Dear Parents and Carers,
This week we celebrated British Science Week, which began on Monday with our whole school assemblies being led by Martha. The Lower Phase Assembly was based around the Science Week theme of ‘Time’. As part of this we carried out a rather messy experiment trying to create gas and make raisins dance! We also discussed different ways to measure time and why this is important in science and tested some children on whether they could estimate short periods of time. The Upper Phase Assembly was led by Sarah R and involved a visit from two parents that work in science-linked industries. Thank you again to Debbie, a Year 6 parent, and Alex, a Year 2 and 5 parent. It was great for the children to be able to connect their science learning to ‘real world’ jobs and to be able to ask questions.
Neuro-diversity week 18th - 24th March
We hope to mark this week in classes across the school. Teachers have been invited to use a range of selected resources that celebrate and increase understanding of neuro-diverse conditions.
We have rearranged assemblies to recognise the importance of continuing to promote understanding of neuro-diversity at Kilmorie and will now have an assembly on the 18th March as well as on the 15th April.
We are delighted to inform you that a group of parents, whose children experience neuro-diversity, have put together some advice for parents from parents. This will be put up on the website in the Inclusion section and has many useful tips and the voice of several of our children. Please be aware that this cannot happen before the weekend, but will be done as soon as possible.
Drumbeat Outreach have information posted at the end of this newsletter.
Monday night’s football
On Monday night, Dennis took the year 5 boys football team for an Intra Sports match. Kilmorie had a match against St. Matthew’s but unfortunately, we lost 4-1. The game was closely fought with both goalkeepers being made to work hard. St. Matthew’s scored some wonderful goals that would have troubled any team. Once again, the team showed tremendous spirit and a fantastic attitude.
MH & WB Workshop
On Tuesday Kate, our Wellbeing Curriculum Lead and Nicola, our Pastoral Care and Family Support Manager held a Wellbeing workshop for parents. They gave parents an insight into what Wellbeing looks like at Kilmorie for their children, what we do to maintain healthy minds and bodies and how we support the children's emotional intelligence. Sadly, we only had a few parents attend and so much work goes into preparing for these events. Mental Health and Wellbeing was an area identified in our last survey as something parents wanted to know more about. However, we need to understand how we can reach our community better and if a workshop 'in person' event is the right way – we will be reaching out via a survey early in the next term.
If you weren't able to attend the workshop, a copy of the slides can be found here.
Today we had the first of this half term’s class assemblies with Sarah R’s class assembly giving us a wonderful performance around their learning about the Vikings. They re-enacted a Viking battle and retold a Viking myth, The Dragon's Hoard. The children all remembered and performed their lines amazingly; it was so nice to see them working so collaboratively. They finished with a rousing Viking rock song, making everyone leave with enormous smiles. Well done Sarah R’s class, it was a wonderful way to start Friday. To view photos please click here.
Please can I remind...
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Children should not change their meal preferences midterm; they can only be changed on a half-termly basis. Anyone who would like to change in the summer term from either being school dinners/packed lunch, please let Allesha in the office know by Monday 25th March, so we can give enough notice to Chartwells for them to prepare for the next term.
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If you are late collecting, please can all parents/ carers report to the office before signing children out on the inventory system before leaving. It is essential all children are accounted for.
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Can all parents and carers make sure absences are reported, either via the telephone absence line or email attendance@. We have a safeguarding duty to know why a child is not in school and saves the office time chasing.
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Arbor App – if you haven't done so already, please ensure you have checked and amended your details on the Arbor app and if you have any issues, please contact our info@mailbox for attention of Tammy, including Arbor Issues in the subject line.
Thank you
WRAP around care
I am aware that communication has been difficult this term and many are waiting on a payment schedule. Further to the absence of the School Business Manager and no Extended Services Manager, accessing systems has caused delay in being able to give accurate information. However, we now have access to the various systems and kindly ask if you have a voucher transaction, to please email a screenshot to wrap@kilmorie.lewisham.sch.uk so we can action. Over the next few weeks, we will be updating all WRAP ParentPay monies, and I will write to all parents to outline more details next week.
Ad hoc places and day swaps: We have had a much higher number than normal request for ad hoc places and day swaps this term. Whilst we will always try to accommodate, it is extremely challenging to organise and to make sure we are within numbers, on a couple of occasions we have had to bring in emergency staffing. Please can I ask that day swaps are only done where absolutely necessary and as spare ad hoc places are minimal, we may not always be able to accommodate your request. All ad hoc places for this half term have now been loaded onto ParentPay.
Thank you for your support going forward.
Giving back:
Ukraine is short of vehicles, particularly near the frontline and one of our families has taken the opportunity to be part of the scheme for non-compliant cars, vans and minibuses to be sent to Ukraine in support. This is amazing. If you would like to read about it or find more information, do have a look at the feature in the Guardian.
This week I have heard much excitement and planning from many of the year 4 children as they are off on their residential trip to Hyndenhead Surrey on Monday. I do hope we continue to get some of the lovely spring weather we have had this week and wish them a brilliant time. The children who are staying have an exciting week planned, starting with a trip to Mayow Park.
As I come to sign off my letter, the school is being transformed ready for the FOK quiz – I do hope those of you going, have lots of fun and feel proud of all the knowledge you hold.
Have a lovely weekend
Julie
