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Our value we're focusing on this half term: Respect
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Welcome to the Grayswood CE School newsletter, bringing you an update of what's been happening during November. But first, with an ever-busy Festive period upon us, let's take a quick look at what we have to look forward to!
First of all, we would like to extend our thanks to The Flower Stand Battersea for another beautiful Christmas wreath this year, plus two very special Christmas trees for us all to enjoy!
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A new type of advent calendar
Our Eco Warriors have created a special Eco Advent Calendar to inspire everyone to make sustainable choices this festive season!
Each day in December reveals a simple, eco-friendly act, from reducing waste to conserving energy.
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Grayswood School Team up with No. 1 Charter Walk
Last Friday, the children created wonderful Christmas decorations, which will be displayed in the window of No1. Charter Walk from Sunday 1st December. If you happen to be in Haslemere, please do take a wander down there and take delight in our endeavours.
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This year, the windows dressed by the schools are not eligible for the public vote; however, they will be entered in the judged competitions for the most festive window, the most stylish window and the most complimentary to the retailer’s business, so the competition is on and Grayswood are in it to win it!
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Post Boxes Now Open!
For children wanting to bring in Christmas cards for their friends and teachers, we now have a post box per class in the School Office.
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Calm Club
This month our Wellbeing Ambassadors, along with Mrs. Harris, launched our new 'Calm Club'.
Every Friday lunchtime, KS2 children are welcome to drop in to the Year 4 classroom, talk to the Wellbeing Ambassadors while they colour, listen to music, read, play with playdough, lego, watercolours, and board games.
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Year 4 Butser Ancient Farm
On Monday, 4th November, Swallows class went on a trip to Butser Farm.
First, we went to the Anglo-Saxon house. We talked about how they lived. We did some writing using a quill dipped in ink. It was fun, fun, fun!
After that, we made our way to the archaeological dig. Some of the objects we found were bones, big rocks, horse shoes and some pottery.
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After lunch, we sewed our initials using the ancient Saxon language. We used blunt needles, some coloured wool, and a cardboard square.
Next, we went to a Roman villa. We discussed the differences between a Roman house and an Anglo-Saxon.
This was one of the best trips we have ever had. We would recommend it to family and friends.
Written by Ava D and Amelie S
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Year 1 Bocketts Farm
This month, Woodpeckers class were lucky enough to visit Bocketts Farm. When we got there we did a safety talk. Next, we went on the tractor ride. Later, we fed some big animals like cows. Two big ones were slobbery, while the baby one was not slobbery. After that, we stroked a rabbit, a chicken, and a guinea pig. Next we stroked Midnight, the horse. After lunch, we saw the pig race. Later we went to the playground. I went down the slide. Then we went on the bouncy pillow. Finally, we went home.
Written by Austin
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Year 2 Fort Nelson
Robins' visit to Fort Nelson was an exceptional one and quite simply, everything about it worked, including the aspects which were less than expected, such as the snow on the way down to Portsmouth.
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As soon as we arrived, the children were met by the outstanding characters of Gunner Scrub, Nurse Nye and of course, Florence Nightingale herself, the trio who then kept the class inquisitive, engaged and entertained for the next 4 hours, with all manner of activities centred around cleaning and inspecting the Fort, just as Florence did at Scutari hospital back in 1854.
How we managed to fit so much into a short space of time is hard to comprehend – the children really were treated to some wonderful tasks, activities and a very detailed tour of the relevant parts of the Fort.
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In return, the Robins were absolutely brilliant and immersed themselves fully in everything that came their way throughout our time there. They asked questions, shared their knowledge and totally involved themselves in this excellent way of bringing their classroom learning to life. They went home completely shattered, their heads full of memories made on a brilliant class trip.
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Book Fair Success!
A huge thank you to you all for your support of our recent Book Fair.
Thanks to your purchases, the School has been gifted £300-worth of books for the children to enjoy!
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New Clubs Schedule Now Available
Our Spring 1 Clubs Schedule is now live and can be found on the school website here.
We are extremely pleased to welcome another new club provider, Party Arty 1, who will be hosting Mindfulness, a new art-based club for our KS1 children.
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Grayswood School Pop-Up Restaurant 2.0!
Thank you all so much for joining us for the pop-restaurant a couple of weeks ago.
After costs we raised an incredible £4000!
A huge thank you to:
- Dan Britten for cooking
- Governor Simeon Berends for organising and driving the event
- Tom Gibson and Provenance Meat for supplying the meat and raffle prizes
- Governor Anna Rolfe for table decorations
- Governors Rosie and Lindsey for setting up and logistics
- Dave and Grayswood Cars for sponsoring the welcome drinks
- Howard Corrigan for supplying the accompanying wines
And of course everyone who came and enjoyed the evening!
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Food Banks
As a school we are able to refer families who may need a little extra support to the local food banks in Haslemere (Haslemere Methodist Church) or Godalming (if you live in or around Witley).
If you would like to know more please email our Home School Link Worker, Sarah De Marcos (in confidence) at:
hslw@grayswood.surrey.sch.uk
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Staffing News
Please join us in welcoming our new School Business Manager, Emily Butcher.
She can be contacted regarding matters such as Pupil Premium (Free School Meal) applications, School Hall bookings for parties and events, and any financial concerns you may have that we may be able to help with.
You'll no doubt see her around school, so please do say hello!
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Stars of the Week
1st November: Mariama, Grace, Ellis, Albert H, Leon, Jamie, Clara, Ivan, Arlo B, Tilly M, Isla W
8th November: Zachary E, Emily, Annabelle M, Annabelle I, Jack B, Thomas T, Josh B, whole of Swifts class
15th November: Laurie, Harry T, Albie, Sophia, Tabitha, Hector, Rose M, Edward, George, Beth, Xander, Noah F, Ralph G, whole of Woodpeckers class
22nd November: Ida, Freddie P, Ottilie R, Ava S, Zachary D, Bo, James, Eden N, Tils W, Bella M, Dora, Albert W, whole of Wrens class
29th November: Agatha, Joey, Rose B, Fergus, Harry B, Tilly F, Ned, Nina, Freddie C, Tom N-T, Arthur, Arlo S, Matty, Bea
School Value Awards
1st November: Edward, Isaac
8th November: Thomas C, Esme L, Oliver B
15th November: Misha, Darcy, Olive
22nd November: Rose B, Mabel
29th November: Elspeth, Mabel
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House Points
The house point totals for this term are:
Hawking - 1240
Burns - 839
Darwin - 875
Lovelace - 807
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Good attendance is not just valuable, it's essential. Good attendance promotes good outcomes for pupils and provides them with the very best opportunity to reach their potential.
We regularly track the attendance for each child and communicate with parents where any concerns may be emerging. The government class attendance below 90% is as 'persistently absent' and under 50% 'severely absent'.
The percentage attendance figures for each class as a whole in November are:
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1st. Woodpeckers - 98.5%
2nd. Robins - 97.6%
3rd. Kingfishers - 97.4%
4th. Kites - 97.2%
5th. Swifts - 95.8%
6th. Swallows - 95.0%
7th. Wrens - 94.4%
Well done Woodpeckers on topping the leaderboard this month!
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Just to remind parents/carers that our new attendance policy will come into action from September 2024. If you take your child/children out of school without authority for 5 or more days (which do not have to be consecutive), then the following will apply:
1. If you have not incurred a penalty notice relating to this child/children in a rolling 3 year period since 19 August 2024, then the penalty notice will be charged at the rate of £160.00, per parent/carer per child, if paid within 28 days. This will be reduced to £80.00 if paid within 21 days of receipt of the notice. Failure to pay the Penalty Notice will result in Surrey County Council considering legal proceedings against you in the Magistrates Court.
2. If you have incurred a penalty notice relating to this child/children since 19 August 2024, the rolling 3 year period will be activated from the date of the first penalty notice and the second penalty notice will be charged at the flat rate of £160.00, per parent/carer per child, if paid within 28 days. There will be no reduction for payment within 21 days. Failure to pay the Penalty Notice will result in Surrey County Council considering legal proceedings against you in the Magistrates Court.
3. If you have incurred 2 penalty notices relating to this child/children in the rolling 3 year period since the first penalty notice was issued, then you will NOT receive a third penalty notice – Surrey County Council will have no option but to consider a prosecution, per parent/carer per child, in the Magistrates Court under s 444 Education Act 1996.
Surrey County Council is not responsible for authorising pupil absence and therefore cannot withdraw any Penalty Notice requests without the written permission of the Headteacher.
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Sporting Round-Up
The Year 5/6 girls netball teams and the Year 4 football team have participated in some exciting matches against St Ives over the last few weeks. The girls enjoyed their netball matches and quickly adapted to playing on a full size court. St Ives came out on top, but our teams showed great improvement and never gave up!
The Year 4 boys played their football match with huge determination and showed excellent skills to win with the convincing score of 4-1.
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Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Hello and welcome to this new section of the newsletter where information and insights will be shared in relation to SEND, what this means for some of our pupils in particular, and how we can all help each other to be inclusive and supportive, as a whole school community.
At Grayswood we strive to provide an equitable education for all of our pupils, so that everyone feels included and is equipped with the tools they need to access a good education.
Many of the adaptations we make for children support all pupils regardless of whether they have an identified need, but provision for some children may look a little different. This may be in terms of the amount of adult support they receive in class during some lessons, the equipment they are provided with or the approach that is taken to support learning, positive behaviour and interactions, and good mental health.
We aim to know all of our children well, and encourage them to enact our school values to be inclusive and understanding of everyone. Sometimes, as parents, you may be asked questions about why things might look different for classmates. The picture here may help you to explain and support your child’s understanding.
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Hosting a party?
A reminder that you can hire our school hall for your parties, events or clubs. It's available after school, at weekends and during the school holidays.
To find out more please contact our School Business Manager, on sbm@grayswood.surrey.sch.uk
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