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West Hill Primary School Newsletter JANUARY 2023

Welcome to the January newsletter. Welcome back to the Spring Term which sees not only a new year for the school, but also a new leadership team! Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our Coffee Morning on 11th January when we were able to introduce ourselves properly. It was great to see so many families here and we look forward to making 2023 a fantastic year for our community.

Thank you also to parents for completing the parent surveys that were sent out at the beginning of term regarding new breakfast provision and after school care. This was a valuable exercise to understand what our school community now needs and we hope to update you very soon with our plans.

Remember to check the dates for the diary at the end of this newsletter, including our upcoming parents' evenings.

A Message from the Headteacher Richard Milsom

I am very proud to be the new Headteacher of West Hill Primary School working alongside a dedicated and committed team of teachers, support staff, office staff and governors. I feel privileged to be surrounded every day by enthusiastic, enquiring pupils.

It’s been an incredibly busy first few weeks of 2023 as Headteacher here at West Hill Primary. Please bear with me as I endeavour to remember everyone’s name over the next few weeks! It is great to meet all the parents and careers at the school gates and have the opportunity to get to know you all. Please stop for a chat on your way in or out of school; I will always be on one of the gates.

My aim as Headteacher is to continue to deliver the highest standard of education to all our pupils and support every member of our community in any way possible. I believe we can be successful if we work together as a team enabling the pupils to make good progress and leave us with the necessary skills and attitudes to be successful in the next part of their education.

Cost of Living Support

Times are tough for everyone at the moment. If you are struggling to buy enough food we can help support you with direct referrals to the Foodbank and also to a fantastic charity called Dons Local Action who will deliver a weekly foodbox to your home for up to 8 weeks. Please contact the school office for a referral.

There is a list of external agencies who can help with debt, fuel costs, cheaper broadband and other issues towards the end of this newsletter.

Year 3 Reading Project

Year 3 have been working on a project in English of making picture books suitable for younger children. They read them to Year 1 last Friday, and asked for some feedback from the children. The feedback we received was very constructive!

Bigfoot Theatre Company

Adrian from Big Foot Theatre Company visited West Hill last week. He did a whole school assembly in the morning, followed by workshops for Years 1 - 4, all about the story of Anansi. As always his enthusiasm was infectious and everyone loved their workshop!

Author of the Month - January

Each month West Hill will focus on a different author, illustrator or poet. This month it is Tom Percival. Have you heard of this person before? Do you know any of his work?

Tom is a writer, artist, video producer and musician. He is the author of many bestselling picture books, including the six titles in his award-winning Big Bright Feelings for Bloomsbury (Perfectly Norman, Ruby's Worry, Ravi's Roar, Meesha Makes Friends, Tilda Tries Again and Milo’s Monster). Click on the following links to watch his stories on CBeebies Bedtime stories: 
We are here to help.

Residents across Wandsworth are being offered warm spaces in several locations in the Borough. Enhanced services are also being prepared at six children’s centres which provide family-oriented services for young families of children up to the age of five. These include breakfast clubs, lunch and learn sessions, stay and play along with the chance for parents to charge phones, and where available, use shower and washing facilities. Later in the day older children will be able to complete their homework in warm and friendly surroundings, with internet access provided and evening meals also available. Click here for the list of warm space locations available.

For help with dealing with debt the following organisations can help you: https://nationaldebtline.org/; https://www.stepchange.org/; https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

If you receive benefits you may be entitled to cheaper broadband costs. Martin Lewis (MoneySavingExpert) has put together a list of providers here. One on the list Community Fibre (London based) does not require proof of income or benefits.

Did you know that we can refer families to the Wandsworth Food Bank? If you need support please speak to Mr Milsom or the school office. The Food Bank can also help you apply for other assistance if you are eligible.

Wimbledon Dons can also support families at West Hill with food box deliveries. We can refer you to them if you need help.

A charity called Little Village provides families in need with clothing, nappies, buggies, beds, bedding, books, toys and much more to families with children up to the age of 5. If you need help please contact us for a referral.

Discretionary support grants are also available from Wandsworth Council for those in need. This includes emergency crisis assistance for food and fuel. Please click here to apply.

Grants and benefits are available to help you pay your bills. Citizens Advice have put together a really useful list of all the help available which includes a list of energy providers' schemes to provide grants if you are in debt to your supplier (this is towards the bottom of the webpage). Please click here for all the information.

If you need extra clothing for your children we have a clothing bank here at West Hill. We have clothes and footwear available for children from the age of 3 to young teenagers. It is all completely free. Please contact the school office if you would like to choose some items.

Dates for your diary

Tuesday 24th January am - Year 3 Pedestrian Training

Wednesday 25th January - Year 6 Trip to the Science Museum

Thursday 26th January am - Year 4 Pedestrian Training

Friday 27th January am - Year 5 Pedestrian Training

Tuesday 31st January am - Year 6 Pedestrian Training

Dates for your diary

Wednesday 1st February 9am - Parent Carer Coffee Morning - Learn 2 Love 2 Read Reading Skills Workshop

Monday 6th February 4pm - Booking opens for Parents' Evening on School Cloud

Monday 13th to Friday 17th February - Half Term. SCHOOL CLOSED

Monday 20th February - FIRST DAY back for children

Tuesday 21st February 3.30pm to 6pm - IN PERSON Parents' Evening

Wednesday 22nd February - Year 3 trip to the Polka Theatre

Wednesday 22nd February 3.30pm to 6pm - VIRTUAL ONLINE Parents' Evening