Great Waltham C of E (VC) Primary School Parent Portal - Newsletter - Friday 22nd September 23

${item_alt_tag}$

Friday 22nd September 23 - Autumn Term Issue 1

Headteacher Message

This week the children have been learning about sustainability and how to live responsibly, caring for our planet.

On Monday, Sidra Naeem, a Deputy Lieutenant of Essex spoke to the children about her volunteering work. The children found her life story fascinating and I hope she inspires them to help others and speak out for their beliefs.

The KS2 children then had a visit from Declan, a Gridserve Guru to learn about electric vehicles.

HSBC came into talk to children in years 1-6 about sustainable money choices and how spending choices can impact our environment.

Later in the term, the children will be taking part in a project called ‘Get Creative for Climate Justice’ in conjunction with Christian Aid and we will send out more details soon.

Ukraine update

I’m pleased to say that the generators have travelled 1841 miles and are in the Dnipro area. Please read the news item below for more information, including a video of thanks from Alla.

Harvest

On Wednesday 4^th October we will be holding our Harvest service at the church. This year we will be collecting for two causes, the local food bank and Hope and Aid Direct. The food bank have produced a shopping-list (click here) of suggested items you may want to donate. Hope and Aid have asked that we collect packets of dried pasta that can be easily transported to the Ukraine.

Thanks to everyone who braved the downpour and attended the track opening event on Monday, again please read the news item below.

Finally, I would like to say a huge thank you and goodbye to Mrs Hughes who is leaving GWPS today after 14 years. We all said goodbye to her in assembly today, Mrs Hughes will be missed and we wish her the best of luck.

Have a lovely weekend,

Mrs Brooks

${item_alt_tag}$

Awards

Aspire

Well done to our ASPIRE award winners for the last 3 weeks.

8/9/23	15/9/23	22/9/23
Theo C	Seth W	Beatrice H
	Lily B
	Evelyn E
	Charlie C
	Hatty B
	Aran R

${item_alt_tag}$

Hot Chocolate Friday

Well done to all of the 'Hot Chocolate Friday' winners for the last 3 weeks.

Class	8/9/23	15/9/23	22/9/23
Antarctica	Oscar R	Lily H	Rosa C
Africa	Eadie P	George MB	Nelly S
Europe	Edward W	Alara A	Feyi B
Asia	Miles B	Ayla A	Elisabeth A
North America	Riley M	Moses S	Florence J

${item_alt_tag}$

News

15 Sep 2023

Generators are on their way

Our generators are making their way to the Ukraine!

18 Sep 2023

Running Track Now Open

Thank you to those of you that joined us to cut the ribbon and finally open our running track. We are so pleased to have this up and running (!) for the children to enjoy. Thank you to Mrs Taylor & Mrs French for doing the honours and cutting the ribbon! Mrs Taylor was the previous FO...

Notices

Birthday Sweets

We have had to make the decision not to allow children to bring in sweets to share on their birthday. Although it is a lovely idea, it is proving very problematic because of allergies. Thank you for your cooperation with this.

Break time snacks

Please remember that we are a healthy school and children should only bring in fruit or vegetables to snack on during morning break.

Readers

If you, or any members of your family, are able to volunteer to hear readers in school please let the office know. All volunteers would need to be able to commit to a regular slot and be subject to a DBS check. Your help would be very much appreciated.

School Lottery - Thank you to all of you that support our lottery.

Did you know that by taking part, not only do you support the school but you could win a local prize or even the main £25,000 pot!

Lottery tickets can be purchased here - School Lottery - Please do let family members and friends know that they too can purchase Lottery tickets and help support the school. Each ticket costs £1 and 40p of this comes directly to the school.

${item_alt_tag}$

National Online Safety

Top Tips for Setting Boundaries Around Gaming

Behind video-sharing platforms (like YouTube) and streaming TV shows and movies, gaming is the third most popular online activity for children in the UK. In fact, according to recent data from Ofcom, an overwhelming 89% of children aged 3 to 17 play video games. Of those, more than one in five (22%) talk to other players online who they don’t know outside the game.

The risk of contact from strangers is just one of the reasons that many parents are concerned about their child’s gaming: increased screen time, inappropriate content and in-game spending also figure among the most frequent fears. Agreeing on some rules around your child’s gaming activities can certainly help, and our guide has some useful tips for establishing these boundaries.

Guide to - Setting Boundaries Around Gaming

What Parents and Carers Need to Know About WhatsApp

WhatsApp is the most widely used messaging platform on the planet, with over two billion users (forecast to become three billion by 2025), across more than 180 countries. The majority of those people (70%) open the app at least once a day – but what exactly are they seeing? Contact from strangers, fake news and convincing scams are all among the service’s well-documented hazards.

According to Ofcom, WhatsApp is used by more than half of 3- to 17-year-olds in the UK (including one in three from the 8–11 bracket), despite its 16+ age restriction. If your child hops onto WhatsApp to stay in touch with friends or family, our updated #WakeUpWednesday guide to the service contains the key details you’ll need to support them in doing it safely.

Guide to - WhatsApp 2023

${item_alt_tag}$