Follow the Light!
Headteacher Newsletter - Tuesday 2nd November 2021
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Good morning,
Welcome back, everyone. I hope you have all enjoyed the half-term pit stop and it gave you some time to enjoy your family and the great outdoors - it's definitely the end of Summer, however, the sun is still shining on occasion so let's embrace it while it lasts. Brighter mornings bring a sense of positivity and purpose; sadly, the evenings appear to have become darker rather quickly. Balancing the light and dark can most definitely imitate the realities of life - As a wise man once said “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
In light of the light, I'd like to express the importance of being safe with the fast-approaching darkness; for example, children staying out at night, children staying at home on computers (for longer), walking and biking from school (as a reminder, we still advise ONLY Year 5 upwards to walk/bike to and from school without a parent) - it is so important we keep our little ones safe so please do let us know if we can help in any way. Our PSHE curriculum focuses on topics such as road safety, staying safe (online and outdoors), and building positive relationships, etc. Therefore, please be assured, this forms an integral aspect of our school-wide curriculum. Unfortunately, we've had a series of visits with the PCSOs postponed due to the new covid measures. This I can assure you will be picked up once we know more as this service is so invaluable as it provides children with real experts in the field.
I hope you have all read the updated risk assessment; it appears we're still not through the woods so the additional measures implemented by Suffolk County Council are incredibly important. We have been advised to ask all parents/carers to wear masks in the playground again; also, all visits to the school and face-to-face events have had to be put on hold until we know more on 15th November. This is such sad news as we had several important events planned shortly, most notably, parents' evening, Armistice, and Remembrance services! Let's hope we can return with a bumper nativity (Covid measures depending).
At the end of the last term, we also experienced some unplanned events - as you know Miss Mitchell welcomed the earlier-than-planned arrival of her baby. I'd like to share my congratulations with her and be thankful that all was well in the end. This, obviously, meant we had little time to organise her cover. I am also aware that the children were informed before the parents; this should not have happened and I can only apologise for this and assure you that staff are informed about confidentiality and communicating via the right channels. However, I am really pleased to make you all aware that despite having very little time or foresight, we have managed to secure Mrs. Vicky Humphreys (supply teacher) for the entire time that Miss Mitchell will be off. This will enable a period of consistency and stability, which in today's challenges of education are not a given. Furthermore, Mrs. Buckle is a key player in that she will continue to work with the children on 4 days of the week, providing familiarity, consistency, quality teaching practice, support, and nurture. I'd also like to share that Miss Mitchell has kindly spent 3 days planning for the class - this has included sharing her in-depth timetable and curriculum planning, book band progression information, and pupil portraits (information about each child). Hence, I'd like to reiterate that the school has acted incredibly quickly and I am proud of the tireless work the staff is putting in to ensure your children's learning continues to be our priority!
With regards to priority, I'd like to inform you that children's assessment and their learning needs are very much at the top of the list (alongside wellbeing and safety as always). At the end of the academic year, all parents/carers received a full report, which identified your child's progress, mainly focusing on phonics, reading, writing, and maths. This information identified the academic attainment/progress alongside the gaps that are likely to have appeared having had such a significant period of absence (over the last 18 months). I hope you found this information helpful and have taken strides yourself to support your child's learning as per the 'Supporting learning at home' section detailed in the report. In September, we held a 'Meet The Teacher' event to support you all with understanding the day-to-day timetable, routines, expectations, and curriculum. I have shared the attendance statistics further below. Next week, we have planned for face-to-face parents evenings in order to update you on your child's progress since their short return to school. Sadly, we'll need to navigate a slightly different approach as a result of the new Suffolk County Council measures. Please be patient whilst we discuss an alternative approach. In summary, I'd like to state that I am really pleased with how we have communicated to you all regarding your child's learning despite not being blessed with a full term to fully assess your child(ren). Please don't forget that we also share a Dojo story every week alongside serial tweeting, and messages via Arbor.
With regard to messages, I'd like to share with you all that Mrs. Singleton will no longer be working at Crawford's 2 days a week due to ill health. I'd like to thank Mrs. Singleton for the past 2 years and beyond (when she was a volunteer) where she was always an advocate of the children, their values, and needs. I will never forget the Snape music performance that we shared together and will always hold that experience as one of my greatest at Crawford's. Thank you, Mrs. Singleton and we wish you well!
Please see a whistle-stop tour (in pictures) of our many successes last term!
Here's to a positive term ahead!
Mr. Francksen
Meet The Teacher Attendance Statistics
Average of 53.7%
1. COVID Risk Assessment November Update
2. This Term's Early-Help Wrap Around Care aka Clubs
Crawford's offers such a fantastic wrap-around care provision for children. This is FREE and offers children a multitude of experiences outside of their normal day. Please do encourage your child(ren) to come and have a go. Our new list is shared, below.
After-school clubs tend to get booked up very quickly. If you book a space for an after-school club that you then no longer require, please let the office staff know as soon as possible so that the space can be released.
3. The Autumn Term in pictures...
The school refurbishes some areas (inside and outside)
Crawford's gold and blue ring true
Crawford's 'Helping Hands' welcomes visitors and shares our social action legacy in the village
The Crawford's Flag gets raised
Classrooms take on a new look
Forest Schools begin
Experiencing your inner wild
Plant identification
OPAL continues to evolve
Milk 'N' Shake Breakfast Club grows
We celebrate National Fitness Day
Our Cross Country Champions
The Crawford's Vs Bardwell football match makes the press
Our first intra-house sports competition
We welcome back a sports captain legend for the day
We welcome Xander to the world. Congratulations Miss Mitchell!
4. “Good to Grow with Morrisons”
Help us get free gardening equipment for our school! Collect tokens when you shop online or in store. Download the Morrisons app and start collecting today. Please see more information below.
5. Free School Meals - please check your eligibility and apply
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free school meal. This is known as the Universal Infant Free School Meal (UIFSM). Your child may be eligible for income-related free school meals (FSM) throughout their schooling - this will save you around £437 per year. We encourage all eligible families to apply for FSM, as the school will receive additional funding for these pupils.
To check or apply online, visit: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/children-families-and-learning/schools/school-meals-uniforms-and-trips/apply-for-free-school-meals/
Check if you're eligible
Your child will get free school meals if you receive any of the following:
Income Support
Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit but no element of Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenues & Customs) that does not exceed £16,190
If you are supported under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Working Tax Credit during the four-week period immediately after your employment finishes or after you start to work fewer hours per week
Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400 (£616.67 per month), as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods).
To check if your child is eligible, apply online for an immediate response or call 01473 260989.
6. Safeguarding & Wellbeing
Please use the links below to learn more about important topics including online/social media, safeguarding and wellbeing resources, updates.
About us
Email: admin@crawfordsprimary.suffolk.sch.uk
Website: https://www.crawfordsprimaryschool.com/
Location: Haughley, Stowmarket IP14 3QZ, UK
Phone: 01449 673253
Twitter: @CrawfordsPSchl