Judith Kerr Primary Parent Portal

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Friday 17th January 2025

Dear Families,

Buzz word of the week at JKPS: astronomy - the study of everything in the universe beyond Earth’s atmosphere. We have a growing team of budding astronomers across the school with several of the children having had the opportunity to view some of the planets either by eye, or through a telescope recently, largely thanks to the generosity of a local scientist. And there's been plenty to see with what's being described as one of the best planetary displays for years, something we enjoyed discussing in this today's assembly. Keep the night of the 25th January free for the planetary parade. (For the moment at least, it looks as though there will be a clear view.)

If you've not yet had an opportunity to complete our ACC's school survey, please complete the FORM here.

Schönes Wochenende!

Patrick

Key messages:

Please note, there is a Year 1 Phonics Screening Check Parent Meeting at 9am next Tuesday 21st January.

Don't forget the Action For Happiness calendar. Today's action was 'to be gentle with yourself when you make mistakes/ Sei freundlich zu dir slebst, wenn du Feehler machst'. At JKPS, we recognise that making magical mistakes is a key part of the learning process, so this seems particularly apt.

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Don't forget, this Sunday is the first gardening day of the year. Do come down to support from 11am.

Nursery and Receoption places for September 2025

Nursery Siblings: If you are interested in a sibling place for Nursery for September 2025 a please email admissions@judithkerr.anthemtrust.uk to register interest. Please note your child must be three years of age before 31st August 2024 in order for them to start in September. We have had a lot of interest already and as siblings take priority, we would like to know how many other children we can accommodate.

Reception Siblings: if you have applied for a sibling place in Reception 2025, please let us know by emailing the admissions team.

Stepping into Stories

Dear Parents/Carers,

We are delighted that pupils at your school will be attending an exciting author event as part of Stepping into Stories Kid's Lit Fest 2025. The Paper Cat Children's Bookshop in Herne Hill is thrilled to be offering parents/carers the opportunity to pre-order the authors books at a SPECIAL FESTIVAL DISCOUNT. YOU CAN PRE-ORDER BOOKS HERE

These books can be signed and dedicated to your child by the author on the day of the event. (Please note if your child is attending a virtual event these will not be signed.)

All books purchased will be sent directly to your school and brought home after the author visit. Stepping into Stories is also running a range of fantastic public author events on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th February 2025. You can see the full programme HERE

If you have any questions you can reach us on schools@papercatbookshop.co.uk

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Click here to pre-order signed copies at a special festival discount!

Meanwhile around school...

From Mr Rhys: In Nursery this week, we learnt (amongst other things) about the number 3 (the numeral, its composition and its different representations). We read a new version of Goldilocks where Goldilocks had dreads (we had a great chat about Rastafarianism, dreadlocks and listened to some Bob Marley which the children loved). Also, we counted, sang in German and met our new German teacher, Ms. Sophie! We've been getting super creative by junk modelling, making porridge with a pan and microwave, then eating it! Our sound of the week was 't', we've learnt how to write it and show it in playdough, too. I've even seen the best art I've ever seen in my EYFS career - our children are super creative and talented. Our final activity for the week, was our first music lesson with Mr Aiden, which was fab!

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In Year 1, the children have been learning a Lion King dance, whilst Year 5 have been busy playing the steel pans in their music lessons.

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Safeguarding

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For some children, the end of the school holidays can be a difficult time for a variety of reasons. The start of the new term comes with plenty of challenges, from social worries to the stress of ensuring they’re ready for upcoming lessons and learning. Click here for a free guide from The National College offering you expert advice on how you can be there for children and young people as they transition back into their school’s routine.

Attendance

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School attendance is mandatory for all students of compulsory school age. Whilst we understand that it isn't always possible to reach 100% attendance, we are fully committed to ensuring the highest levels of attendance to ensure we enable every student to meet their potential.

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Deutschecke

On the subject of space...

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From the Anthem Community Council

Thank you to everyone who has responded to the school survey. We would still like to hear from as many of you as possible to help us understand as many views as we can. This can help us set our local priorities and make sure we are hearing a representation of parent/ carer voices. Please complete the FORM here. The form should take between 5 and 10 minutes to fill in. Thank you.

Friends Corner

Happy Friday everyone!

🪴 We have our first Gardening Day of 2025 this Sunday 19th, 11am-3pm. Please feel very welcome to join us. At midday we’ll be gathering the children to plant runner beans using jars which they can take home. Please bring a jar if you can.

📱Friday 31st January, 7:30pm. We are delighted to welcome Dr Nicola Kalk from King’s College London to the JKPS lunch hall for a free informal expert talk for parents on her research into the impacts of smartphone usage in pupils. Reserve your place here.

👕 Pre-loved Uniform Sale. Thursday 13th February. 3:20-4:30pm. All trousers, skirts and pinafore are £1. If you need anything before then please get in touch with Claire Wren (07730-433-519).

📅 We are finalising dates throughout the year at the moment, so keep an eye on the events calendar on the website and the white board at the gate. More dates coming soon, the big ones for now:

March 26th - Quiz Night

June 28th - Summer Picnic

September 20th - Oktoberfest

(If anyone would like to get involved and join the Oktoberfest organisation committee please get in touch with Shivali and Laurie.)

Have a great weekend!