Welcome to our latest newsletter and hopefully the beginning of better weather! We hope everyone has had a lovely break and is ready and refreshed for the new half term.
School Parent & Carer Survey
We will be sending out a parent and carer survey via email on Monday next week. Every year we ask parents and carers to share their thoughts and opinions about the school. The data from these surveys is shared with governors and informs discussions about our future plans. We would really appreciate it if you could take the time to complete it. Thank you.
Tell us if your child is absent
If your child is absent please contact the school by phone or email by 9.30am every day that they are off school.
Please call us on 020 8874 5900 or email info@westhill.wandsworth.sch.uk if you are unable to call. When leaving a message please clearly state your child's name, the reason for absence and the year they are in. Thank you.
Be on Time!
It is important to be on time at the start of the morning. The start of school is used to give out instructions or organise work. If your child is late they miss work time with their class teacher, getting vital information as well as causing disruption to the lesson for others.
School gates open at 8.30am and classrooms are open from 8.40am
Please avoid making dentist or non urgent GP appointments during the school day however if this is unavoidable you must notify us in advance.
Kindness Day
National School Breakfast Programme
We are now up and running with the National School Breakfast Programme. Bagels are available in the classroom for the children every morning if they would like them.
100% Attenders
Congratulations to all our pupils who achieved 100% attendance last half term. They are: Aila, Aaron, Nasra, Chloe, Raheem, Sienna, Sama, Amirah, Janelle, Mouad, Khaled, Noah, Ayeza, Yumna, Konrad, Sara, Maryama, Rayan, Layla, Alex, Dania, James, Madeeha, Khadeejah, Tyler, Helen, Haris, Alfie, Taliah, Tarlia, Jonathan, Mahamed, Bethany, Shae, Israa, Charlie, Noman, Kartez, Amina, Ibrahim, Tanushka, Bushra, Nermine, Jacob, Rahmah, Ayah, Divyanshi, Jazba, Daniya, Adam, Aroush, Umar, Aliza, Alexis, Iqlas, Alyan, Danish, Rayan, Jehanzaib, Shekinah, Zakaria, Malik, Mohamed, Naser, Salah Uddeen, Reuben, Fareeha, Jariyyullah, Salman, Ayan, Chayce, Nasri, Casey, Lema, Macy, Lola, Ali, Omer, Dauod, Huda, Jakub, Fatima, Sebastian, Adam, Rafaella, Zayn, Sabrina.
World Book Day Wednesday 2nd March
Join us in the lower hall at 8.15am for breakfast and a story. Children can dress as their favourite book character (£1 donation). We are also holding a Reading Den competition. Children can build themselves a reading den at home, take a photo of themselves reading their favourite book snuggled in their den. Send it to info@westhill.wandsworth.sch.uk or give it a printed copy to their class teacher.
Learn 2 Love 2 Read
For several years, local literacy charity, Learn to Love to Read, has been running early literacy classes in school for parents with younger children. These sessions have been a wonderful way for parents to help their toddlers be ready to learn to read when they start school.
These classes are now running online and there are two groups in March for parents with a child aged 18 months to 4 years.
Each session will focus on four activities – chatting with your child, playing together, singing and enjoying books. There will be four weekly sessions after half term. Before the first session you will be sent books and activities provided by Learn to Love to Read for you to enjoy with your child at home. You will also be able to engage with Learn to Love to Read staff individually if you wish, to ask questions and get new ideas.
We know what an impact these sessions have on children who come to our school – we would encourage you to sign up. You can join either a Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning group and you should make a note of the dates when you book and commit to attending them all. You will be preparing your child to have the very best start at school.
The dates are: Tuesdays at 1.30pm on 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd March, or Wednesdays at 11am on 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd March.
You can sign up by clicking here.
They also have lots of stories, activities and other resources online. Click here to have a look.
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Music Therapy
Wandsworth Music are running Music Therapy sessions. Music therapists support people to reach their full potential, building confidence and developing physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing. Music Therapy sessions focus on communication using sound (using instruments and the voice), which enables the client to communicate and express themselves.
Their therapists work with young people experiencing a range of difficulties, which might include: learning difficulties, communication difficulties, emotional difficulties, behavioural difficulties, loss, distressing, traumatic experiences, physical or coordination problems.
Their Music Therapists are skilled musicians and professionally trained, qualified Music Therapists (Postgraduate Diploma/MA). Our therapists are state registered under the Health and Care Professions Council and work to the code of conduct set out by the British Association for Music Therapy. All music therapists engage in regular clinical supervision and update their skills through continuing professional development and training.
1:1 Music Therapy sessions are available at Wandsworth Music's Saturday Clinic. The clinic runs during term time only. There are 10x Music Therapy sessions per term. Music Therapy is offered in blocks of 10 at a cost of £37 per session. Parents and guardians can make a referral by clicking on this link.
Wandsworth Food Bank and Crisis Assistance
If your income is too low to afford food and essentials, the Wandsworth Food Bank is there to help you. Please click here for more information and please contact Mrs Healy or Mrs Carmen for assistance in completing a referral form.
If you are in need of emergency assistance for food or fuel you may be able to apply for Crisis Assistance. For all the details and to apply please click here.
The Citizens Advice Bureau also has useful advice about what to do if you are struggling to pay energy bills. If you are on a low income you may be eligible for the Warm Home Discount Scheme. For more information please click here.
If you need urgent mental health support please call the NHS crisis line 0800 028 8000. Lines are open 24 hours a day, every day.
Support for children, parents and carers can be found on our Support for children, parents and carers page . Here you will find lots of information about local services that can help you.
Tuesday 1st March - Author visit, Chitra Soundar
Wednesday 2nd March 8.15am - World Book Day. Booky Breakfast with parents/carers and dress up as your favourite character for World Book Day (£1 donation)
Wednesday 9th March 9.00am - Parent/Carer Coffee Morning -Times Tables
Friday 11th March - Local MP Fleur Anderson visiting West Hill
Wednesday 16th March - Parent/Carer Coffee Morning - Science is all Around Us
Wednesday 23rd March - Parent/Carer Coffee Morning - Year 6 SATs
Thursday 24th March - Years 5 & 6 Intra-school sports competition
Wednesday 30th March - Year 5 singing concert at Fairfields Hall, Croydon
Wednesday 30th March - Parent/Carer Coffee Morning - House Captains' Presentation
Thursday 31st March - Young Shakespeare Company - A Midsummer Night's Dream (Years 3-6)
Friday 1st April - Last day of term, school closes at 2pm
Credits:
Created with an image by Mylene2401 - "willow catkin february winter"