Letters to Parents & Carers

This week's Headteacher Letter

^13th December 2024

Dear Parents,

Reception Nativity

I’m sure everyone in the audience would agree with me that Reception’s Nativity was simply wonderful. We had great singing and acting and the costumes were fabulous. Well done to all the children and staff for working so hard to put it on for you.

Royal British Legion (Poppy) Appeal

Thank you to everyone who bought a poppy this year – we raised just over £160 for this charity that works with veterans and those in the Armed Forces community and is a very important part of our British heritage and history.

New phones, devices

This is obviously a popular time for families to get new devices – phones, tablets and more. To ensure that you, as the parent, are in control of what the children can access please follow this link for the most up to date approaches on staying safe online. https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/abc-online-safety-checklist/

We have had a few instances recently where children are contacting each other and being mean to each other online on WhatsApp, Snapchat and TikTok, using their parents’ phones and often their parents’ accounts. Remember, you are the adult and you must have oversight of what the children are doing. Social media companies have age limits – WhatsApp is 16, Snapchat is 13, TikTok is 13…please try to respect these and be tough when the children put pressure on you. Imagine your response if I allowed the children to watch a 15 film at school. We just wouldn’t do it! As I said – you are the adult! Children have enough to cope with, without online stress adding to it.

Important information regarding the transition from Biometric Residence Permits to eVisas.

The Home Office is developing a border and immigration system that is more digital and streamlined. eVisas, a digital proof of immigration status, are a key part of this transformation.

The Home Office have been transitioning from physical immigration documents to eVisas for the past 6 years with millions of people now successfully using eVisas.

If you currently use a physical immigration document, such as a biometric residence permit (BRP), or legacy paper document such as a passport containing an ink stamp or a vignette sticker, you must now take action to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa. Most BRPs and EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) biometric residence cards (BRCs) expire on 31 December 2024, and anyone who uses a BRP is urged to access their eVisa now at www.gov.uk/eVisa, and to help family members and friends to access theirs. It is free, and straightforward for customers who hold physical immigration documents to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa. Details of how to do this are available at www.gov.uk/eVisa. Don’t get caught out!

Diary Dates

Reminders of our important dates! We will send text reminders out for certain events but please take a note of the major events below as next week is very, very busy!

Monday 16^th December

2.00pm - KS1 Nativity – Kenya, Tunisia, Mali and Madagascar Parents welcome; refreshments provided

Tuesday 17th December

£1 Christmas Jumper Day (to raise money for the Middle East Humanitarian Appeal)

Santa in school all day

10am - KS1 Nativity in St Augustine’s Church (everyone invited to watch)

Christmas Dinner

Friday 20th December

9.00am School Carol Service

School Closes for Christmas at 1.30pm

Monday 6^th January 2025

8.20am School opens again