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www.arundelchurchofenglandschool.org.uk, 01903 883149, [email protected]
Dear Parents and Guardians "We have to be united. I accept every different opinion but the modern world produces little groups of opinion. The little communities need to live together for the common strength for our school, for the good of Arundel C of E Primary School." Anonymous
It is always easy to moan, blame others and think that the grass is greener on the other side. Maybe just being positive can change that and maybe you can make an even greater impact on our school. I use the word ‘our’ rather than ‘the governors’ or ‘mine’ as I see it as our school, so, please, if you can, step up to support ACE. I have always believed that what you put into something is what you get out of it. I wonder how much you put into our school?
Volume 1, Issue 1
www.arundelchurchofenglandschool.org.uk, 01903 883149, [email protected]
Volume 1, Issue 10
Remembrance Service at ACE
Remembrance Day was marked in our school to commemorate the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month last Thursday, when Mr Hawke took the lead in our service. We observed two minutes of silence at 11:00am to remember those killed in war and we took the opportunity to thank all those people who were and are still are important to us. Emily, in Year 6, was simply amazing playing The Last Post on her bugle. I would also like to thank those parents who were able to join us. I also have to mention Noah in Year 6 who performed brilliantly at the Town Square service, reading his remembrance poem, which was chosen by the Mayor of Arundel.
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ACE calls out for votes to bag a share of Tesco’s bag fund
ACE is bidding to bag a massive cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative.
Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants of up to £4,000, up to £2,000 and £1,000 raised from carrier bag sales in Tesco stores awarded to local community projects.
Three groups in every Tesco region have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant.
We are very excited that ACE is one of the groups on the shortlist! If we are successful, we will be using the grant to help fund a new jungle gym for the children.
Voting is open in all Tesco stores throughout November and December. Customers can cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop.
Please, please, please remember to vote using the blue tokens every time you shop at Tesco. The more tokens we receive, the more money we will be awarded – if we are voted first this will mean £4,000 towards our children’s jungle gym.
Tesco’s Bags of Help project has already delivered over £40 million to 9,700 projects up and down the UK. Tesco customers get the chance to vote for three different groups every time they shop. Every other month, when votes are collected, three groups in each of Tesco’s regions will be awarded funding.
To find out more visit www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp.
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Christmas Fayre Friday 30th November
Our Christmas Fayre is fast approaching and for this we heavily rely on support from parents, staff and friends of the school to make it so successful.
We will again be selling your wonderful cakes in our refreshment area on the day of the fayre so we would kindly request that any donations be brought in on the day of the fayre.
If you can help out on the afternoon of the fayre, please do so.
Many thanks for your continued support,
The FACES Team
World War 1 Week at ACE
I would like to thank the legend that is John Morrison who inspired us all to have such an excellent curriculum week using the theme of World War 1 to motivate us all. The War can be remembered for all the pain and suffering which took place, which is something we should never forget, and although the world sadly didn’t learn from this dreadful war, as a community, we can consider some of the terrific values that were evident in the people of this day, of faith, hope, love and compassion for others during this time.
We were very lucky to have so many historians and people linked to the history of World War 1 in Arundel visit ACE including John Morrison, Bob Rendall, John Barkshire, Dr Mott, Rita Godfry, The Dalton Family members, Robin and Karen Berryman, Arthur Merrick, Pastor Steve, Sue Hine, George Stedman, Malcolm Hawke and many other people who come and worked with the classes. Not too bad for a little school in Arundel!
Why do I as Head believe it is important to learn about World War 1?
There is something about the First World War that makes it a fundamental part of our national consciousness. It is hard to comprehend just how many young people of that generation were lost. Every village I go to, every town hall I visit, the list of names lost in the First World War is all too often twice as long as those lost in the Second World War. It is humbling to think of the sacrifice they made for us.
That mix of horror and courage, suffering and hope which defines so much of the First World War has permeated our culture too. From the poems of Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen to modern day writers like Sebastian Faulks and Pat Barker, the literature and poetry inspired by the First World War still captivates us today.
For these reasons and more I believe it is important to mark the historic centenary of the silencing of the guns for all our children.
There will be some who feel we should just note the scale of the slaughter and leave it there. Others will say we should be clear about why our countries went to war: the atrocities in Belgium and the threat of a Prussian dominated Europe. The world would have been a much darker place if Britain and the Allies had failed to act. We should not be afraid of recognising that.
The greatest lesson of all from the First World War is that from war and hatred must come a confidence and determination never to go back.
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So what we did
On Monday we were very fortunate to have George Stedman visit the school to talk to the children about Frank Stedman, who is a real local hero (please do visit Arundel Museum to find out more). He talked about Frank and then also ensured that every pupil in the school planted a poppy seed in the WW1 remembrance garden.
On Tuesday we were fortunate enough to have Chris and Neville Dalton visit us and John Morrison came in to work with classes to talk about the Red Cross and the Winnie Bishop Diary.
On Wednesday we had Pastor Steve talk about the importance of remembrance and then Arthur Merrick read a poem and talked about the role of the British Legion. John Barkshire, cousin of Winnie Bishop, came in to talk to Year 3 to talk about her diary. Bob Rendall came in to talk to the children in Year 5 about the scouts during World War 1.
On Thursday we had our special Remembrance Service with Mr Hawke and a number of governors, parents and people from the local community including Father Stephen.
On Friday we had a number of historians come into the school and the children were given the opportunity to explore the historic boards, and sources which can be found in the Museum.
On Sunday we took part in the special Remembrance Service in the Town Square.
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A Thought from a Teacher at ACE about World War 1 week
ACE is proudly celebratory of individuality, of the exciting range of talents and abilities enjoyed by pupils and staff; of independence and the power of exploring different opinions through debate, through the encouraging of daring (even heretical!) thought. We have seen this expressed during our history week, which featured some fabulous local historian and allowed the children to explore the main aspects of what the War meant to so many people.
Our pupils are scientists, artists, thespians and sportsmen and women and each one has individual aspirations, plans, attributes and abilities. We know we are at our best when people can be most fully themselves; can enjoy and revel in these individualities and value each other as worthy of respect, kindness, consideration and care. Crucially, the interdependence at the heart of this ACE community is founded on respect. Sadly not everyone understands respect or trust and this is one key we can learn from the great poet below.
In Flanders Fields, by John McRae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
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Dove Class Experience
As part of their work on World War 1, Dove Class have been learning about the food that people ate during the war. On Wednesday, the children baked their own bread using a very special ingredient - potatoes! There was a shortage of wheat and flour during the War and potatoes were easier to grow, so they were used to bake bread. On Thursday, the children chopped up lots of vegetables to make a delicious vegetable soup and ate it with their bread. This was a popular recipe in World War 1 as the vegetables could be grown at home. Who says five year olds don't like vegetables?! They went down a treat!
The Story of Reginald Dalton – A Year 6 experience
In Year 6 this week, we have been lucky enough to have some amazing and inspiring visitors to help us with our historical enquiry. We have been finding out about the story behind one of the 93 names of men from Arundel who died in the First World War – Reg Dalton.
We met Reg’s great nephew, Neville, and his wife, Chris, who has worked very hard on researching all the information. Neville, who used to be a history teacher, told us that history is all about telling a story as accurately as possible, so we will try to be true to Reg’s story…
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The Daltons and the Butchers Shop
• The Dalton family (Claude and Kate) ran the butchers shop that is now the Cancer Research shop in the High Street.
• Reg was Neville’s great uncle (his grandfather’s brother). • When Reg died in the War, he was not married and did not have any children. He had two brothers
(Leslie and Felix) and a sister (Irene). • Chris told us that she had heard that Reg had a girlfriend and that he wrote to her saying that he
loved her, but that he may not come back from the War so she should find somebody else. (Alan told us that this source was never found and that it may be that the Norwegian people who found Reg may have mistaken a letter to his sister for a love letter.)
• Reg was the oldest of his three siblings. • Felix named his only child after his brother – Reginald Claude Dalton. • Neville was the son of the second Reg Dalton. He was born in the shop next door to the butchers
shop. The room he was born in is now the dentist’s waiting room. • The house was heated by gas – they had no electricity. You had to put shillings in the gas meter
every Friday to make it work. When Neville was a baby in his cot, there was a gas leak in the room and Neville turned blue. He is lucky to be alive.
• Neville remembers that his grandfather (Felix) used to hang Christmas lights on the top hooks outside the shop. They were made of glass jars with coloured gas lights inside.
• Neville’s grandfather took him to the slaughterhouse when he was a child. (The Slaughterhouse is now the building called the Sail Loft). Neville was horrified when he saw the animals and blood and, in his fright, he fell backwards into ‘the blood hole’. This was a hole where the blood was poured so it would drain through pipes into the River Arun. Neville was up to his shorts in blood and still dripping from it when he got home. His nan scolded him and told him to get straight in the bath (which was a tin bath in the kitchen). It took ages to wash off all the blood.
• The place where the blood hole went into the river was a good spot to fish for eels as they were attracted to the blood.
• The family who had the butchers shop before the Daltons were called the Reads. We think their photo was taken at Christmas.
• Reg worked as a printer for a newspaper before he joined the Royal Navy as a sick berth attendant. He was also in St Nicholas’ Church choir and the Scouts.
• Reg died in the Battle of Jutland, on HMS Tipperary. His body was found by Norwegian sailors and he was given a funeral at Egersund in Norway. 400-500 people attended.
• The people of Egersund looked after Reg’s grave and wrote kind letters to his parents.
By Ichthus Class
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The Battle of Jutland – 31/5/1916 to 1/6/1916
• HMS Tipperary was a Faulkner Class Destroyer Leader. It was 331 feet (109m) long and 32.6 feet (9.9m) tall.
• It sunk because it was hit by 150 rounds from two different German ships at the same time. • The German ships found the Tipperary because it flashed a recognition signal. Six ships spotted it.
Torpedoes were also shot at the Tipperary but they missed. • HMS Tipperary could reach a speed of 32 knots (36mph). • Initially the British ships circled around the German ships while they planned how they were going to
fight. • 6094 British sailors died in the battle. 2551 Germans died. • On the Tipperary alone 150 out of 197 crew died.
By Curtis & Joe
Images of History Week
In the space below you can see some more images from the History week at ACE.
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October
Friday 16th November – School photographs, individual and family (am); ACE Has Got Talent (pm)
Tuesday 20th November – Open morning at ACE for prospective parents; please share this
Friday 23rd November – Eagle Class trip to Butser Farm
Monday 26th November – Nativity clothes into school for all KS1 children
Monday 26th November – Nativity clothes into school for all KS1 children
Friday 30th November – FACES Christmas Fair straight after school. Bring the whole family!
Friday 7th December – Year 6 singing at the Baptist Church. Year 2 trip to St Paul’s Cathedral
Saturday 8th December – Mr Hawke’s choir singing at the Cathedral
Monday 10th December – Key Stage 1 Nativity Show One
Tuesday 11th December – Key Stage 1 Nativity Show Two
Wednesday 12th December – Key Stage 1 Nativity Show Three
Thursday 13th December at 9am – Key Stage 2 Carol Service at St Nicholas’ Church with Father Stephen. (KS2 children to register at church)
Saturday 15th December at 10am – Mr Servant’s ACE Choir at Morrison’s
Monday 17th Decembe 6pm – Key Stage 2 Carol Concert at ACE
Wednesday 19th December – FACES Christmas breakfast and school Christmas Lunch (KS2 parents/carers, please order directly with Chartwells)
Thursday 3rd January and Friday 4th January – INSET days
Monday 7th January 2019 – Children return to school
PLEASE REMEMBER FACES Christmas Fayre Friday 30th November
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A Special Message to all the children at ACE
Please remember, if you ever want to be in this newsletter, all you have to do is a little bit of extra work at home (or excellent work in class) and bring it in to show me. I love seeing the children’s enthusiasm about doing such work and I strongly believe we should all work in partnership to try and create a positive mindset and the idea that working hard is a good thing. So please do come and show me your work and if parents could encourage all their children to do it that would be great.
Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success. Henry Ford
Our motto should be really quite simple: be always faithful, always loyal to our families and each other. Understand that sometimes we may have differences but at the end we must do what is best for our ACE community.
Attendance
Every week we publish weekly attendance data for each of the classes. The class that has the best attendance will be awarded the Attendance Cup during Sharing. Please do join us to celebrate the children’s achievement!
Rainbow 99.31% Eagle 98.70% Unicorn 98.67% Phoenix 97.50% Ichthus 97.33% Butterfly 95.33% Dove 92.67%
Poppies poem
Three days before Armistice Sunday and poppies had already been placed on individual war graves. Before you left, I pinned one onto your lapel, crimped petals, spasms of paper red, disrupting a blockade of yellow bias binding around your blazer.
Sellotape bandaged around my hand, I rounded up as many white cat hairs as I could, smoothed down your shirt's upturned collar, steeled the softening of my face. I wanted to graze my nose across the tip of your nose, play at being Eskimos like we did when you were little. I resisted the impulse to run my fingers through the gelled blackthorns of your hair. All my words flattened, rolled, turned into felt,
slowly melting. I was brave, as I walked with you, to the front door, threw it open, the world overflowing like a treasure chest. A split second and you were away, intoxicated. After you'd gone I went into your bedroom, released a song bird from its cage. Later a single dove flew from the pear tree, and this is where it has led me, skirting the church yard walls, my stomach busy making tucks, darts, pleats, hat-less, without a winter coat or reinforcements of scarf, gloves.
On reaching the top of the hill I traced the inscriptions on the war memorial, leaned against it like a wishbone. The dove pulled freely against the sky, an ornamental stitch. I listened, hoping to hear your playground voice catching on the wind.
JANE WEIR
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School Sunday
I would firstly like to thank Father David for all his hard work leading and organizing School Sunday a few weeks ago at our church St Nicholas’. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful families who were able to attend, we had over 40 children there from ACE and this was a real feat considering how busy it is this time of the year. THANK YOU. I would also like to thank all the staff who were able to attend. All the teachers attended and the majority of the rest of the staff. ACE is so lucky to have such dedicated people and a day does not go by without me thinking how lucky I am personally to work with such passionate and dedicated staff.
Marvellous Max and his writing
It is always nice when children complete extra work at home. I always say that if we are ever going to reach a child’s full potential we must always work together to ensure this happens. This includes parents working at home with their children too. Well done to Max in Rainbow Class who has clearly been working very hard on his letter formation. Keep it up, Max.
Fabulous recounts from Rachel and Holly
It is lovely when you can see a trip has clearly inspired a group of children. Rachel and Holly have written a lovely recount of their trip to the Toy Museum in Brighton. The girls have even used a polishing pen to make their work even better too. Well done both of you.
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Year 5 and 6 Football Team – a success
Well done to our Year 5 and 6 football team who played three games last week, winning them all and scoring a very impressive twelve goals in the process. Thanks to the parents who accompanied Mr Cox, taking them there.
Superb Bar Modeling by Kai in Year 2
Well done to Kai in Year 2 who has been working terrifically hard on his bar modeling technique to improve his mathematics. It is also lovely to see him have conversations with his class teacher and it is evident that he has listened to him as he has made some clear improvements in his work.
Jasmine and her lovely Remembrance Work
Well done to Jasmine in Year 2 who produced a lovely Remembrance poster last week. I think it is really important that children work alongside their parents at home now as expectations and standards have really increased over the last few years and we all need to work together to get the best for our children. Great work, Jasmine, and I love the poppy in your hat too!
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A CHALLENGE TO ALL ACE PUPILS (worth 5 housepoints)
The next challenge is, can any other children remember and recite this local prayer…?
Prayer of Saint Richard of Chichester
Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits thou hast given me, for all the pains and insults thou hast borne for me. O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may I know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly, day by day. Amen.
Worth joining?
I think it is so important that children join external clubs and I would encourage all parents to consider doing that, including such clubs as the Littlehampton Swimming Club. Clubs provide opportunities for our children to participate in activities, interact with peers in a supervised setting, and form relationships with other children. Some clubs focus on a specific area, thus allowing members to develop their skills and interests in that area. Club membership provides an opportunity to participate in new roles. The leadership roles that are available in clubs provide a valuable experience that is not generally available to young people. Other roles, such as being a helper in a service club, a soloist in a music club, or an artist making scenery in a drama club, enable identity exploration.
Research studies in America have shown that children did better academically, compared to the national estimate. Adolescents who participated were more optimistic, had higher self-esteem, and expressed greater self-confidence than the national average, and they were more oriented toward serving their communities in the future. A longitudinal follow-up investigation found that the majority of participants in effective community programmes were employed and active in their local communities during their twenties.
A Dead Boche, by Robert Graves
To you who’d read my songs of War And only hear of blood and fame, I’ll say** (you’ve heard it said before) ”War’s Hell!” and if you doubt the same, Today I found in Mametz Wood A certain cure for lust of blood: Where, propped against a shattered trunk, In a great mess of things unclean, Sat a dead Boche; he scowled and stunk With clothes and face a sodden green, Big-bellied, spectacled, crop-haired, Dribbling black blood from nose and beard.
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Clara and her lovely poppies
Well done to Clara in Year 2 who produced a lovely picture of some poppies and was able to explain to me the importance of this flower in recognizing World War 1 in particular. Lovely work, Clara.
The Maitland Boys make it to a Final
Unfortunately the boys lost 3-1, they had 3 chances and took them. It appears from all the reports the boys’ team spent most of the game encamped in their half. Possession isn’t always a win, which I know as an Arsenal fan. Proud to say they all played with 100% pride and commitment. It really was a team performance and the manager and their dad were very proud of our boys’ effort.
Charlie and Emily
Well done to Charlie who completed some extra maths work last week and discovered the important pattern when you add and subtract both even numbers and then odd numbers. I wonder if you are aware of the significant pattern when you add certain numbers together such as two negative numbers? It is a great one to explore as a family and consider why this maybe the case. I was particularly impressed with Charlie as he challenged himself to complete extra work including exploring subtraction patterns including taking away two odd numbers.
Lovely Emily also thoughtfully made me some lovely gingerbread biscuits too. A thoughtful present indeed.
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Governor Champions come to ACE
We are very fortunate to have a very active governing body. I am sure you are aware, if you are reading this HT blog, that each year group has a Governor Champion. The Champion follows the class through their journey through ACE. Last week we had lots of governors come into the school and work with groups of children and their teachers.
Lovely Sue comes to ACE
We love having volunteers who come into school and we are very lucky to have the lovely Sue who comes in and listens to readers in Year 1 and Year 6. Thank you, Sue. Please remember we are always interested in having people come into ACE. So if you know anyone, including grandparents, please do let us know.
Amber in Rainbow Class
Well done to lovely Amber in Rainbow Class who produced a painting to illustrate the importance of poppies in remembering what has happened. Rainbow Class have been focusing on poppies so it is great to see such lovely work. Amazin work, Amber.
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Maths Times tables ideas
Some really useful times tables websites for children at ACE.
Maths Times tables games - Fun Flash Games
Maths Times tables games - Fun Flash Games
A safe site for kids with Maths Games to test your knowledge of times tables, 2 times tables, timestable, practise all times tables, 6 times tables
View on resources.woodlands-...
Preview by Yahoo
Times Tables Games for 7 to 11 year olds
Times Tables Games for 7 to 11 year olds
Times tables games for Key Stage 2 children
View on www.topmarks.co.uk Preview by Yahoo
http://www.teachingtables.co.uk/timetable/tgame1.html
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Teaching Tables - Making learning times tables fun
Teaching Tables - Making learning times tables fun
Times Tables Apps, Activities, Games and Worksheets. Home ~ Other iR Titles ~ News Home User Download ~ School Purchase ~ Home User CD's
View on www.teachingtables.c...
Preview by Yahoo
BBC - Skillswise - Times tables
BBC - Skillswise - Times tables
Learn about times tables with these maths skills resources, videos and games designed for adults who want to improve their numeracy skills, as well as basic skills ...
View on www.bbc.co.uk Preview by Yahoo
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Adam, an old newspaper and his special World War 1 Medal
I love the opportunity to share with children things that they have learned at home and, in this case, Adam in Year 4 shared with me some of his thoughts and ideas about the medal his grandad had. We also discussed an old newspaper he had and the importance of learning about peace. Peace is so important in this world.
Trenches in Year 2
Well done to the boys and girls in Year 2 who have been making trenches as part of their World War 1 work. It was great to see so many amazing models one of which you can see here created by Amelie.
Thank you, Mr Hawke
The legend that is Mr Hawke continues to amaze me. He is such a fabulous musician and it is such a pleasure watching him continuing to inspire children to raise their music levels and qualities. He is currently preparing his special choir to sing at the Cathedral at the start of December. Thanks so much for giving up your own time to support ACE pupils, Mr Hawke. We are so lucky to have you at ACE.
A mosaic in Phoenix Class A huge thank you to Rosie Hewitt for working tirelessly with Phoenix class to create this stunning Roman inspired mosaic. The children were all involved in the planning, design and creation of this piece. Feel free to come into Phoenix class to take a closer look.
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Superb writing by Summer and Darcy
I really wanted to share with you this lovely work which Darcy and Summer have completed. I love these two girls and it is great to see them so focused on trying to improve their writing. Keep up the good work.
The Soldier, by Rupert Brooke If I should die, think only this of me: That there’s some corner of a foreign field That is forever England. There shall be In that rich earth a richer dust concealed; A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware, Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam, A body of England’s, breathing English air, Washed by the rivers, blest by the suns of home. And think, this heart, all evil shed away, A pulse in the eternal mind, no less Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given; Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day; And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness, In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.
Thank you, Isaac and Chloe
I would like to formally again take this opportunity to thank all the people who have congratulated me on winning an award a few weeks ago. A special thanks goes to Isaac and Chloe this week who made me such lovely cards with thoughtful messages inside them.
Holly joins Year 6
We are very lucky the lovely Holly joined our school recently and has now completed the prefect application as she is determined to become a prefect. It is lovely seeing a child so keen on wanting to develop herself. Great attitude, Holly.
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Jemima, first silver housepoints badge in the school, her superb drafting process and her blue plaque discovery
I wonder if you are aware of how many blue plaques that there are in Arundel? Well, if you do not know, I would strongly recommend you go and ask Jemima in Year 4 who not only knows where the Blue badges are on the buildings but also who the blue plaques are for.
It is also lovely to see Jemima get the first silver housepoints badge in the school. Anyone who reads this blog regularly will understand how hard this young lady has been working this term in particular. Well done, Jemima, and congratulations being the first silver house points winner.
Jemima has also being developing her skills in redrafting her work. I think it is so important that children learn this process and what is really special about Jemima is that she identified that her next step in developing her work is improving her vocabulary choices.
Amazing Poppy Design by Georgina in Year 5
WOW is all I can see about this. Please look at the amazing detail of the piece. Fabulous work Georgina.
Finally one of my favourite World War 1 poems My Boy Jack, by Rudyard Kipling "Have you news of my boy Jack?" Not this tide. "When d’you think that he’ll come back?" Not with this wind blowing, and this tide. "Has any one else had word of him?" Not this tide. For what is sunk will hardly swim, Not with this wind blowing, and this tide. "Oh, dear, what comfort can I find?" None this tide, Nor any tide, Except he did not shame his kind — Not even with that wind blowing, and that tide. Then hold your head up all the more, This tide, And every tide; Because he was the son you bore, And gave to that wind blowing and that tide! Yours sincerely,
ASimpson Andrew Simpson Headteacher
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A Report From Ann Longfield about ICT safety for our ACE pupils
• Children often don’t know what they’re signing up to when they join Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat, WhatsApp or Instagram • Simplified T&Cs will go to thousands of teachers across England • Guides designed to give children more power and information • Commissioner calls for social media giants to be more transparent and accountable
Hardly a day passes without a report warning of the negative impact social media is having on the lives of children and young people. Cyber-bullying, grooming, control over content, the impact on mental health, the effect on body image, anxiety and depression – it’s becoming a minefield for parents, teachers and kids themselves. Many of us feel overwhelmed by the rapidly-changing digital world we live in and worry about how children are spending their time online.
But the fact is, the clock can’t be turned back. For children, there is no difference between online and offline life. To them, it’s just life. There’s no doubt that the internet and social media give children amazing opportunities to learn, to develop new skills, to make connections and friendships and to interact with others. We should not be afraid to embrace it.
The social media giants have simply not done enough to make children aware of what they are signing up to when they install an app or open an account. Their terms and conditions are impenetrable, even to most adults. Children have absolutely no idea that they are giving away the right to privacy or the ownership of their data or the material they post online.
Instagram is used by 56% of 12-15-year-olds and 43% of 8-11-year-olds who have a social media account. Their T&Cs run to 17 pages and 5,000 words and, not surprisingly, they proved impossible for young people to understand. None of the children we asked really understood that they were signing up to terms including a privacy waiver, tracking – even when the app is not in use – and the commercialisation of their personal data.
I feel we all need to do more on this together as a school community.
News from around the country
Sex education plans risk 'ghettoising' religion Sex education plans risk “ghettoising” religion, according to the Church of England. The church’s submission to the DfE consultation on the guidelines for schools on how to teach Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) argued that the they “problematise religion” and “exceptionalise people of faith”. From September 2020, it will become compulsory for all secondary schools in England to teach RSE, and for all primary schools to teach Relationship Education, but the lack of encouragement to teach pupils about religious perspectives on relationships could lead to negative stereotyping of faith communities, according to the CoE.
Call for end to ‘fat cat pay’ for some academy executivesShadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner has criticised "fat cat" salaries for some academy executives, saying this comes at a time when parents are being asked to donate for textbooks. Official accounts show that 125 academy trusts across the country paid at least one member of staff more than the Prime Minister in 2016/17, meaning a salary of over £150,000. The academy system “ is simply not fit for purpose,” said Ms Rayner. “The Tories have thrown money at an academy and free school programme that isn't working, while individual schools have teaching budgets cut year after year,” she added.
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Tech firms could be forced to protect children onlineHome Secretary Sajid Javid has told the Telegraph that tech firms could soon be legally obliged to protect children from online harm. He said firms have made “good progress” in developing technology to stop the uploading of indecent child images to the internet and to prevent grooming but added: “More needs to be done”. “We will therefore be bringing some form of legislation which we will set out in a white paper on online harms in the winter”, he said, as he encouraged parents to protect their children by knowing their passwords, what apps they use and barring phones at night.
Demand for language tutoring soarsBritain’s impending departure from the EU has led to a boost in demand for private language classes, with an increasing number of Britons seeking to learn another language as the UK looks to establish new trading relationships around the globe.
ColdAlert Service Receiving a ColdAlert prior to severe weather arriving enables carers, friends and relatives to offer support and ensure people in their community have warm homes, food, drink and medications to last throughout the cold spell. The ColdAlert Service is free to use and anyone can register to use it between 1 November-31 March 2019. It sends alerts directly to subscribers when severe cold weather is forecast. It has been running each winter since 2012 and currently has more than 1,100 subscribers. This is managed by the Sussex-air partnership and funded by all Sussex District and Borough Councils and Public Health.
Notices SantainthePark–16DecemberJoinSantainStWilfrid’sGuinnessWorldRecordsRecordAttemptoftheWorld'sLargestStreetDancelesson!At11.00amonSunday16thDecemberinPrioryParkChichester,#teamwilfneedsyouandyourdancingshoestohelpsetthenewworldrecordwith400peopletakingpartinafulllessoninhowtostreetdance.Therewillbeaprofessionalteacher,NatalieTempleofFitJoy,leadingpeoplethroughthemovesstepbystep,andthenthehundredswhogatherwillallattempttoperformthedancetogetherintheirnewSantahats.Beforeandaftertheattemptyoucanplayinteamsnowballdodgeballgames,listentostorytimewithSantainsidetheGuildhall,andexploretheparkonanElfhunt.Therewillalsobeseasonalrefreshments,andavisittoMrsClaus’bakestandwillbeamust!Ticketstotakepartinallthefestivefunareavailablenowatstwh.co.uk/support-us/events/santa-in-the-park
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Christmas Cracker Drop…
Each year the children at ACE have a festive Christmas lunch with the staff and
governors of the school. Every child gets a Christmas cracker to accompany the
lunch.
In previous years we have successfully run a cracker drop. This is where we place a
box in the school office and anyone who finds they have spare Christmas crackers
can donate them. They can be left over from last year, a box you have kindly picked
up specifically or spares where you have purchased a box of 12 and only have 9
people coming this year!
Any donations will be greatly received, and can be dropped into the box in the
school hall.
Thank you again for you continued support
The FACES team
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To enjoy our festive-inspired day, please order at www.mealselector.co.uk
by Sunday 2nd December
Wednesday 19th December£2.35
Choose a main meal...Roast Turkey
with Stuffing, Cocktail Sausage & Gravyor
Quorn Filletwith Stuffing Ball & Gravy
Roast PotatoesPeas and Carrots
Chocolate Dipped Shortbreador
Fruit Salad
Fruit SquashMilk
Water
on the side...
for dessert...
for a drink...
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ThewinningpictureandpoemwillfeatureaspartofCaninePartners
AtArundelCathedralCarolService(11thDecember2018!)
CaninePartnersCompetition!WriteapoemordrawapictureallaboutCaninePartnerstobeinwithachanceofwinningaCaninePartnersGoodieBag!
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12th November – 16th November 2018
HAVE YOUR SAY
GO TO WWW.WESTSUSSEX.MEALSELECTOR.CO.UKTO TAKE THE SURVEY
COMPLETE OUR SURVEYFor your chance to win
8 x Family Ice Skating Tickets
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Magical Christmas Breakfast Party
Please join us on Wednesday 19th December for
a Magical Christmas Breakfast Party!
Date : Wednesday 19th December
Time: Prompt 7.30am drop off – or risk missing the magic show!
Cost: £5.00 per child
The children will enjoy an amazing magic show, a buffet
Christmas breakfast, music, crackers, prizes and lots more!
Child’s name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Child’s class: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Special dietary requirements: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .
Draw a Christmas picture in the box below and return this flyer along with your £5 for the chance to win an amazing prize!
Pleasenotewehavelimitedspacesandticketswillbeissuedonafirst-come,first-servedbasis.Thankyou
