Nechells Virtual Weekly Newsletter Nechells E-ACT Academy

Eliot Street, Nechells, Birmingham, B7 5LBWebsite: www.nechellsacademy.e-act.org.uk email: nechells.info@e-act.org.uk

Twitter: @nechells_prim

w/c Monday 28 September 2020

Reflection Garden Photographs

Dear Parents/Carers

The weeks seem to be flying by this term and we are now at the beginning of October! Over the summer break lots of maintenance work was carried out on site. Our amazing site manager Adrian built a Reflection garden for when pupils require a little calm and quiet time (photographs below). Our new bike shed was also assembled over the summer for staff and pupils who wish to ride to school. A letter with details of the arrangements for pupils who wish to ride to school will be sent home next week.

This week we would like to give a special mention to our Year 6 pupils. They have been completing weekly maths assessments known as our '40 club' and their results have consistently shown improvement week on week with some pupils now scoring 40/40. This is due to their hard work and efforts - they are all our Maths Champions of the

week.

I would like to personally thank the generous families that have donated items for the Harvest festival event (photographs below) and also a reminder that items can still be donated. The items will be collected by the Aston and Nechells foodbank on Monday 05 October 2020.

I would like to wish you all a wonderful weekend and look forward to seeing you at the gates on Monday morning.

Mrs L MahonyHeadteacher

Items donated for Harvest Festival New bike shed

SafeguardingSafeguarding is everyone’s responsibility

Weekly Safeguarding Topic - Criminal Exploitation & Gangs 

Criminal exploitation is child abuse where children and young people are manipulated and coerced into committing crimes.

County lines - County Lines is the police term for gangs exploiting young people into moving drugs from a large city into rural and coastal towns. Children as young as 12 years old have been exploited into carrying drugs for gangs. This can involve children being trafficked away from their home area, staying in accommodation and selling/manufacturing drugs. 

A child or young person might be recruited into a gang because of where they live or because of who their family is. They might join because they don’t see another option or because they feel like they need protection. 

Signs you may notice:

Going missing from home, staying out late and travelling for unexplained reasons. In a relationship or hanging out with someone older than them. Being angry, aggressive or violent or isolated / withdrawn. Having unexplained money and buying new things. Using new slang words. Spending more time on social media and being secretive about time online. Making more calls or sending more texts, possibly on a new phone or phones. Taking drugs and abusing alcohol. Committing crimes like shop lifting or vandalism. Unexplained injuries and refusing to seek medical help. Carrying weapons 

What you can do if you are worried:

Maintain open and honest communication with your children. Emphasising that they can talk to you or other safe adults if they feel worried. 

Ask for support - support can be provided by our safeguarding team, or other agencies can be contacted such as the police (101), Childrens services (1021 303 1888) or NCPCC (0808 800 5000).

Key dates for your diary

05 October: Dyslexia awareness week09 October: #HelloYellow Day – part of the World Mental Health day13 & 15 October: Virtual parents evening23 October: INSET day26 - 30 October: Half-term week02 Nov INSET day09 - 13 November: Anti-Bullying week13 November: Children in Need 14 November: Diwali

Social distancing at school gates

Just a gentle reminder to keep your distance when waiting for your child to come out of school at home time, at the end of booster sessions and afterschool clubs.

#HelloYellow Day

On Friday 09 October it is #HelloYellow Day, which is a day organised by the charity Young Minds.  

The focus this year is ‘Having Fun.’ Nechells academy will be participating by inviting pupils to wear something yellow- could be a hair bobble, yellow socks, hat, or sticker.

Please note will NOT be a non-uniform day.

Virtual Learner Stars of the WeekThese pupils have been chosen by their teachers for their excellent work this week.

Reader of the week Learner of the week Star of the weekReception Ahmed E Rittal EshaalYear 1 Rukia Romero YousafYear 2 Qaasim Arham FarhaanYear 3 Abdirahman Odai MaryamYear 4 Mohammed A Abdulkadir AleenaYear 5 Aleena Saida FahimaYear 6 Aman Lacie-Mai Dindar

The ‘Missing You’ resource is to help you and your child feel connected even when you are apart and supports the ‘Missing You’ video as past of the #youvebeenmissed campaign. Helping you both adjust to a new normal.

ATTACHMENT Due to being in lockdown, families have spent more time together than they normally would; in a time of isolation we have never been more connected to those within our households. At times this could have been straining as we have had to make huge adjustments to how we live, however there have also been many great memories made over this time. Children have experienced social isolation but also an increased time spent with parents and care givers and as a result of this, going back to school may be a lot more difficult for some young children and even the parents.

FEELINGS You and your child may be excited for schools and work to reopen however, it is normal for you or your child to experience fear and worry about going back to school. You may find your child has become clingy or avoids certain conversations / situations that may bring up these feelings. HOW IT WORKS For the video ‘Missing You’, we created fabric hearts to demonstrate the idea that you can give something to your child to help them feel close to you, even when you are apart. You or another significant adult they are worried about being apart from would keep the other heart so that your child also knows you are still connected to them. By doing this it can reduce worries and provide reassurance.

SMELL AND THE BRAIN There are strong links between the sense of smell and memories. Even as babies we can begin to make associations between smell and emotions, this can trigger a number of feelings linked to different people. For example, when a baby is being held in their mother’s arms, they will recognize her smell and this will trigger feelings of comfort, love and security. Your brain will continue to create pathways between particular smells and memories with every new experience you have. For example, the smell of chlorine could take you back to having fun in the summer in a pool, or the smell of grass reminding you of a camping trip. This can have a comforting effect as warm, loving memories are stimulated. With the fabric heart we would recommend spraying them or using oil to give them a smell your child or young person finds comforting. For example, you could use your perfume or aftershave so it smells like you, even a house spray you may use to remind them of home. If you don’t have a fabric heart or star around the house, the good news is you can use any small appropriate object from around the home that they would be allowed to have with them. Some examples:

A piece from a game you play together. A heart or star (or favourite shape) made from paper with each other’s names on A special key ring (age dependent) Scrunchie or band to have on wrist

Be as creative as you want! As long as it means something to you and your child. To make your own Stars / Hearts from scrap fabric see: https://cottageatthecrossroads.com/easy-to-make-fabric-hearts/ For more information and resources please check out https://bwc.nhs.uk/youve-been-missed