Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Year 5 - Generation Green Residential

  Tue 19 Oct 2021

  We are thrilled that we have successfully applied for some of our Year 5 children to take part in the Generation Green programme. 

   

  Generation Green is a 16-month funded project that aims to connect young people to nature - many for the first time – and to cultivate a sense of care for the natural environment.

   

  For some of our Year 5 (as well as Mr Booth, Mrs Greene and Mrs Burton) this means taking part in a two-day "Connecting to Nature" residential on 1st and 2nd November.  This is designed to to connect our children to the natural environment, helping them learn the steps to nature connectiveness (see attached image). 

   

  We hope that they have a wonderful time - experiencing and connecting with nature!

   

   

  Generation Green is the first project to be delivered by the Access Unlimited coalition. The coalition comprises YHA (England & Wales) – who are hosting the project on behalf of the partners – The Outward Bound Trust, Scouts, Girlguiding, Field Studies Council and the 10 English National Parks.

   

  "Young people from deprived areas, BAME groups and disadvantaged backgrounds have fewer opportunities to experience nature and the outdoors at an early age, affecting their engagement with the natural environment in later life."

   

  

• First Aid in School

  Mon 18 Oct 2021

  Occasionally, all children have accidents 🙁

   

  As a school, like you do as parents / carers, we try our best to minimise these - the safety of children remains our top priority.  However, like you, we also want out children to be able to assess the risks themselves, as this is an important skill as they mature - so we don't wrap them in cotton wool! 

   

  If a child does have an accident, we follow our First Aid Policy. 

   

  Children will always be provided with first aid by a trained First Aider.  We have considerably more of these than most other schools (23 at the moment) to ensure that any child is never far away from a First Aider!   

   

  First Aiders will reassure the child and deal with minor incidents by themselves.  They will record their actions in the First Aid book and, if it is a head injury, will ensure that the class teacher and parent (via a written note) are aware. On occasions, in the Early Years, Year 1 or Year 2, the First Aider will also send a note home for other minor cuts and grazes - partly to reassure the child and/or parent  and partly because younger children might not remember how they did it by home time! In Key Stage 2, we only notify parents / carers about minor injuries if they are related to the head.     

   

  On the rare occasions we have serious accidents (for example, ones where the First Aider suspects a broken bone or that the child may need to see a medical professional) the First Aider will always speak to a senior leader in the school immediately and we will always contact parents / carers as soon as possible. If required, we would also contact the emergency services. 

   

  As a school, we do monitor the first aid books to ensure that accidents are not linked to a certain game the children are playing or piece of equipment on the playground. 

• House Point Reward (Years 1 - 6)

  Fri 15 Oct 2021

  As you know, all children (Year 1 - Year 6) belong to one of our houses and earn points for themselves and for their house. 

   

  In line with our Behaviour Policy, the house who have earned the highest number of house points in a half term will have a non-uniform day on the last day of the half term. See page 5 of the Parent Guide to Behaviour that we sent home in September. 

   

  We are approaching the end of the half-term and, as you can see, the race for first place is very close. 

   

  We will notify parents / carers via Weduc next Thursday afternoon (21st October) which house has won this half-term and, therefore, can come in non-uniform. 

   

  All other children (from the other 3 houses) must come in normal school uniform. 

  

• SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY - ELECTION OF PARENT GOVERNOR

  Mon 04 Oct 2021

  We currently have vacancy for a Parent Governor on the Governing Body, therefore, I am writing to invite nominations for the role of an elected Parent Governor.

   

  The governors’ work with the staff to promote high standards of academic achievement, set the strategic direction of the school and ensure the school serves the local community.  Being a governor is a voluntary role but can be very rewarding.  It does involve attending governor meetings, some reading in preparation for them and occasional visits into school.  However, I know that the vast majority of governors find that the satisfaction of making a real difference to future generations makes it all worthwhile. 

   

  More information on the what governors do is available here: https://www.pirtonhill.com/governors/

   

  All new school governors will be supported in these duties by other experienced members of the Governing Body, the headteacher and the clerk to the governors.

  There are a number of circumstances in which an individual is disqualified from being a governor which are shown on the back of this letter. In line with our safeguarding procedures, the successful parent will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

   

  Parents who are nominated for election must be proposed and seconded in writing, with nominations being signed by the proposer and seconder.  The person nominated must also state in writing that he or she is willing to stand for election.  The election is for a period of four years and those eligible to stand must be parents or guardians of pupils who are currently at this school.  The proposer and seconder must have a child currently in attendance at the school.  

   

  Nominations should be sent to Mr Booth, via the school office, by 3pm on Friday 15^th October, 2021.  If only one parent is nominated, he/she will be elected unopposed but if there are two or more nominations for the vacancy, an election will be held.