NEWSLETTER

December 2020 Head Teacher: Mrs Sharon Hillyard

Tel: 02476 316 034 Trenance Rd, Exhall, Coventry, CV7 9FJ

Download our app:

We have reached the end of the very unusual and challenging Autumn Term. Well done to all our children

and staff for their resilience and perseverance.

We hope everyone has a lovely and safe holiday and the children come back on

Thursday 7th January 2021 refreshed and ready for a

busy and exciting Spring Term.

Stay safe and look after each other.

Our children have been hard at work on their Christmas performances.

They are now available on-line. Please visit our website to watch them:

https://www.exhallcedars.org/news/

Please also take a moment to leave us some comments to help us

improve for next time! Thank you.

Feedback on Christmas Performances

End of term!

Christmas Performances

https://www.exhallcedars.org/news/https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=-hEVTLm6ekOhnanlPyn9sIE4WSn10PJBg9UCkozVgM9UNUVHVjNBN1hDMUJQSDVKTDIwRkVMRUZRUi4u

Each week Jo-Jo the school bear helps the children to think about and use one of our school values during their learning that week.

Our school Motto is:

"Learning & Growing Together"

with the underpinning values of supporting our children to become:

1. Resilient 2. Good Communicators

3. Curious 4. Risk-Takers

5. Able to Persevere 6. Collaborative

7. Reflective

Each week the Class Teachers will select pupils who have demonstrated the 'Value of the Week' a number of times over the week in their

learning. These children are then awarded a leaf which goes onto our Tree of Growth in the hall for all to see.

They will also bring home a copy of their leaf so that you too can

celebrate at home with them, as well as being mentioned on a weekly Schudio Post!

Our School Values & The Tree of Growth!

World War II Commemorations

Look at our amazing artwork from 11th November 2020!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who took the time to create and donate a shoebox of presents for the Coventry Carriers of Hope.

The enormous amount of shoeboxes were collected,

ready for a Christmas delivery!!

Shoebox donations!

We think you'll agree that the hall is looking really festive thanks to all the hard work of the children in

creating their Christmas Hoops!!

Our Christmas Decorations

Santa’s Grotto!

Christmas Celebrations!

Santa’s Grotto!

Christmas Celebrations!

Trees!

The children used their fine motor skills to dip bubble wrap into paint.

They used the bubble wrap to stamp a tree shape

onto paper.

Some children decided they wanted to turn their tree into a Christmas tree!

Pre-School Art Work!

Mrs Johnson and her team have been hard at work continuing the redesign of our garden in front of the school. This is in memory of her daughter who passed away last year.

The latest stage has seen the removal of the big bushes in the borders, ready for fresh plants in the Spring.

As part of the project, all children in school have planted a crocus bulb and are looking forward to watching them grow in the Spring.

Front of School Garden Project

Pre-School Bulb Planting

Our school council wrote a letter of thanks.

We are committed to bridging the gaps in your child’s learning caused by the Covid Lockdown:

Your children all have access to Remote Learning, though electronic Learning Platforms:

Preschool

Nursery

Reception

Are all using ‘Evidence Me’

Year One and Year Two

Are using Google Classroom.

ALL learning which has been planned each week by the class teacher is available on these platforms.

This means that you can access this to either revisit the learning taking place that day, or if your child is unwell or been asked to isolate, you can be confident that they are

not missing out on any of their education.

You can also contact the class teacher directly who will respond and support any queries you may have.

Remote Learning!

If you want to help your children with their handwriting during the holidays, this is a useful link.

https://www.doorwayonline.org.uk/

NSPCC - Speak Out. Stay Safe Assembly

Our Reception, Y1 and Y2 children have had a virtual assembly last week from the NSPCC on ‘Speak Out. Stay Safe’.

If you would like to know more about the Speak out. Stay safe. programme you can find more information on the NSPCC website www.nspcc.org.uk/speakout Talking PANTS with your children The NSPCC’s work in schools will help encourage conversations about staying safe and they have a number of child-friendly materials to help you carry on the conversation afterwards. The guide uses the rules of PANTS to teach children that their body belongs to them and them alone.

You can find out more and download the free resources at www.nspcc.org.uk/pants.

Childline Under 12’s Website

Childline also have a website with age appropriate advice for primary school chil-dren on topics such as bullying. It also has games and other interactive tools. Your child can visit it at www.childline.org.uk/kids.

Handwriting Practice / Correct Formation!

https://www.doorwayonline.org.uk/http://www.nspcc.org.uk/speakouthttp://www.nspcc.org.uk/pantshttp://www.childline.org.uk/kids

OVER THE HOLIDAYS PLEASE REPORT ALL COVID TESTS THAT ARE BE-ING TAKEN, ALONG WITH THE RESULT ONCE IT HAS BEEN RECEIVED.

So that we can inform ALL those affected by a POSITIVE TEST RESULT before our return on January 7th, please use our OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS TEXTING

SERVICE

Please leave a TEXT MESSAGE ONLY (NO voicemail) on 077 68 44 75 15 with the following details :

Child's FULL name

Child's class Date of test

Response: POSITIVE / NEGATIVE Date of Response

Date of ONSET of SYMPTOMS

THIS SERVICE IS FOR REPORTING ON COVID TEST RESULTS ONLY

all other issues should be emailed to school admin as usual on admin2635@welearn365.com

COVID testing reporting over the holidays

The Warwickshire Family Information Service (FIS) is a great source of information and is brilliant for pointing you in the right

direction if you need help.

https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fis They have a Facebook page too:

https://www.facebook.com/WarwickshireFIS

Here are their latest newsletters:

8th December 2020

1st December 2020

Click to open December Briefing Information—this has useful contact numbers and websites

Family Information Service

mailto:admin2635@welearn365.comhttps://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fishttps://www.facebook.com/WarwickshireFIShttps://mailchi.mp/warwickshire/family-information-service-newsletter-1193248?e=37bb43b802https://mailchi.mp/warwickshire/family-information-service-newsletter-1193152?e=37bb43b802http://www.exhallcedars.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2020/12/Briefing-for-families-December-2020.pdf

Your child’s regular attendance is our shared priority.

Poor attendance has a negative impact on your child’s education!

Please contact the school office by 10am on the first day of your child’s

absence providing one of the following reasons: 1. Illness due to positive test for COVID-19

2. Self-isolating due to COVID-19 symptoms 3. Other (give specific symptoms)

Attendance!

School office information!

Class attendance—Autumn 2!

All classes have improved their attendance since last half term. Well done everyone!

Bluebell - 93.0% Poppy - 91.2% Daffodil - 94.1% Rose - 95.8%

Buttercup - 96.0% Sunflower - 88.8%

Daisy - 96.9% Foxglove - 93.6%

If you child is due to move into Year 3 in September 2021, you should have received a letter from Warwickshire County Council

explaining how to apply. Visit their website at:

https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/applying-junior-school-place

The closing date is 15th January 2021.

Our partner school is St Giles Junior. Their website is: https://www.stgilesjunior.org.uk/

They have a virtual tour on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9dWN5kHC3g

If you have any questions about St Giles, please call their School Office on 02476 313375

Admissions to Junior school Y3—Sept 2021

Admissions to Reception—September 2021

If your child is due to start Reception in September 2021, you should have received a letter from

Warwickshire Admissions explaining how to apply.

Visit their website at: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/applying-school-place-reception

The closing date is 15th January 2021.

We have a virtual tour on our website:

https://www.exhallcedars.org/virtual-tour/

If you have any questions about Exhall Cedars, please call our School Office on 02476 316034

https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/applying-junior-school-placehttps://www.stgilesjunior.org.uk/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9dWN5kHC3ghttps://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/applying-school-place-receptionhttps://www.exhallcedars.org/virtual-tour/

Leave of absence!

School office information!

The Supreme Court recently reached a decision in the case of Platt v Isle of Wight Council which

has clarified the law on unauthorised leave, including holidays, during term time. The parents of

children of compulsory school age are required to ensure that they attend school on a regular ba-

sis. The Supreme Court has made clear that attending school ‘regularly’ means that the children

must attend school on every day that they are required to do so. As such, the parents of any child

who is absent from school without authorisation for any length of time are likely to be considered

as committing an offence under s444 of the Education Act 1996.

Head Teachers retain the ability to authorise leave in accordance with the Education (Pupil Reg-

istration) (England) Regulations 2006. When considering such requests for a leave of absence,

the school are obliged to act within the law. Head Teachers may not grant any leave of absence

during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances relating to the application. If the

leave is granted, head teachers are able to determine the number of school days a child can be

absent for.

It is for the Head Teacher to decide what is ‘exceptional’ and it is at their discretion if the circum-

stances warrant the leave to be granted. The school can only consider Leave of Absence re-

quests which are made by the ‘resident’ parent.

Each application for a leave of absence will be considered on a case by case basis and on its

own merits.

Where applications for leave of absence are made in advance and refused, the child will be re-

quired to be in school on the dates set out in the application. If the child is absent during that peri-

od, it will be recorded as an unauthorised absence, which may result in legal action being taken

against the parent(s), by way of a Fixed Penalty Notice.

Failure to make an application for leave in advance can also result in a Fixed Penalty Notice be-

ing issued to the parent(s).All matters of unauthorised absence relating to a Leave of Absence

will be referred to the Warwickshire Attendance Service, part of Warwickshire County Council.

It is important to note, Fixed Penalty Notices are issued to each parent of each absent

child, (for example 2 children and 2 parents, means each parent will receive 2 invoices in the

amount of £120 each, totalling £240 for both children, this is reduced to £60 per child if paid with-

in 21 days).

Where a Fixed Penalty Notice is not paid within the required timeframe as set out on the notice,

the matter will be referred to Warwickshire County Council’s Legal Services to consider instigat-

ing criminal proceedings under S444 Education Act 1996. Fixed Penalty Notices are issued in

accordance with Warwickshire County Council’s Code of Conduct for Penalty Notices.

Your child’s progress academically as well as socially is our shared priority

Warwickshire School pupils recorded 31,196 half day sessions of absence due to holiday in the Autumn

term 2019.

When we previously closed earlier in the year, due to Covid, all parents eligible for FSM received a weekly food voucher.

If we were to go back into Lockdown again due to Covid the

Government may repeat this! So apply for your FSM eligibility now - just in case!

Also, all new approved applications confirmed before 21/01/2021 will also receive a £50 Voucher and free school milk!!

Apply today and check your eligibility!!

https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/education-learning/apply-free-school-meals

Free School Meals!

Additional funding!

https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/education-learning/apply-free-school-mealshttps://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/education-learning/apply-free-school-meals

New Menu from Educateres!

New Menu from Educateres!

Diary Dates!

DATE WHAT’S ON

January

4th—6th School Closed—Teacher Training Days

February

15th—19th Half Term Holiday

March

16th Class Photographs

April

2nd-16th Easter Holidays

May

3rd School Closed—Bank Holiday

6th School Closed—Polling Day

31st—4th June Half Term Holiday

June

11th “Road to the Tokyo Olympics” Workshop

July

7th Warwickshire Induction Day

21st Last Day of Summer Term