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Junior Newsletter

Friday 10 February

Headteacher's Update

We have now completed OFSTED inspections at both schools in the Federation. The team responded brilliantly again, and our children were amazing. Thank you to all the parents who took the time to feedback their views to the inspection team. The outcome of the inspection is confidential until the report is published. I will provide this to parents, before it is put on the OFSTED website. I anticipate the report will be available in around 30 working days - this will be at some point in early March.


I have been pleased to see lots of our children, Playtime leaders and Reading Buddies have been walking up to the Infants, to support our younger children on the playground and in the library.


Pupil welfare is at the heart of our schools and this week the children have been learning about how they can keep themselves safe. At the Junior School the children have taken part in activities related to Children's Mental Health Week. The theme has been 'Let's Connect'. The children have been thinking about how meaningful connections with others supports their wellbeing. Our school promotes belonging and resilience through our Six Strands curriculum and this helps to promote positive mental health in our children.


Tuesday was Safer Internet Day and the children took part in a number of activities to promote awareness of this important issue and learn tips on how to stay safe online. We would encourage our families to have open discussions about both of these issues at home and if you need any help from school, do not hesitate to get in touch.


Next week is half term. I hope all of our families have a relaxing break and we look forward to seeing the children back in school at 8.45am on Monday 20th February.

Tuesday 21st February is Shrove Tuesday and pancakes will be available for dessert with the school dinner.

 
Industrial Action

Thank you to all of you for your understanding during last week’s strike action. A reminder that further possible days for our area are: March 2nd, 15th and 16th. I would advise you to seek alternative child care arrangements in case the school needs to close/partially close. I will write with updated information as it becomes known.

 
Emotional Health

The 'Emotional Health Triage Service' offer support to children and families who are having difficulties with things such as low mood, anxiety, anger, friendship issues, eating or body-image. This service can support families who live in West Berkshire but also those who are registered at a West Berkshire GP service (Woolton Hill Surgery is part of West Berkshire).


I would recommend making contact with this service if you feel it could be of support to your child and family. Families can refer themselves to the service or can ask for school support to do this. Please contact Miss Knapp if you need some support or want to discuss what the service can offer.



There is also a P.A.C.E Event 3rd March in Basingstoke organised by Hampshire CAMHS. This is a free event to help families better understand the needs and difficulties that young people can face and how to manage potential concerns they have about their young person. The timetable covers topics such as anxiety, managaing ADHD, Autism awareness, wellbeing in U12s.

 
Portals to the Past

On Wednesday the Upper School children enjoyed an immersive Viking experience. The children were able to re-enact Viking stories through drama and have a go at being Viking Warriors. On display were various Viking artefacts that the children were able to examine and learn about and they enjoyed playing traditional Viking games.

 
Maths Challenges

A team of year 4 children took part in the Maths Challenge at St Gabriel's School on Monday 30th January and a team of year 5 children have been at St Gabriel's this afternoon (Friday 10th February). The year 4 team worked through tasks to test their mental agility and mathematical mind with the emphasis very much on fun. The year 5 team participated in seven different mathematical tasks gaining points as they went along. Well done to all the children that represented WHJS at these events and Mrs Bowden for accompanying the children.

 

An Evening of Star Gazing

Earlier this year we changed our Federation Houses to the names of constellations that can be seen in the night sky above Woolton Hill. On 22nd Feb we invite children and parents to join us on the playground at Woolton Hill Junior School to gaze up at the night sky and see what they can spot.


The event will be supported by Newbury Astronomical Society. They will be bringing along some telescopes, but families are invited to bring their own equipment, if they have it, for their own use. Children must be supervised by an adult for the duration of the event.


We have tweaked the start time of this event to 6pm , to take account of the later sunset. Please note this event is weather dependent. If there is too much cloud for viewing on the day, we will inform all of our families.


To register your place, please click below:

 
PE Days

Hazel: Thurs & Fri

Rowan: Thurs & Fri

Ash: Mon & Weds

Beech: Mon & Weds

Oak: Mon & Tues


FWHJS Events

9th March: Bags 2 School collection from WHJS, please leave bags in the bike shed by 9am.

9th March: School disco 6-7.30pm. Please sign up by Friday 3rd March, information about how to sign-up and pay has been sent by email.

 

Cross-country club

A reminder that membership of this club will change at half-term. Monday 6th February was the final session for Lower School children and Monday 20th February will be the first session for Upper School children that have booked in to attend the club.

 
Sports Events

Speed Stacking

A team of 6 Upper School children took part in the first ever speed stacking event at Park House School last week. They took part in a number of timed challenges arranging regular cups and much larger bucket style cups into different tower arrangements. The speediest person in our team completed one of the challenges in 4.5 seconds! The children throroughly enjoyed the event and we hope it will become a regular fixture on the sporting calendar. Many thanks to Miss Halle for accompanying the children and parents for assisting with the transport.


Cross-Country

Children from all year groups represented the school at the Basingstoke Primary Schools cross-country event at Down Grange in Basingstoke on Tuesday. We haven't received the team results yet but we are delighted that Rohan finished in the top twelve in his category and has qualified to represent Basingstoke at the county event next month. Well done to everyone that took part and huge congratulations to Rohan. Thank you to staff and Mrs Chang for accompanying the children.

 

Star Awards

The following children received Star Awards this week! They should all be really proud, well done!


3rd February: William A, Etta B-N, Martin M-B, Nina H, Martin M-B, Evelyn W, Lucas B, Tillie H, James A, Izzy C, Alice S and Brian S.


10th February: Freddy G, Harry D, Harley H, Max E, Harper D, Amelie R, Harry C, Ella W, Eileen D, Daniel B, Graham C, Rhys H and Ria K.


Six Strands Awards

Focus

3rd February: Summer I, Martha M, Millie T, Barney B and Freddie L.


10th February: Freddy G, Ellis C, Amarea W, Polly P and Brian S.

Find out more about our 'Six Strands Curriculum' here.


Hot Chocolate

3rd February: Aria B, Zara B, Amarea W, Lila R and Emilia K.


10th February: Eloise D, Charlotte B, Tilly C, Annabelle L and Tillie H.

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