20.10.22

Dear Parents/Carers

Happy Fr..... oops!  Happy Thursday everyone!

Our blog is a day early this week, as we have an INSET day tomorrow.

NASA

Well, what a week we have had!  The children have been lucky enough to take part in three lessons, this week, hosted by engineers from the Armstrong Research Centre in California.

Click the link below to find out more about them.

Armstrong Research Centre

Today, the children made Mars helicopters out of marshmallows and cocktail sticks.  It was fiddly work, but great fun!

During the course of the week, we have had opportunities to ask questions, find out about friction, forces and how aircraft stay in the air.  

We have all thoroughly enjoyed the experience and thank our new friends at NASA for getting up at 2am to work with us.

A huge thank you also goes to Mrs Witherall for all her hard work in organising the sessions, preparing the resources and liaising with NASA.  

THE BOOK FAIR IS BACK!

After half term, the book fair returns to Down Hall.  Please see this week's newsletter for more information.

At the end of school today, your child will bring home a blank book cover for them to design over half term.  The winning cover will be awarded a £5 voucher to spend at the fair.

HOMEWORK

Homework pages have been published to Google Classroom.  

DATA SHEETS

Some of you may have received a yellow data sheet this week.  If so, please check that details are correct, sign the form and return it to your child's class teacher or the office after half term.

CHRISTMAS CARD DESIGNS

Your child should have brought home their Christmas card designs this week.  Please read the letter carefully and return the design to school, after half term, if you would like to place an order.

Finally, we would like to thank you all for your continued support this half term.  The children have settled into their classes brilliantly, worked hard and made their teachers proud.

We look forward to welcoming them back after a well earned week off.

Have a fabulous half term.

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall

October 14th, 2022

 Dear Parents/ Carers,

We are at the end of our sixth week of this half term and hope that you have had another good week.

It has been a tough week of assessments, but the children have worked exceptionally hard to show their progress so far this year. 

Parent/Teacher Consultations

Thank you to those of you who have booked an appointment with us for next week's Parent/Teacher Consultations. The letter was available as a link in last week's newsletter. We are very much looking forward to seeing you either by Zoom on Monday or in the school hall on Tuesday between 3.30pm and 6pm. Links will have been emailed to you - please send us an email to notify us if you have not received this.

SCHOOL COUNCIL

On Wednesday 19th October Year 5/6 will be electing their representative for the School Council! Any child who was not a councillor last year is eligible to stand so we have asked the children to have a good think as to whether they can be a wonderful and inspiring representative for their class.

Over the weekend, if your child is thinking about standing for election, maybe they would like to make a poster and create a short speech that might help them convey their suitability to be a Class Councillor. Be creative - what might make people vote for you?

The new School Councillors will be announced in assembly on Thursday 20th October. Good luck!

Rayleigh Lights

The children have been invited to participate in this annual event. They have been informed that they are welcome to take part in the performance at Rayleigh High Street, singing songs to represent our school. There are still spaces available, so if you would like your child to take part, please encourage them to come along to the choir practices after half term. 

We hope that you have a lovely weekend and look forward to seeing the children on Monday

Mrs Witherall, Mrs Devlin and Miss Sharman

 Dear Parents/Carers

Happy Friday! We hope that you have all had a good week. As we move into October, the weather is becoming more autumnal so please ensure that your child has a coat with them every day. 

Parent/Teacher Consultations

On Monday 17th October & Tuesday 18th October between 3:30-6:00pm we will be holding our Parent/Teacher Consultations. This will be an opportunity to meet and discuss how your child has settled into their new Year group. This meeting can be either via Zoom or an in person meeting. 

Please note, in the first instance if you wish this to be a Zoom meeting please book for the Monday and if you wish it to be in person please book for the Tuesday.

Bookings can be made from Monday 10th October from 9:00am and is via Scopay. If you are unsure of your Scopay login, please go and see the office as they will be able to issue you with your details. It is important to have these details as they will be used to book trips, dinner money and meetings throughout your child's time at Down Hall.

Harvest Collection

Just a reminder that this year we will continue to support Rochford Extended Services with our Harvest collection. Donations will be boxed up and distributed by them to the children and families that need them most within our own local community.

As a Gold Level Rights Respecting School, we do our best to advocate for Children's Rights and for sustainability. Articles 24 and 27 state that:

"Every child has the right to the best possible health and a good standard of living."

Massive thank you for those who have already made a donations but there is still plenty of time if you have not yet. If you can send in any non-perishable items before Wednesday 19th October that would be fabulous and you can find a full list of suggested items  here. In school we will celebrate Harvest during the week of 17th October with some learning in class and by singing our favourite Harvest song in assembly. Please enjoy having a go at the Harvest Samba here and thanks for any contributions you feel able to make.

NSPCC Speak Out, Stay Safe

On Tuesday 11th October, Year 5/6 children will have the opportunity to take part in some workshops run by volunteers from the NSPCC.

Homework

Homework pages for this week have been uploaded to Google Classroom. Please ensure that the children only do the pages set as this reinforces skills taught during the week. Homework is due in by Wednesday of the following week, in order for teachers to have time to mark it and return it to them on Fridays.

Have a lovely weekend.

Mrs Devlin, Miss Sharman and Mrs Witherall