Newsletter 204

Nov 12, 2021

PARKDALE NEWS & VIEWS

Newsletter 204

Nov 12, 2021 | Newsletters

TALKING HEAD

News and Views From The Head’s Office

Welcome to the Newsletter, the first of the 2nd half-term. Where does the time go?

I hope you all had a good half-term – my mountain biking in Wales was a washout, but the rest from work was still welcome.

There seemed to be quite a few of our community out there having to self-isolate with Covid, hopefully nobody particularly ill with it. We will continue to monitor the situation as case numbers remain high. I spent last weekend  in Germany, where cases are much lower, and it was interesting to see the much stricter measures in place there: 100% mask wearing, no exceptions. I had to show a valid vaccination certificate to enter the football match I watched and saw no one amongst the 49,000 there without a face covering. Ditto on public transport and in shops and bars. I wonder if we’ll have to ramp things up to protect Christmas? It certainly made me think and I’m back to wearing a mask on transport, in shops etc…

Reception Admissions

It is the time of year to apply for a place in Reception.

The key dates are apply from the 8th of November, closing date 15 January 2022 and National Offer Day 19 April 2022.

For parents and carers of children in our Nursery. just a reminder that you still have to apply for a place if you wish your child to enter our Reception.

You can apply online: nottinghamshire.gov.uk/admissions

and are advised to a) be on time,  b) use all 4 preferences and c) read the admissions criteria for each school you name.

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Christmas Nativity and Carol Concert Dates

Christmas Performances

Nursery Christmas Sing-a-Long – in the Nursery Unit

Monday 13th December 9am for Morning Children

Monday 13th December 3pm for Afternoon Children

 

Reception Christmas Performance – in the Hall

Tuesday 7th December 2.30pm

KS1 Nativity – in the Hall

Tuesday 7th December 9.30am
Wednesday 8th December 9.30am

KS2 Christmas Performance – Outside in playground

Thursday 9th December 2.30pm and 6pm

RESERVE DATE – Tuesday 14th December 2.30pm and 6pm

 

Please look out for a message/email for further details regarding electronic tickets to these events.

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DIARY

Events Search and Views Navigation

Event Views Navigation

Today

REMINDERS

Photo Day (individual and family group) is now the 24th Of November.

Children In Need Day 2021, 19th Nov

Children in Need Day is fast approaching. See letter here from Miss Powell, who is leading on this.

Children in need letter

In The Pipeline…

We thought we’d share with you a couple of projects we’re hoping to get working on in the coming months, both exciting and both long-term.

The first is to look into how we can improve the playground, by which we mean the surface. Could we make at least part of the playground a more forgiving, soft surface for playing on? Could that have more useful play and sports markings?

The second is to look very closely at how we can reduce our environmental impact. Before Covid hit, we had made good progress, particularly with reducing plastic use. With one thing and another, we’ve ‘taken our eye of the ball’ and want to re-launch a greener approach. Part of this will be a scrutiny of our carbon footprint and how we can reduce that.

Combining those two, we will of course be very keen for any playground project to be as sustainable and environmentally sensitive as possible!

Congatulations to Mrs Ward

Congrats to Mrs Ward, Blossoms, who has this week been confirmed as a fully qualified teacher. Ruth already held a qualification as an Early Years specialist teacher, but has now ‘upgraded’ this so that she can teach in any primary year group. She’s very modest and would never mention it herself, but she passed with the highest possible grades on every measure. We know just how much dedication and effort has gone into this and we are very proud of our colleague.

Remembrance

It has, of course, been the week of Remembrance and Armistice Day. The children all had an Assembly, using resources from the Royal Britsh Legion about this on Monday. On Wednesday, Governor Atif Mahmood led an assembly whihc features to significant role and sacrifice made in thwe World Wars by soldiers from Asia, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh alike.

On Thursday (11th), the children observed an immaculate two minutes’ silence at 11am. Unfortunately, Mr Ellis was unable to join us ot play the bugle ‘live’ but a recording of the Last post really added to the respectful and reflective atmosphere.

 

Year Four have done some beautiful presentation for a display of the poem In Flanders Fields, pictured.

 

IN OTHER NEWS…

CHOIR

We are delighted that Choir (KS2) has resumed for the first time since Covid hit. Take-up has been high and only a few places remain available. Choirs runs on Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30

Year 3 Egyptian and Roman Workshops

A reminder about Egyptian or Roman costumes for next week’s workshop (Weds 17th)
Year 6

Year 6 Reminders

Y6 will be visiting the National Galleries of Justice Museum on Monday 22nd November.

Also a reminder that the deposit for the Mt Cook residential is due on Tuesday 23rd Nov, please.

Digital Leaders

The Digital leaders have been selected and Mrs Hinton was so impressed with the quality of the application letters that a video will soon appear on here for the children to introduce themselves!

Y1 Mr MEN PARTY

Year One are having a Mr Men party on the 3rd of December-  details to follow in due course.

Spare Television?

A request from Y3 to anyone who might have an unwanted, spare telly with an HDMI connection that they could donate. Please contact Mrs Troop is you can help.

Y3 and 4 Bake Off!

A reminder that Y3 and Y4 children (and their grown-ups!)  are invited to bake cakes for the Children In Need Cake Sale, 3:30 on the 19th.

Mr H on the Radio!

Mr Hillier was interviewed for a feature on Radio Nottngham this week. This was about his experience of the Hillsborough tragedy and the impact on witnesses lives. He was promoting the work of the Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance.

You can hear the features here at about 7:05 and 8:05, after the news: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09z2hxs

 

 

Year 2 TENNIS

Year Two have been enjoying some extra PE with a coach visiting to lead tennis sessions. It has been great fun and the children have really improved their skills.

Disco

A reminder about the disco on the 19th –  permission slips need returning in advance, please!

Tales From Africa

Years 3 and 5 have been enjoying hearing Sophie and George’s grandma coming in to read from her published children’s book, ‘Tales From Africa’. What a treat!