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If your child would like to purchase a poppy, please can they bring in their donation for the week beginning Monday 6th November.
Year 6 will continue to sell poppies up until Friday 10th November or once they run out.
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For a certain generation it was the height of technology. With a twist of two knobs you could create a masterpiece like Van Gogh's Starry Night.
I mean, look...
So why am I taking you down a personal Memory Lane?
I am presently sat flicking through the parent survey forms many of you completed during our recent parent's evening. The huge majority are very positive - we do appreciate your support and comments. Of course I am going to focus more on criticisms, that is the nature of my job.
A number of you have expressed concern about communications from school - the timings, the notifications and the range of different types. I do understand the points made.
Some of the issues centre on the Teachers4parents and Arbor apps. A bit like my childhood toy, neither of these bits of technology appear to be living up to the promise they gave. I think Arbor will improve as we all become familiar with its functions.
Teachers4parents however, appears to have a glitch...If you have the app then texts will only appear if you have notifications on (?) I don't have the app and texts from school just appear in the usual manner.
Strange... but not as strange as expecting a masterpiece
Flu can be an unpleasant illness and can cause serious complications. Having the flu vaccine protects your child and your family and friends, by preventing the spread of flu. It’s recommended to have the vaccine every year as the type of flu can vary each winter.
The vaccination is a quick and painless spray up the nose. There is no charge for the vaccine.
The School-aged Immunisation Service will be visiting school on 30/11/2023
Please discuss this immunisation with your child and complete the online form at before midnight on 24/11/2023 to tell us if your child is getting the vaccine or not.
https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/service/immunisation-team/
Please submit either a YES consent or a NO consent as we will continue to invite your child to be vaccinated unless we hear from you. This may mean that one of our team calls you to obtain verbal consent over the phone.
If we are unable to vaccinate your child at school you will receive an email with a link to our online clinic booking site where you can book an immunisation appointment.
Love
The NHS
The school will be sending you a more detailed letter via email.
Is it too early to establish a tradition?
I seem to be turning up each Friday in a 'Friday shirt'. If you have seen me on either of the school gates at the start or the end of the school day, you will know what I mean. The children certainly do.
Why? Well mainly to remind myself that it IS Friday. At this point in my position as acting Head of School, all the days seem to blur into one. I feel I need to be able to remind myself that we have managed to get to the end of the week.
Friday is also a day of celebration, for KS2 it is Golden Hand Assembly and for KS1 Superstar Assembly. I can not begin to convey the joy and delight that is shared by all our children in showing appreciation for their teachers and their peers. Whilst some children are lucky enough to receive a certificate, a sticker and a firm handshake, all of us are able to feel the atmosphere of a supportive and caring community.
Friday is also the day that we look at attendance figures. As a school, we are looking to achieve over 96% attendance. Most of our children DO attend every day and in order to recognise that, I have introduced two new awards - The Attendosaurus in KS1 and the House Attendance Trophy in KS2. While the KS2 trophy will be based on average attendance, the KS1 award will recognise improvements in attendance.
So well done to the YELLOWS this week and to 1TB who are pictured below.
..is my favourite line from any primary school assembly song. ('Autumn Days', Mr Nouri)
Unfortunately it won't be part of this year's Harvest Festival on Friday 13th October.
I'm only Acting Head after all.
As usual, as part of our Harvest Festival celebration, we will be collecting donations for the Gravesend Foodbank.
DONATE FOOD
https://gravesham.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food/
Thank you for your support to help the local people in need in our community, particularly in these uncertain times. Your generosity is of vital importance to Gravesham Foodbank and we are hugely grateful for your commitment.
The foodbank relies on your goodwill and support.
Over 90% of the food distributed by foodbanks in The Trussel Trust network is donated by the public – that’s why your food donations are absolutely vital to our ability to give everyone referred to us a balanced and nutritious three day supply of food.
We would be grateful if children could bring in donations from Monday 9th October
Thank you in advance.
But not before a viisit to Barcelona football club museum.
Then it was time to head home!
Can't wait hear about your adventures. Welcome back.
Update from Mrs Evans:
SO proud!
Dear Parents and Carers.
The children (and adults) continue to have an amazing time in Barcelona. The children are behaving brilliantly and are really enjoying getting to know this city. No major dramas - but a few have found it a challenge to go to sleep straight away - given all of the excitement of the day!!! They have all been a credit to their schools and to the family too.
We are so sorry that you have not been able to access regular photos and updates through the link that was provided. The travel company we used have been unable to resolve their technical issues - which is frustrating for us as well as you. We thought we had a great photo sharing service as part of our package, and we have been really let
When we get home, I will be asking all adults on the trip, to share their photos, and I will set up a special sharing page, so you have access to all the photos we have taken.
In the meantime, Tuesday is theme park day. Wish us luck!!! More photos to follow.
Garry Ratcliffe
CEO, The Golden Thread Alliance.
We currently have 7 pupils (and Mrs Evans) in Barcelona on a trust trip.
Jealousy won't allow me to say any more than they are having a great time
Every September, as part of the KS2 Citizenship curriculum, the children elect new House Captains.
It is not an easy process, children have to put themselves forward as a candidate then deliver a speech to the other children in their house in an effort to persuade them to vote for them. It is at this point, that the teachers discover just what being a pupil at our school is all about. Their speeches always fill me with pride; sometimes it is not about what they say but the fact that they have actually stood up in front of their peers and verbalised their feelings about the school. Sometimes it is what they say.
Here is an example:
I take pride in helping people to the best of my ability and if I can't then I will point them to to the best teacher at our school... well actually they are all the best. I am proud to be a pupil of Wrotham Road Primary School and in my role of house captain I want to help you see the school in the same light.
Our school values help us...Independence: I will help you understand what it means to be independent in learning. Individuality: I will encourage acceptance of differences. Creativity: I will help you bring your ideas to life. Confidence:I will assist in bringing out your confidence in not only your learning but also your social skills. Enjoyment, I will take your ideas to our teacher to bring enjoyment to learning...
I am not going to embarrass the pupil who wrote this by naming her, suffice to say she is now a Blue House Captain.
Don't you just wish our politicians spoke with the same eloquence and selflessness?
Growing up on Merseyside, the Beatles were a very real part of my childhood - despite the fact that had long broken up, (I am really not THAT old). But their music was everywhere; it was what my family listened to, what musicians aspired to. Their music are very much part of my culture and it shaped aspects of my life.
So as a headteacher, I feel that music has to be an important part of a child's education.
We will, once agin be taking part in Young Voices this year - so look out for tickets for that.
In the meantime, we were recently treated by a visit from...
Bach, Beethoven, Mozart - performed in exciting new ways... modern jazz, African, and Latin rhythms. Bach to the Future brought an exciting, whimsical approach to the most beloved music of all time, and some of the most interesting cutting-edge instruments you'll ever see.
How about a Drum-itar? Or a 6 string electric violin that sounds like Jimi Hendrix?
