Dear Parents and Carers,

We have arrived at the half term break! Can you believe we are half way through the school year?! During today’s INSET Day, the teachers have been writing the mid-year academic progress reports for the children in their classes. These will be sent home on Friday 1st March.

Children’s Mental Health Week

As mentioned in last week’s letter, this week has been Children’s Mental Health Week. The theme of ‘Your Voice Matters’ was explored in Tuesday’s whole school worship. The children reminded themselves of the message behind last week’s story of ‘Only One You’ before watching a medley of songs from the film ‘Sing 2.’ The challenge was not to join in. Slowly, but surely, the children couldn’t resist joining in with the singing. It was only when Billy – one of Year 6 children – was brave enough to stand and and start dancing that all the children in the hall experienced the joy of fully letting go and expressing their feelings through singing and dancing. The children then thought about the bible verse ‘So God created mankind in is own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them’ (Genesis 1:27). If we are created by God the creator, it will be enough for us to be the best we can be. If you would like to try the ‘not joining in challenge’, follow this link

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Inter-House Geography Challenge

Thank you for encouraging and supporting your children in readiness for the Inter-House Geography Challenge. The results were revealed yesterday. Before the winning house was announced, a special ‘Well done for getting 100% in your challenge’ mention was given to these children:

• EYFS – Cassandra and Otis

• Year 1 – Isla B, Noah, Emilia, Naira, Oliver F, Alex, Isla C, Oscar, Abigail, Antek, Sviatoslav and Logan

• Year 2 – Ethan, Flynn, Tommy, Ethan, Betty, Megan, Jake, Reggie and Austin

• Year 3 – Arlo, Julia, Julian, Ruby, Peyton, Callum, Allanah and Lily-Rose

• Year 4 – Nihal, Bani and Maisie

• Year 6 – Edgar, Isla, Harry, Molly, Jess, Lilli, Austin, Freddy, Summer and Chloe

  Congratulations to these children. Well done also to St. David’s House who collectively gained the most merits to retain the winning trophy for the second year! Thank you Miss Parsons (our Geography Lead) for organising this.

  Hooks into Learning

  Next half term will start with some new amazing hooks into the children’s learning. Please find attached the learning hooks for your children’s classes.

  Supporting the Children’s Learning

  The half way point of the school year has provided an ideal opportunity for the Senior Leadership Team to review the support staffing arrangements in the school with the needs of the children in mind. After half term, the children may see different members of our teaching assistant team in their classrooms in the mornings and the afternoons. This re-energised approach ensures the needs of our children are being met.

  Reindeer Run Fundraising

  It seems a long time ago when the children wore their Christmas jumpers, antlers and red noses whilst completing the Daily Mile in aid of Chestnut Tree House. This week, we received a letter of thanks from the charity letting us know the children managed to raise a brilliant £1,273.76. Well done everybody!

  Half Term Activities

  If you are looking for something to do over the half term break, Arundel Museum is running some workshops to keep fingers and minds busy. Have a look at their website

  for more details.

  Also, information regarding support for families with children entitled to free school meals along with which outlets are offering kids meals for free or £1 is attached.

  Chichester Corporate Challenge

  If you feel inspired to be part of the school’s grown-up team and take part in the Chichester Corporate Challenge, please use this online form. When completing the form, please select the senior race, add your required personal details, add the team name ‘Yapton School’.

Bikes and Scooters

It has been brought to our attention by different people that some of the children who ride their bikes and scooters to and from school are not keeping themselves safe – for example by weaving in and out of the road without any or attention to other road users. Drivers have had to brake quite suddenly as the children have swerved into the roads without looking. The last thing we want to hear is that someone has got seriously hurt. If your child rides their bike or scooter to school, please can you make sure they do so safely. Although it is is not law, we strongly recommend the wearing of helmets whilst riding a scooter or bike to school. The Year 6 children who have recently completed their Bikeability training know this!

Enjoy the half term break. We look forward to seeing everyone returning to school on Tuesday 20th February.

Take care

Kim Huggett