Newsletters

George Spicer newsletter 6th May 2021


T: 020 8363 1406 
E: office@georgespicer.enfield.sch.uk 
W: www.georgespicer.enfield.sch.uk 
Twitter: @GeorgespicerP 


George Spicer newsletter - Thursday 6th May 2021

Covid update -  Please continue to maintain social distancing when waiting to drop off/collect your child and always wear a mask if you are on school premises. 

Head lice cases continue to be reported - there are still cases of children having head lice on both school sites.  Please check your child's hair and treat if necessary.  Long hair must always be tied up. 

We would welcome donations of packs/boxes of tissues please!


Quote of the week

“Great things happen to those who don't stop believing, trying, learning, and being grateful.”  ― Roy T. Bennett


Attendance facts and figures

Although this school year has been disrupted, we are pleased to report very good levels of attendance across the whole school.  Our school aim is to achieve 95.6% and we are currently at 95.9%, so we hope that these high levels will continue until the end of the Summer term.

Well done to everyone that is in school and on time every day!

However, did you know that……

  • If your child is 5 minutes late every day, they will miss 3 days of learning each year.
  • If your child is 15 minutes late every day, they will miss 2 weeks of learning each year.

Arriving in class late is also disruptive to the rest of the children who are settled in and ready to learn.

Attending school every day = 100% attendance

Attending 4½ days a week = 90% attendance = 4 weeks missed per year

Attending 4 days a week = 80% attendance = more than half a term missed per year

Attending 3½ days each week = 70% attendance = more than a quarter of the school year missed

An average attendance of 80% or less across a child’s school career adds up to missing a whole 2 years from school.

Don’t forget to contact the school as soon as possible in the morning if your child is going to be absent either via the website https://www.georgespicer.enfield.sch.uk/contact-us or by calling 020 8363 1406.

Attendance week ending 06/05/2021

Overall school =  95.80%   Lates = 122

Best attendance: 1st  Elm 98.85%  2nd Snowdrop 98.81% 3rd   Theseus 98.57%

Punctuality: Well done Elm and Anubis class for 100% punctuality this week


Nature is known to be an effective way of tackling mental health problems and protecting our wellbeing as millions of people have rediscovered during lockdowns over the last year.

Next week, being Mental Health Awareness Week, the week will be filled with exciting opportunities for every child to open their eyes and connect with the power of nature, based around steps to wellbeing, including:

  • Daily nature walks & activities to explore our local environment
  • Planting & growing, as part of the edible gardens project    
  • Finding ways to improve our school environment 
  • Making art from nature activities
  • Exploring global environmental issues and learning how they can shape the natural world for generations to come.
  • Mindfulness activities to support our pupils understanding of how nature and their choice of activities can benefit their own mental health

The 5 steps to Wellbeing

We will also be launching 6 new awards on Marvellous Me to celebrate the children’s engagement with their own mental health and wellbeing.  These ‘Bees’ underpin the five steps to wellbeing and happiness as endorsed by the NHS, Mind and other leading wellbeing experts, with the addition of positive mental health bringing the 6th badge ‘Bee Happy’.

 

You will also find below 2 links to “Connect with Nature” booklets for pupils and parents/carers to inspire your family to join us exploring and learning about nature together.  Enjoy!

Download Guide for Pupils  

Download Guide for Parents/Carers

 


Year 2 - 'See how it grows' topic

In year 2, we have planted broad beans as part of our 'See how it grows' topic. We learned that a plant needs sunlight and water to grow. We conducted an experiment to see what happened to our plants without water and without light. Can you guess which is which? We are hoping our healthy plants will soon grow some broad beans for us to enjoy!

       

 

Year 1 - Willow class 

The children used natural resources to draw animals from the Neolithic Age.

                


Year 4 - Medieval Monarchs

As part of their English, Year 4 worked hard to put together their own performance on the Medieval Monarchs. All adults were so impressed with the effort that went into each group's work. They should all feel incredibly proud of themselves! 


Year 5 - English - Isis and the Cobra

In English this week, we have been learning about the story Isis and the Cobra. We have been writing interview transcripts from the perspective of Ra to understand how he felt about revealing his secret name to Isis. We used hot seating to explore Ra's thoughts about the event before we began our writing. 

               


          Year 6 - Junior citizenship afternoon     

This week year 6 took part in a junior citizenship afternoon run by Transport for London. During the session, we learnt about travelling safely on public transport in preparation for our transition to secondary school. 


'Thank you' message

A big thank you to a grandparent, Mrs Bassett, who has donated a generous sum of money towards resources for the children. We will be purchasing some outdoor equipment across both sites so that everyone can benefit!

5 stars award for our school kitchens!

Well done to our Catering Manager, Sarah and the Enfield Catering team who have once again been awarded 5 stars by Environmental Health for the hygiene and cleanliness of both school kitchens! We’re super proud of the teams and our facilities.


Big Pedal/Missing helmet 

All the year groups had a wheely good time taking part in the Big Pedal.  Since then it seems that cycling and scootering to school are increasing in popularity.  Lots more helmets are being worn too.  Thank you for encouraging your children to be safe.  We are in the process of arranging for more bike and scooter storage.  Watch this space!

We advise naming ALL property in school as often there are several identical blue or pink micro scooters or red bikes and it is easy for children to mistakenly take the wrong thing.  Clear name labels prevent this happening and if the wrong property is taken, it can be returned easily to its rightful owner.

Last week a helmet (which was clearly named) has been misplaced. Please can you check that your child took home the right one.

These name labels are inexpensive, easy to use and washproof.  Mrs Allen uses them for her own son's school uniform, packed lunch box, water bottles, coat as well as his helmet, bike and scooter.  "Everything he takes into school is stuck with a name sticker.  Eventually anything he loses or forgets will return to him.  These are a worthwhile investment and so easy to use!"

You can order them here and raise funds for FoGs at the same time:

https://www.stikins.co.uk/fundraising/school-fundraising/ and use number 7843 when ordering


Miss Spillman’s Esafety tips

With Mental Health Awareness being next week, National Online Safety have released a 30-day guide to stress awareness month guide.  

Some suggestions include:

Support yourself physically; try leaving your phone at home and go for a long walk without it. You could write a letter or a postcard to a member of your family or friends. 

Mentally support yourself by playing ambient music to relax before going to bed.  

Support yourself emotionally by video calling family and friends to catch up.  Set a reminder to remind yourself of something you have done and makes you proud.


Operation Encompass - Metropolitan Police Service 

The school has been given the opportunity to take part in a project that will run jointly between schools and the Metropolitan Police Service. This project is known as Operation Encompass.

Operation Encompass is the notification to schools that a child (under 18) has been exposed to, or involved in, any domestic incident. This will ordinarily be done by the start of the next school day.

Operation Encompass will ensure that a specially trained member of the school staff, known as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), is informed. The DSL (Miss Eberle) can then use the information that has been shared, in confidence, to ensure the wellbeing of the child.

The school may be able to make provisions or adjustments to assist the child and their family.

We are keen to offer the best support possible to all our pupils and we believe this will be extremely beneficial for all those involved.


FoGs News

FoGS would like your help to spread some sunshine by growing sunflowers.🌻 

Packs of 10 seeds will be available to purchase this Friday, 7th May (along with some sweets treats) from 3pm for a suggested donation of £1 to support George Spicer pupil wellbeing. Locations to be confirmed.

If you would like seeds, but will be unable to purchase after school, please email friendsofgeorgespicerpta@gmail.com with a copy of the PayPal receipt, and information on which class your child is in so we can arrange delivery of the seeds.  Paypal Fundraiser

Next FOGS online zoom meetings:

  • 8pm Wed 11th May 2021
  • 8pm Tues 8th June 2021
  • 8pm Wed 7th July 2021

Term Dates

HALF TERM - SCHOOL CLOSED
All Day
From 31 May until 04 Jun
31
May