The nights are drawing in and it is almost dark at home time. We are nearly into December and there is excitement in the air. We have been so busy in and out of school lately. We've had trips, dressing up and special visitors! We've crammed in so much since my last newsletter! I will try not to forget anything!
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Staffing update....
Sadly, at the end of the term Mrs Way will be leaving us. It is proving more and more challenging for her travelling from Banbury every day. We wish Mrs Way the very best of luck.
We have been lucky to recruit a new teacher Miss Ahmed, to teach in Marham class, who will be supported by the fantastic 3/4 team. Welcome to Abbeys Miss Ahmed.
We have also recruited another HLTA to support in EYFS and Year 1. Miss Currie will start her apprentice teacher training next September, until then she will be working alongside Miss Harrison and the team, with a focus on forest schools, outdoor learning, music and the arts. Welcome to Abbeys Miss Currie.
We have also appointed Laura Proctor as a new Teaching Assistant, currently supporting in years 3/4. Miss Proctor is already familiar with the school as she has been a Lunchtime Supervisor for some time now.
I do not know how I will cope with having two Miss Proctors in school!
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ABBEYS OUT AND ABOUT
We've been out and about over the last couple of weeks. Trips to the cinema, planting trees with the Parks trust and on walks to Furzton. The behaviour of pupils on these trips has been amazing and numerous people mentioned what wonderful pupils we have. It saddened me to realise that our current year 3 pupils have never been on a trip because of COVID. I hope we can make up for this over the next year or so and take up as many activities as we can to enrich our curriculum.
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WHAT IS A LEARNING WALK?
A learning walk gives me the opportunity to go in and out of classrooms to see what the children are learning. I often have a focus for these sessions- eg engagement or behaviour. I like to discuss what the children are learning and how this builds on their prior learning. I ask them questions about school, if they feel safe, what they enjoy and what they think they need to do to improve. It is important to see high levels of engagement, children working collaboratively and the Abbeys values in action.
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Mental health and wellbeing is a huge part of our whole school development this year. A part of this is to improve staff subject knowledge in PE, train staff in mental health and wellbeing, improve provision for after-school clubs and target pupils with effective interventions for mental health.
Philippa Murrell has been a PE teacher for over 20 years and has taught in a variety of schools across Milton Keynes. She came in to model gymnastics lessons for staff as this will be the focus for after Christmas. It was very interesting to see how the skills progress throughout key stage phases.
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There's been a mugging.... or two!
Both Mrs Wright and Mrs Clarke were mugged this week.
Mrs Wright's work is never done. Her admin skills ensure the office, breakfast club, lunches and clubs [to name but a few things she does] run smoothly- she even makes a fantastic cup of tea! We don't know where we'd be without her!
Mrs Clarke was mugged by Mrs Wright, because she has been going above and beyond to help in the hall at lunch times. Mrs Clarke, you must take a break!
Abbeys pupils are so lucky to have such wonderful staff supporting them.
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Teachers teaching parents!
Parent/Carer sessions- We are keen to work with families and share our knowledge, so that you can support your children better. Please come along to our Parent/ Carer Sessions.
Tuesday 29th November- Maths session- years 3/4 - Melrose Classroom- 3.15pm.
Wednesday 30th November- Phonics session for EYFS Parents- 3.15pm
Monday 16th January- Esafety session for Parents 2pm- Main hall.
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THE BIG SCHOOL CAMP
We want as many year 3,4,5 and 6 pupils to attend our BIG CAMP this summer. We have exciting activities planned and we have done our very best to keep the cost low for families. You can even pay in instalments! We currently have only 35 pupils booked on. We need at least 75 for the event to go ahead!
Please reserve your space asap, by completing the google form sent to you via email. To find out more visit- https://www.bigschoolcamp.co.uk/ and if you have any questions or concerns please email me- jfellowes@abbeysprimary.org
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Miss Howell and Mrs Doyle will be at the Marc's Christmas Fair on Saturday 3rd December running our Tombola. We have so many prizes! Thanks to everyone who donated. The money raised will go towards new books for the library and play equipment/ wet play games.
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Tickets are on sale now for our Christmas Discos on Monday 5th December.
EYFS and KS1- 4pm- 5.30pm
KS2- 5.45pm- 7.15pm
All tickets must be purchased in advance- pupils will not be allowed to purchase tickets at the door. We are a cashless school.
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Do you have any old Christmas Jumpers lying around? If so why not donate them to our Christmas Jumper exchange?
Christmas Jumper day is on
Friday 9th December.
Ideally, every child will have a Jumper to wear.
Donations should be given in to the main office.
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Christmas Crazy
KS2 have started to learn the carols for their concert and EYFS, years 1 and 2 have begun their Nativity rehearsals.
Please make sure you have these key dates and times in your diary and that you and your child can attend. It is important that all children partake in these special celebrations!
Carol Concert- Thursday 8th December
Nativity Wednesday 14th December- two performances [one daytime one evening].
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Christmas card competition- Winners!
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They say good things come to those who wait! And it must be true. At her special birthday party, dressed as Sporty Spice, Miss Dean got engaged to Sam [dressed as Mr Bean].
Congratulations to you both! I shall start shopping for a hat!
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Mental Health workshops
Year 5/6
Years 5 and 6 have been learning about resilience. They thought of times when they had been resilient and thought about the things they could say to themselves to support their resilience, if they felt like giving up. They completed an activity called 'the resilience boat' and they discussed things that supported them, their strengths and feelings. They then thought about how they could support themselves and others and made paper chains linking these ideas together.
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COME ON ENGLAND!
As it was the start of the World Cup and England's first game, I allowed the pupils one free pass to watch together!
The experience of watching a match, with friends and teachers, in school, is something that pupils are unlikely to ever experience again. It is important to capture these moments together as it builds school community spirit and it will be something the pupils always remember.
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Congratulations to Jack in year 6!
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On Saturday 12th November Jack was asked to take part in the MK Dons Stadium Remembrance Parade.
Jack joined the parade at half-time.
Well done Jack!
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Congratulations Tyler Jane. A huge Silver medal in the Gymfinity floor routine.
I am wondering where you are going to store all of these medals Tyler!
Well done!
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A message from the School Council - they are always on the look-out for things to improve!
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Have a fantastic weekend everyone!
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