19th May 2023
Dear parents/ carers,
This week, a huge well done goes to our super Year 2’s. They have had a week of statutory assessments and handled it brilliantly. Thank you to my wonderful staff for ensuring the children were supported and at ease and also to parents for their encouragement and support.
The year 2 assessments aren’t sent off for external marking but used alongside teacher assessments for end of year results. This is also the last year that this type of testing will be used for such young children.
After such a busy week, the children were able to have a fun afternoon of boat making, which of course involved water! A great fun way to end the week. Well done Year 2!
Oh what fun our youngest children had this week in Nursery. Mrs Gill, Mrs Bryant and Mrs Stock ensured the children had the most memorable Monday celebrating Dinosaur Day 2023, with a dinosaur themed morning! Such excitement at seeing a dinosaur coming across the playground and of course, huge dinosaur feet in the nursery area! Well done team Willow!
On Wednesday, Logan, Aiden, Bertie, Henry M, and Mrs Cowell visited Elsenham Primary School. The children represented Henham at the Multi Schools Council which is an organisation that encourages pupil voice across Essex.
The pupils were a credit to our school and enthusiastically joined in discussions about deaf awareness, improving behaviour in schools and global warming. Aiden was awarded Star of the meeting for his contribution to the discussion. Well done, Aiden!
Continuing the excitement on Wednesday, Clay and Nicki Powter (and of course Thomas!) had all the school talking when Clay arrived on the field in his tractor as part of Year 1’s learning. We all had such fun getting to sit in the tractor and even pressing the buttons!
Thank you to the Powters for such a memorable afternoon!
On Tuesday and Thursday this week, children from years 3, 4, 5 and 6 attended a mini tennis tournament at Forest Hall School. What a super time they had, bringing home lots of medals and memories – we are so proud of them all. As it was tennis, who better than to support the children (and me!) than Katie Harris! A special thanks to Katie for your support and skills on both days.
Foster Care Fortnight
A message from Fostering at Essex: This week is the launch of Foster care fortnight, unfortunately the current climate means it’s become increasingly challenging to recruit foster carers and the number of children coming into care is continuing to rise. We urgently need more foster carers to help our vulnerable children to feel safe and supported, unlocking their true potential. We are hoping that all schools across Essex will unite with us to raise the profile of fostering and ensure all children can have a place to call home
From as little as a weekend a month you can help a child to heal from their trauma and unlock their true potential. Essex County Council match children to your family, offer 24/7 support, training and your family will receive on average £504 per child, per week. Find out more about fostering by joining a local information event or call 0800 801 530. Fostering is incredibly rewarding, offers flexibility and puts family at its heart.
The Gardens of Easton Lodge
This Sunday the Gardens are open and our archivists will be telling the story of the Countess of Warwick’s conversion to socialism in 1904 and there will be a local folk duo. As usual for a Sunday Open Day, the Gardens are open from 11.00 to 5.00pm and there are refreshments. For more information go to https://www.eastonlodge.co.uk/whats-on/may-open-day-the-red-countess/
Also, a reminder to parents that we are open on Thursdays, including the Thursday of the upcoming half term. On Thursdays the Gardens are open from 11.00 to 3.00pm, last entry 2.00 pm. Drinks and cakes are available, and visitors are welcome to bring picnics. It is a lovely day out for the family and dogs are welcome on leads. For more information go to https://www.eastonlodge.co.uk/whats-on/open-thursdays-3/
ADHD – A positive and practical introduction
SEND Station offer a range of online courses for parents and professionals. There are courses running on the following dates: 1st June, 20th June and 18th July. This may have practical tips for supporting children at home. https://www.sendstation.co.uk/
Please see attached the May Newsletter from Mental Health Support Team (MHST) in Schools Uttlesford. Please read this for information about online parenting courses. There are still spaces for Challenging Behaviour at home and Supporting Teenagers with Emotional Wellbeing.
Pokemon and trading cards: There are many children that enjoy bringing in their cards to use at break and lunchtimes and most follow the no swapping or trading rules. We have noticed that some children are not following this and it can often lead to upset. Could I please ask that you remind your children that if they want to bring their cards in or are looking at someone else’s cards, that these must not be swapped, given away or traded. Thank you.
Online Safety: You will recall that I sent out an email at the beginning of the week regarding some disturbing language and actions being copied after children have viewed a game/ you tube link to ‘Huggy Wuggy’ I have since heard that there are some other similar games currently doing the rounds that are equally inappropriate for young children. Could I please urge you to check that the content your children are viewing is age appropriate as some of the images and language choices I have seen and heard after looking at these sites is very disturbing. Thank you.
House Points: Well done to the Green team!
| Green | Purple | Red | Blue |
| 40 | 30 | 20 | 10 |
As a reminder for next week, we have the Year 6 PGL information session at 3.30 on Monday in the Year 6 classroom. Your children are more than welcome to attend. If you are unable, Mrs Fleming will send out the power point following the meeting.
We also have the excitement of the Year 3 and 4 production on Thursday! There is no need to get a ticket to attend, but if we have a full house, it may mean there will not be enough seating for everyone!
Finally, after the exciting news that Mr Davey has been appointed as Headteacher from September, he will be joining me at the morning gate on Friday 26th May to say hello.
That’s it for this week, have a lovely sunny weekend and I look forward to seeing you on Monday.
Kim
Kim Hall
Headteacher
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