Newsletter
Friday 24th January 2025
DIARY DATES
SPRING TERM
Tuesday 28th January
Year 3 Trip to the British Museum
Thursday 30th and Friday 31st January
Year 5 and Year 6 Cake Sale
Friday 7th February
Year 3 Class Assembly
Tuesday 11th and Thursday 13th February
Parent Consultations
Friday 14th February
Last day of half-term
Mufti day - Love Ellingham
Monday 17th February to Friday 21st February
February half-term break
Monday 24th February
Children return to school
Tuesday 11th March
Year 5 Trip to the King's Centre
Friday 14th March
Year 4 Class Assembly
Thursday 20th and Friday 21st March
Year 3 and 4 Cake Sale
Friday 21st March
Year 2 Class Assembly
Friday 4th April
Last day of term (early finish)
Monday 7th April to Monday 21st April
Easter break
Tuesday 22nd April
Children return to school
Reminders
Tuesday 28th January
Year 3 Trip to the British Museum
Thursday 30th and Friday 31st January
Year 5 and Year 6 Cake Sale
Friday 7th February
Year 3 Class Assembly
Tuesday 11th and Thursday 13th February
Parent Consultations
Friday 14th March 3.10pm STEM Fair (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) in the school hall. Come and visit.
ELLINGHAM SCHOOL NEWS
Welcome to our new Chair of Governors
I'm delighted to welcome our new Chair of Governors Kirsty Ruthven. I know that Kirsty is as ambitious as all of us for your children success and happiness and I am looking forward to working with her.
Kirsty joined the Governing Body In September and became the Chair of Governors in January, alongside our new Vice Chair Natalie Harris, who has been with us for four years.
Kirsty is an experienced primary school teacher, school leader and governor having worked in a range of schools. Kirsty still teaches but also works for the charity The Children’s Society.
She is committed along with the other governors and staff to support your children at the start of their school life to become successful learners and confident individuals who enjoy learning, make progress and are able to live health and fulfilling lives.
More details about our governors can be found on our website.
Lisa Keogh
Kirsty can be contacted via the school office or via the Clerk of Governors clerk@elp.rbksch.org.
Thank You To Our Out-Going Chair of Governors
I'd also like to thank Wayne Finnie, who stepped down from his Chair of Governors role in September and finished his term this month. It has been lovely working with him for the past four years. Thank you also to Mansur Khan, who stepped up as Interim Chair of Governors during that period.
Lisa Keogh
Wellbeing Ambassadors
This week our Wellbeing Ambassadors attended 'Wellfest' at Southborough Secondary School where they enjoyed various activities.
They worked through a scavenger hunt asking the stall holders questions and they recorded answers in their booklets so that they can feedback any ideas back at school. They experienced the importance of creativity and physicality as part of wellbeing and mental health; they created cards with positive messages, painted shells and pebbles and played volleyball.
Mrs Sephton was very proud of them and they were a credit to our school.
Competition Ends Next Friday
Last call for entries to Artist of the Month. All painting, collages, drawings or models inspired by Henri Matisse should be in by Friday, 31st January.
Henri Matisse (1869-1954) was a French artist known for his use of bright colours and collages.
For more inspiration, here are some links that tell you more about the artist.
Henri Matisse Abstract Art Narrated Digital Storybook for Kids
We're Excited for Ellingham's STEM Week
We have so many exciting activities lined up to immerse the children in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and we are planning to celebrate the events of the week after school on Friday 14th March by welcoming parents and carers into school.
If you work in any of these fields and would be happy to come in and share your experience to a class or assembly, we would be grateful. It always makes more sense to children when we have people who demonstrate how STEM is part of our daily lives.
LEARNING TOGETHER
Can You Answer Year 1's Question?
Year 1 have been learning all about special items you may find in a Jewish home. This week, they found out lots of information about a Mezuzah, which Jewish people have on the doorframe to their home, and made their own. Can you guess what is kept inside a Mezuzah?
Year 2 Head to the Library
Year 2 went to Hook Library this week. We learnt all about the things we can do in the library, and then had a good look around.
We read books, did puzzles and played games. To finish, one of the librarians read us two great stories, and we got a form to become a library member.
We're looking forward to going with our parents and taking some books out - did you know we can have 20 books at a time?!
Year 3 Tomb Raiders
This week, Year 3 have been learning about Howard Carter's discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in November 1922. We acted out the discovery and are now writing an independent narrative retelling the story.
Year 4 Rangoli Patterns
This week, Year 4 have been creating Rangoli patterns in RE as part of our Hinduism topic using coloured sand. Hindu people celebrate Diwali (the festival of light) to show that goodness can defeat evil.
Year 6 Investigate Beaks
Year 6 have been learning about Charles Darwin and the variations of finches he discovered on the Galapagos Islands.
We investigated his theory of natural selection further by exploring and simulating different bird beaks using tweezers, pegs and spoons and a range of food sources. Long, sharp utensils were easier to pick food out of narrow bowls, just like long, sharp beaks are good for reaching nectar and insects. The short, wide wooden pegs were good for picking up peas and crushing them. These sized beaks are good for eating seeds and cracking open nuts.
We learnt that the birds' beaks had adapted over time in order to suit their environment on the different islands in order to survive.
SAFEGUARDING, HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Ellingham is a Rights Respecting School
Ellingham Primary School is a Unicef Rights Respecting school. We introduce the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) to help children understand their rights.
Unicef says:
There are four key areas of impact for children at a Rights Respecting school; wellbeing, participation, relationships and self-esteem. The difference that a Rights Respecting School makes goes beyond the school gates, making a positive impact on the whole community.
Children are healthier and happier
Children feel safe
Children have better relationships
Children become active and involved in school life and the wider world
https://www.unicef.org.uk/rights-respecting-schools/
This week in assembly which focused on our value of Equality, which links to the right to not be discriminated against. We talked about what discrimination means and how we should treat all people equally and to understand that we should not use discriminatory and words and behaviour. We also thought about all the things that make us beautiful inside and out, what makes us proud so that unkind words don't bring us down.
This is the full safeguarding team in school. They are all trained to Level 3 and everyone in the school received the annual update of Safeguarding Level 2 training at INSET.
Contact details: 020 8397 3864 or email: office@elp.rbksch.org to request a safeguarding call back. For pupil support, contact 020 8397 3864 or email: pupilsupport@elp.rbksch.org
Lisa Keogh
Headteacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
Jacqui Malherbe
Pupil Support & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
Sally Sephton
SENDCO & Designated Teacher (LAC/PLAC) Safeguarding Team Member
Esme Winn
Deputy Headteacher & Designated Safeguarding Team Member
Lorraine Davis
Pupil Support & Designated Safeguarding Team Member
Natalie Harris
Dan Martin
Designated Governors for Safeguarding and Child Protection
ASD support group Feb 25.doc.pdf2024_25- Helping children series flier.pdf
LOCAL EVENTS & COMMUNITY NEWS
Spring half term and Easter holiday touch typing courses for 7 – 16s
St Joseph's Primary School, Kingston KT1; 17 – 20 Feb; 7 – 10 Apr; 14 – 17 Apr.
Course session times: 10:00 – 12:15 pm daily
Beginners, improvers and advanced typists are warmly welcome. We mix formal technique with the latest app games to make learning effective and fun. Typing proficiency makes a huge impact on academic attainment at all ages.
Cost per place: £176.00. 10% discount for siblings/ bring-a-friend/returners
OFSTED registered – childcare vouchers accepted. Duke of Edinburgh Award skills assessor. Apply at www.typingscool.co.uk
Nick and Sarah Holt www.typingscool.co.uk 07812 632238