Newsletter

Dear Families,

What a busy start to the half-term. January can always seem like a long month with shorter daytimes, but I am glad to see that the mornings and evenings are starting to get slightly brighter as we head into March. Remember to check our website for cost of living support https://www.southwarkparkschool.co.uk/Cost-of-Living-Support as well as speaking to Emma Bushnell or Mrs Foreman if you are in urgent need of advice or support.

This term is a short but busy one with teachers working hard to fit in an exciting and challenging curriculum. So far, I have been shown some amazing writing from across the whole school including diary entries from Year 5 written in the perspective of children moved out of London, away from their families during the Blitz.

We were so pleased to see the number of parents at the workshop for Safer Internet Day. This was an extremely important workshop with a number of strategies shared to help keep you and your children stay safe online.

Don’t forget to scroll down and look at all the wonderful work that is happening in Southwark Park Primary at the moment as well as some important and useful information.

Kind Regards,

Mr Vernalls

Thank you to all the parents that attended the Safer Internet workshop. The school organized a parent workshop aimed at equipping parents with the knowledge and tools necessary to support their children in navigating the digital landscape safely and responsibly. The workshop provided a valuable platform for parents to engage in discussions surrounding the risks and benefits of technology and social media use among children. Through informative presentations and interactive activities, parents gained insight into the importance of establishing healthy digital habits and fostering open communication with their children about online experiences. The workshop emphasised the significance of parental involvement in guiding children's online behavior and promoting positive digital citizenship.

During the workshop, parents received practical tips and strategies to help keep their children safe online, including:

1. Establishing clear rules and boundaries regarding screen time and internet usage.
2. Educating children about the importance of privacy and the potential risks of sharing personal information online.
3. Monitoring children's online activities and maintaining open communication to address any concerns or issues that may arise.
4. Encouraging the use of privacy settings and parental controls on devices and social media platforms.
5. Leading by example by demonstrating responsible and respectful online behavior and modeling healthy tech habits for children to emulate.

By empowering parents with the knowledge and resources to support their children in navigating the digital world safely, the workshop played a crucial role in promoting a safer and more positive online experience for families.

After months of writing and composing, we have a school song! During singing assembly, the children have been practicing the song and the hand movements to accompany the words. The children are sounding great and you can hear children humming the tune at various points throughout the day. The choir has been practicing the school song and have done their first recording that you can hear below.

You can see the words and hear the first recording below. We would like to thank Ms. Giudes for her work on writing the song, and we would also to thank Mr. Whitehouse for composing the music to accompany the words.

In the design and technology lessons of Year 2, young minds transformed into budding artists as they embarked on the creative journey of designing and sewing their own puppets. With needles in hand, the children eagerly started the process, sketching out their puppet with precision. Guided by their teachers, they selected fabrics, considering textures and colors to bring their creations to life. With steady hands, they threaded needles through fabric, stitching together each piece with care and attention to detail. As the final stitches were made and the last embellishments added, the classroom buzzed with excitement and pride, showcasing a colorful array of unique and charming puppets they have crafted. Below is the picture of the children and how proud they are of their wonderful work!

Over the holidays, it is important that children maintain good reading habits. Your child should either be read to (including KS2 children) or should be reading independently everyday. If you are not able to get out of the house and borrow books from your local library, you can check out books digitally using the card numbers and passwords below.

Borrowing a book digitally is so easy! All you need to do is follow the link, search for a book that looks interesting, click borrow and enter your class details. Happy reading everyone!

During Children's Mental Health Week, the school came together to prioritise emotional well-being and foster a supportive environment for all students. Workshops and activities were organised to empower children with tools to navigate their feelings and develop strategies for maintaining positive mental health. Through engaging discussions and interactive exercises, students learned the importance of recognizing and acknowledging their emotions, as well as the significance of seeking support when needed. They explored techniques such as mindfulness and relaxation exercises, equipping them with coping mechanisms to manage stress and anxiety effectively. By fostering an open dialogue surrounding mental health, children discovered the power of self-awareness and resilience, laying the foundation for a healthier relationship with themselves and others.

As Children's Mental Health Week drew to a close, the school community celebrated with a vibrant dress-up day dedicated to expressing individuality and promoting mental health awareness. Students adorned themselves in an array of colorful costumes, each outfit serving as a testament to their unique personalities and experiences. Through this collective display of creativity and self-expression, children demonstrated their commitment to breaking down stigmas surrounding mental health and embracing the importance of self-care and authenticity. The dress-up day served as a reminder that it's okay to be loud, to be seen, and to express oneself fully, fostering a culture of acceptance and support within the school community.

February was LGBTQ+ month. As a school, the children learned about influential people in the Maths and Sciences that are part of the community. The aim of our teaching is to ensure children have an understanding that people come from different backgrounds and have different families. This supports wellbeing and ensures that we as British Citizens understand and practice the British Values of Tolerance and Respect. Through this teaching children are able to gain the knowledge and understanding that is required to be tolerant and respectful citizens.

Our main teaching was based on the understanding of different family structures and the meaning of different vocabulary that children come across through social media, in their community, and on television. Below is the statutory guidance that schools follow when teaching:

In teaching Relationships Education and RSE, schools should ensure that the needs of all pupils are appropriately met, and that all pupils understand the importance of equality and respect. Schools must ensure that they comply with the relevant provisions of the Equality Act 2010 and The Equality Act 2010: advice for schools, under which sexual orientation and gender reassignment are amongst the protected characteristics.

We know that this winter may be a difficult time for families because of the increased prices in shops and energy costs. If you are finding it difficult to make ends meet, please follow the link below to our school website where there are many links to resources from the council and other charities that may help you and your family at this time.

If you need any support during this time, please speak to Emma or Ms. Foreman who may be able to help direct you to the best resources.

The skipping workshop held in January was a success, echoing with laughter and the rhythmic thud of jump ropes hitting the ground. This was part of a whole school effort to show how children regular exercise is important with improving our mental health. Children of all ages eagerly participated, their faces lit up with excitement as they learned various skipping techniques and tricks. Under the guidance of enthusiastic instructors, they practiced single jumps, double Dutch, and even attempted more advanced moves like crisscrosses and side swings. The atmosphere buzzed with energy and camaraderie as the children encouraged each other to master new skills, forming bonds and friendships through the shared joy of skipping.

Beyond the sheer enjoyment, the workshop also underscored the numerous health benefits associated with skipping rope. As the children gleefully jumped and twirled their ropes, they engaged in a full-body workout that improved cardiovascular health, coordination, and endurance. Skipping rope is an excellent form of aerobic exercise, helping to strengthen the heart and lungs while burning calories and improving overall fitness levels. Additionally, the rhythmic motion of skipping promotes balance and agility, enhancing motor skills and reflexes. As the workshop came to a close, it was evident that the children not only had a blast but also gained invaluable lessons in the importance of staying active and healthy.

Remember to checkout our school calendar on our webpage to see all the upcoming events and special dates for children. Please let a member of staff know if you have any questions!