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Penshurst Primary School

Head of School Weekly Blog

MRS M PRESTON

Welcome

On this page you will find weekly informative blogs. 

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Archive

  • WEEK 18 - Friday 24 January 2025

    Published 24/01/25

    I hope you are all well on this blustery and wet Friday! 

    This week, the NSPCC's "Speak out Stay safe" programme was conducted for our Year 2 and Year 5 learners, aiming to equip them with the knowledge and skills to stay safe from abuse and neglect. The workshops included engaging activities and virtual assemblies tailored for different ages, helping children understand the importance of speaking out and knowing where to seek help if needed 

    Also this week, the learners had a fantastic time watching Paddington, a delightful film that brought lots of laughter and joy. It was heartwarming to see them so engaged and enjoying the adventures of Paddington Bear. The event provided a great opportunity for learners to relax and bond with their classmates in a fun and safe environment. Our Governors meeting was held on the same night, and I was so incredibly proud of how the learners walked silently past the room in which the meeting was taking place. Honestly, you would not have known they were there if you couldn’t see their grinning faces! 

    We understand at Penshurst that each and every learner is unique with their own ambitions and dreams, and to support this, we are working on a plan to improve how we inform learners about the vast array of careers out there. We would love to get parents involved in this and so please keep a watch out for further communications from Miss Davies, who will be contacting you to ask for volunteers! 

    For now, have a restful weekend and I look forward to seeing you next week.  

    Mrs Preston

    Head of School

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  • WEEK 17 - Friday 17 January 2025

    Published 17/01/25

    I can’t believe how quickly time flies when we are in the swing of education! We have reached the end of the second week of Spring term already!  

    I have a couple of reminders this week: 

    We would like to remind you that our Homework Club runs during lunchtimes, providing learners with an excellent opportunity to complete homework or receive additional support in a quiet and focused environment. Your child doesn’t need to book onto this – they can just turn up. 

    Also, if your child will be arriving late to school and requires a school meal, please ensure that the office is informed as soon as possible. This helps us make the necessary arrangements and ensures your child receives their meal on time. 

    Thank you for your cooperation and support. Have a super weekend and we will see you for another speedy week next week! 

    Mrs Preston 

    Head of School

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  • WEEK 16 - Friday 10 January 2025

    Published 13/01/25

    Happy New Year to you all and welcome back! I hope you had a restful Christmas break and managed to enjoy some valuable time with family and friends.  

    I would like to start by thanking you for your cooperation with our new Breakfast Club booking system. We anticipated there being some teething problems but so far, it has been running very well. As mentioned previously, this was necessary due to its popularity. Our numbers were increasing, and the adult-to-learner ratio was leading to concerns that this could affect the safety of the learners. Thankfully, your cooperation has helped us to be able to safeguard our learners effectively. 

    Please note that we have had reported cases of headlice in Year 2. As always, please be vigilant and treat your child as necessary. 

    I hope you have a great weekend and look forward to seeing you all on Monday! 

    Mrs Preston

    Head of School

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  • WEEK 15 - Friday 20 December 2024

    Published 20/12/24

    What a fantastic week we’ve had here at Penshurst! The festive season is truly upon us, and our school has been buzzing with excitement, creativity, and community spirit. Here are the highlights from this memorable week: 

    Nursery Stay & Play: A Warm Welcome for January Starters 

    This week, we had the pleasure of hosting our "Stay & Play" session for our new Nursery starters who will join us in January. It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces—both children and parents! This was a lovely opportunity for families to meet the Nursery staff, explore our vibrant learning spaces, and take part in fun, hands-on activities designed to make the transition as smooth and enjoyable as possible. A big thank you to everyone who attended and helped create such a welcoming environment. 

    Year 1 & Year 2 Productions: A Show to Remember 

    Our Year 1 and Year 2 learners dazzled us with their holiday productions this week. From stunning costumes to heartfelt performances, it was a treat to see their hard work and enthusiasm on full display. Each learner played their part beautifully, and the hall was filled with laughter, applause, and perhaps a tear or two!  

    Year 3 & Year 4 Church Performance 

    The Year 3 and Year 4 learners brought the true spirit of the season to life during their church performance at All Saints. Through song, storytelling, and reflection, they reminded us all about the values of kindness, togetherness, and hope. The church was filled with proud families and an undeniable sense of community. 

    Year 5 & Year 6 Church Performance 

    Not to be outdone, our Year 5 and Year 6 learners delivered their own stunning performance at the church later in the week. Their confidence and talent shone brightly as they sang, recited, and performed with passion. This special event was a testament to their maturity and teamwork, leaving everyone in attendance inspired and uplifted. Bravo to our older learners—you’ve set a wonderful example for the younger years! 

    Year 2 Polar Express Day: All Aboard the Holiday Fun! 

    Thursday saw Year 2 transformed into the enchanting world of The Polar Express. From pyjamas to hot chocolate, and from storytelling to crafts, the students were fully immersed in the magic of the day. A big thank you to the Year 2 team for organizing such a delightful experience for our little ones. 

    In other news: 

    Please note that the ppsssend@hessleacademy.com email address is now active again. Should you have any concerns or queries, please use this address and Miss Loveridge or Mrs Anderson will pick this up. 

    Just a reminder to check the recent Homework letter that you will have received which outlines the homework expectations for after Christmas. 

    Please also ensure that you are using the new Breakfast Club booking system if you would like your child to attend Breakfast Club after Christmas.  

    All that remains is for me to wish you the most wonderful Christmas. Enjoy time with loved ones and I look forward to hearing all about it from our learners in the new year. See you on Monday 6 January 2025.

    Mrs Preston

    Head of School

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  • WEEK 14 - Friday 13 December 2024

    Published 13/12/24

    What a festive week we’ve had at Penshurst! These exciting events include: 

    • PFA Breakfast with Santa: Our learners had a magical time enjoying breakfast with Santa, who spread cheer and joy to everyone. It was an incredibly well-attended morning, full of smiles and festive spirit! 
    • School Christmas Lunch: Our Christmas lunch was a huge success! It was wonderful to see so many of our learners enjoying the holiday feast with friends and teachers. 
    • EYFS Christmas Production: Our youngest performers in the Early Years Foundation Stage put on a spectacular Christmas production. We are so proud of all of the children for their hard work and dedication. 
    • Christmas Jumper Day: It was a fantastic sight to see everyone dressed in their festive jumpers, raising money for a good cause. Thank you to all who participated and helped spread the Christmas cheer. 

    We are so grateful for your support in making these events a success. It has been a joyful and memorable week, and we appreciate the festive spirit your children have brought to school! 

    Also this week, Year 4 joined Mindscape and Floor 84 Studio, the creators of the new Dog Man video game, Dog Man: Mission Impawsible, for an exciting event all about how games are made. They explored the fascinating world of game development and discovered how art, storytelling, technology and science come together to form the games we love. Developers from the game answered learners’ pre-submitted questions all about coding, character creation, and how they brought the iconic Dog Man series to life! 

    Please also note that the school will close early at 2:00 PM on Friday, 20th December. 

    We look forward to welcoming the children back to school on Monday, 6th January. 

    In other news: 

    We would like to inform you that we have had confirmed cases of chickenpox within the school. While the situation is being closely monitored, we want to ensure that all parents are aware and take necessary precautions to protect their children and others. 

    Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects children, though it can also occur in adults. Symptoms typically include an itchy rash with red spots and blisters, fever, and general discomfort. 

    If your child develops any of these symptoms, please keep them at home and consult with a healthcare provider for advice. We also encourage you to monitor for any signs of illness and remind your child about the importance of hygiene practices, including frequent handwashing. 

    As always, the health and safety of our students are our top priority. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us. 

    If your child is going to be absent for whatever reason, please ensure you inform attendance rather than your child’s class teacher as this message will not be passed on. Many thanks for your support.  

    Please see below a link to a range of activities that you can do with your child over the festive period. We thought it may be useful.  

    https://bit.ly/3ZD7SLN 

    Have a super weekend and I look forward to seeing you next week.  

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  • WEEK 13 - Friday 6 December 2024

    Published 09/12/24

    Music is really in the air at Penshurst as Christmas rehearsals are in full swing.   

    Alongside this, we wanted to share with you how fantastic the RockSteady concert was that took place on Friday! The children did an amazing job showcasing their musical talents, and it was a joy to see them perform with such enthusiasm and confidence. 

    We are so proud of their hard work and dedication, and it was wonderful to see so many of you join us for the event. A big thank you to the children for their fantastic performances, and to you, our supportive parents, for helping make this event a success. We look forward to more musical moments in the future! 

    A plea from Year 1 - We are planning a fun and exciting activity in Year 1, and we need your help! We are looking to borrow a train driver's hat to make the experience even more special for the children. If you happen to have a train driver’s hat at home that you would be willing to lend us for the day, we would be incredibly grateful. We promise to take great care of it. If you can help, please let us know. We truly appreciate your support in making this activity an engaging and memorable experience for the children! Thank you so much in advance. 

    This is a friendly reminder that our school's uniform policy specifies that students should wear black shoes as part of their school uniform. Please ensure that your child wears black shoes to school each day to help maintain a consistent and uniform appearance. Our uniform policy can be found here.

    Thank you for your cooperation and support in upholding our school’s standards. Have a super weekend and see you next week for the penultimate week of this term. 

    Mrs Preston

    Head of School

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  • WEEK 12 - Friday 29 November 2024

    Published 29/11/24

    Another packed week has passed at Penshurst this week. 

    On Tuesday after school, I had the absolute pleasure of escorting a handful of Year 3 and 4 learners to Wolfreton to take part in a Dodgeball tournament. The learners were picked out of a hat and some of them had never even played the sport before. After the first ‘settling in’ round and a little bit of coaching from myself, Mr Key and Mrs Holmes, the learners blossomed and became unstoppable competitive machines! I am delighted to say that we came third out of 8 teams, and I am so proud of every one of the participants! 

    On Wednesday, we held our annual PFA Christmas Fayre which was once again incredibly well attended. We are already looking at ways in which we can make it even better next year. For example, we are mindful that being one long corridor means that there may be bottlenecks. Watch this space for developments and thank you for your continued support! We are also delighted to announce that the winners of the large hamper are Hudson in Year 4 and Phoenix in Reception! A huge congratulations to them.  

    On Thursday night, Mrs Hornby held the Behaviour Policy information evening to parents. Thank you to those families who attended and raised some very valid queries. Again, watch this space for any developments! 

    A reminder that this evening is the Hessle Lights Switch On and that a selection of our fantastic learners will be singing at the event. We hope to see you there and that you are in full song in support! 

    Thank you for all of the Bags2School donations that we have received. Collectively, we have managed to collect approximately 230kg of donations – the overall amount TBC. Thank you so very much for all of the donations.  

    A polite request – If your child walks home unaccompanied at the end of the day, please remind them about the need to exit the school site immediately at the end of the day (unless at a club) as we cannot supervise them after school hours and cannot be held responsible for incidents that occur out of our care. Thank you. 

    I hope you have a fantastic weekend and will see you bright and early on Monday.  

    Mrs Preston

    Head of School

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  • WEEK 11 - Friday 22 November 2024

    Published 22/11/24

    Oof! Well that was a cold one! Thank goodness it is due to get a little warmer over the weekend and into next week. 

    As I stood on the playground one lunchtime in fluffy boots, a padded coat, scarf up to my eyeballs and gloves (I decided to leave the hot water bottle at home), I was amazed to see a handful of learners remove their coats and play in their shirt sleeves like it was July. This made me feel rather old but it also made me realise what a resilient bunch of children we have! 

    Once again, it has been a busy week at Penshurst: 

    • The Eco/PFA Book Sale took place on Monday night, and we appreciate all who participated and supported this wonderful event. 
    • This week, Year 5 and Year 6 learners participated in Hatecrime Workshops led by the PCSO, which provided valuable learning on important social issues. 
    • Today, we held PFA Comfy Feet Friday, where students were encouraged to wear comfy footwear. As always, thank you for your support and participation with these events. 

    Looking ahead to next week: 

    • The PFA Christmas Fair will be held on Wednesday, and we’re excited for the festive activities and opportunities to get into the holiday spirit. We hope to see you there! 

    Please see below a link that allows customers with KCOM Internet connections to add content filtering at home. You will no doubt agree that is imperative that children are not exposed to content that is unsuitable for their age range.  

    https://www.kcom.com/home/my-account/parental-controls/ 

    I hope you have a lovely weekend and I look forward to seeing you next week.  

    Mrs Preston

    Head of School

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  • WEEK 10 - Friday 15 November 2024

    Published 15/11/24

    This week has been a busy one for events at Penshurst. 

    On Tuesday, I was momentarily perplexed as I spotted a sea of patterned, spotty and bright feet walking towards me. I eventually realised that this was for Odd Socks Day, to raise awareness of Anti-bullying week. Thank you so much for all of your support with this. 

    As I type this, I have not yet seen our learners arrive prepared for Children in Need, but I am excited to do so, as there are always some incredibly imaginative adaptations to the recognisable Pudsey outfit. Another vital cause and again, thank you for your support. 

    Also this week, Year 4 welcomed a visitor from Yorkshire Water. In their workshop, they covered a variety of topics including how water is treated to make it safe, how we can save water, and the water cycle. Whilst at Penshurst, they also delivered an assembly to KS2 on Water Aid and how we can support other countries to ensure they have access to clean water.  

    In other news: 

    Further communication was sent to parents this week regarding PE Kits. Once again, I thank you for all of your comments, be they positive, ways forward or just queries. We do appreciate that this will take time to embed but would like to reassure you that the decision is absolutely in the best interests of our learners’ education. Thank you for your cooperation on this matter. 

    Please note that we have had reported cases of headlice in Nursery. Please ensure you check your child’s hair and treat accordingly if you notice anything. 

    I hope you have a super weekend and I look forward to seeing you on Monday. 

    Mrs Preston

    Head of School

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  • WEEK 9 - Friday 8 November 2024

    Published 08/11/24

    I hope you had a wonderful, restful half term and managed to do some exciting things with family and friends. 

    After many years of dedicated service to our school community, Mr. Walker, our caretaker, retired this week. Mr. Walker has been an integral part of our team, always going above and beyond to ensure the school grounds and facilities have been safe, clean, and well-maintained. His hard work and commitment have made a positive impact on the daily running of the school, and he will be greatly missed by both staff and learners. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Walker for his years of service and to wish him all the best in his retirement. 

    Mrs Wall has also moved onto pastures new this week. I know that many of you will have met with Mrs Wall on numerous occasions and I am sure you join us in wishing her well in her new endeavour. We are in the process of securing a replacement. In the meantime, please ensure SEND queries are sent to ppsoffice@hessleacademy.com.  

    As of next week, we would like learners to come to school in PE Kits on the days that they have PE. This is to ensure they have maximum opportunity to participate in the physical activities and time is not wasted changing. They will stay in their kits for the remainder of that day.  

    As part of our commitment to keeping all students safe, we would like to remind everyone that packed lunches should not contain any nuts or nut-based products. This includes items such as peanut butter, nut bars, and other snacks that may contain traces of nuts. We have students with severe nut allergies, and even trace amounts can cause serious health risks. Your cooperation in ensuring that all packed lunches are nut-free is greatly appreciated and helps us maintain a safe environment for all. 

    This week, 2 very exciting projects were completed – we have a beautiful new EYFS outdoor area and our Eco Flag is now flying high near the allotment area. Well done Mrs Smith and team for your achievement. Speaking of Mrs Smith....... 

    A message from Mrs Smith -  

    Following on from our last collection of plastic lids, we were pleased to have achieved 34000 points! This meant we were able to order one table and 6 chairs for our outside area! Please keep collecting for us to access more of these brilliant items and help the planet in the process. 

    Additionally, on Tuesday 26th November, we have a Bags2School collection, if you have any bags, please drop off at school by 9am. Thank you. 

    Have a wonderful weekend and we will see you next week.  

    Mrs Preston

    Head of School

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  • WEEK 7 - Friday 18 October 2024

    Published 18/10/24

    It’s been a busy week this week with community involvement, and I have loved it! 

    On Tuesday after school, I was lucky enough to accompany our Year 5/6 girls to Wolfreton for a football tournament. I was delighted for them when they won their first two matches and came 4th out of 7 teams overall. A super effort by all players and great sportsmanship throughout. Thank you also to those parents who were able to come and support this. 

    Also this week, as I was driving down the drive after a meeting, from a distance I spotted unfamiliar people in the Nursery play area and then realised that it was family members attending the Stay and Play session. It looked like a fab time was being had by all. Again – thank you for your support with this. 

    On Monday and Wednesday this week, we also held our Progress Evenings. I would like to thank those who attended a session. Please expect a call from your child’s class teacher if you did not manage to arrange an appointment.  

    Thank you to those parents who have completed our Homework Survey. Please be patient whilst we collate and analyse the results, and we will send an update on the Homework offer as soon as possible.  

    Please remember that school is closed on Friday 25 October next week for staff training day. 

    Have a super weekend and I will see you next week for the final week of this half term.

    Mrs Preston

    Head of School

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  • WEEK 6 - Friday 11 October 2024

    Published 11/10/24

    With 2 weeks remaining of this half term, we have completed another jam-packed week of learning at Penshurst. 

    World Mental Health Day took place on Thursday and the school was awash with bright, sunny yellow. Thank you for supporting with this.  

    Once again, we have had a few reported cases of headlice – this time in a Year 1 class. Please check your child’s hair and treat accordingly if you notice anything. 

    Next week, we have 2 significant events taking place: 

    • Progress Evenings will take place on Monday and Wednesday evenings – If you haven’t done so, please remember to book your appointments (please see letter previously sent) 
    • Nursery Stay & Play session – please see letter to book your place to attend 

    Have a super weekend.  

    Mrs Preston

    Head of School

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