Dear Parents and Carers,

 

We have already had 5 weeks of the Autumn Term which seems amazing and this week has been another brilliant week full of learning and enjoyment.

 

Firstly, a massive thank you to everyone who donated to the Harvest Food Bank Appeal.  There is a very large amount of food and other essential items at the front of the school hall.  We have invited a representative from the Bognor Regis Food Bank to come into school to receive it all.  

 

We held our second Community Circle meeting this afternoon.  All the children met together in their Houses to elect their House Captains and Sports Captains.  It was amazing to see over half of the Year 6 children wanting to be elected.  Many of them were very much out of their comfort zone as they gave their elections speeches.  Congratulations to all of those who stood for election. 

Our new House Captains are: St. Andrew – Khia and Charlie; St David – Robyn and Jazmin; St. George – Sophie and Ellie; St. Patrick – Lucy and Declan.  

Our new Sports Captains are: St. Andrew – Ashton and James; St. David – Ava and Jayden; St. George – Michael and Lilly; St. Patrick – Frazer and Melissa.

Two our of school values – Community and Wisdom – were very much in action this afternoon.  The children really enjoy the feeling of community when they meet together in their Houses and they all needed to make wise choices as they casted their votes.  We strongly believe in the power of ‘Pupil Voice’ and that was clearly heard today!

 

The children in Portchester, Pevensey and Southsea Classes had a fantastic time learning so much about rocks at the beginning of the week.  Well done and thank you to everyone who either took part in or donated towards the sponsored run, which raised enough money to cover the whole cost of the two-day workshops.

 

The school is holding two Open Mornings for next year’s EYFS intake on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th October.  Attached to this letter is a flyer for this event.  We already have 29 families booked in.  Please spread the word to any young families you know who are looking at primary school options for next year.  The Year 6 children have been asked if they would like to volunteer to act as Tour Guides.  If you are a parent/carer who is happy to let your Year 6 child take on this role on the Saturday Open Morning, please email confirmation to office2@yaptonschool.org.  There is also a consent form which needs to be completed and returned to school.  This is attached to this letter.

 

Thank you to those of you who have ordered your tickets for the Young Voices concert in January 2022.  These have now been ordered.  Special commemorative T-Shirt packs have also been ordered for all the children who are taking part.  A special note of thanks must be given to the members of the School Young Voices Choir.  Coming into school twice a week at 8 o’clock in the morning to learn a long list of songs is no mean feat!

 

Speaking of early morning starts, there are still lots of spaces for children in Years 1 and 2 to join the Multi-Skills Club before school on a Tuesday morning.  The children would have the chance to enjoy taking part in lots of different activities and challenges.  If you would like your child to take part, please ask the class teacher for a permission slip.

 

The children in Camber Class enjoyed their time with Stuart, our Forest School Leader, this week.  Every class is going to be able to enjoy a whole day of outdoor learning with Stuart each term.  The Forest School timetable is attached to this letter.  On their Forest School day, the children need to wear clothes and footwear that are suitable and appropriate for being outside all day, whatever the weather!

 

Last week the children were reminded that the P.E. kit uniform includes a white round neck t-shirt (either plain or with the school badge).  This week quite a few children have also been reminded that they do not need to wear a hoody or tracksuit top, as another part of the school P.E. kit uniform is the school jumper or cardigan.  It would be great to see everyone in the correct P.E. kit next week!

 

The Year 6 children will take part in the Bikeability training later in the school year.  Some children are choosing to ride their bikes to school now.  This is fine.  However, please can we encourage you to make sure they are wearing cycle helmets.  Also a couple of ‘near misses’ have been reported to the school in the past few days.  Please make sure the children ride their bikes safely to and from school.

 

There are a couple of job vacancies at our school.  One is a temporary Additional Needs Support Assistant (10 hours a week) and the other is for a permanent Midday Meals Supervisor (7.5 hours a week).  If you are interested in applying for either or both of these roles, please follow this link https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/jobs/school-jobs/.  Select the Support Staff and Primary School options and details of these opportunities will be listed.

 

You may have noticed this week’s letter hasn’t been sent by Mrs Huggett.  This is because she underwent eye surgery today.  I am sure we all wish her a speedy recovery.  We hope to see her back at school on Tuesday next week.

Whatever you are doing this weekend, have a safe and enjoyable time.

 

Take care

Chris Hughes

Deputy Headteacher