Autumn Term 2023
Dear Parents and Carers,
September seems like a distant memory as we wonder where this term had gone! It has been a long and busy Autumn term, packed with events and activities. The highlights have been the Reception Nativity, Year 1 Harvest presentation, our Christmas Fayre, the success of our sporting events and of course our Year 5 Carol Service today. It has been lovely to welcome families into school to see the fantastic performances at events such as these. It is also lovely to see the growing confidence in our children and the smiles on their faces. These events enrich the curriculum and allow education to take place both inside and outside the classroom.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your support over the term - for your kind words and recognition of the hard work of our staff as well as for the support you give to your children every day.
On behalf of all of us at Pheasey, I wish you and your families a peaceful, festive season.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Mrs Arnold
Christmas Carol Concert
Well done to our Year 5 pupils and the School Choir for a wonderful Christmas Carol Service this morning. Despite the sniffs, coughs, colds and absences the children spoke and sang beautifully.
This service is a firm favourite of all of the staff. The solo at the start of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, the beautiful O Holy Night and the children’s rendition of ’When a Child is Born’ never fail to bring a tear to the eye.
Thank you to all children and Staff involved in making this such a positive message about the story of Christmas.
Nativity
Last week, our Reception children performed their version of ’The Little Nativity’ to their families and friends. They spoke confidently and clearly, remembered all their actions and dances and their singing was beautiful - we even had some solos which is a huge achievement for children so young. They looked wonderful in their costumes and we know that this will have made some special memories for both children and adults. Every year children have an opportunity to perform or present to parents and you will see their confidence grow year on year.
Well done children!
Reception Pantomime
On Wednesday, 13th December, Reception children went on a visit to Walsall Arena and Arts Centre to watch a theatre production of Cinderella. The children (and the staff) had a thoroughly enjoyable time and it was the first theatre trip for a large number of our children. Their behaviour was exceptional and this was commented on by Staff at the venue so parents should be very proud indeed!
AfPE Quality Mark - Time to Celebrate!
The afPE Quality Mark is a highly regarded award which recognises the crucial role that PE and sport play in the lives of children. This Quality Mark is a rigorous review which has allowed us to celebrate our many strengths in PESSPA (Physical Education, School Sport and Physical Activity)
I am delighted to let parents know that not only have we been awarded the afPE Quality Mark, we have been awarded this with distinction!
The following points were cited in our feedback:
The Physical Education leader is inspirational, hard-working, and dedicated to improving the provision of PESSPA for ALL pupils.
The curriculum grid and knowledge and skills progression are first class.
The swimming attainment is exemplary.
Thank you to Mrs Forward, our PE Leader, for her hard work towards gaining this award and all staff who teach PE and swimming throughout school.
PE kits
Whilst we are on the subject of PE, in order to ensure all standards continue to be met in terms of health and safety, please can we remind you of our PE kit requirements:
Indoor PE Kit
White logo PE t-shirt
Navy shorts
Black PE pumps (no trainers are permitted indoors)
Outdoor PE Kit
White PE t-shirt
Plain navy joggers
Plain navy sweatshirt
Trainers
Children will not be permitted to wear their school tights for outdoor PE for hygiene reasons
Eco Code Competition Winner
As part of our strive to maintain the prestigious Green Flag award for our Eco Schools work, we are required to have an up to date Eco Code displayed in all classrooms around the school. An Eco Code is a mission statement to demonstrate our commitment to improving our school’s environmental performance.
At Pheasey Park Farm we update our Eco Code every academic year to reflect our commitment and link to the following areas; Biodiversity, School Grounds, Waste, Global Citizenship and Litter. The Eco Committee invited pupils to take part in a competition to design a new Eco Code in the form of either a poem, a rap or song lyrics.
We are very proud to share with you our new eco code for this year and the winner of the competition was Karis from Year 4.
Well done Karis - this will now be displayed in prominent places across the school.
Flu Vaccinations
Central Health are currently working with the NHS and the Black Country local Authorities to ensure our most vulnerable are protected from Covid and Flu this winter.
There are a series of Vaccination clinics across the Black Country in December and January. To find a venue close to you, click on the following link:
Online safety
We are seeing an increasing number of issues in school which stem from activities online whilst at home. This is often as a result of children falling out with each other whilst gaming or on social media platforms such as Snapchat or WhatsApp. Parents may not realise the age limits on these platforms - Snapchat is 13 yrs or over and WhatsApp is actually 16 years. Whilst we will always investigate matters to ensure children are safeguarded online, it is parents responsibility to monitor devices and phones at home to ensure children are using them responsibly and respectfully.
Attached is a SWAY link which contains some important messages to ensure children are safe online over the Christmas period.
Achievement Stars!
Each half term, all the children who have completed their Achievement Books have their names put into a prize draw.
The winners of the Christmas Draw - having being noticed for their excellent attitude towards learning - are:
Year 1 - Shreen K
Year 2 - Teddy P
Year 3 - Muhammed A
Year 4 - Joshua A
Year 5 - Ellarose H
Year 6 - Grace H
Well done to you all and Happy Spending!
Local Scout Group - Christmas Tree Recycling
Help raise some important funds for the 20th Walsall Scout Group!
Trees will be collected by a team of scout volunteers from 8am on Tuesday 2 January 2024 until 9pm on Friday 13 January 2024.
Collection postcodes include: WS1, WS3, WS4, WS5, WS9 and B43.
When you book you have two date options for collection:
Between 2-7 January 2024
Between 8-14 January 2024.
They are unable to specify an exact collection date or time, so please ensure your tree is left in a clearly visible, accessible and unobstructed location, outside of your home. If you select tree collection between 2-7 January, your tree needs to be outside your home by 8am on 2 January. If you select tree collection between 8-14 January, your tree need to be outside your home by 8am on 8 January.
Please note that Scout volunteers are unable, under any circumstance, to enter your property (e.g. house, garden, shed). If your tree is not in a clearly visible and accessible location, our volunteers will unfortunately not be able to return to collect it. Unfortunately they will not be able to collect trees over 10ft.
Community Events and Family Support
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