Dear Parent/Carer,
I am pleased to inform you that we are participating in the NSPCC’s Speak out. Stay safe. Programme this week. Speak out. Stay safe. is a programme for children aged 5-11 which aims to help children understand abuse in all its forms and to recognise the signs of abuse. Children are taught to speak out if they are worried, either to a safe adult or Childline. This child friendly programme is aligned with the curriculum and consists of age appropriate virtual assemblies and supporting classroom based activities which we have reviewed, alongside NSPCC volunteer led face to face workshops for children aged 6-7 and 9-11. The content is delivered in an engaging and interactive way with the help of the NSPCC mascot Buddy. If you would like to know more about the Speak out. Stay safe. programme visit www.nspcc.org.uk/speakout. Additional NSPCC resources for families to help keep children safe The NSPCC have shared some important information below on wider NSPCC resources and support to help keep children safe. Parent/Carer support Take a look at information, support, advice and activities from NSPCC for parent and carers. www.nspcc.org.uk/parents Activities to extend learning at home Take part in games and activities at home to help children learn about speaking out and staying safe. www.nspcc.org.uk/activities Online Safety Hub For information on a range of different online safety topics including gaming, social media, sharing images, parental controls and more. www.nspcc.org.uk/onlinesafety Childline – under 12’s Childline have an accessible website with advice, support, games and activities. Children can change the language, enlarge text and also listen to the content. www.childline.org.uk/buddy (5-7) www.childline.org.uk/kids (7-11) Talk PANTS with your children Talk PANTS is a simple conversation to help keep children safe from sexual abuse. From P through to S, each letter of PANTS provides simple but important messages. Download the free resources at www.nspcc.org.uk/pants. I hope you find this information about the NSPCC and the Speak out. Stay safe. programme helpful. Please do contact me if you have any further questions. Yours sincerely, Mrs Chapman Allen Dear Parents,
Re: Christmas Presents Over the last few years, we have appreciated the support you have shown the school despite the challenges that have arisen. Previously at Christmas time, many of you have been incredibly generous by sending presents in to staff to show your gratitude. We are very aware of the current situation regarding the cost of living and the impact it is having upon us all. This year, we would ask that you did not send gifts in to staff and spent the money on your family during this difficult time. If your child wishes to show their gratitude or wish their teacher a Merry Christmas, they would appreciate a hand drawn card or letter from your child. If you need any support in light of the cost-of-living crisis, please speak to Miss Chapman-Allen who may be able to help you, particularly with food parcels or warm clothing for your family. Kindest regards, Mr Clifford
On Wednesday 6th December, we are having a Christmas Carol Concert at St Peter’s Church, from 6pm to 7pm. There will be performances from the school choir and Y3 pupils as well as opportunities to sing together as a school community. If your child is a member of the choir or Y3, please ensure that they at the church for 5.45pm to meet school staff. They will need to wear their school uniform though they can also wear festive accessories like tinsel or a Christmas hat if they would like to.
If your child is not a member of the choir but you would like to join us for our concert, you are more than welcome. It is a great way to get into the festive spirit and celebrate as a school community. Please complete the form below to let us know if you are attending. We look forward to seeing you there. Yours sincerely, Miss Couves and Miss Short Due to increased running costs the following changes are being made to Earlybirds Club charges with effect from 4th December 2023
The new prices will be £6 from 7.30am and £4 from 8am Bookings made before today will be honoured at existing prices. Dear Parents/Carers, Attendance at IVJS At IVJS we want every child to meet their potential and we know that to do this they need to be attending school regularly. Irregular attendance is defined by the government as a child missing 10% or more of the school year, this equates to 19 days. The government uses the term as persistent absentee to describe a child who misses 19 days of school in a year. We know that it is not always possible for a child to attend school every day as they do occasionally become ill. As always, when we monitor attendance we will be using a common-sense approach. However, we are required to monitor attendance and act on poor attendance by following the Council’s policy. Below we have made a flow chart to show the processes and also to show you how quickly your child could be classed as a persistent absentee. We will always work with you and try to support you if there are barriers to your child attending regularly. If your child’s attendance is poor, we will meet with you and if necessary explain the Council’s policy. IVJS is a place where every child belongs. We create a welcoming environment to allow all children to gain a sense of belonging and ultimately achieve academically through regular school attendance. 4 days absence: We start to monitor attendance to ensure that the child attends school regularly. Phone call made by attendance officer. Stage 1 – IVJS letter sent to parents. Possible early help support offered. 7 days absence: We monitor attendance more closely. Stage 2 - Letter 1 sent to parents as the concern will be that the child is in danger of becoming classed as a persistent absentee. If accepted - parents will meet with the attendance lead to explore barriers and to discuss how the school can support. 10 days absence: The child is a high risk of Persistent Absence. Stage 3 - Letter 1a sent to parents. Parents meet with attendance lead and we will consider support from external agencies. Attendance lead will explain the Bucks attendance policy and the legal requirements for children to attend school. 13 days absence: The child is at serious risk of Persistent Absence. Stage 4 - Letter PCM1 Invite. The school will meet with parents and will write an attendance contract to ensure regular attendance. Attendance will be closely monitored and reviewed post parent contract meeting. The school will continue to support the family. 16 days absence: The school will be working closely with Bucks Council. All avenues of support will have been exhausted and the support is not working or not being engaged with. The school will now ask Bucks council to enforce attendance through statutory intervention to protect the child’s right to an education. 19 days absence: The child is now considered a Persistent Absentee. Persistent Absence is when a pupil enrolment’s overall absence equates to 10 per cent or more of their possible sessions. Over an academic year this equates to 19 days. At this stage the child will be PA for the remainder of the school year. Safeguarding referrals at this stage can be made. The child and family will continue to be supported Should you have any questions regarding attendance, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
Yours sincerely, Mr Clifford Deputy Head and Attendance Lead Please be aware that there will be changes to our before school childcare club from Monday 20th November.
Bikeability Week - 5th to 9th February 2024Dear Parent/Carers, Great news! We will be coming to your school to do Bikeability training with your children in year 6. Our training will take place at/around school the week commencing 5th February. The Bikeability Level 2 course aims to improve rider’s skills and confidence for cycling on smaller roads and simple junctions without too much traffic. It prepares riders for cycling on larger and busier roads and more complicated junctions. As part of the course we cover Bikeability level 1 fundamentals which ensures your child is safe to ride on the roads. All the riders will have to show the instructors they can do everything at the Bikeability Level 1 before they can go on the roads. Bikes can be left at IVJS overnight for the week however the school cannot take any responsibility for them. Each child will need to have their own roadworthy bike, a helmet, suitable clothing for spending up to 90 minutes riding a bike outside (e.g. a shower-proof coat if it is going to rain, gloves if cold) and secure flat shoes/trainers, water, other personal requirement e.g. Medication needs, sun cream, inhaler. Roadworthy condition means both brakes are fully working, tyres pumped up, gears (if present) operate as designed, chain properly lubricated. For more details about courses and some useful information regarding helmets, bike sizing, etc. please visit our web site at https://www.spokesci.com/for-parents The cost of the course is £10 per child, non-refundable. If you would like your child to take part, please book your child’s place on the school’s SchoolMoney system (it will show under the payments tab). We will then ask you to sign and return the consent form. Places are limited to 20 spots and so it will be a first come first serve basis. Kind regards Bespoke Cycling Instruction Ltd |
School NewsThis is where we'll post all school news and updates. If you require paper copies of any information on our website then please contact Miss Lainsbury in our school reception. Archives
March 2024
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