20th January 2023
Dear parents/ carers,
As you may have seen from recent news, the National Education Union (NEU) has announced that teachers will be taking industrial action by striking in England and Wales on seven dates in February and March 2023. The NEU has stated that any individual school will only be affected on a maximum of four out of the seven dates. A link to the BBC News article about this industrial action is provided here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-64265029
In our area, action will be taken on the following dates:
1st February 2023
1st March 2023
15th March 2023
16th March 2023
As Headteacher, my priority is to ensure that children’s learning is not affected during this industrial action and would like to reassure you that Henham will remain open during this time. I will take ‘all reasonable steps’ following the Department for Education guidance. Please note, this could mean a change to the normal staffing in your child’s class.
Behaviour: As a school we aim to embed our positive behaviour ethos within our school community. Each classroom has discussions and display boards of what this looks like at Henham, for example; feeling safe, respect and effort. A link to our Behaviour and Relationships policy can be found here: https://henhamugley.essex.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Behaviour-and-Relationships-Policy-January-2023.pdf
During our whole school assemblies this term, we are looking at our behaviour policy and what our school rules look like in different scenarios. In particular we will be looking at the value of respect. You can help by talking about what respect looks like by talking about examples of respecting people, places and things at home. Thank you for your support.
Ice Safety: It has been brought to my attention that during this icy weather, some children have been attempting to walk across the pond in Henham. I dread to think what would happen if the ice broke. Could you please remind your children of the dangers of walking across iced ponds. Thank you.
Road Safety: I have been asked by the local community Speed Watch to remind parents about speeding through the village. There has been a noticeable rise in cars speeding with children onboard on their way into school and then on the way out. For the safety of all, could I please ask that you keep your speed down when travelling through Henham. Thank you.
Staffing: As Headteacher of the school, any decisions made regarding staffing, in any class, are not taken lightly. My priority is always that continuity of provision and familiarity is maintained. This does mean that on occasions, often at short notice, staffing may change within your child’s class. I do not send communication about this on the day. All my staff are highly skilled, many of them with additional qualifications or training. Following confidentiality procedures, I am unable to provide information regarding any staff absence. This includes reasons for absence as well as timescales.
I have been given permission to share the following staffing update:
Mrs Brennan is expecting her second child in the summer. We are all delighted for her and Mr Brennan.
Sadly, Miss Clarke will be leaving us at the end of this half term to gain further qualifications and pursue her career in Early Years. She will be greatly missed and we all wish her much luck for the future.
Reading Volunteers (or as we call them… Champions!) Thank you to our current parents, carers, governors and friends of the school who have kindly volunteered to come into Henham on a weekly basis to hear our children read. Over the years this is something that has proven hugely successful at Henham, as the children enjoy nothing more than sharing a book with a friendly face, plus, it helps us to ensure that children are progressing as fluent readers and they get to practise the key skills that they have been learning in school. We are always on the hunt for more volunteers to join us so if you are interested and you have some availability please email me at head@henhamugley.essex.sch.uk Ideally, we would like to have at least 2 or 3 Reading Champions per class – from Reception to Year 6. Please note that you will need to have had a DBS check completed by the school, which we will arrange. Thank you so much in advance for your help, we really appreciate your time.
COMMUNITY SCHOOL NURSE DROP IN SESSIONS
Drop in sessions held once a month around the Uttlesford District, support and advice offered by a School Nurse and the 5-19 Healthy Family Support Practitioner.
Parents can ask advice about behaviour and emotional needs, bed wetting and soiling issues plus other health needs that may be impacting on both home and school life.
Spring Term
7.2.23 – Room A Saffron Walden Hospital, Radwinter Road, Saffron Walden CB11 3HY: 15.30-17.00hrs
7.3.23 – Little Goslings, North Street, Great Dunmow, CM6 1AZ: 15.30 – 17.00hrs
Congratulations to the following children who have been awarded my Headteacher Award this week:
| Nursery Class | Isabella |
| Reception Class | Chloe & Grace |
| Year 1 | Ethan & Brooke |
| Year 2 | Elise & Ronnie |
| Year 3 | Ned & Oliver |
| Year 4 | Olive & Wren |
| Year 5 | Alfie & Archie |
| Year 6 | Louis & Edward |
House Points: Well done to the GREEN Team who have taken first placed position this week!
| GREEN | PURPLE | BLUE | RED |
| 40 | 30 | 20 | 10 |
Year 4: In their science lesson this week, year 4 got practical! They have been learning all about states of matter this term and this week’s lesson focussed on liquids. They learnt all about density and even conducted an experiment to find out which liquid was the most viscous.
Do you want the essential skills that an AED (defibrillator) operator needs and the confidence to know what to do in an emergency?
In February, the lovely Dave Jarvis is running two defibrillator training sessions at Elsenham Village Hall. Sign up for either 1st Feb or 4th Feb, at a bargain £5 to cover refreshments and hall hire (Dave is delivering the training for free!). For more details and booking information, please see the Elsenham village hall link above or Facebook link: https://facebook.com/events/s/copy-of-cpr-and-defibrillator-/892255725446169/
Each session will be approximately 90 minutes in duration.
Wednesday 1st Feb, 19.00-20.30 and Saturday 4th February, 11.30-13.00.
That’s it for this week, see you Monday!
Kim
Kim Hall
Headteacher
Dates for your diary
| Parent Consultations (face to face) | Monday 27th March 3.30 – 6pm |
| Parent Consultations (face to face) | Thursday 30th March 3.30 – 6pm |
| Whole Class photos | Monday 22nd May |
| Year 3 and 4 Production | Thursday 25th May
2 performances: 9.30am and 1.30pm |
| Whole school (including nursery) Family Sports morning and picnic | Thursday 29th June 9.30 – 1pm |
| Monday 3rd July | Whole school open afternoon 3.15 – 4.15pm |
| KS2 competitive sports afternoon | Wednesday 12th July 1pm |
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