Author: Jayne Hewish

LENHAM PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2018

Did you know that the Lenham village library will take pristine copies of any books (for adults, teens or children including reference) you may have at home, in order to share them with a wider audience? So, if you are having a spring clear-out please think of donating to your local library!

Year 6 trips
This term Year 6 have had several opportunities to leave the classroom and learn. Firstly, they visited Shorne Country Park for a day of orienteering. The children were able to learn about map symbols and how to read a map, as well as relying on teamwork to navigate around the park. They were able to use geocache GPS machines to locate specific points on a map, which helped them to understand the different ways of navigating. Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side and lots of us went home very muddy and wet!
Next, Year 6 were offered the opportunity to visit the source of the River Stour in Lenham itself. They were able to use their own local knowledge of the area to discuss local wildlife and the landscape. Year 6 were led by Lauren, a representative from OurStour, who discussed the journey of the River Stour throughout Kent. On their return the children completed a case study about the mayfly (whose lifespan is only a day).
The week after, Year 6 travelled to Harrietsham Primary School by train for a special theatre production of ‘Wasted’. The play discussed alcohol, drugs and peer pressure and the children were able to have an open and honest conversation about addiction with the actors and other schoolchildren of their own age. It was an informative and provoking day out for Year 6, who all said they enjoyed having such a frank discussion about such sensitive topics.
A big thank you to all of the staff and parents who helped out on all of these trips for Year 6.; it is very much
appreciated as these days could not happen without your support!

MUSIC ASSEMBLY
Kent Music School got the whole school moving in their assembly on Thursday morning! We were treated to a piano, drumming and a violin demonstration and one pupil was lucky enough to have a go on the drums. Kent Music School are offering both individual and group lessons in school. Details of how to apply have been sent home.
Amy Killick?
.

ATTENDANCE
We celebrate attendance and punctuality weekly by presenting Attendance Ted to the class who has the highest attendance, and Punctuality Pup for the class with the fewest amount of late marks in the register. The bear and dog visit the class for a week. If more than one class have won, Ted and Pup share time between the classes.

DATE (w/c)	Attendance Ted	Punctuality Pup
1st January	Class 2	Class 1, 2
8th January	Class 2	Classes R, 4, 6
15th January	Class R	Classes 2,6
22nd January	Class R	Classes R, 2, 4 and 6
29th January	Class 3	Classes 4, 6

MINUTES LOST
We have produced a new report to look at punctuality, and record the minutes lost from teaching, by pupils turning up late. In January, the total number of minutes lost for all classes was 932, equating to 15 hours and 53 minutes. Classes 4 and 6 were the most punctual, with only ten minutes lost each.

Class 2 Multiskills at Greenfields
On 23rd January, Class 2 attended a sports' multi-skills event at Greenfields School in Maidstone. We provided 3 teams for the event and 17 teams competed altogether, in events such as skittles, golf, throwing and jumping. Our 3 teams came 5th, 2nd & 1st! Well done everybody!

Sutton Valence Senior School Open Mornings
Saturday 3rd March and Saturday 28th April 2018. Book online now at SVS.org.uk

ILLNESS
Should your child be absent from school due to sickness it is your responsibility to inform the school on the first day of sickness and to keep the school informed of your child’s expected return. Should you not contact the school we will make one attempt to contact you to follow up your child’s absence, after which we will mark your child as having an unauthorised absence.

Should your child be absent from school due to sickness it is your responsibility to inform the school on the first day of sickness and to keep the school informed of your child’s expected return. Should you not contact the school we will make one attempt to contact you to follow up your child’s absence, after

Word Buddy Club
Harry Potter themed crafts and word based activities for children of all ages.
Follow the marauders map, create a new Hogwarts House and be the main character in your very own story!
Fancy Dress Optional!
Thursday 15 February, 2 - 3pm
Kent History and Library Centre
Free with no booking required
Children 7 years and under must be accompanied by an adult
Facebook: Kent Libraries, Registration and Archives
Call: 03000 41 31 31
Email: historyandlibrarycentre@kent.gov.uk Visit: www.kent.gov.uk/libs

Safer Internet Day 2018
Safer Internet Day (SID) is organised by the joint Insafe/INHOPE network, with the support of the European Commission, each February to promote the safe and positive use of digital technology, especially among children and young people. Each year on Safer Internet Day, millions of people unite to inspire positive change and raise awareness of online safety issues and participate in events and activities right across the globe.
SID aims to not only create a safer internet but also a better internet, where everyone is empowered to use technology responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively. The day aims to reach out to children and young people, parents and carers, teachers, educators and social workers, as well as industry, decision makers and politicians, to encourage everyone to play their part in creating a better internet.
This year’s theme of “Create, Connect and Share Respect: a better internet starts with you” encourages everyone to join the global movement, to participate, to make the most of the internet’s potential to bring people together.
With a global, community-led approach, Safer Internet Day 2018 encourages everyone to join and play their part.
There are many ways to do this:
Children and young people can help to create a better internet by being kind and respectful to others online, by protecting their online reputations (and those of others), and by seeking out positive opportunities to create, engage and share online.
Parents and carers play a crucial role in empowering and supporting children to use technology responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively, whether it is by ensuring an open dialogue with their children, educating them to use technology safely and positively, or by acting as digital role models.
Teachers, educators and social workers can help to create a better internet by equipping their pupils and students with digital literacy skills and by developing their critical thinking skills, which will allow them to better navigate the online world. They can empower them to create their own content, make positive choices online and can set a personal example of online behaviour for their pupils and students.
Everyone has a responsibility to make a positive difference online. We can all promote the positive by being kind and respectful to others and seeking out positive opportunities to create and connect. We can all respond to the negative by reporting any inappropriate or illegal content.
At Lenham Primary School, the children will be taking part in age-appropriate lessons to remind them of how to keep themselves safe online, as well as through assemblies, quizzes and a competition to get their slogans for safety published on the school’s Twitter account.
A parent pack for supporting your children is available on the Safer Internet Day 2018 website:
https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/2018/sid2018-education-packs/education-pack-parents-and-carers

Harrietsham and Lenham Scout Group
NEED YOU!

We have been selected to work in collaboration with Kent Messenger and are looking for brave adventurers of all ages to represent our charity at the following events:
Kent Messenger Abseil – 8th April 2018 (minimum age 14yrs)
Kent Messenger Assault course challenge (teams of 6) – 15th April 2018 (minimum age 14yrs)
Kent Messenger 5 or 10 mile walk – 24th June 2018 (any age provided with adult)
For more information about these fabulous opportunities go to: www.kmcharitychallenge.co.uk
or phone KM Charity Team on 0844 264 0291

EVENTS 2017-18
February
9th Term 3 ends
19th Term 4 begins. Year R Cycle Ready session
21st Year R Forest School
March
1st World Book Day—dress up as a book character!
6th Alice in Wonderland travelling theatre Years R-6
12-16th Science Week
14th Year R Forest School
22nd Book Look 2:30pm
26th Year 4 Bikeability. Years 1 & 2 Easter Service at St Mary’s tbc. Easter Bingo 3:30-4:30pm tbc.
27th Years 4 & 5 Family Trust Easter Experience
28th Term 4 ends. KS2 Roller Disco. Time tbc
29th INSET day. School closed to pupils
April
16th Term 5 begins
17th Family Trust Assembly
18th Year R Cycle Ready session
May
1st Years 1-6 FitFence
4th INSET day. School closed to pupils.
7th Bank Holiday
8th-11th Year 5 Relationships and sex education week

May
9th Year R Forest School
10th Class photos
14th-17th KS2 SATs
21st Book Look 2:30 pm. PESE (secondary school entry) meeting year 5
22nd New Intake Parents meeting 6-7 pm
23rd Parent consultations 3:30-7:00 pm
25th Term 5 ends
June
4th Term 6 begins
4th-8th Wellbeing Week tbc
6th New Intake Stay and Play 1:30-2.30 pm
9th Lenham Family Festival at the Community Centre
13th New Intake Stay and Play 1:30-2.30 pm
15th Year R Forest School
20th New Intake Stay and Play 1:30-2.30 pm
26th Family Trust Assembly
27th New Intake Stay and Play 1:30-2:30 pm
29th INSET day. School closed to pupils
July
2nd-6th Sports Week. Book Fair
4th New intake taster lunch 11:45 (tbc) with Stay and Play until 2.30 pm. Year 7 taster day (tbc)
6th Sports Day. Kitchen closed—only school packed lunches for those eligible for free meals.
Book Look 1:30 pm. Children dismissed 2pm
11th New intake Stay and Play 1:30- 2.30 pm
16th KS2 theatrical performance dress rehearsal. Parents and pre-schoolers invited. 1:30-3 pm tbc
17-18th Years 3-6 theatrical performance. Parents invited. NO pre-schoolers. 6-7 pm
24th Year 6 Leavers Assembly. Parents invited 1:30-3pm followed by a cream tea 3-4:30.
Term 6 ends

School Year 2018-19
September 2018
3rd Term 1 begins
19th-21st Year 6 residential to Grosvenor Hall, KIngswood
October 2018
19th Term 1 ends
29th Term 2 begins
December 2018
19th Term 2 ends

CLUBS IN TERM FOUR

MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
Breakfast Club / 8-8:45 am / £2.50 per child	Breakfast Club / 8-8:45 am / £2.50 per child	Breakfast Club / 8-8:45 am / £2.50 per child	Breakfast Club / 8-8:45 am / £2.50 per child	Breakfast Club / 8-8:45 am / £2.50 per child
Speedstack / Lunchtime / Years 3-4 / Mrs Middleton		Speedstack / Lunchtime / Years 5-6 / Mrs Middleton	Digging / Lunchtime / Years R-6 / Mrs Martin
Netball / 3:15-4:30 / Years 3-6 / Miss Parry	Tri Golf / 3:15-4:30 / Years 3-4 / Ms Howell / 6/3-20/3 only. / Numbers limited to 20
Toastie Club / 3:15-6:00 pm / Fees payable. / Advance bookings only	Toastie Club / 3:15-6:00 pm / Fees payable. / Advance bookings only	Toastie Club / 3:15-6:00 pm / Fees payable. / Advance bookings only	Toastie Club / 3:15-6:00 pm / Fees payable. / Advance bookings only	Toastie Club / 3:15-6:00 pm / Fees payable. / Advance bookings only

Kent Music School got the whole school moving in their assembly on Thursday morning! We were treated to a piano, drumming and a violin demonstration and one lucky pupil was lucky enough to have a go on the drums. Kent Music School are offering both individual and group lessons in school. Details of how to apply have been sent home.