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Our value we're focusing on this half term: Kindness
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Welcome to the February edition of the Grayswood School Newsletter.
We would like to begin this newsletter by saying a huge 'Congratulations' to the latest recipients of our Values Awards.
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Grayswood School Values
Love - Forgiveness - Kindness - Respect - Perseverance - Teamwork
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A very well done to Isaac, Dora, Samuel, Fleur, Henry, Jago and Zachary E. You should be super proud of yourselves and wear your new badges with pride!
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New Speed Awareness Mascot Announced
Here, parent and campaign organiser, Heidi Trask, tells us more...
"If you’ll cast your mind back to pre-Christmas 2024, we asked the children to put their creative ideas to paper and create a school traffic mascot!
We as parents all know that the traffic around every school can be tricky at times, but I am hopeful that the new mascot will serve as a reminder for everyone coming through the village to be mindful of small children and each other.
The entries have now been collected and judged by the school council, who all agreed- it was a VERY tough decision to pick a winner!
Every entry, all the way from the smallest entrants in Wrens to the top years in the school were so considered and detailed, and so on Friday's assembly (28th February) all those who entered were awarded a certificate to recognise their hard work! A huge thanks to you as parents for encouraging your children and talking about road safety at home. All of these designs will be shared in time- they were all brilliant!
Our fabulous winning mascot was designed by Cressida in Year 5. Well done!
Our new mascot will now be made into a new graphic which will be shared on the website, the local parish magazine, social media and as imagery around the village- so keep your eyes peeled!
Thank you again to all the parents, residents and the teachers who came up with ideas for encouraging safer driving around the school. It was hugely helpful and appreciated."
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The Music Works Showcase
Our Grayswood musicians are busy practising for their moment on the stage as we are preparing to host The Music Works Showcase on Monday 17th March.
If you would like to attend the Showcase, please email the office informing us of how many seats you require.
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Kingfishers Prepare for Battle
"As part of our Roman topic Kingfishers made shields and performed manoeuvres using Roman battle tactics.
Mrs. Breslaw would announce different instructions and we would follow them, walking in time.
When we did the 'tortoise' we put our shields above our heads. When Mrs. Breslaw said 'cuneum formate' we formed a wedge, with one person stood at the front and then everyone else behind in a triangle. When Mrs. Breslaw said 'consistai' we would stop.
In between actions we would pretend to be in a Roman camp, playing Roman games. Everybody had lots of fun!"
Written by Rose M
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Robins learn of our local links to the Titanic!
This term, the Robins class went to Godalming for the town walk and workshop in the museum, including a fascinating session on Titanic luggage. It was a really informative day in which the children fully participated and kept going despite the cold and drizzle. The children enjoyed sharing their knowledge of Jack Phillips and revelled in seeing some of the places relevant to him, which really brought the learning to life. How lucky we are to live in an area so rich in history!
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Kingfishers visit to Fishbourne Roman Palace
"When we arrived in the morning, we went to a room where we could do activities and learn about Fishbourne Roman Palace. We made our own thread, mini mosaics and did some puzzles. After that we went to a theatre and watched a short film about what people did at Fishbourne and how it burnt down.
In the afternoon, we went to the museum and all the things there were very interesting, with a picture that would be on the wall of a Roman house and lots of stunningly beautiful jewellery.
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Next we went to see some mosaics. On one of the most famous mosaics there was a deliberate mistake as the Roman's thought the gods didn't want them to do everything perfectly.
It was a great day!"
Written by Rose M and Ottilie C
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Helpers Wanted!
Mrs. Spicer, our Forest School Leader, is arranging a working party on Sunday 27th April. We would like as many parents as possible to help with moving woodchip down to forest school and to the Wrens play area. Wheelbarrows and shovels at the ready!
If you are free to help, please let the School Office know.
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Stars of the Week
7th February: Jago, Harper, Ralph U, Jude W, Eden A, Jasper, Mia, Darcy, Ottie C, Harry C, Ava D, Leo, Phoebe, Josh B, Annabelle G
14th February: Otto, Lily L, Gigi, Audrey F, Leon. Tillie F, Vinnie, Hugh S, Clara, Olivia F, Izzy, Azurra, Huw
28th February: Dylan, Matty, whole of Kingfishers class
School Value Awards
7th February: Grace, Beth
14th February: River, Sophia R
28th February: Rory, Ashlyn, Edward, Harry C, OJ
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House Points
The house point totals for this term are:
Darwin - 150
Hawking - 147
Burns - 111
Lovelace - 106
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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 February are:
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1st. Robins - 97.93%
2nd. Kingfishers - 96.55%
3rd. Swallows - 95.31%
4th. Woodpeckers - 94.6%
5th. Kites - 94.48%
6th. Wrens - 94.37%
7th. Swifts - 93.68%
Well done Robins on topping the leaderboard for February!
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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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Fundraising Update
A huge thank you to all our families who have donated this month. Our totals so far stand at:
- Break the Rules Day - £409.40
- Cake Sales - £249.41
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Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
At the start of term we had staff training around ADHD which was provided by the charity Barnardos.
ADHD is a condition that it would be helpful for us all to understand as teachers, parents and friends of those who have or may have ADHD.
This video was suggested as a good starting point for understanding ADHD
https://youtu.be/YeamHE6Kank?si=CI4M3AKhL7pgSm4V
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Seeing ADHD in a positive way is critical in supporting self-esteem and achievement. I would encourage you to take a look at the short video that can be found by following the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5D56Cg7y4I
Some practical strategies for supporting children with ADHD
- Provide clear instructions and only give one or two single step instructions at a time. When possible provide pictures or objects as visual reminders.
- Provide choices of no more than two activities or things.
- Use positive language – for example ‘Pick up your bag’, rather than ‘Don’t dump your bag there’. ‘Come and sit down’, rather than, ‘Stop running around’.
- Practice mindfulness techniques together.
- Talk about you feel and what you do to help you to feel calm and in control of your emotions.
- Provide frequent opportunities to move around.
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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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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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EASTER SWIMMING COURSE
Introduce your child to water, improve their confidence, technique and stamina. Less formal than weekly lessons, the progress with many of the children is outstanding. This is a 4 day intensive course running at King Edwards School, Witley from Monday April 14th to Thursday 17th. Teachers are in the water with young, inexperienced children and class sizes are small. Minimum age 4 with no maximum. Classes are created according to demand, age and ability, then parents are emailed with an exact lesson time anywhere between 9 and 11am. Lessons are for 30 minutes or 45 minutes for the stronger swimmer. The cost for 30 minutes is £48, 45 minutes £72.
To sign up please email sallycrathern@btinternet.com
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