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We have had a productive couple of weeks in school since half-term and the children have really enjoyed starting their new topics. This week we have enjoyed World Book Day. As usual, the newsletter aims to summarise the great things we have been doing in school and provide an insight into some of the work that is going on behind the scenes. Have a lovely weekend everyone!

     

Thanks to all the Parents/ Carers that completed the Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey. The results were pleasing and it is excellent to see that:

95% of children are happy in school,

94% of pupils feel safe in school and know who to go to if they need support. 

97% of pupils/ families are happy with the school as a whole. 

However, as with all surveys there are always areas to improve on and as a team we will reflect on these areas and aim to improve on our work. 

I pride myself in having an open door policy. I give out my direct email address, so that I can be contacted should you have any concerns, and I am happy to discuss any concerns you may have - big or small.

At Abbeys, we believe that relationships are key. All pupils should have access to at least 3 adults in school that they trust and can talk to- if not more! Generally, pupils like to talk to a teaching assistant or their teacher if they are feeling anxious. However, there are numerous adults in school who are available for your child.

This week every child designed a poster to remind them of who they can turn to in school. They can keep this safe at home as a reminder. 

    

     

The Mental Health and Wellbeing team consists of the following members of staff:

Me- Mrs Fellowes- Mental Health Lead/ Headteacher

Mrs Louis White- SENCO/ Deputy Head

Miss Dean- Mental Health First Aider

Miss Proctor- Mental Health First Aider

Miss Henry- Mental Health First Aider

Mrs Jamieson- Learning Mentor

All of the staff at Abbeys, have had mental health and wellbeing training and the mental health team have undertaken additional training to support pupils with mental health conditions and adults with mental health needs. We all know how to identify pupils and adults that may need additional support. This has taken a significant amount of school resources and is a unique selling point of Abbeys Primary. 

The mental health and wellbeing provision that we provide at Abbeys is personalised to the pupil, however this may include:

~A new mental health and wellbeing curriculum that addresses different aspects of mental health, to ensure children have the skills to overcome personal challenges. 

~ Daily check-ins and support

~ Mentoring for anxiety, depression, self-image/ confidence

~ Interventions for mental health, social interaction and to support developing relationships

~ Support from outside agencies including referrals to CAHMS, Milton Keynes Mental Health Team, counselling services, Service Six and Young Carers

~ Alternative provisions like Field of Dreams, Ride high or Engage

~Involvement from the schools Mental Health Team

~ Well-being workshops

~Time to reflect at the end of the day, journaling and positive affirmations

~ PSHE lessons with a focus on mental health, circle time and debates

The children in Early Years have been drawing the adults in school who can help them if they are worried about anything!

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Sadly, today is Mrs Vicarage's last day at Abbeys. She doesn't want a fuss but she is going off onto new adventures and wants to spend more time with her husband! Farewell Mrs Vicarage! Keep in touch!

But before she left Mrs Vicarage has only gone and mugged Miss Harrison. Mrs Vicarage has been Miss Harrison's TA for the last 5 years and she wanted to tell Miss Harrison what a wonderful lady she is! Congrats Miss Harrison! Well- deserved. 

                                    

Congratulations to Isabelle and Ella who completed a random act of kindness in the half-term. They helped another child on the escalator and won our kindness competition! Well done girls. A bit of kindness goes a long way. 

As part of our understanding of the phrase bullying we have worked with other schools to define the language we use with our pupils. We have created the following documents to underpin our Anti-bullying policy. Please use this terminology with your children when talking about incidents in school and should you have concerns please contact your child's class teacher or myself.

Parent/ Carer behaviour on school site- A polite reminder

Like many other schools, we have a Visitor Code of Conduct in order to support a peaceful and safe school environment. The school will not tolerate parents, carers and visitors exhibiting the following:

• Disruptive behaviour or disorderly conduct which interferes or threatens to interfere with the operation of any area of the school site.

• Using loud or offensive language, attempting to physically intimidate, use of aggressive hand gestures or displaying temper.

• Threatening a member of school staff, visitor, fellow parent/carer or pupil regardless of whether or not the behaviour constitutes a criminal offence.

• Damaging school property.

• Sending abusive or threatening e-mails or text/voicemail/phone messages or other written communications.

• Defamation of the school or staff character on social networking sites.

• The use of physical aggression towards an adult or child. This includes physical punishment against your own child on school premises.

• Approaching someone else’s child because of their actions towards your own children.

• Smoking and consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs on school premises.

Having excellent relationships with Parents/ Carers is paramount for us. If you have any concerns please share these appropriately, the door is always open. We are also human beings and expect to be treated appropriately. 

Free Vector | Afternoon tea cartoon set

If you haven't booked on for our Mother's day event the time is running out! We need to prepare food in advance to ensure we have enough jam and cream! Tickets cannot be purchased on the day. 

If you'd like to book - go to Parent pay. 

The timings are as follows-

EYFS and KS1- 9.30am-10.30am

Year 3 /4 – 11am-12

Year 5/6- 2pm- 3pm [Belmont to come @ 11am due to Swimming]

On Friday 31st March we will be having some EGGxiting competitions in school. All children are encouraged to partake. 

There wil be chocolatey prizes for the winners. 

There is an egg decorating competition and an Easter bonnet competition. Pupils can enter both if they wish.
At 3pm there will be an Easter bonnet parade on the playground and parents/ carers are welcome to attend. 

More information to follow.

DID someone say CHOCOLATE???

Years 5 and 6 have been making their own chocolate bars! They have designed their own brand and sold the chocolate to their Parents/ Carers. The event was a great success! If you want to create your own unique chocolate bar, I would be willing to taste them for you!

Ingredients:

Milk chocolate

Choice of fillings (Marshmallows, Biscuits, Raisins, Popcorn, Jelly sweets) 

Equipment: 

Microwave

Jug

Wooden spoon

Small spoon

Chocolate moulds 

Method:

First, select the fillings you would like to put inside your chocolate bar. 

Second, break up the chocolate into a jug and melt the chocolate in the microwave. Make sure that you regularly stir every 10 seconds with a wooden spoon. Be careful not to keep it in the microwave for too long, otherwise the chocolate could burn! 

Thirdly, carefully place the fillings of your choice into the moulds and ensure that they are spread out evenly. 

After this, slowly pour the chocolate into the moulds to cover the fillings (be careful not to overfill your mould!)

Use the small spoon to gently cover all fillings and move any of the bits of fillings around where needed. 

Allow the chocolate to set in the fridge for around 30 minutes. 

After 30 minutes, take the chocolate out from the fridge and gently pop out the chocolate from the moulds. 

Lastly, wrap up in a packaging or storage container of your choice to keep it fresh.

Finally, and this is the most important part.... wrap it up and bring it into school for me to test!

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SHOUT OUTS

This week we have three SHOUT-OUTS to share!

Andrei has been doing amazingly well at Ninja Knights, he has a lot of medals gold, silver and bronze. He only started one year ago on level 7 [beginner] and now is on level 4 intermediate! Well Done Andrei!

Theo scored 5 goals for his football team at the weekend! And he got man of the match! Well done Theo!

Lastly, Lewis [year 6] gave his pocket money to a homeless man so he could get a cup of tea! What a lovely gesture Lewis. 

Keep sending me your SHOUT OUTS! We want to hear all about your achievements outside of school. 

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FOREST SCHOOL

As you can see the Forest school is developing nicely and many of our younger pupils are taking part in weekly visits. 

Should you have unwanted gardening equipment, such as logs, wood, forestry equipment, pots, pans and utensils for the mud kitchen, or wellies in a size 12+ and you are able to donate them we'd love to hear from you!

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On Thursday 16 February, His Majesty The King attended a celebratory reception at Milton Keynes' Church of Christ the Cornerstone, to mark Milton Keynes' new status as a city, awarded as part of The late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Laura was lucky enough to meet him, she even shook his hand and discussed half-term. 

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Congratulations to the year 5/6 football team. A 1-1 draw against St Bernadettes is a fantastic achievement! Congratulations to Theo for an amazing goal! 

Well done everyone! And thanks again to Mrs Dunnett and Mr Godfrey. 

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Preparing pupils for life after Abbeys

Since Covid, staff at Abbeys have noticed that Pupils are not as resilient as they used to be. This is a national picture. Mental health, attendance issues and lower resilience is mirrored nationally and it is something that we are really focused on improving. 

Resilience is one of the Abbeys' Values.  It is the ability to move on after a difficulty. To withstand a problem and bounce back when faced with a challenge. This is a skill all pupils need to develop for life after Abbeys and they will need this skill as an adult. 

Please support your child by developing these skills at home. 

    

Mother's Day Tea & Scone Event
All Day
17
March
Westminster Class Assembly
2:45pm – 3:15pm
22
March
Parents/Carers Consultation Evening
3:15pm – 7:00pm
28
March
Parents/Carers Consultation Evening
3:15pm – 5:00pm
29
March
Last After School Clubs
3:15pm – 4:00pm
30
March