Newsletter 27th September 2024
Message from the Headteacher
Dear Families,
We were delighted to take our Rights Knights to the Houses of Parliament this week as part of their induction programme to joining our school council. The Rights Respecting initiative plays such an important part of our school culture at Alexandra as it influences all of our pupil interactions, school policies and behaviour expectations. All schools in London are now being funded to complete the Rights Respecting programme and, as a gold status school, we are playing a key role in supporting other local schools to develop the initiative. Do see the photographs below showing the children's enjoyment at being in parliament this week.
I am grateful that so many families were able to join our parent forum sessions this week. We value sharing key messages at the start of the term but also benefit from picking up on key questions that parents may have. A number of parents spoke to me about the possibility of recording sessions, so that the information can be accessed at a later point. We always upload the slides to the website but I appreciate that parents value hearing the teachers' comments in addition to the material that is available. Consequently, for the various workshops running this term we will trial a recording process, alongside both an in person and online offer, to ensure that the information is as accessible as possible. As always we would value feedback on this.
Today we are also sharing a request to all parents to support the Alexandra School Fund initiative. We are constantly seeking ways to enrich the learning experience at Alexandra and offer a broad range of opportunities that go beyond the core curriculum. However, maintaining these high standards and providing additional resources requires more than we receive from government funding. If parents are able to make a one-off donation or an ongoing payment into the fund, along with a gift-aid form, it enables us to sustain the enhanced provision that we are so proud of at Alexandra. Please click here for further information.
Finally, I wanted to wish our Year 5 pupils the very best of luck as they start their school residential at Thames Young Mariners next week. We are really hoping that all the rain from this week will have passed and they can enjoy a wonderful two-day outdoor adventure.
Have a good weekend,
Robert Waiting
Head Teacher
Rights Knights trip to the Houses of Parliament
Smartphone Free Childhood talk - 30th September at 2.15pm
On Monday 30th September at 2.15pm, we are delighted to welcome representatives from the Smartphone Free Childhood initiative coming in to talk to primarily KS2 parents, who may be questioning whether they should give their child a smartphone. However, families of all yeargroups are welcome to attend the talk, or you can join online (meet.google.com/qix-qinu-epx). Please register here so that we know how many parents will be attending. The content of this presentation is not suitable for children. For more details of the initiative, please click here. The talk will finish by 3.15pm in time for you to pick up your child(ren).
Fiddle toys
Please note that fiddle toys should not be brought to school. If you child has a sensory need and requires a fiddle toy, this should be agreed with the class teacher and the SENCO.Scam Warning
We have been informed about a scam that has happened at another local school. Two ex-parents were contacted by an unknown phone number claiming to be from the school. They were asked to click on a link to get a code, which one of them did. This code then gave access to all the contacts on their phone who were subsequently asked for money claiming desperate need.
Parent forum dates
Parent forums will take place in person and online on the following dates. The slides will be available on the website after the meeting.
Asda Cashpot for Schools
With every shop at Asda you can now help us fundraise money for Alexandra Primary School.
Simply:
1) download and sign up to the Asda Rewards App
2) Opt into the Cashpot for Schools Campaign and
3) select Alexandra Primary School as your chosen school.
Every time you shop using your Asda Rewards from now until 30th November 2024 you’ll raise £1 plus 0.5% of every shop for our school.
PSA dates - add them to your calendar now!
- Parents quiz night - 14th November
- Sparkle Night - 8th November 5-7pm
- Wreath making workshop - 28th November 7-9pm
- Christmas Jumper sale - 29th November 3.30pm
- Christmas Fair - 7th December 2-4pm
- Bounce for Books - 6th March
- Easter Trail - TBC
- Movie night - 24th April 3-4.30pm
- Parents quiz night - May TBC
- Summer Fair - 21st June 2-5pm
- PSA AGM - 8th July 2.30pm
Changes of details
Please ensure you inform the school if you have any changes in your contact details, if you have moved house or had changes in personal circumstances. You can update the photo permissions and nominated adults for collection online.
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Alexandra Primary School Education Fund
Our voluntary education fund helps provide a rich and varied curriculum for the children.
We would like to stress that the donations we are asking for are voluntary; there is no obligation to contribute to the Fund but any amount, however small, is very welcome and will make a difference.
For more details about how to donate, please click here.
Miss Peacock's Maths Challenge
Each week we will have a new maths challenge for each keystage. Bring your answers to Miss Peacock for a special sticker. If you want to continue with your maths learning, then please play Hit The Button
KS1
KS2
IMPORTANT: Absence due to illness
This is a reminder that if your child has sickness (vomiting) or diarrhoea, you must keep them at home for 48 hours after their last episode. This is to minimise any transmission of sickness to other children.
For example, if your child is sick on Monday evening, they must not come back to school until Thursday.
PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE INFORMED THE SCHOOL OFFICE OF ANY MEDICATIONS YOUR CHILD TAKES, EVEN IF THEY DO NOT REQUIRE THIS MEDICINE IN SCHOOL.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THEIR CHILD’S MEDICATION IS IN DATE AND RENEWED WHEN EXPIRED.
Wishlists
Each class has an Amazon wishlist of additional resources/books that would enhance the children's learning. If you would like to buy something for your class, please see the links to the lists below. It is important to emphasise that this is entirely an optional donation and parents should not feel obliged to provide anything.
KS1 library Nursery Caterpillars Woodpeckers Dragonflies Sparrowhawks
KS2 library Hoglets Ladybirds Foxes Bats Skylarks PE Owlets Swans Hedgehogs Kestrels Swallows Specialist Resource Provision Afterschool Club
Items can be purchased directly (please put your name and the class name in the message box so the teacher knows who to thank) or, if you would like to provide any of the items from alternative sources, please do email admin@alexandra.school and we will remove it from the list.
Safeguarding concern?
If you have a concern about the welfare of a child please speak to a member of the designated safeguarding team at Alexandra Primary School (Robert Waiting, Polly Jones, Rose Peacock and Lorraine Figueiredo). If you think a child is in immediate danger you should call 999. You can also email admin@alexandra.school which will be forwarded directly to the safeguarding team.
School calendar
All school events are now found on our school calendar. You can also subscribe to this calendar to your phone (via Outlook, Google or iPhone) to be kept up to date of all events.
Website links
The year groups blogs are available on the website via the links below. The year group blogs for Key Stage 2 can also be found on Google Classroom.
Printer cartridge recycling
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As part of our pledge to become more environmentally
friendly, we have registered as a cartridge recycling collection point. There is a box in the entrance that you can put your empty printer cartridges in. And even better, we will also be raising money for the PSA for every eligible printer cartridge recycled!
Community news
Part time job opportunity
St Pauls C of E Primary School are looking for a Clerk to the Governors. If you are interested in applying for this position, please find more details here.
