I am sure that you are all feeling like me in that you cannot believe it is nearly the end of November and the Christmas season will soon be upon us –it just seems like two minutes since we came back after the summer holiday. However, I do love Christmas and I do always appreciate being in a school at this time of year because all the concerts, parties and Carol concerts help to make it really special.

Last Friday it was ‘Children in Need’ and we let the children come in wearing something spotty if they donated a £1 to the cause. We managed to raise an impressive £203.43. I would like to thank everyone who donated to the charity. Next Friday it is another ’Mufti Day’ and this time it is for our ‘Christmas Café which is on Thursday, 7^th December. Next week if they choose not to come in uniform they have to make a chocolate or wine donation to the Christmas Café. There will be members of the PTA at the school gate who will collect your donation or, if it is just chocolate, your child can take the donation round to their classroom for collection.  Items can also be left at the school office. The collection for the Christmas hampers has also started and your children can bring these items in now. Remember that all the pupils in the class that brings in the most items will each receive a free adult entrance ticket to the Christmas Café.

It has been brought to my attention that some children are playing on the outdoor equipment in the infant playground at the end of the school day. Can you please stop your children from doing this because they are not being properly supervised and we do not want any unnecessary accidents taking place.

Even though the build up to Christmas can be a really busy time for everyone I hope you all find some time to relax over the weekend. I look forward to seeing you again next week.

I know it is normally a bad sign when you have spots in front of your eyes but that is what I am seeing in abundance today because practically everyone is wearing something spotty today for ‘Children in Need’. As a school we do like to support fundraising projects like this because it does make the children think about people less fortunate than themselves and it does show that if everyone does a little it can have an enormous, positive impact on the lives of those in need. I would like to thank everyone who made a donation and I will let you know how much we raised when we have the total.

 It has also been anti-bullying week in school. The children have been carrying out lots of activities which highlight the negative impact that bullying can have on people’s lives and they have also been finding out about strategies to help them cope with conflict in their lives so that it does not develop into bullying.  They were all very excited about being involved in the creation of an anti-bullying emoji (art attack style) and this will be available for you to view on our website. I also did a presentation on Monday about how parents can help support their children mange conflict at school. If you could not attend the meeting I have uploaded the presentation onto the home page of our website so you can look at the advice in your own time.

A matter that has been brought to my attention this week is the number of pupils who are obviously accessing computer games that are not appropriate for their age. Some of the games that are now available on the market are extremely violent but their rating is above that of a primary age pupil and yet some of our children are playing on them. We know this because some of the scenes from these games are being discussed by the children in school and reproduced in their written work. Can I ask that your children only access games that are age appropriate and that the amount of time that they spend on a computer is monitored.  Advice on e- safety and what your children can access on a computer is available on the school website.

Next week is another exciting week in school. Some of the older children are taking part in the ‘Big Draw’ at Hertfordshire University and some of the younger junior children are taking part in a sports event. On Saturday the PTA are holding a ‘Family Photograph’ day in school. If you would like to take part in this and have not booked a session contact someone in the school office and they will put you in touch with the relevant member of the PTA.

I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend.

This week I would like to start my blog with a huge thank you to the PTA and all the people who supported them in the running of our annual bonfire event. As usual it was very well attended and everyone who I have spoken to have said what a great event it was. It would not have been such a success if we had not had so much support and, indeed, we had a few extra parents join us in the preparation and running of the event this year and those who help out regularly said what a difference it made – let us hope that we can get even more help next year. All of those who do help do say how much they enjoy it. As soon as I know how much money has been raised I will let you know.

Next week is also quite an eventful week in school because it is ‘Anti –Bullying Week’. Although we cover appropriate behaviour in school throughout the year in our PSHE sessions and assemblies we do like to focus on what is unacceptable behaviour during this week so that the children really think about the negative impact that bullying could have on someone’s life. As I mentioned in my last newsletter we are also holding an event for parents this year so that they can help their child manage conflict at school. The attendance slips for this were due in today but if you would still like to attend and you have forgotten to return your slip to school please contact the school office on Monday morning and they will reserve you a place. The meeting for parents is taking place on Monday, 13^th November at 2.30pm. The session will finish in time for you to collect your children at the usual time at the end of the school day.

On Friday, 17^th November it is ‘Children in Need. On this day the children can come to school not wearing uniform as long as one of the items is spotty as this is the theme for ‘Children in Need’ this year. If the children choose not to wear uniform on this day they will need to bring in a pound towards the ‘Children in Need’ appeal. We are also asking parents to send in any old pound coins that they may have at home to put towards the appeal. They can no longer be used in shops but they can be used for the appeal.

I hope you all have a great weekend and I look forward to seeing you again on Monday.

I feel like I am a part time member of staff this week because I have only been in school for two days as I was attending a three day training course with Mr Spring. The school has run smoothly without me and as usual the children have settled back into their school routine very quickly after their half term break. It was also good on my return to see the Key Stage Two children in their winter uniform - they all look very smart.

There is great excitement in school because of the firework display tomorrow night. The weather forecast for the evening is cold but dry which is perfect weather for Bonfire Night. If you have not yet purchased your tickets they are available from Darkes Lane in the morning or they can be purchased on the gate on the evening but I would recommend getting them in advance because you do not want to be turned away because they are sold out!

I hope to see many of you at the fireworks tomorrow night. I will be working on the barbeque all night so if you want to pop across to see me please do.