Loading

April Newsletter

Welcome to our April newsletter - with the Easter holidays taking up much of April, there is less to share with you about what has been going on around school this month but lots of important key dates and information to share with you all, particularly regarding opportunities to invite families back in to school again, which we are very excited about.

At the end of last term, our school improvement advisor Mr Watts came to visit. He watched reading lessons and interventions across all year groups and spoke to children about their reading but also about life at school in general. All the children represented the school brilliantly and he was particularly impressed with how our Y6 children talked about school and their learning. In all lessons, he saw some great learning taking place and clear development of understanding of the texts throughout the lesson. When he spoke with pupils they confidently articulated our school values and made comments such as "The school has a good atmosphere and environment" and "I enjoy learning and the topics". They were also able to identify how they know they are doing well and making progress in lessons and demonstrated positive attitudes to reading through comments such as "Reading extends your imagination" and "I get lots of information by reading".

Mrs Webb :)

Y4 UKULELE LESSONS

This week, Year 4 started their ukulele lessons with Mrs Boyd and gave our brand new school ukuleles a try out for the very first time. I am looking forward to seeing how they progress and hopefully we can be treated to a performance in assembly some time soon :)

Celebration Wall

The first pieces of work also went up on our new celebration wall in the library area this week. Well done to Annabell from Y3, Yara and Tobi from Y5 and Amy R and Aashna from Y6 for being selected by Miss Trainer for their super art work. As you can see from the photos, there are lots more spaces waiting to be filled by any wonderful work that the children produce across the curriculum and I look forward to seeing what goes up in the next few weeks.

I am very pleased to announce that we will be welcoming families back into school this term. Y3,4 and 5 will be preparing class assemblies to share with you all and Y6 will be working on their Leavers' play which will take place in the final week of term on Wednesday 20th July in the afternoon. We are also planning open afternoons for after half term, where you can come into school and take part in some topic-linked activities with your child. These will all obviously be dependent on how the Government's 'Living with COVID-19' plan is going and if we have high numbers of staff/children feeling unwell at any point, there may be the need to restrict events such as these in line with Public Health guidelines for a limited time (but fingers crossed that doesn't happen). Please see below for the relevant dates and times for your child's year group.

CLASS ASSEMBLIES

OPEN AFTERNOONS

Open afternoons start at 2pm - reminders will be sent out closer to the time but the dates are below for your information.

We are also planning for the return of the PTA's fabulous Summer Fair and Family BBQ on Friday July 15th from 6:30 - 8:30 pm and the Sports Day and Family picnic on Monday 18th July (weather permitting). Further details about these events will be sent out closer to the time.

To celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, we are going to have a 'street party' on our school playground on the last day of this half term (Friday 27th May) in conjunction with the Infant School. Children can wear red, white and blue themed non-uniform on the day. They will eat their lunch outside (weather permitting) and those that have school lunch will have a special picnic lunch provided by the school kitchen. Further details about the lunch option will be sent out by the admin team in the coming week.

BEHAVIOUR WORKSHOP

Our Children and Family team, Mrs Smythe and Miss Ingle, have organised a workshop for parents in liaision with Warwickshire's Children and Family Support team for next half term. Please see below for further details and if you would like to register your interest, please email admin2421@welearn365.com If you would like to speak to someone for more information please email or call the office and ask to speak to Mrs Smythe or Miss Ingle about the parent workshop.

"Understanding Children’s Behaviour" at Abbots Farm Junior School on 7th July 9.30 – 11.30

This workshop explores how positive parenting strategies can help support parents and carers to gain a greater understanding of children’s behaviours and the needs behind them. It also provides positive strategies to help manage children’s challenging behaviours within the home

No one ever said being a parent was going to be easy. In fact, it is probably the most demanding job you will ever have. Parenting courses, workshops and programmes are a great way to help you find new ways of supporting your children. Parents who have attended some of Warwickshire's Workshops and programmes have said how they have grown in confidence as a parent and have felt supported and listened too. They can help you come up with new ideas, problem solve and reduce stress. You won’t be alone with many of the concerns you have so it can be encouraging to recognise and build upon your existing skills at the same time as sharing and learning from other parents and carers.

Some parents have said how they have really benefited by meeting other parents in similar situations, sharing experiences, and learning from each other. Some have also said that they have felt that they are ‘not alone’.

Diary Dates

  • 5th May - school being used as a polling station but is STILL OPEN TO PUPILS
  • wb 9th May - Y6 SATs week
  • 20th May - Young Voices concert
  • 27th May - break up for half term
  • 27th May - Queen's Jubilee Street Party
  • 28th April - 3rd June - MAY HALF TERM
  • 6th June - Teacher training day
  • 7th June - children back in school
  • 6th July - Warwickshire transition day
  • 7th July - "Understanding Children's Behaviour" workshop (see details above)
  • 15th July - Summer Fair and BBQ (18:30 - 20:30)
  • !8th July - Sports day and family picnic (am)
  • 20th July - Y6 Leavers Play (pm)
  • 21st July - break up for Summer Holiday

Reminders

Please do not bring pets onto the playground when collecting your children at the end of the school day.

Messages from the office

  • If you have any change of contact details (address, phone numbers, email addresses, additonal contacts etc) please let the office know via the admin email as soon as possible to ensure that we have the right information on file
  • Please remember that school meals should always be paid for online a week in advance and Kidzone a month in advance. Thank you for your patience at the start of this week when the payment system wasn't working properly.
  • Music lesson payments for the summer term are also now due.
  • Y6 Condover trip for next year (current y5s) - the remaining balance needs to be paid by 7th June.

FAMILY SUPPORT - Healthy Body and Mind For All Our Farmers!

Please remember, if ever you need any support, we are always happy to listen and help as best we can in school. Our Children and Families Team (Mrs Smythe and Miss Ingle) are always on hand for a chat if you need them.

However, we also know that there are often times where the help of an external professional, with a wealth of knowledge and experience behind them in specific areas, is the best person to support you. As always, this 'Healthy Body and Mind' section of our newsletter contains lots of useful updates or information each month, including online safety messages and support. I hope you find it useful! Remember all previous newsletters can be found on our school website at https://abbotsfarm.co.uk/news-events/newsletters/ in case you ever want to look back and find a previously-recommended resource that you now feel may be useful.

The Warwickshire Family Information Service is an incredible resource which you can access directly to help you and your family find the support you need. Their website contains a wealth of information and has contact details for many charities and organisations that can offer support or information on a wide range of issues from housing and benefits to mental health support or health and safety information.

Wellbeing for Life Festival

The Wellbeing for Life Festival is taking place at the Pump Room Gardens, Leamington Spa, on Saturday 14th May between 10am - 3pm. Go along to meet and browse a variety of stalls, including Family Information Service.

Support for your own and your child’s mental and emotional wellbeing

CWRise.com: Coventry and Warwickshire Rise (CWRise) specialise in providing emotional wellbeing and mental health support to children and young people in Warwickshire. They are made up of a number of different services, each led by mental health specialists. 24/7 support is available online at www.cwrise.com including COVID-19 related resources, links to other resources and trusted organisations offering a variety of support, as well as a range of videos and leaflets. A whole host of videos are also available from Rise & Shine Fest, which took place during October half term, covering things like the 5 Ways to Wellbeing and topics such as Autism and ADHD, bereavement and anxiety. You can view these resources at cwrise.com/rise-shine-fest

Dearlife.org.uk: If you are struggling with complicated and negative thoughts and feelings, or if you are worried about someone else go to www.dearlife.org.uk for information, advice and service information.

You can also find a wide range of advice and mental health and wellbeing support available to you in Warwickshire at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/mentalhealth

Support over the phone: ChatHealth is a confidential and anonymous text messaging service for young peopled (aged 11-19) to contact their local school nursing team. The service is provided by Compass wellbeing workers. You will get a reply within 24 hours between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays).

  • 11 to 19 years olds can text a school nurse on 07507 331 525
  • Parents or carers of under 5s can text a health visitor on 07520 615 293
  • Parents or carers of 5 to 19 year olds can text a school nurse on 07520 619 376

Urgent help: If you are experiencing a mental health crisis you can call the Rise Crisis Team’s freephone number: 0808 196 6798 (select option 2) at all times, though it is an advice-only service overnight from 8pm to 8am. In an emergency call 999.

Credits:

Created with images by DOC RABE Media - "Megaphone with hand on green chalkboard background, copyspace for individual text" • HansLinde - "flower nature season" • motortion - "Welcome written palms on orange background, community togetherness, invitation" • obpia30 - "clock time alarm clock" • Anemone123 - "team spirit teamwork community" • geralt - "volunteer hands voluntarily"