Open Events- For further information & to book a tour of the school please click here
Monday 15th September
After school clubs start
Early Bird booster clubs start
Wednesday 24th September
Meet the teacher - 3.30 - 4.30pm
Thursday 2nd October
Harvest Festival
Monday 13th October
Individual and sibling photos day
Tuesday 21st October
Parent consultations - 3.30pm - 6.00pm
Thursday 23rd October
Parent consultations - 3.30pm - 7.00pm
I am absolutely delighted to be writing my first Ellingham newsletter! I've had a truly wonderful ten days getting to know your children and yourselves. Thank you for the many welcoming conversations I've had with you at the gates and in the playground. You are very generous.
I can't deny that one of my happiest places is in the classroom with the children, and it's been a joy going into different year groups. I've talked with children about their learning, sat on the carpet with them during phonics and seen wonderful engagement and curiosity in every room. We've also played hopscotch and skipping! It's wonderful to get to know your children and to see what brings them joy.
I had a particular highlight today, and that was announcing our new Year 6 Leadership Team! At Ellingham, every Year 6 child is a Leader. We are proud of the achievements our oldest pupils have already earned as they begin their final year in primary. They are ready to take on these responsibilities, and we can't wait to see their achievements to come as they become these important role models in our community.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people who facilitate, create, inspire and reward throughout every day here at Ellingham, and that is the amazing staff team. The relationships here are driven by mutual respect, empathy, and friendship and I want to thank every member of the team for the hard work they have already done this term.
Margaret Johonnett
Headteacher
Monday, 15th September
Early Bird Booster Clubs Start
Autumn Term Afterschool Clubs Start
We are delighted to be partnering again this year with a local charity Voices of Hope who provide 'Brite Boxes'. The Brite box is a recipe meal kit containing all the ingredients and an illustrated recipe guide to enable families to cook a healthy meal.
Year 4 children will be bringing home a leaflet about this scheme today which will start on Friday 26th September. Please look out for an email next week with more information and an opportunity to choose a meat or vegetarian box. The scheme will run for the academic year and boxes are distributed by the school each friday.
Parents and carers of Year 5 and Year 6 pupils - please see the information below regarding the transition to secondary school, which we hope you will find useful.
Further information is available here on the school website Transition to Secondary School
A letter has been sent to you about our new procedure for informing you your child has sought first aid. However, we are aware some emails are not getting through to parents. Therefore, here is a copy of the letter:
As you may be aware, we have trialled a new way of communicating to you that your child has sought first aid at some point during the day. The red wrist band, informing you that your child has had a bump to the head, followed by a phone call, remains the same. However, we trialled the use of a yellow wristband to inform you that your child has sought first aid.
When children seek first aid, there is usually a visible sign, for instance a graze, but sometimes there is not. A sprain, for instance, can swell up later in the day. For this reason, it is really important you are aware if your child has sought first aid, even if nothing is visible. For this reason, we trialled a yellow wristband where the first aider writes the reason for the visit to first aid on the band. In this way, the child's teacher knows exactly what has happened, whether this is a sport's coach or their class teacher, and you also know what has happened. We will then follow up the first aid by messaging you on Arbor.
This trial has been very successful, so I am writing to let you know this will become our permanent method of informing you that your child has sought first aid.
Nursey have welcomed back some existing children and welcomed in some new ones! They have already been making friends with each other.
In their curriculum learning, Nursery went on their first nature walk and collected acorns. They were amazed at how many they found.
Reception greatly enjoyed exploring their new classroom this week. Each group toured the school - the office team were delighted to meet them all!
On Monday it was fun being all together. During a sudden and unexpected rain shower, the children collected as much rain water as they could and mixed it with glitter to make magic potion!
Year 1 greatly enjoyed their transition from Reception and have settled in really well. They familiarised themselves with their new classroom and the big playground! They also loved the Fiddly Fingers activity each morning. Great work!
Year 2 have settled in seamlessly! They were very thoughtful when thinking about the strategies they use to move to the Green zone in the Zones of Regulation.
In the curriculum, they used higher-order science vocabulary to explain the classification of vertebrates and invertebrates, and enjoyed doing observational drawings in art.
Year 3 enjoyed seeing one another after the summer holidays! They, too, have settled in seamlessly and thought about their strategies for regulating their emotions.
In the curriculum, Year 3 have explored the properties of different rocks in science, and investiaged Stone Age artefacts in English.
Year 4 have loved being being back together again. They recapped on all the key knowledge and skills they learned in Year 3 in order to see how this is built upon in Year 4.
In English, they have already started to write their own version of Arthur and the Golden Thread!
Year 4 have loved being being back together again. They recapped on all the key knowledge and skills they learned in Year 3 in order to see how this is built upon in Year 4.
In English, they have already started to write their own version of Arthur and the Golden Thread!
Year 5 are really feeling their growing maturity as they enter upper key-stage 2! They are already using new key vocabulary in their thoughtful responses to questions in class.
In Science, Year 5 have been testing the effectiveness of different materials as insulators, both in keeping things hot and cold. In Art, they enjoyed using multimedia to create self-portraits.
Year 5 are really feeling their growing maturity as they enter upper key-stage 2! They are already using new key vocabulary in their thoughtful responses to questions in class.
In Science, Year 5 have been testing the effectiveness of different materials as insulators, both in keeping things hot and cold. In Art, they enjoyed using multimedia to create self-portraits.
It's been election week in Year 6! The children have embraced the leadership opportunities open to them as they reach the top of their primary school. It was wonderful to hear some of the speeches they so carefully composed.
In English, they began their class read of a book that has engaged our children year on year: Street Child!
It's been election week in Year 6! The children have embraced the leadership opportunities open to them as they reach the top of their primary school. It was wonderful to hear some of the speeches they so carefully composed.
In English, they began their class read of a book that has engaged our children year on year: Street Child!
We are pleased to announce the election of our new Junior Leaders for this academic year! Our Junior Leaders will play a vital role in our school community. They'll be stepping up as role models for their peers, assisting staff with various tasks, and helping to create a positive and supportive environment for everyone.
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. If you are worried about a child, please let one of the team know.
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
Margaret Johonnett
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
Kirsty Ruthven
Designated Governors for Safeguarding and Child Protection