January/February 2024 Newsletter
Dear Parents/Carers, The importance of reading continues to be promoted at Chadwell because ‘Reading is Fundamental’. Reading is a life skill necessary to enable us to navigate the modern world. Thank you to those parents/carers who ensure that their children read at home, with an adult for at least 10 minutes each day. I would ask that all parents/carers encourage their child to access the Oxford Reading Buddy online resource and ensure that they read a text that is appropriate for their ability level for at least 10 minutes every day. Last term, all the children visited the local library on Grove Road to learn and see the range of books available in a library – remember that joining a local library is another great way to encourage your child to read. After almost four years, this half term, Chadwell has welcomed back the team from the Karate club. They deliver high-quality sessions each Friday morning for many children. Also, all pupils experienced a piano recital with Mrs Peugniez playing a duet on flute. The pianist had come to school to tune the piano and gave the children an insight into how a piano works. They also had a Chinese New Year Dance workshop which was very colourful and involved lots of movement. Mrs Peugniez organised a World Music workshop which introduced the children to steel pans and music from the Caribbean. The children were able to play a steel pan – read on to find out more. None of these events were possible during covid restrictions and when these were lifted, the main hall was converted into four temporary classrooms for two years. We are relieved and very pleased to be able to host, organise and provide the children with such a variety of opportunities and experiences. Next week is half term, so whatever you may have planned, I wish you an enjoyable week with family and friends. We look forward to welcoming you back on Monday 26th February. .
Kind regards, Mr Walker
Dates to Remember: Half-term holiday Monday 19th February 2024
to Friday 23rd February 2024 INSET Day
School is closed for all children due to Staff INSET on Monday 11th March 2024 Easter holiday Friday 29th March 2024 to
Monday 15th April 2024
Our day started with us climbing a steep hill in Greenwich to reach the Greenwich Observatory and the Planetarium.
Once we arrived, we were given an incredible session by one of the astronomers. We were shown how big the Earth is compared to the sun. If the sun is the beach ball, then the Earth is the size of a marble, so imagine how small us humans must be!! We were then shown a tellurium model of our Solar System, where we were able to visually see how the Earth spins on its axis as it orbits the sun. Using the tellurium model, the astronomer showed us how and why we experience day and night. Explaining that the sun (which is a ball of gas and considered a star) does not move. Following that, we then discussed how our moon, a natural satellite, orbits the Earth and why we can see different phases of it. We were even shown how solar and lunar eclipses take place and why they happen. A solar eclipse happens when the moon is closer to the Earth and covers the sun. A lunar eclipse happens when the moon is behind the Earth and the sun projects sunlight on to the Earth. The sunlight passes through the Earth’s atmosphere which changes the colour of the sun’s light rays. It then hits the moon; this sometimes results in something known as the blood moon. Have you seen this before?
Earlier this month, the children of Chadwell Primary School took part in a Chinese Dragon dance workshop. We had a professional dancer who brought in a traditional Chinese dragon, parasols and fans for the whole class to create an exciting dance performance . The children had a session to learn the dance routine and then an opportunity to use the props to perform the dance to their class.
As part of our Curriculum music, we wanted to give children the chance to work alongside professional performers and musicians. Lara Clapp, from Clapp Tuning is a professional concert pianist. On Friday February 2nd, in addition, to servicing our instruments, she performed a 20 minute recital to all children from Reception to Year 6 which incorporated a range of styles of music. The performance was interactive and allowed the children to see the full range of the piano's dynamic and expressive capabilities and to listen out for key features of pitch, tempo, dynamics and structure. Towards the end, Mrs Peugniez joined Lara in the melody role, playing her flute in 2 pieces demonstrating how an accompanist and solo instrument work together. At the end, Lara removed the front of the piano so the children could see how the mechanism works which was particularly relevant to year 4 who had been learning about how the piano worked and how it compares to other keyboard instruments. There were many gasps as they saw the inner workings. One child said, "I want to be a concert pianist!" after the performance and other children said, "It was really exciting to see the piano inside."
From Tuesday 13th-Thursday 15th February, professional percussionist, Jim Bernandin from the World Music Workshop company came to work at Chadwell. Each day began with a performance of different drumming styles including Brazilian Samba drumming (very loud!), and Steel Pans including the popular, Under the sea from The Little Mermaid. Then, every year group from Nursery to Year 6 had their own individual workshop learning about Caribbean music where they had a chance to learn about playing chords and rhythms on the Steel pans (and other drums and untuned percussion instruments) learning about listening to each other and moving together as a team. We booked this to give children a chance to try instruments and learn about world music traditions which we do not have access to within the school. One child in Year 2 said, "I LOVE this music!" and even the teachers were rocking along! We are very lucky to have had this opportunity to end our term on such a high point! Let’s see what children in Mozart class had to say: I enjoyed the sounds that the drum made and that we all got to participate. I enjoyed playing the steelpans. I enjoyed the drumroll and was surprised it was more challenging than I initially thought. Learning new instruments as there were a few I did not know about and I enjoyed learning where they are from.
Dear Parents/Carers of Chadwell Primary School, I am writing to you to inform you of some updates on what School Council have been doing this half-term. Firstly, it may come to a surprise to you, but the school council have taken over the responsibilities of Eco-committee. So far, we a have rota for emptying recycling bins from classes and are slowly starting to introduce our school to different ways in how we can be an eco-friendly school. One of the future plans is to have a black-out day, where lights and all types of electrical devices will not be used, so that we can save electricity. Teachers will have to adapt their lessons onto boards and other non-electric devices. Let’s see how well they can manage that! I will be writing with more updates in the next edition of the newsletter after half-term, so please keep an eye out for updates from School Council. On behalf of School Council, I would like to wish all the children of Chadwell Primary School a very happy half-term break. Kind regards, Inaaya Chairperson of the School Council
Our school uniform is very important to us. We feel it helps us to develop our community identity and adds to the sense of pride belonging to Chadwell Primary School. Below we have explained what our “Perfect School Uniform” Plain white or light blue
Summer: Blue/White gingham dress Any religious head coverings should conform to uniform colours (i.e.: blue, grey and black). Items of clothing worn in school should be clearly marked with your child’s name.
Navy sweatshirt with / without the school logo
Any hair grips or hair accessories should be plain, simple and in the school colours. Plain navy or grey school skirt or Footwear Jewellery
For safety reasons children
Jewellery that has a religious symbol is allowed to be worn; however it must be tucked away at all times. Children with ear piercings are only allowed to wear small
Below we have explained what our “Perfect P.E Uniform consists of and have provided some visual examples.
Perfect P.E Uniform PE bag Black/Navy shorts
Children should always Plain white or blue T-shirt have a change of clothing Plimsolls or trainers at school for PE and outdoor games. (Trainers must be different to those which may be worn as footwear with school uniform)
Please note these are the tentative dates for the next academic year (2024-2025).
LetsLocalise Chadwell Primary School have partnered with LetsLocalise.
Why LetsLocalise? LetsLocalise provides a solution to the challenge of financial cuts in schools. The platform builds and fosters long-term, meaningful partnerships between members of the community and their local schools. Schools can share details of upcoming events, fundraising drives, selling items on behalf of businesses and requests for volunteers or work experience placements. That way, individuals and companies can see how and where they can offer their help, time and money in ways that are productive, meaningful and enjoyable. The platform is FREE for schools and their parent groups. You can find out more about LetsLocalise at www.letslocalise.co.uk. We would like to ask you to: 1) Sign up with LetsLocalise and follow our school https:// www.letslocalise.co.uk/school/chadwell-primary-school/sch104736/ campaigns/ 2) Did you attend our school yourself? Please identify yourself as an alumnus in the profile.
3) Lookout for our fun online events and join in. 4) Offer support in ways that are convenient for you. 5) Share this platform with friends and family. This is a great way for grandparents and others to feel connected, and to be able to support your children in their education. 6) Share with local businesses and also your employers. Businesses have budgets to support local communities that is often not utilised. Let’s work together and show them how they can benefit our school, our children and their future. We will post all events on our LetsLocalise page,
Absences Immediately Before or After a School Holiday If your child is absent before or after a school holiday you must submit relevant evidence of this. This may be medical evidence if your child is unwell, or evidence of flight delays or circumstances beyond your control. Without the evidence your child/ children’s absence will not be authorised and may incur a Fixed Penalty Notice. Holidays in Term Time Taking holidays in term time will affect your child’s schooling as much as any other absence and we expect parents to help us by not taking children away on holiday in school time. Remember that any savings you think you may make by taking a holiday in school time are outweighed by the cost to your child’s education. There is no automatic entitlement in law to time off in school time to go on holiday. Pupils will not be allowed leave of absence in term time for holidays or any other activities. Parents who go abroad without requesting leave could be fined using the O code; six days of O codes within a 12 week period could generate a penalty notice.
Sanctions for an Unauthorised Leave of Absence without Permission A Fixed Penalty Notice will be issued for unauthorised leave of absence taken without permission after the first day of absence. It will be issued by the Education Welfare Service following discussions with the Headteacher. The school adopts the per parent per child policy; this would apply to couples living together. Therefore, for a family with 3 children, each parent would receive a fixed penalty fine for each child. This means that a family with 3 children would receive in total 6 fixed penalty fines. This will incur a fine of £60.00 per child if paid within 21 days of receipt of the notice, rising to £120.00 per child if not paid within 28 days. The prosecution is for the offence of failing to secure attendance at school and not for non-payment of the fine. · Prosecutions are brought under Section 444 of the Education Act 1996. · There is no statutory right of appeal against the issuing of a Penalty Notice. · Arrangements for payment will be detailed on the penalty notice. It should be noted that Chadwell Primary intends to implement this policy strictly as we believe that short absences severely hamper a child’s education.