{item_alt_tag}

Friday 25th October 2024

Dear Families,  

We've made it to the first of this year's mid-term breaks and your children have more than earned their week off. They have been incredibly busy with their learning this half-term and already we have seen so much progress across the school. A huge well done to all. 

There's too much to mention in terms of what has been happening this week in school - DT Week, Black History Month, trips to Southwark Cathedral, Dulwich Picture Gallery and Dulwich Library, adult and children workshops for Zones of Regulation, and our first SEND coffee morning of the year. Read on for just a few snapshots of some of these events and activities. Also, a huge well done to Year 5's for the brilliant performance of Peter and the Wolves last Saturday, accompanied by the Dulwich Symphony Orchestra. And there will be so much more to come after half-term...

But for now, time to relax and prepare for the change of the clocks. Keep safe, have restful weeks and Diwali ki Shubhkamnayein (Happy Diwali)!  See you back at school on Monday 4th November. 

Patrick 

Coming up in the first week back: our annual Sankt Martin Parade on Friday 8th November, 4:30pm to 5:30pm. 

{item_alt_tag}

P.S. 

Obviously not forgetting that today it's wedding bells for Ms Georgia! We wish her and Adam all the best for this most special of days for them, and wish them every bit of love and happiness as they embark on this next chapter in their lives together. 

{item_alt_tag}

Trips and visits this week 

{item_alt_tag}

While Years 5 and 6 headed to the Dulwich Picture Gallery, Year 3 headed off to Southwark Cathedral. The children participated in the Climate Justice Workshop learning about how other parts of the world are affected by climate change. They completed a drawing around their hands on seeded paper and wrote their own personal pledge on how they will combat climate change in the future. Their handprints were added to an art display which will later be exhibited at the Houses of Parliament and planted at the Cathedral.  They then had a tour around the cathedral, including The Gaia Art Exhibition. They even got to walk across some Roman ruins too! The children were a credit to the school with their vast knowledge and polite behaviour! If you would like to visit the exhibition, it is available all next week during Half Term. 

{item_alt_tag}

In other news... 

Wow! Ariadna took part in the "Gymnastique Magique" display gymnastics competition this Friday and Saturday at Disneyland Paris as part of her gymnastics club (Charisma gymnastics display team). There were more than 250 routines competing in 12 different categories from 13 different clubs. Charisma competed with 16 different routines and managed to place in 4 categories in total which was a big success for the club, especially considering this was their first year competing. Ariadna got 3rd place in the category "Junior Solo Disney" which was an incredible achievement for her and the whole club, so I thought I'll share it with you and the whole school. We're waiting for professional photos of the awards ceremony to be released  that I'll be happy to share if interested. 

{item_alt_tag}

Safeguarding 

{item_alt_tag}

Yesterday, Year 2 children took part in a NSPCC Pantosaurus lesson about 'safe adults' with Ms Sarah. They started with a circle time to remind them about the PANTS rules and class discussion about who our safe adults are in school, at home and the wider community. For more information from the NSPCC about talking to your child about the PANTS rule, please visit: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/pants-underwear-rule/pants-how-to-answer-questions/

The key messages for children are:

P – Privates are privates.

A – Always remember your body belongs to you.

N – No means no.

T – Talk about secrets that upset you.

S – Speak up, someone can help.

NSPCC PANTS video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SzbMEVYiyg

Attendance

{item_alt_tag}

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.  

{item_alt_tag}

This week has been DT Week!

In celebration and anticipation of Black History Month, Year 1 have been getting creative during DT Week by crafting their very own rockets for Mae Jeminson from cereal boxes! Mae Jemison inspired the main character of our book Astrogirl  These innovative designs feature levers, sliders, and flaps, showcasing both engineering skills and artistic flair.

To celebrate the conclusion of the Y2 topic 'The British Monarchy' the children created some magnificent crowns which they proudly wore in a 'Coronation Catwalk' as part of our very first EYFS/KS1 Celebration Assembly! They also iced gingerbread biscuits and decorated them with regal accessories. 

Year 3 were making pneumatic toys, whilst Year 4 practised their cross-stitches and Year 5 were busy learning about kinetic energy and making pop-up books.

In Year 6, the children immersed themselves in creating extraordinarily wonderful playgrounds - what talent!

{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}

More from Black History Month

On Monday, we had a whole school assembly where different year groups shared their learning  from their Black History activities. Below is a poem from the Year 2's, whilst Year 5 have incorporated a daily playlist focused on a range of black musicians. 

{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}

Deutschecke

From Ms Rebecca: This week, Ms Lara from our partner school (GGS Garthestraße Köln) visited us for two days! She saw teaching across the school, and she brought the Year 5 pen pal letters for the children to read.  Ms Lara also read a book in German to Emmeline Pankhurst class with her class's animal, Flavio der Flamingo. We really enjoyed having Ms Lara here, and I am looking forward to my trip to GGS next week!

{item_alt_tag}

Friends Corner

Wishing everyone a restful half term break, after an extremely eventful start to the school year.

Don’t forget in the first week back, the FOJKPS will be hosting the St Martin’s lantern parade 🏮on Friday 8 Nov from 4.30pm in the school grounds 🕯️. For new families, this is a lovely event where the children join a lantern parade, with live music and German songs. If you’re not familiar with the story of Sankt Martin you can read it here and find links to some of the songs your child will be learning. We’re on the look-out for volunteers to serve drinks and snacks, please sign up here.

And we’re sorry to mention the C word, but on Saturday 7 Dec we’ll be holding our annual Winter Fair where you’ll be able to order and collect your Christmas trees at a great price, and enjoy festive treats and music. 

We’re also delighted to again be hosting our popular Wreath-making workshop, on Friday 29 Nov from 7.30pm (just for parents). Come and make a beautiful decoration for your home, enjoy a glass of mulled wine and get into the festival spirit, Sign up here. 

As you will no doubt know, we’re always on the look-out for volunteers - you can find all the events we need help for on this giant sign-up zone. Please consider helping out, we can’t do it without you!

Key Dates

Half-term                                          Monday 28th October - Friday 1st November

Nelson Mandela trip to Carnegie Library                                Tuesday 5th November 

Sankt Martin Parade                                                        4:30pm, Friday 8th November

Rosa Parks trip to Carnegie Library                                       Tuesday 12th November 

Anti-Bullying Week                                                                        11th - 15th  November

Y1 visit to the Transport Museum                                        Tuesday, 19th November

Y3 trip to Dulwich Picture Gallery                                   Wednesday 20th November

Y4 trip to Dulwich Picture Gallery                                        Thursday 21st November

Y2 visit to the Natural History Museum                              Tuesday, 26th November

West African Drumming Workshop (EYFS)                         Thursday, 28th November

KS1 Christmas Production                                                      Thursday, 5th December

Autumn Term ends                                                      2pm, Friday 20th December  

Click here for all this academic year's term dates

{item_alt_tag}