10th November 2023
Dear Parents and Carers,
The children have had a fantastic week in school. A number of children have made great progress in their engagement for learning. One has been working independently for most of the week and another is using a ‘now and next’ board to transition into class. In maths one ordered number blocks from 1-5 independently. Two children joined in with 5 current buns in maths. One of these children then replied ’t’ when asked how many left (there were 2). Another is able to subtract numbers from 20 with adult support. In phonics, one child is hearing adults decode words and is then blending them. Another brought me their whiteboard where they had written the tricky words they had been learning and read all of them to me. In swimming children have made fantastic progress over their sessions in the pool. Some have been gaining in water confidence allowing water to be splashed into their eyes or swimming without buoyancy aids, another has swum independently. Others have developed new swim techniques. Others have developed their social skills and team work within the pool waiting to get in and out of the pool, following instructions, sharing with others in games and being kind. Others have worked hard on their physio. In the development of communication and social skills, one child’s verbal communication has come on leaps and bounds and another talked in full sentences as he got off the bus (and then followed instructions to walk to class independently perfectly). Two children have built up a lovely friendship. Another two children have been engaging in sensory regulation work together using the ‘Beetle room’ which is a room we have designed with the Occupational Therapists to support pupils in their sensory regulation. It was named by the children.
Attendance Focus
Best attendance for last week:
Explorers Hub – Hippo class (100%)
Investigators Hub – Gecko class
Engineers Hub – Husky class
Christmas – 45 days away!
For many children the second half of the autumn term is exciting as it includes many festivities and family get-togethers. Other children can find the next few months really stressful, not least autistic children or children coping with trauma.
Beacon House Therapeutic Services and Trauma Team have, amongst their many resources, ideas for coping with Christmas: ‘The Christmas Storm: Surviving & Thriving At Christmas’ which can be downloaded here: https://beaconhouse.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/The-Christmas-Storm.pdf
Keeping Safe in the Dark
With the clocks having gone back and the nights drawing in, common daily activities can be very different experiences in the dark. First Aid for Life has some top tips and reminders to keep children safe in the dark including:
- It is good advice to always hold little one’s hands especially near roads. Be prepared if something scares them and they panic and run.
- Think about what your child is wearing. Add high-visibility reflective strips on their clothing, school bags or bike helmets
- Research from RoSPA shows that since 2008, at least 28 children have been killed on, or near, the driveways of their home. With 25 of these deaths being caused by a reversing vehicle hitting a child. The darker conditions in Autumn and Winter mean it is even more important to double check that your pets and children are safely out of harm’s way before you drive off.
- Insist children on scooters stay close to their accompanying adult and learn to stop at junctions and driveways. Make sure the children and their scooters are clearly visible to other road users and pedestrians. You can buy luminous accessories to hang from the scooter and there are cool bands, lights and reflectors that children can wear and stick on their clothes.
- Road traffic accidents involving pets are common and increase during hours of darkness. It is better to keep your dog on a lead in the dark, especially near traffic.
Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme – winter bookings
Bookings for the winter HAF programme opened from 6 November 2023. Families will need to use the online booking system to make all bookings. If you used the system during the summer, you will be able to log in. If you have not used it before, you will need to register for an account. A detailed user guide can be found on the West Sussex website.
The HAF Programme is for all families with children that are eligible for benefits related Free School Meals.
HAF codes can be provided by sending the child’s full name and date of birth to haf@westsussex.gov.uk.
This week’s sign of the week is climb!
Have a lovely weekend.
Very best wishes,
Catriona