 4 children at this time will be in Year 5 and the Year 5 children will be starting Year 6.
 
I have made plans with a highly accredited company (NST) regarding the trip and have secured information regarding flights, accommodation, insurance and safety for the duration of the 4 day and 3-night trip.  Children would be taking part in a range of activities, including sightseeing in Barcelona.  The children will be accompanied by members of staff from Golden Thread – but not necessarily staff from their own school.  Staffing will be determined on the number of children intending to travel.
 
At this time, I am writing to gather interest from parents and carers. This is NOT an obligation letter but merely an expression of interest as to whether or not you might like your child to attend the trip. All costs included, from flights to insurance, total with NST at a cost ranging from £630-£680 per child.  There will be the opportunity to pay in instalments, but it is likely that a £50 deposit will be required to secure the booking before the Easter holidays.
 
If you are interested in your child attending, please follow the link to our online expression form, which takes around 2 minutes to complete, by Friday 10thMarch.  You can find the form hereLINK
 
If you have any queries at this early stage, please do not hesitate to contact me directly by emailing  Alexander Burnettalexander.burnett@galaxytrust.co.uk
 
 
Thank you in advance,
 
Alex Burnett
Year 6 Teacher
Fleetdown Primary Academy
The Golden Thread Alliance Barcelona Overseas Trip Leader