The Buzz

Dear Parents/Carers

What excitement we had this week! The inter-house competitions are always very popular and hugely thrilling for the children to watch and participate in but the dodgeball competition this week was particularly popular and drew huge crowds even in the drizzle. We still have a few more rounds to play so will be announcing the winner in the next couple of weeks (see below).

At the end of last week we ran our safer inside drill for pupils, this ran smoothly and I was hugely impressed by the maturity of the children - well done.

I'd like to appeal to all parents to check your child's pencil case and to restock it with the essential items they need for their school day. They need to be restocked at least once a term and it really does impact their ability to complete their work if they don't have all the resources they need. Whilst each class has a small supply, it's not enough for all children.

As you know, we are always looking to improve the experience that children have at school. Following feedback from the children, we have been looking at how lunchtime works; particularly focusing on the dining room at the moment. As a result we have made a couple of changes. The children will be lining up and going into the dining room more quickly which is very popular with them as there is less time waiting. In addition, all children will need to take responsibility for coming to the dining room when they are called to have their lunch as we will not be going to search for them if they have failed to arrive. They will, of course, be able to have lunch if they are late to the dining room but it is their responsibility to go. Please reinforce this message at home.

A big thank you to those parents who have paid the HPP voluntary contribution on Parentpay. It is £10 per child per term and makes a huge difference to the educational opportunities we can provide for the children. If you are able to pay this contribution we would be very grateful. The staff of HJS work incredibly hard to plan and deliver an engaging curriculum whilst including additional enrichment activities for the children They are always child-centred in their decisions and I am proud to lead a school where this is the case.

Finally, don't forget Red Nose Day tomorrow. It is a non-uniform day. Children may come to school wearing something red but as before, no football kits, make up, cropped tops or high heals. If you wish to donate the link is below.

Ms Helen Lockey

Each month the school will focus on a different principle. This month's is:

3M - Philippos Chatzis Drakoulis

3E - Cleo Tagg

3S - Henry Why

3T - Aletta Harris

4W - Alex Wright

4S - Arthur Bridges

4P - Lana Askew

4B - Nadar Ahmad

5B - Artie Hill

5H - Tomi Oludemi

5N - Emelia Jones

6C - Jake Butler

6GK - Dylan Cotton

6C - Finley-Jack Garner

6G - Jake Inanc

The school council behaviour award is given to one child in each year group by a member of the school council for their outstanding behaviour and positive attitude towards learning. Last week's winners are:

Year 3 - Freya Gill

Year 4 -Luke Runc

Year 5 - Prisvin Maryathash

Year 6 - Emma Hornibrook

Details of last week's achievers will come out in next week's edition of "The Buzz".

The class with the best attendance last week is 3S

The class with the least numbers of lates last week is 6C

We are having an increasing number of children being taken out during the day for medical/dental appointments. It is not only disruptive to your child's learning but it also disrupts the office as they have to collect the children from class. As per our attendance policy (see below) medical/dental appointments should be arranged after school hours.

If you do need to take your child out of school to attend an emergency appointment, please ensure you give the office sufficient notice and supply them with a copy of your appointment notification. We would also request that your refrain from collecting your child during break times or lunch time as it is particularly difficult to find your child during these times.

Please ensure that you sign up to either a virtual or in person appointment (via the below button). Appointment bookings will close tomorrow (Friday 17th March) so please ensure you sign up to avoid disappointment.

Please can you ensure your child comes to school with everything they need for the day (water bottle, lunch box, after school clubwear). The office are happy to pass on any item received into the office before 10am in the morning but after this time they will not be taken to the classroom and your child will need to collect them from the office which may be at the end of the day.

Please may I remind you all that fizzy drinks and chocolate are not part of a healthy lunch and as such should not be brought into school.

PC Claydon visited Year 6 children to teach them about the importance of internet safety. Ensuring the children are engaging appropriately on line is always a concern for parents and for the school. Thank you for your support and vigilence in this matter.

The spring inter-house finals are underway! Last week each year group had a dodgeball tournament between the houses in an attempt to claim the coveted inter-house cup! The finals will take place over the coming weeks and the following teams have made it to the last round:

Year 3: Hampton Vs Thames

Year 4: Tudor Vs Thames

Year 5: Hampton Vs Bushy

Year 6: Bushy Vs Thames

Good luck to all the finalists! Many thanks to all who have participated and a huge thank you to the house captains for helping ensure a fun and exciting event for all.

Still unbeaten! The HJS boys football team are yet again showing great promise by putting on a fantastic performance against Buckingham. The team showed great patience in the first half, maintaining possession on the ball and finishing the first half 3-0 up. In the second half, they started to show their dominance by playing some fantastic football. Some great team build up play led to some well taken goals. The game finished 7-0 to HJS. Onwards and upwards from here!

Thank you to the team from Onside and Mr Graves.

We will be participating in the UKs biggest inter-school walking, wheeling, scooting and cycling active travel challenge.

The Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel takes place 20-31 March, and it inspires pupils to make active journeys to school, improve air quality in their neighbourhood and discover how these changes benefit their world.

The competition has been running since 2010 and sees schools compete on each day of the challenge to make the most journeys by walking, wheeling, scooting and cycling.

Not only does the event help reduce pollution around the school gates but in 2019 it helped parents to save an estimated £1.6million in petrol costs during the fortnight.

Sustrans is a charity that aims to make walking, wheeling and cycling easier, and is delivering the challenge in partnership with Schwalbe.

Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel is open to all primary and secondary schools in the UK, including SEN/ASN/ALN schools, with prizes to be won every day.

Free resources are available to encourage pupils to help reduce air pollution and learn about the benefits of active travel for themselves, their school, their neighbourhood, and the whole planet.

School gate pollution

Did you know, more than 2 million active journeys to 1,519 participating schools took place during the 2022 challenge, saving 1,335 tonnes of CO2 and 2,984kg NOx emissions if the journeys logged had otherwise been made by car.

In a YouGov survey in 2021 half (49%) of UK school pupils said they were worried about air pollution near their school, while 57% of pupils described the environment around their school as having too many cars.

Teachers also find that pupils who walk, wheel, scoot or cycle arrive at school more relaxed, alert and ready to start the day than those who travel by car. Active travel can also help reduce anxiety, depression.

Bookings have opened for the Easter 2023 FUEL Holiday Activity and Food programme!

FUEL provides free activities for children whose parents are eligible for benefits- related Free School Meals during the Easter, Summer and Winter school holidays.

If a child is eligible, you should have been given a 17 digit FUEL code either from your child’s school or us.

If you think a child may be eligible but you have not got a code, email the FUEL team at: fuel@achievingforchildren.org.uk.

If you have got a code, you can book on to sessions now: https://kr.afcinfo.org.uk/pages/community-information/information-and-advice/fuel-holiday-activities-and-food-programme

From the FUEL Team.

Email: office.hjs@hpp.school
Website: hpp.school
Location: Hampton Junior School, Percy Road, Hampton, UK
Phone: 020 8979 2545
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HamptonJuniorSchool