02 December 2021

 

Dear Parents/Carers,

 

I am sure that you have seen in the news about the new variant of coronavirus that has been discovered. The Government has issued new guidance to schools this week. In school, staff are now being asked to wear masks in communal areas and we are now asking that parents wear masks at all times when they are in the school building.

 

We are still planning to hold our Christmas shows and other events but obviously there is a chance that Government guidance will change. If it does, I will endeavour to inform you as quickly as possible.

 

Kind regards,

 

 

 

Mrs R Dulieu

Head Teacher

Newsletter November 2021

 

Dear Parents/Carers

The autumn term has been a busy one! I am so pleased that a number of year groups have been on school trips and that after school clubs are back up and running. It has been fantastic to have had so many parents attending class assemblies and celebration assembly on a Friday.

This week we have been lucky enough to have been able to try wheelchair basketball. Year 5 and 6 children had the opportunity to try out the wheelchairs although I am not sure that they had as much fun as the staff! 

 

I am pleased to announce that we have 3 new Governors that have joined the school. Atisha Tailor is our new parent governor. Shabir Ibrahim and Rachel Draper have joined as co-opted governors. Raj Gill-Harrison is continuing as the Chair of Governors. They are all extremely keen to help the school continue on its improvement journey.

Children and staff are continuing to work on the school areas of improvement. Writing has been a focus with the ‘recipe’ approach which I   know  Mr King wrote to parents about earlier on in the term. At the end of each writing unit, a child is chosen as star writer and this is proudly displayed outside the classroom for all to read. The school are also continuing to develop the wider curriculum and the use of knowledge organisers.

Mrs Dulieu

 

DIARY DATES—December

Monday 6th —Chestnut, Rowan and Hawthorn visit to Holy Apostles Church for the Christmas Tree Festival

Tuesday 7th—Year 4 Carol Concert at Holy Apostles Church @ 6pm

Tuesday 7th—Year 1 and 2 Christmas Concert @ 10am (1CA) and 2pm (1MG)

Wednesday 8th  Christmas Dinner

Wednesday 8th—FS1 (Chestnut) Nativity @ 10am and 2pm

Thursday 9th—FS2 Nativity @10am (Hawthorn) and 2pm (Rowan)

Thursday 9th—Patch Christmas Fair 3-5pm

Friday 10th—Christmas Jumper Day

Friday 10th—Year 1 and 2 Christmas Concert @ 10am (2RM) and 2pm (2RF)

Tuesday 14th—Curve theatre trip for FS2 and KS1

Wednesday 15th—Christmas Party day (all year groups)

Thursday 16th KS2 Pantomime trip—Sleeping Beauty

Friday 17th— Last day of term

Year 3, 5 and 6 will be recording a virtual Christmas message for families and this will be sent out in the last week of term.

SCHOOL REOPENS TO CHILDREN ON WEDNESDAY 5TH JANUARY 2022

 

 

Dear Parents/Carers

The autumn term has been a busy one! I am so pleased that a number of year groups have been on school trips and that after school clubs are back up and running. It has been fantastic to have had so many parents attending class assemblies and celebration assembly on a Friday.

This week we have been lucky enough to have been able to try wheelchair basketball. Year 5 and 6 children had the opportunity to try out the wheelchairs although I am not sure that they had as much fun as the staff! (see photo )

I am pleased to announce that we have 3 new Governors that have joined the school. Atisha Tailor is our new parent governor. Shabir Ibrahim and Rachel Draper have joined as co-opted governors. Raj Gill-Harrison is continuing as the Chair of Governors. They are all extremely keen to help the school continue on its improvement journey.

Children and staff are continuing to work on the school areas of improvement. Writing has been a focus with the ‘recipe’ approach which I   know  Mr King wrote to parents about earlier on in the term. At the end of each writing unit, a child is chosen as star writer and this is proudly displayed outside the classroom for all to read. The school are also continuing to develop the wider curriculum and the use of knowledge organisers.

Mrs Dulieu

DIARY DATES—December

Monday 6th —Chestnut, Rowan and Hawthorn visit to Holy Apostles Church for the Christmas Tree Festival

Tuesday 7th—Year 4 Carol Concert at Holy Apostles Church @ 6pm

Tuesday 7th—Year 1 and 2 Christmas Concert @ 10am (1CA) and 2pm (1MG)

Wednesday 8th  Christmas Dinner

Wednesday 8th—FS1 (Chestnut) Nativity @ 10am and 2pm

Thursday 9th—FS2 Nativity @10am (Hawthorn) and 2pm (Rowan)

Thursday 9th—Patch Christmas Fair 3-5pm

Friday 10th—Christmas Jumper Day

Friday 10th—Year 1 and 2 Christmas Concert @ 10am (2RM) and 2pm (2RF)

Tuesday 14th—Curve theatre trip for FS2 and KS1

Wednesday 15th—Christmas Party day (all year groups)

Thursday 16th KS2 Pantomime trip—Sleeping Beauty

Friday 17th— Last day of term

Year 3, 5 and 6 will be recording a virtual Christmas message for families and this will be sent out in the last week of term.

SCHOOL REOPENS TO CHILDREN ON WEDNESDAY 5TH JANUARY 2022

 

Children in Need Fundraising

Our fundraising activities in school raised £198.45  (so far)  for Children in Need! Children in need will use this money to help fund a variety of charitable causes working tirelessly everyday throughout the country to make the lives of struggling families easier. Thank you to everyone who helped with this fundraising!

 

COVID

So far this term we have been incredibly lucky having low levels of Coronavirus cases. Although, this week we have begun to see a rise in cases. Please continue to be vigilant and follow the Coronavirus guidelines on the school website. 

 

Attendance and Punctuality

Recently there have been a number of children that are arriving late for school. Please ensure that children arrive to school on time. Gates open at 8.40am and close at 8.50am.

The Education Welfare Officer for the school visits every 2 weeks and monitors any child’s attendance that falls below 95%. When children’s attendance falls below this level the school have a duty to inform parents and will write to parents to inform them of their child’s attendance level. The school are here to support you. If you are having any difficulty in getting your child to school, please talk to us as we may be able to help.

 

Safeguarding

At St Mary’s Fields, we know that it is of the utmost importance to have robust systems for protecting children and safeguarding their welfare. If you have a concern, please speak to Mrs Dulieu, Mrs Nott, Miss Haycock or Parmjit Hulait (Family Support Worker) the Designated Leads for Safeguarding. We will treat your concerns seriously in line with our safeguarding policies and procedures.

NSPCC 0808 800 500

Child Line 0800 1111

Social Services 0116 4541004

PROTECTING CHILDREN IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS

St Mary’s Fields is part of a Leicestershire domestic violence and abuse initiative called Operation Encompass. During the term our Designated Safeguarding Lead will be informed when any domestic abuse incident has been reported to the police and one of our pupils is in the household. This information will be held confidentially by the school and used only to help us support your child.

If you would like to speak to someone in confidence about domestic abuse or sexual violence, call the United Against Violence and Abuse (UAVA) helpline on 08008020028

School Trips

So far this year,  Year 3 have visited Poole’s Cavern and Everard's Meadow, Year 5 had a brilliant trip to the National Space Centre, Year 1 have visited a temple and Year 2 went to the Bosworth Battlefield.  

 

 

 

 

 

Due to a heating failure and delay in attendance of an engineer we have sadly had to close classes in Years 3, 4, 5, and 6 are closed today. We expect that the heating will be working for Monday. All other classes are open

Read this online

 

What is Squid Game?

Netflix’s Squid Game is set to become the streaming service’s most successful show of all time, with huge numbers of viewers taking to social media to discuss each new episode. The South Korean thriller features some scenes of fairly brutal violence and is rated 15 by the BBFC. It follows a group of adults who compete to win innocent-looking playground games, but who are killed if they do not succeed at the tasks.

An unexpected success in terms of viewing figures, Squid Game’s popularity is beginning to spread across various online platforms. There has been a slew of content created – ranging from memes to apps – that convey the violence of the show, so it is important for parents, carers and educators to understand the basis of Squid Game and the potential risks to young people who might be exposed to it.

 

What are the hazards for children?

Squid Game’s 15 rating has not prevented clips and images from the show being uploaded onto social media sites such as TikTok, with the #SquidGame hashtag being viewed more than 22.8 billion times. There have been reports of children who have accounts on these platforms inadvertently viewing gory, explicit scenes from the programme, and parents and carers should be mindful of the prevalence of these uploads. 

The popularity of the programme has also led to online challenges based on various scenes, which see people taking part in seemingly innocent children’s games. On the show, however, characters are executed if they fail in the game – and videos of people pretending to kill each other after competing in Squid Game-style contests are going viral on social media, where they are easily accessible to children.

 

What is the Squid Game Challenge app?

Squid Game Challenge (also known as K-Game Challenge) is an app for smartphones and tablets that has been released for Android and iOs, and the two systems differ significantly on their age ratings for the game. The iTunes Store rates the app as 12+ (advising of “mild/infrequent horror/fear themes”), while the PEGI rating for Android is just 3+, which means that very young children might be able to download and play the game even with parental controls activated on their device or through Google Play.

The gameplay is frequently interrupted by pop-ups and ads (sometimes appearing while the user is rapidly tapping their screen while attempting to complete the challenge). This could easily lead to unwanted purchases or accidental visits to inappropriate sites beyond the app.

 

What can trusted adults do?

As a parent or carer, keep a watchful eye on the content that your children are viewing. Speak to them openly and chat about how they have been spending time on their devices; let them ask questions, too. Ensure that the parental controls are activated on your child’s device and that age-restricted child profiles are properly set up any on-demand services available through the family TV (such as Netflix, in this case) to prevent inappropriate content being streamed.

If you see your child replicating the challenges from the show or hear them talking about scenes and characters from Squid Game, it would be a timely opportunity to discuss with them that the programme is not intended for children, that much of the content would be inappropriate for their age, and that the violence in the series is very realistic and often upsetting.

 

 

Dear Parents/Carers,

 

Up until this week we have very low numbers of positive Covid cases. However, this week we have seen an increase in cases. 

We are continuing with our rigorous procedures and I would ask that you remain vigilant.

 

Please do not send children to school if they have any of the following symptoms:

1. A high temperature
2. A new continuous cough
3. A loss of taste/smell

 

If children have any of the above symptoms, they need to go for a PCR test and can only return to school once a negative test result is confirmed. All the information about how to book a PCR test is on the school website under 'our parents' tab.

 

If you receive a letter stating that your child has been identified as a close contact. Please arrange for them to take a PCR test. If they are symptom free, they can continue to attend school whilst waiting for the results.

 

Thank you for your continued support.

 

Kind regards

 

Mrs Dulieu

 

 

Art Contest

Art Competition

Leicester Art Week

Leicester Art Map

Art Update - What's on in Leicester

Posted: October 2021 by Miss Barrs, Art Leader

 

  Dear parents/carers,

We want to let you know that the flu vaccination date for child is being rescheduled to a later date. This is due to the pressing need for our School Aged Immunisation Service to carry out the COVID- 19 vaccination programme for 12–15-year-olds.

We sincerely apologise for this short notice and any disappointment caused.
We want to assure you that all children and young people with parental consent will be offered the opportunity to get the flu vaccine within the flu season. We will send you a further communication when the new date has been finalised with the school.

Please note you do not need to do anything about the consent forms you have filled out – we will keep these on file for the new session date.

You can still submit a consent form if you haven’t already done so.

Our staff have worked extremely hard to set up the various vaccination programmes this year including, the COVID-19 vaccination programme which has been setup at speed. We want to thank you and your children for your flexibility and patience.

In the meantime, if you or your child have any questions about the vaccine, we’d encourage you to visit the following sites for more information:
For primary school age children, visit: www.healthforkids.co.uk/staying-healthy/stopping-flu For secondary school age children, visit: https://www.healthforteens.co.uk/health/flu/

Thank you once again for your understanding and support. Yours sincerely,

Claire Tagg
Service Group Manager – Lead for CYP Covid delivery programme Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
October 2021
    

 

Pupil Premium

The government allocates specific funding to help support families who are in receipt of free school meals now, or have been at any time within the last 6 years. This is known as ‘Pupil Premium Funding’.

We are instructed by the government to allocate funding in ways that we know will help you as a family, which in turn will help your children access everything possible, without prejudice, which is their right to do so.

More information about how St Mary’s Fields Primary School spends the funding is available on the school website.

 

St Mary’s Fields Primary School has allocated part of their budget to help families pay for residential visits, school trips and afterschool clubs .

We have also allocated funds for uniform, and shoes.

If there are other school related costs that you need help with, we may have access to funds that cover this for example peripatetic music provision, digital devices.

 

If your child is in receipt of FSM or ever has been in the last 6 years and you need help with any of the above, please contact Mrs Linnell in the school office.

 

Parents are encouraged to apply for FSM for their children, even if:

• they do not want to eat school meals
• they already receive universal infant free school meals in Rowan, Hawthorn, Year one or Year 2

 

If you are unsure whether you meet the criteria for free school meals, applications can be made:

• Online at: www.leicester.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals
• By telephone 0116 4541009 (option 3)
• Colleting an application form from the school office
•  

Mrs J Linnell

Business Manager

Dear Parents/Carers,
I am sorry that I have not been able to confirm details for the start of term before now but I was waiting for the latest government guidance to be released.
I am delighted that children will be returning to school next Wednesday 25th August (Years 1- 6, the foundation stage have their own start dates). I am hopeful that this year will feel much more ‘normal’. Obviously, the coronavirus pandemic is still with us so it is essential that we continue with our rigorous hand washing/sanitising routines, enhanced cleaning and ensure rooms remain well ventilated. Please view the school’s updated Covid risk assessment on the school website.

Although face masks are no longer mandatory, the school will support parents that continue to wear them on school site. Staff may choose to wear face masks when interacting with parents.

 

This letter sets out a reminder of how the school day will work.

 

How the school day will be managed
School Timings – There will be no staggered start and finish times. School gates will open from 8.40am and children will go straight into classrooms rather than lining up. Children can enter the classrooms from 8.40am. School starts promptly at 8.50am and finishes at 3.05pm. These timings are the same for all pupils.

Entrance to the school –
All junior pupils will enter from Compton Road and EYFS/KS1 pupils through the entrance on Heyworth Road. If you have a KS2 and infant child to drop off please use the Compton Road entrance, drop your KS2 child off first, and then walk through the school site to the KS1 playground. Please use your nearest exit ie if you enter from Compton Road and drop off in KS2, please exit from Compton Road. This will help manage the flow of parents. We also ask that parents do not congregate on school site.

All teachers or teaching assistants will be out on the playground to welcome the children in the mornings and will be available to speak to parents at these times and at the end of the day.

     
Year 5/6 – Please use the gate by the Year 5/6 stairs to enter school. Parents to collect from this gate although we encourage Year 5 and 6 children to enter and exit the school site unaccompanied to build their independence.
Year 3/4 – In the morning, please drop children off at the gate of the KS2 playground (as last year). At the end of the school day, parents are welcome into the school playground to wait outside classroom doors; however, this will not be the case in the mornings.

Year 1/2 and EYFS – Children to be taken to classroom doors in the morning and children will be released to parents from here in the afternoon.

What to bring
    DO BRING

•   School uniform – on PE days children are to come to school in PE kit (KS1/EYFS can bring their plimsolls to change into). PE days will be shared by class teachers in the first week back
• Lunch box (unless ordering a school meal) and water bottle
• Book bag and reading book
• Bikes/scooters – please place neatly in the racks provided

   DON’T BRING

 Anything else including:
X child face mask
X Any other bags
X Stationery, books, toys etc

 Hygiene; how will the risk to pupils and staff be managed?
The school has followed all government guidance regarding hygiene and managing risk – this is all contained in the school risk assessment and will continue with its rigorous hand washing and cleaning regime.
If children are unwell and we suspect them to have Covid-19 symptoms, we will call you to collect them immediately. We will isolate them away from others and will continue to supervise them caringly. In line with guidance, staff will wear PPE during this time. You can access an NHS test for your child. If the test result is negative, children may return to school, if the test is positive, they will need to isolate for 10 days. Any child/staff member identified as a close contact by track and trace will be advised to take a PCR test but will not be asked to self-isolate unless they have symptoms. Please do not send your child to school if they have symptoms of Covid-19 and are waiting for a test result.
The school have outbreak management plan that will be implemented if necessary after consultation with Public Health.

Other key information
• You will still be able to contact teachers using year group emails (see below) and through children’s google classroom accounts (from next week). These accounts will continue to be used for remote learning and homework.
Y6@st-marysfields.leicester.sch.uk

Y5@st-marysfields.leicester.sch.uk

Y4@st-marysfields.leicester.sch.uk
Y3@st-marysfields.leicester.sch.uk

Y2@st-marysfields.leicester.sch.uk

Y1@st-marysfields.leicester.sch.uk

Rowan@st-marysfields.leicester.sch.uk

Hawthorn@st-marysfields.leicester.sch.uk

Chestnut@st-marysfields.leicester.sch.uk

• To speak to the office please call or email. If you need to see the office in person, please buzz the office and they will come and speak to you outside.
• Assemblies – initially these assemblies will take place in Phases. Parents will be invited to attend celebration assemblies when children are receiving certificates. We will start this in the next couple of weeks and details of timings etc will be communicated. Parents will be asked to wear a face masks when attending an assembly in line with the government guidance on crowded areas.
• Welcome meeting Powerpoints will be available in the second week of term – these will detail what your child will be learning this year
• PlayFit will continue to drop off and pick up as normal
• Children in KS2 that have siblings in KS1 will be walked around by staff as normal at the end of the day – please let your child’s class teacher know if this is needed.
 

If you have any questions or concerns, please email the school office@st-
marysfields.leicester.sch.uk or ring on 0116 2824623.

Mrs Nott and Ms Haycock and I will be on the gates next week to direct you and to answer any questions you may have.
I look forward to welcoming you all back.

Yours sincerely,
Mrs Dulieu - Headteacher

           

Dear Parents/Carers,

 

I am writing to you with the results of the most recent parent survey. Thank you to all the parents/carers that completed the survey. For some of the statements I have put the percentage that ticked agree or strongly agree. For some questions I have included the ‘don’t know’ percentage. This shows where the school needs to improve communication with parents. This is particularly true for the statement regarding bullying, 35% of parents/carers were unsure if the school dealt effectively with bullying – below I have explained how the school deals with bullying.

 

 

 

I hope that you have found this information useful. If you have any further suggestions for ways the school could improve or any concerns please either speak to the school office or email suggestions via office@st-marysfields.leicester.sch.uk

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Rebecca Dulieu

Head Teacher