Dear Families,
Since the last newsletter we have been excited that our children have started to compete in a variety of sporting activities. You will find regular updates on this on our Red Hall Primary School Facebook page. We are so glad that we have started to be able to get back out in the community and work with other schools. Thank you to to all the children who have taken part and shown such great team work and enjoyment in each of the events.
Staff news
I am sad to share the news that Miss Crowley and Mrs Jones will be leaving the Red Hall team to venture into new careers. Miss Crowley has been the school SENDCo and has supported countless families with children who have additional needs. In addition to this, she has been a fantastic class teacher who has left a lasting impression with so many of our children. Mrs Jones has taught at Red Hall in a few year groups and has always shown a huge passion for reading and inspiring children to take up this too. She has been responsible for Art and Design across the whole school. We wish them both a very happy start in their new jobs and want to thank them for all their hard work, diligence and commitment to the children and families of Red Hall Primary School. Mrs Patel, the School Business Manager's last day will be 18th March. Mrs Patel will be leaving to take up a promotion at a local Secondary School academy chain. We wish to thank her for all her hard work. She joined the Red Hall team before the pandemic and has helped to ensure that we have remained operational. We wish Mrs Patel all the very best for her future new challenge.
We welcome Mrs Jo Griffin, School Business Manager to the Red Hall Team. Mrs Griffin joined the team on 7th March. After Easter we will have two new teachers joining the team; Miss Harris in Year 3 and Miss Rolinson in Year 5. They will be in school on the 18th March to meet their new classes. Congratulations to Mrs Darby who will be taking on the role of Acting SENDCo for the Summer term. Mrs Shaw will be working in Y3 with Mrs Darby.
Congratulations to Miss Moulton who's beautiful baby girl, Lola-Jo, was born at the end of February. The family are all doing really well. She wants to pass on her thanks for all the beautiful gifts and cards that she received.
Monster Phonics is our brand new systematic phonic scheme (Please see further details on the scheme below). On March 17th there is a FREE webinar for parents/carers so that you have an introduction into the new scheme: Parent Webinar. Phonics Explained - How to help your child with phonics Tickets, Thu 17 Mar 2022 at 20:00 | Eventbrite
We will be hosting events in school later in the year and will update you on these. There are 10 characters in the phonic scheme which all will help children in the early stages of reading to have success. Keep an eye on our Facebook page where we will provide you with regular updates.
As always, if you have any worries or concerns, please don't hesitate to get in contact with myself, or one of the team.
Nursery Outdoor sessions
Nursery children and their parents/carers have been able to book onto after school sessions to have some outdoor play sessions in our newly refurbished outside area. The children have been exploring the mud kitchen and messy play alongside other activities arranged by Miss Hall. It has been a lovely to be able to invite parents along to see their children play.
REMINDER - All payments for after school clubs and activities need to be paid as soon as possible via Parent Pay
World book day
World book day was a huge success and it was lovely to be able to enjoy world book day again. Covid has prevented us from being enjoy this properly for the last couple of years. The children (and staff!) all looked so good in their costumes.
The treasure hunt around the local area was a big success and we has so many entries! The draw for the Treasure Hunt World Book Day competition was held on Friday.
Congratulations to Logan and Taylor-Mae who each won a basket of books to enjoy!
Sports news
It has been a great half term for Red Hall sport. The children have represented the school around the region:
-The u11s mixed football team travelled to West Bromwich Albion training ground to play in a tournament again local primary schools. The children showed all of the school values during their time there and were a real asset to the School. The team went on to win the competition and were crowned champions! The team also travelled to Wolverhampton Wanderers training dome where the children again were a credit to the school. Unfortunately on this occasion the team were knocked out in the quarterfinals through sudden death penalties.
-Mr Collins accompanied 6 girls and 6 boys from years 5/6 travelled to a cross country competition at Summer Hill Secondary school. In total there were 27 schools at the event in which children had to run 3 kilometres through a tough course. The children were brilliant and never gave up.
-A group of year 4 students represented Red Hall Primary School in a football festival hosted by West Bromwich Albion. The children enjoyed every minute of the festival and won all of their games.
-A mixed girls football team (Years 4/5/6) travelled to West Bromwich Albion's girls football tournament on International Women's day, for all the girls this was their first taste of football competitively. The girls learnt game-by-game and played with a smile on their faces. The girls are itching for the next game which hopefully will follow after Easter.
All of the children who took part in the sports activities, all showed true sportsman-ship, maturity and were a real credit to the school and their parents/carers.
Parking
As a polite reminder, we are situated in very close proximity to our neighbours and there has been a small minority of parents who have been repeatedly parking inconsiderately. Please do not block our neighbours drive ways. Parking on the zig zags at the front and rear of the school is an offence.
We have requested for the local Highways team to again circulate around school at the start and end of school. They have already issued 14 fines to offenders around the school gates who have been parking illegally.
The school car parks are solely for the use of staff ONLY. We have also had children playing and running around the staff cars before and after school - please can you remind your children not to play around the cars.
We have had several near misses with parents dangerous driving. I would ask that you take huge care as entering and exiting school with your children.
We all need to play our part to ensure that the Red Hall Primary School site is safe.
Bikeability and pancake day!
The children have had a busy couple of months in Reception. Highlights have been the Bikeability sessions which took place by Dudley Road safety team and the children did fabulously well. Another highlight has been the making and tasting of pancakes as part of their learning about Lent and getting ready for Easter.
Years 3 and 4 had a fantastic Roman day. They did training to become Roman soldiers, creating shields and swords and trying out various battle formations. They all looked great in their costumes.
Comic Relief - 18th March
This year we are asking everyone to dress in mufti and wear odd socks on the 18th March. Donations of £1-2 per child is suggested and can be made via Parent Pay or on the day.
There are lots of free quizzes and other resources and activities on the Comic relief website https://www.comicrelief.com/rednoseday/schools/downloads
Summer Holiday Activity Fun!
Children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals in Dudley can take part in a fantastic programme of free activities over the Summer school holidays! As part of our 'Child Friendly Dudley' agenda, Dudley Council is working with Dudley Council for Voluntary Services (DCVS) to offer the Holiday Activity Fun (HAF) programme. Families can register their child(ren) in May 2022. Any child in the borough aged five to 16 who qualifies for free school meals due to low family income can take part.
Food in Focus
A polite reminder that if you are sending grapes in for a snack or as part of lunch, then please ensure that the grapes are cut in half, long ways. This is to ensure that the risk of chocking is reduced.
Have you ever wondered if the food that children are eating is having an effect on their mood?
Read here to find out more: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/behaviour-children-food-and-additives
Healthy breakfast to start the day right!
The NHS website has numerous recipes and ideas about healthy food and meal swaps ideas.
https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/food-facts/healthier-food-swaps/#breakfast
The barcode food scanner also allows to help you choose the right food and to see what foods contain- some results are shocking! https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/food-facts/healthier-food-swaps/#fs-app
Token for Cash for Schools
We have entered the Cash for Schools promotion and we would really appreciate your support. To help us get a share of the £12,000, can you collect the tokens out of the Express and Star and hand them into school.
On Saturday, March 19, there is a special SCHOOL BONUS token appearing in the Express & Star, the SCHOOL BONUS token will count as 10 TOKENS!!
Dates for your diary
- Friday 18th March - Red Nose Day - Dress in mufti and odd socks
- Friday 25th March - Nursery Mothers day event - details to follow
- Thursday 31st March - Year 6 School nurse visit
- Friday 1st April - Year 5 trip to BCLM
- Tuesday 5th April - Reception Super hero day
- Wednesday 6th April - Year 1 Royal Ball
- Thursday 7th April - Year 6 SATs presentation to parents
- Friday 8th April - Easter holidays school breaks up at 2pm
- Monday 25th April - Back to school
