Sandiway Primary School Newsletter
Newsletter 21 Wednesday 28th April 2021 Summer Term 2021
www.sandiway.cheshire.sch.uk admin@sandiway.cheshire.sch.uk
Our School
I hope you will be proud to hear that we have a very happy school
– after a week and a half, I am delighted to see happy children,
playing well, working hard and really enjoying being with each
other. It is wonderful to see happy children and parents each
morning as children arrive and happy children leaving our school
each day to smiling faces. This is not something we should take
for granted, especially after the challenging time we have been
through - but thanks to the hard work from everyone, this is the
position we are in. From me – another big ‘thank you’ to all the
children, parents, grandparents, aunties/uncles, staff for the parts
that you have all played.
Surveys for Parents, Children and Staff
Last term, I asked parents to complete a survey that allowed us
to align expectations as children returned to the full
opening/face-to-face learning in school. The results of the
survey really helped to ensure that both home and school were
working together to meet the needs of the children mentally,
physically, emotionally and academically. I was delighted with
the way this worked. Indeed, from my point of view, I see a very
strong link between home and school – even stronger since we
have all worked in challenging times.
Again, I am asking for views to be sought as a means to further
improve what we do. This time, a working party within the
school’s Local Academy Board (LAB), have collated questions for
PARENTS, CHILDREN and STAFF. I would be very grateful if you
would click here to give your views as a parent/carer (this would
also include the views of Grandparents, etc who have an active
role in the children’s lives – all views are important. I would also
like you to help your children by following clicking here. The
younger children will need some help with the questions, but I
am hoping the older children can access this independently –
we would like views from the children with as little bias as
possible – their personal views are really important to us. As
indicated, the school staff also have a link to give their views.
The LAB and I will carefully look at the views given and use
them to make further improvements. We will share the overall
outcomes with you in the coming weeks. As always, if you have
any personal views/comments or matters about your child that
need to be brought to our attention, this should be done by
contacting class teachers or myself. We are always happy to
speak to you.
Labelling
Please take time this weekend to check all items of
clothing/water bottles/etc that it is all named. If you house is
anything like mine, we appear to have as collection of sticky
name labels either in the washing machine or tumble drier as
they come out each wash! If items are named, we will quickly
reunite them with their owner – otherwise it is a very difficult
task. Children have even been known to smell jumpers and can
tell who it belongs to…amazing, if slightly gross!
Relationships and Sex Education
For this academic year, the Government has made changes to
the expectations of schools to teach about relationships,
including sex education. It is a requirement that by the end of
Summer 2021 schools should be teaching under the new
guidance. Much of the guidance is not new: it contains work
that we undertake each day as part of circle times, equality
discussions, PSHE (Personal, Social, Health education), science
lessons, computing lessons and in assemblies. Some of the
guidance refers more to sex education, which is the only
element that parents can request that their children should not
attend lessons for. It is these elements that we teach near the
end of the Summer Term specifically, mainly for children in the
upper year groups. Schools are required to consult with parents
with the programme of work that is expected to be taught.
Please find attached to the newsletter email the draft policy. I
am asking that parents look through the policy and any views
can be given by clicking here. Further details about the detail of
teaching programme and materials are available for viewing
upon request.
It is my belief that this programme is vital for all our children
as it will help them to be equipped for the world in which they
are growing up into, helping to become rounded and
responsible citizens in the future. This is even more important
as we work together to respond to the mental health of our
families and community.
Parent Elections for the LAB
Please find attached to the newsletter email information about
becoming a member of the School’s LAB. We have been grateful
for the time and support that Clare Mackin has given over the
last 4 years; her term of office comes to an end next month so
we are required to ask again for nominations. Please contact
Clare (cmackin@sandiway.cheshire.sch.uk), Emma Zouhbi
(ezouhbi@sandiway.cheshire.sch.uk), our other parent LAB
member, or myself if you would like any more information
about the role.
School Lunches
I know I keep talking about school lunches, but I also know how
important and enjoyed they are by the majority of our children
and many staff. I have a school lunch most days and continue to
be delighted with the quality on offer. Since we took over the
running of the kitchen, we have been able to get menus to a
place where the children really enjoy. The roast lunches, pasta
dishes and curry dishes are particular favourites. Jacket
potatoes are always on offer, fruit is served every day as well as
a range of other desserts/yogurt, etc. We have deliveries most
days including from local suppliers where possible. We are
proud that Littlers Butchers supplies us with the fresh meat.
Importantly, any profits from the school kitchen are put into the
school budget, allowing us to support the children in the best
way that we can. Thanks to your meal purchases, we are able to
offer even more support for your children.
Chris Priddey