October 2019

Autumn Issue 6

THE WEALD CofE

PRIMARY SCHOOL

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Plastic Awareness……………...3

Pumpkin Show………………….4

Sporting Round-up…………….5

Certificates…….... ………….….6

CAKE RAFFLE

The FOTW cake raffle was won

by Ollie who took home a

scrummy red velvet cake. The

cake was donated by Alex

Tomkins—thank you so much.

The cake raffle this week raised

£43.50.

ATTENDANCE

The class with the highest

attendance was 5 St Anthony

with 100%. Well done 5SA.

There are lots of colds and bugs

around and yet not one of you

was off all week. It’s a great

achievement. The attendance

this year to date is 95.98%.

Thank you for continuing to

support us with your children’s

attendance.

Dear Parents and Carers

It’s difficult to believe that there are now only two weeks left until half term! What a busy time

we’ve had. The week started with the school photographer visiting us, taking photos of each

child and sibling group. We hope you’ve received your order forms safely and like the photos.

I find it such a joy to look through at all their happy faces, seeing them look so smart. I also

want to pass on the photographer’s comments who said that the children were so well-behaved

and polite.

I’d like to say a big thank you to all those who came along to the Parent Forum on Tuesday. It

was wonderful to see you. If you were unable to make it but would like to see what we talked

about the notes from the meeting can be found here: https://www.wealdprimaryschool.co.uk/

parent-forum/ On the next page of this newsletter you can see a list of questions that were

raised at the meeting and what we have done, or are in the process of doing, to address these

questions.

One of the questions raised was about making all permission slips electronic. As you will have

noticed, permission for paid trips was changed to a simple tick-box on Scopay quite some time

ago. We’re pleased to announce that from now on, all permission forms, whether for sporting

events or free trips will be sent using Parentmail. This will prevent parents from having to

print forms or having to pop into the office for paper copies. And… it’s better for the

environment!

On the subject of which—last week was our Waste Awareness event, culminating on Friday in

Plastic Awareness Day. Each class was paid a visit from two lovely volunteers from Biffa who

played games with the children to educate them about plastic waste and the harm it does to the

environment. They learned about the Waste Hierarchy—reduce, reuse, recycle, and what can

be done to reduce the amount of rubbish that ends up in landfill. The classes also did other

learning and activities around plastic and waste. Have a look at the photos later in the

newsletter, on the website, and on Facebook. Below are our youngest children litter-picking

during their welly walk. Well done St Paul’s!

Today we have our Nasal Flu nurses in school on Monday, and then on Friday it is the FOTW

school disco. Do make sure you remember to buy your child their ticket!

The following week we will hold Parent Consultations on Tuesday and Thursday. Please visit

our Parents Evening Booking system to make sure you get an appointment. We will also have

our travelling book fair all week. Your children can visit during lunch times and then Parents

and Carers are welcome to come after school from 3.30-4.00pm. If your child brings money

into school please make sure it is in an envelope with their

name on, and is handed to the class teacher.

With thanks for your ongoing support

Mrs S Stevenson, Head of School

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PARENT FORUM FEEDBACK—YOU SAID, WE DID!

You Said We Did (or are in the process of doing!)

Could we have a poll to see what time/s would suit people for future parent forum meetings?

Yes - here is the link for you to vote: https://

doodle.com/poll/sqscu8xt25vzyy9x

We would be grateful for everyone’s votes by 21st October please.

Could the homework sheets be stuck onto a double page spread?

Yes – Mrs Stevenson will speak to staff about trying to do this, whenever it is possible

Is the approach to homework under review? Yes – we were grateful for parents suggestions and will talk to staff about this to try and come up with an appropriate way forward

Could the school have an Instagram account? Maybe – Miss Johnston is looking into this

Can forms for trips etc. be signed electronically Yes – Miss Johnston has spoken to the office about this. Please contact the office team if any clarity is required

Scopay – payments don’t always go through as there is a last step that some parents can miss

The office team have sent Scopay instructions out to all parents via Parentmail

Can we subscribe to the website calendar? Yes - click here for instructions: https://www.wealdprimaryschool.co.uk/diary/subscribe/

Could sixth form IT students design an app for the school?

Not sure - Miss Johnston is going to investigate…

Could there be school bibs for sporting events? We have asked Friends of The Weald to see if they can support this financially

Could we know the order of the coloured reading bands?

Yes – We have placed this on the website for you. Click here: https://www.wealdprimaryschool.co.uk/curriculum/

PARKING ON THE NEWDIGATE ROAD

Please may we take this opportunity to remind you to park

responsibly and considerately on the Newdigate Road. We have

had reports from some parents that people are parking across

the tops of driveways, blocking in the residents, and that also

people are parking on the grass and pathway which means

people are having to walk around the cars into the road. This is

especially dangerous if people have small children or buggies.

We are extremely lucky at The Weald that we have enough

parking in the front car park for those that need it, and ample

parking for everyone else on the Newdigate Road. Please respect

our neighbours by parking carefully. Thank you for your

consideration with this matter.

HELPING OUR CHILDREN FIND CONFIDENCE AND CALM.

5 THINGS EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW.

We would like to invite you to a free one hour workshop on

Tuesday October at 9am. The workshop is entitled 'Helping our

children find confidence and calm. 5 things every parent should

know.' and is being run by Andrea Urquhart whom some of you

may remember used to teach at The Weald.Her work now

involves helping parents to parent children with emotions such

as anxiety. Andrea's website is strengthen.org.uk

Andrea will also be holding a longer 1-day event on 15th

November in Guildford. Please see the link below for more

information about her 1-day course.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/growing-courage-and-

confidence-in-your-child-a-day-for-parents-tickets-

74800543439

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PLASTIC AWARENESS DAY

Plastic is not always fantastic! On Friday to round off our

Environmental Awareness week, we learned about all things

plastic. Two lovely volunteers from Biffa came to give a

presentation to each class about how to reduce the amount of

rubbish that ends up in landfill. They also talked about plastic

and how to avoid it ending up in our seas. We are working

towards Bronze Accreditation as part of the Ocean Guardian

Challenge by learning about pollution, plastics, recycling and

protecting the environment. Each class also made a pledge

which will go towards a school charter. Ask your child what they

learned about plastic and rubbish, and be prepared for a very

interesting answer!

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GOTTA CATCH ‘EM ALL

Year 3 St Francis, some very willing and able Year 6 children,

and other volunteers from across the school have been working

hard over the last few weeks to make a brilliant display of

Pokemon pumpkins! The Dorking Allotment Holder’s

Association Annual Pumpkin Show was on Saturday and The

Weald CofE Primary wanted to bring back the trophy.

And it gives us great pleasure to announce that we came first!

Our display was bright, big, and colourful and showed off the

huge amount of work that went into bringing the scene to life.

Thank you Mr Johnson and Mrs Mansfield for setting up the

show. The word on the street is that The Dawnay and Surrey

Hills will ‘up their game’ and see us next year!

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COURSES AND READING MATTER FROM OUR SENDCO

Family Links Parenting Course: Are you the perfect parent?

Know how to handle every unpredictable behaviour in the best

way possible?! If the answer is no, then look no further! I’ve just

signed up and I’m letting you know about this if you’d like some

handy tips, reminders and reassurance that we’re often facing

similar challenges as parents - there is no such thing as ‘the

perfect parent’. This is a link to a recommended eight-week

email course (no need to go anywhere, just to your phone!) that

guides you through different parenting topics and situations:

https://www.netmums.com/support/netmums-parenting-

course

Screen time & empowering children:

In today’s technological age there are children who, given the

chance, would spend the entire day watching TV, engaged with

their tablet or playing on the Xbox. As a parent I have certainly

experienced the addictive nature of the screen; I have watched

meltdowns when screen time has to come to an end and, as a

result, learned very early on about the threats such technology

has on family life and child development. A recent online article

really resonated with me. Its theme is ‘Becoming indistractable

is the most important skill for the 21st century — and it’s one

that many parents fail to teach their kids.’

It’s a very interesting read:

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.cnbc.com/

amp/2019/09/10/stanford-psychology-expert-biggest-parenting

-mistake-is-not-teaching-kids-this-important-skill.html

SPORTING ROUND-UP

Well done to everyone who took part in the Cross Country.

Everyone completed the race, running to the best of their

ability, and behaviour was as always impeccable.

Honourable mentions must go to Honey who came 2nd in

the Year 3/4 girls race and Isla who came 4th in the Year

5/6 race. Well done everyone for representing The Weald

so beautifully and a big thank you to all the staff who

helped and supported at the event. Also thank you to the

Parents and Carers for marshalling and giving their

children lots of encouragement and cheering!

READY RESPONSIBLE

RESPECTFUL

6 St Petroc Mia, for really stepping up to the challenge of taking responsibility for her learning by

persevering with tables and long division.

5 St Joan of Arc

Archie, for consistently showing he is ready for his learning. Archie has a superb attitude

and always gives his best. Well done and keep it up.

5 St Anthony George, for always being ready to learn. He shows responsibility in all aspects of the

school day.

4 St Nicholas

Oscar, for his responsible attitude towards his learning and for always being ready to

learn in every lesson including challenging himself in Maths and computing.

4 St Mary Magdalene Ruby, for showing that you are responsible for your learning by responding to teachers’

feedback and being ready for learning in lessons. Well done.

3 St Francis

Gaia, for demonstrating an outstanding attitude to her learning. Gaia always strives to

produce her very best and will often ‘go the extra mile’ to achieve high-quality outcomes.

2 St George

Charlie, for coming to school, ready and keen to learn. For listening and concentrating in

lessons and putting his hand up to contribute ideas.

R/1 St Paul Aiden, for his determination and perseverance when learning to write his whole name

independently.

KEY DATES

October

Monday 14th—Nasal Flu Vaccines

Monday 14th—Phonics and Reading

Workshop. 3.30—4.00pm

Monday 21st—Friday 25th Book Fair.

Tuesday 22nd—Parent Consultations

3.45—6.30pm.

Wednesday 23rd—Year 4 trip to

Fishbourne Roman Palace.

Thursday 24th—Parent Consultations

3.45—6.30pm.

Monday 28th—Friday 1st November—

Half Term.

November

Monday 11th—Friday 15th—National

Anti-bullying week.

Tuesday 12th—Year 2 Museum

Workshop

Friday 22nd—Mufti Day

Tuesday 26th—Parent Forum 9.00-

10.00am.

Friday 29th—Inset Day.

Saturday 30th—Weald Winter

Wonderland—12.00-17.00pm.

December

Tuesday 10th—EYFS/KS1 Nativity 9.30-

10.30am

Wednesday 11th EYFS/KS1 Nativity

2.15—3.15pm

Thursday 12th—Year 3 Stone Age Day.

Tuesday 17th—KS2 Carol Service. Years

3 and 4 10.00am. Years 5 and 6 1.45pm.

St Mary’s Church

Wednesday 18th—Christmas Jumper

Day and Christmas Lunch

Friday 20th—Last Day of Term

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