Just to confirm that school will be unaffected by strike action and will be open as usual today.
Author: Mr Lowrie-Herz
PE Timetable Spring 2
Please see the Spring 2 PE timetable below
Colomendy
Dear Parents/Carers,
I will not be able to attend Colomendy due to a recent operation on my arm.
Mr Rogers will attend in my place.
The children’s groups will remain the same but Group 1 will now be with Mrs Pittaway and Mr Rogers and Group 2 will be with Mrs Keyland and Miss Gwilliam.
Kind regards,
Mr L-H
Year 6 and social media
Dear Parents,
I am writing to you with regards growing concerns surrounding pupils in Year 6 using social media (at this time Snapchat) and the use of inappropriate and threatening behaviour. Whilst this is happening out of school, our ultimate concern is the wellbeing and safety of all our pupils with the added fact that this is spilling over into school life.
Going forward, our goal is to ensure that pupils are respectful and safe at all times. In school, this is underpinned through teaching a rigorous PSHE and computing programme which also includes e-safety and ‘getting on/falling out’/maintaining healthy relationships.
The minimum age for using Snapchat is 13 years old (which no Year 6 child is). As a school, safeguarding our children is of paramount importance. Children using their phones unregulated on age inappropriate apps/social media is a significant safeguarding concern. We are bound to investigate any concerns which would lead to other agency involvement.
With this in mind, I would appreciate your support through the following actions:
- Discuss with your child how and when they are using their devices.
- Talk openly with your child regarding the benefits and risks associated with social media.
- Review apps that are being used and their age ratings.
- Follow guidance on parental controls that can be put in place to further support monitoring and usage of devices and apps (if required).
- Discuss with your child about how they conduct themselves online and the lasting impressions this can give.
Please visit our Internet Safety Page. In addition, please visit the NSPCC website which provides details of age ratings etc.
If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Mr Lowrie-Herz
Year 3 teaching
Dear Parents/Carers,
The staffing in Year 3 will change slightly after half-term. Mrs Smout will continue to teach Monday-Wednesday with Mrs Davies (who returns from Maternity Leave) teaching Wednesday-Friday. Mrs Christopher, Mrs Davies and Mrs Keyland will also remain with the class.
We wish to thank Mr Tipton for all he has done and we hope to see him again soon.
Many thanks,
Mr Lowrie-Herz
Strike action
I would like to reassure parents/carers that Pontesbury CE Primary School will operate as normal during the scheduled teacher strike action. If there is any change, I will inform parents/carers as soon as possible.
New Playtime boxes
We are delighted to announce our new playtime boxes.
With money raised by your support for FOPPS events and extensive consultation with the School Council, we have purchased some playtime boxes and equipment.
We now have a box for each day with a range of activities from dancing and cheerleading to target and coordination games. Alongside this, we have bought new balls for ball games and received some heavy-duty cones kindly donated by Shropshire Homes.
The children are thoroughly enjoying these and the equipment is in high demand. Well done to our Year 6s who are leading and supporting this project.
Many thanks to you for your support, the FOPPS group for all of the events organised and Shropshire Homes for their donation.
It’s Quizmas!
Today, all the children took place in our end-of-term quiz. Teams of 4 were selected to represent each class and answer questions based on what they have been learning this term. Everyone really enjoyed themselves and it also gave us a chance to further embed knowledge and our retrieval practice.
Year 3 teaching update
Dear Parents,
The staffing in Year 3 will change slightly after half-term. Mrs Smout will continue to teach Monday-Thursday with Mr Tipton (who has worked and taught in our school a lot this year) joining us to teach on a Friday. Mrs Christopher, Mrs Davies and Mrs Keyland will also remain with the class.
The children will be told today and already know Mr Tipton from his work with the class.
We wish to thank Miss Knowler for all she has done and we hope to see her again soon.
Many thanks,
Mr Lowrie-Herz
Dear Parents,
We would like to trial pupils coming in to school through the main entrance in the mornings, as it was before Covid. This will happen from this Monday (5th December). This will have several benefits including building independence for the children.
Please note that the end of the day routine will remain the same and that Breakfast Club will now enter from the side gate (by the bike shed) and not the smaller gate out onto the road.
The school office will remain open for communication and emails/phone calls will continue as normal to pass on important information. Class teachers can be emailed but please note that these may not be read until the end of the day when lessons have finished.
Should you have any feedback once this has run for a few days, please let us know.
Many thanks,
Tom Lowrie-Herz (Acting Headteacher)
