Newsletter 11

27th November 2020

01983 857449

www.stfrancisventnor.co.uk

Dear Families,

It is almost here! We are moving rapidly towards the festive season, and I for one can

not wait. I am looking forward to the start of Advent, which signifies a special time for

our Academy but also an exciting one for the children. We have several plans that we

are trying to finalise for the festive season and we will inform you as soon as we can.

This week the children have all showed a significant amount of courage and resilience

taking their assessments. This part of the year is an important one which prepares the

children for the statutory tests they have to take in Year 1, 2, 4 and 6. I am incredibly

proud of their efforts this week.

We have also had our Art and Design afternoon where the children explored the works

of Vincent van Gogh and Archimboldo. The children produced some amazing pieces

of work, please check out some of the examples on our Facebook page. This was also

part of our catch up curriculum allowing the children to learn key skills they missed last

year.

Dina Asher-Smith and David Attenborough class took part in a project in conjunction

with Winchester Science Centre. The children had a virtual Q&A session with Steve

Markham. Steve is an automotive engineer and gave the children an informative insight

into what he does on a daily basis. Hopefully the session will have inspired a few children

to think about careers in this industry.

A letter has been sent out regarding the Year 6 residential. An information evening will

be held in January explaining more about the details of the trip. Please let the office

know if you have not received it.

We will ask children, staff, and families to ponder bigger questions through our thought

for the week. We ask that you spend some time with your child talking about these

questions. Our first question for you to muse over is:

Can kindness change the world?

I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the rugby!

Mr Augustus

Beatrix Potter Class

This week in Beatrix Potter class we have been enjoying a slightly more relaxed time after the mayhem that was caused by out two visiting dinosaur friends the other week. If you see them about can you, please ask them to leave our train alone.

Traditional Tales has formed the basis of our learning with classics such as The Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and The Gingerbread Man inspiring some creative writing, artworks and construction. The vast array of bridges the children designed, built and tested to help save the Gingerbread Man’s little brother from the fox were some of my favourites although we do keep getting lots of letters tand pictures to send back to the Three Bears after they so kindly wrote back to us. Our Gingerbread creation managed to survive their time in the oven but sadly did not spring to life and head off on their own adventure. On the other hand, they are now ready and waiting to be decorated and join the many other fantastic pieces which will be adorning the Christmas Tree at St Catherine’s. This term has seen our children make great leaps forward in both their reading and number knowledge. I would personally like to thank all your hard work at home parents as this would not have been possible without your continued support both with reading and getting logged onto Doodle Maths. The children keep reminding us all in class of our special chant “the more you read the easier it is, the easier it is the more you enjoy it, the more you enjoy it the more you read, the more you read…” and it’s starting to come true for lots of them. Beatrix Potter are still top of the school in the Doodle class rankings, but we know there are lots of classes hot on our heals so keep up the great work.

Important dates and events

Wednersday, 2nd December - Flu Immunisation Wednesday, 16th December - KS2 Advent Service Thursday, 17th December - KS1 Christmas Production Friday , 18th December - Reception & Years 1 & 2 Christmas Dinner Day Monday, 21st December - Years 4 & 5 Christmas Dinner Day Tuesday, 22nd December - Years 3 & 6 Christmas Dinner Day Wednesday, 23rd December - Friday, 1st January - half term Monday 4th January - Return to school Monday, 1st February - Pantomime Wednesday, 10th February - Friday, 12th February - YR2 & Y6 SATs Monday, 15th February - Friday, 19th February - half term Monday, 8th March - Friday, 12th March - NFER & SATs week Monday, 15th March - Thursday, 18th March - Parent/Teacher Meetings Monday, 22nd March - Friday, 26th March - Holy Week Monday, 29th March - Friday, 9th April - Half term Wednesday, 28th April - Friday, 30th April - PGL Residential trip Monday, 3rd May - Bank Holiday Monday, 10th May - Friday, 14th May - SATs KS2 Monday, 17th May - Friday, 21st May - NFER testing week Monday, 24th May - Friday, 4th June - Half term Monday, 7th June - Friday, 11th June - Phonics Check Thursday, 1st July - Sports Day Tuesday, 6th July - Friday, 9th July - Calshot Residential Trip Tuesday, 13th July - Wednesday, 14th July - Transition Days Friday, 23rd July - Leavers Assembly

After School Sports Clubs

There are spaces in Tuesdays Club for Year 4 & 5, 3.00—4.00 and Wednesdays for Year 6, 2.50—3.50.

Please contact the office if you would like to sign up to the Clubs.

Christmas Dinner

Monday is the last day to order your child’s Christmas dinner

The children may wear their Christmas jumper for the last 3 days of term 18th, 21st and 22nd December.

Flu Immunisations

Please return your child’s Flu

immunisation consent forms by Monday,

these need to be returned even if your

child is not having the immunisation , so

their medical records can be update.

Covid 19 Updates

Only 1 person is allowed in the office reception area at a time.

Face coverings must be worn in the office reception area and hands sanitised.

If you need to speak to a remember of staff please wear a face covering and social distance.

Menu Change

There will be sausage baguettes on

Thursday instead of Bacon.

.

Dear Schools

We would like to thank you very much indeed for your support of Mountbatten during this very challenging year! It has been a strange one for us all, least of all our Island children, who have shown amazing resilience and adaptability (as have their teachers and school staff!!)

We have created a ‘Letter from Father Christmas’ fundraiser that celebrates just that, asking parents or teachers to let the man himself know what children have coped with well this year or what they are proud of. All funds raised go to help care for Island patients and their families. As some of you may know, we provide Children’s Services and bereavement sessions and will be running our Schools Project again, once we are able.

Please would pass this link onto your parents and any teachers who may want to create a letter for their class https://www.mountbatten.org.uk/letter-from-father-christmas .

For other ways to give this Christmas, visit https://www.mountbatten.org.uk/Listing/Category/christmas-2020 .

Thank you once again for all your support, kindness and thoughts throughout 2020. It really, truly does make a difference.

Everyone at Mountbatten wishes you all the very best as we head into this festive season.

Braclet found in car park, now

in the office.

Speech and language parent carer forum

The Schools Speech and Language Support Team want to work more closely with parents and would really love your input. Our next parent/carer forum will be taking place virtually on Tuesday 8th December and will be focussing on planning a free training workshop for parents and carers that will be delivered later this year. The forum is open to all parents and carers (your child does not have to be open to the speech and language therapy caseload or have identified speech and language needs). If you would like to be involved in this event or contribute to the parent forum please get in touch at schoolsSLST@iow.gov.uk

Road Closure

We have received advanced notification from Island Roads that on Thursday 10th, Friday 11th and Saturday 12th Newport Road will be closed from Ocean View chip shop to Down Lane to assist re-surfacing of Steephill Down Road. The road is scheduled to be closed from 9.30am to 4.00pm.

We have queried this with Island Roads and they have come back to say that the footpath will be open at all times and there will be some vehicle access permitted for local residents however there is likely to be delays as it will have to fit in with movement of vehicles and machinery. Buses will not be allowed through. The academy will contact the taxi company/ school transport.

Works are always subject to delay due to the weather.

Congratulations to Georgia

Seaward who shared Hot

Chocolate with Mr Augustus

today. Georgia earnt

this for always showing the

Academy values.

Well done to our Academy “Stars of the Week”

Reuben Saunders

Phoenix Booth Amira Miah

Alice Churches

Elivia Fairhurst Cerys Bishop

Oliwia Bell

Zzahra Gouairat Bethany Webb