Dear Parents,
Friday Coffee Morning – 25th March straight after drop off until 9:45am
This week marks our first Friday Coffee Morning, where parents are invited into school to have a coffee and a biscuit with Mr Alabi and me. I’m keen for parents to come in and find out more about the school in an informal setting over a coffee. It will also give you the opportunity to ask any questions you might have and share your thoughts with us.
Challenge Partners
Further to my last update to you, I can now share more about our external school review provided by Challenge Partners and led by a practising Ofsted Inspector a couple of weeks ago. Challenge Partners do not work for the Trust and are completely independent. They reviewed the school in an unbiased, objective manner looking for areas of strength as well as areas for development.
Some of the key strengths highlighted in the report are highlighted below:
‘Classrooms are harmonious learning environments where pupils’ enthusiasm for learning is nurtured and developed. Behaviours for learning are strong in all classes. Routines are clear and pupils know what is expected of them. The IB learner profile attributes promote inquiry and allow pupils to take risks with their learning.’
‘The school environment is tailored especially well to promote pupils’ enjoyment and purposeful learning. The use of chrome books and iPads allows pupils to experience different ways of learning new technology skills. Pupils value the displays in the language-rich classrooms, which they say help them remember key concepts. They especially appreciate seeing their best work displayed in class.’
‘Leaders have implemented a curriculum with equality of opportunities at the heart of the activities pupils can access. Barriers to learning are considered and appropriate interventions put in place.’
‘Pupils benefit greatly from rich experiences that enhance their wider learning, such as trips and visits. Leaders have very clear intentions for these activities, which link successfully to specific aspects of the curriculum. Pupils’ participation in sporting activities, art, cooking and computing (coding) is high.’
As I said before, I am delighted that our strengths have been noticed and celebrated by an external school-based review company. This confirms that our own judgments are secure and provides evidence that we are going from strength to strength.
Our next step is to continue driving the whole curriculum forward to ensure that children continue to have a balanced, well rounded education all under the umbrella framework of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.
I look forward to discussing more about the PYP Framework at the Coffee Morning on Friday, as I expect some of you may want to find out more about this.
Ukraine
Thank you to everyone who donated to the support effort for families in Ukraine. The items are now on their way to Lviv where they will be passed on to families in need.
The parent coordinating the effort on behalf of us all here at school is Masha, who is mum to Ivan, Matthew and Zachary. She is extremely grateful and is touched by everyone’s generosity and support.
Breakfast and After School Club Survey
To gather the thoughts and opinions of parents regarding our Breakfast and Afterschool Clubs, I am kindly asking you to complete the following survey which can be accessed here. The deadline for completion is Friday 25th March. This is in response to the COVID restrictions being lifted and more parents returning to the office.
FoHPS Disco
The rescheduled disco is on Wednesday 23rd March, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm. Children who are attending the disco may bring in a change of clothes to change into at the end of the school day. Parents collecting should follow the same procedure for collection as is in place at the end of the school day. All clubs apart from Art Club and After School Club will be cancelled that day, and parents will receive a credit to their account in due course.
‘Fabulous Females’ Afternoon
On Monday 28th March from 1:45pm your child will be able to invite a ‘Fabulous Female’ (close female relative or friend) into school to share their learning for the afternoon. The event will be similar to the Parent Partnership Afternoon in Term 2. ‘Fabulous Females’ can arrive anytime between 1:45pm and 3:00pm and drop in and out of classes to see multiple children within the family.
Parent Consultations
Appointment times were sent home on Friday afternoon. If you have not received an appointment time for your child’s consultation, please let your child’s class teacher know. All clubs apart from Art Club and After School Club will be cancelled that day, and parents will receive a credit to their account in due course.
Year 6 Legacy Events
Please see the diary dates below regarding the upcoming fundraisers for the Year 6 Legacy – Krispy Kreme doughnut sale and pyjama day.
Forest School
In preparation for the Forest School pilot sessions taking place after Easter, we are kindly asking for donations of the following equipment: pots and pans for cooking, watering cans and wellies. We are not looking for new items, just items that are of no use to you any longer. If you have any of the items listed above that you no longer need, please bring them to the school office. Thank you
Remember to keep an eye on our Facebook page to see daily updates from inside school.
Attendance
Children should be in school every day unless they are too ill, attendance is mandatory, as set out by the Department of Education. We have high expectations of behaviour, learning and attendance at Horsmonden and will use the full extent of our Attendance Policy to support this.
Parents should aim for 100% attendance for their children. When children are not in school regularly it not only affects their learning, but also their behaviour, routines and ability to make and retain friends. We often find that those children that have friendship issues are the same children who have poor attendance. There is also a direct correlation between attendance and attainment. Children have missed out on too much education over the last couple of years and I am asking for your support in ensuring your children are in school every day.
As always, if there is anything you wish to discuss, you can arrange a meeting with your child’s class teacher, send an email, or catch me at the gate. I am out there mostly every day, along with Mr Alabi.
Kind Regards,
Hayley Sharp
Principal
2021-22 Diary Dates
Term 4
- Wednesday 23rd March – FoHPS Rescheduled Valentine’s Disco
- Thursday 24th March, 3:20pm – Year 6 Krispy Kreme Doughnut Sale in aid of Year 6 Legacy
- Friday 25th March, 8:40 to 9:45am – Parent Coffee Morning
- Friday 25th March – Pyjama Day in aid of Year 6 Legacy – donation buckets on the gate
- Monday 28th March – Year 3 Visit to Thakeham building site
- Monday 28th March, 1:45pm – Open Afternoon for Mums/Nans/Aunts to celebrate Mother’s Day
- Tuesday 29th March – Parent Consultations (3:30pm – 5:30pm)
- Wednesday 30th March – Parent Consultations (3:30pm – 5:30pm)
- Thursday 31st March – FoHPS Easter Egg Hunt
- Friday 1st April – Year 4 Roman Day
- Friday 1st April – End of Term 4
- Monday 4th April – INSET Day for Teachers
Term 5
- Tuesday 19th April – Start of Term 5
- Monday 2nd May – May Bank Holiday (School Closed)
- Tuesday 3rd May – Year 4 Maypole Dancing on the Green
- Monday 16th to Friday 20th May – Bottle and Crockery Collection for FoHPS Summer Fair
- Friday 27th May – End of Term 5
Term 6
- Saturday 4th June – FoHPS Summer Fair
- Monday 6th June – Start of Term 6
- Monday 13th to Friday 17th June – Year 6 Residential to Windmill Hill
- Thursday 14th July – FoHPS Summer Disco
- Friday 22nd July – End of Term 6