Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back!
I hope you all managed to enjoy the half term despite the awful weather.
This week, the whole school’s assembly was led by Dennis. His focus was to commemorate D-Day. As you know, yesterday was the 80th anniversary of this history changing event. Dennis outlined the purpose of D-Day, the events of the 5th and 6th June, the careful planning involved, how the day unfolded and concluded with a focus on the number of lives lost on that day. He also spoke briefly about the 6th June also being Empathy Day. He spoke about what empathy is – empathy being one of our Kilmorie Qualities.
The term has started in our usual busy way:
As part of year 5’s RE topic on Sikhism Shipra’s class visited the Gurdwara Sahib in Woolwich on Tuesday. The children had a workshop on the Sikh way of life and heard magical stories of the 10th Guru-Guru Nanak and the morals of sharing. They also got to see the 5ks & learnt the significance of equality and power of prayer. They got first-hand experience of how the community comes together with the longar (meal) and adults were offered a meal and the children, refreshments; a real cultural hospitality experience for everyone.
On Wednesday we had two education visits:
Paul from the London Fire Brigade visited Shona's, Sarah C's and Jana's classes to talk about fire safety. The children found out why all homes should have smoke detectors and what to do if there is a fire in their home. They learnt how to get out of a bedroom fire in different scenarios - dependent on their door handle either being hot or cold. They also learned about preventative measures such as being safe around candles, matches, electric sockets and the importance of smoke alarms.
Conor’s class went to the Royal Courts of Justice in support of learning about Crime and Punishment. They had a full re-enactment of a court case, all having various roles and the verdict only being made when the jury make their decision. They all found it a wonderful experience bring their learning to life.
The reception classes have been performing the Little Red Hen for their parents this week. This is the first time they have shared their learning as a whole class and I hear it has been wonderful to see them enjoy doing it and am not sure who enjoyed it most – the parents or the children – well done reception.
We have also had a couple of sporting events. On Wednesday night the year 5&6 girls played football as part of the Intra Schools League. Do have a read in the celebration section, they did so well. Today we have the year 4 platform cricket competition, I look forward to hearing how they do upon their return and sharing with you next week.
Today we had our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Coffee morning and parents from across the school had an opportunity to talk all things SEND. It was lovely to see some new parents join our discussions. They talked about how the year has gone and the direction of travel for SEND provision in the new academic year. You will soon hear more of our plans to create a designated support space (hub) where some children in Key Stage 1 (years 1&2) who need a little extra support, will be for as much or as little time as benefits their learning, whilst still being firmly attached to their designated class.
We talked about the new chalkboard and how this helps remind families of weekly events, as well as firming up ideas about the workshop mentioned below.
Anxiety workshop
I would like to offer you to 'Save the Date' about a parent workshop, run by our Educational Psychologist, on the theme of anxiety. There has been a significant increase in the number of children experiencing anxiety since Covid. On Wednesday 24th July, the last day of term at 1-1.50 you are welcomed to come and learn more about ways to manage this at home. Staff will also have an opportunity, later on this day, to learn more about supporting children in school to cope with these feelings. It should be a great way to end the term for all interested families and the whole staff!
Tackling Bias Discussion over a cup of tea
Please come and talk to us: Following on from a very worthwhile initial discussion around ways the school can address different biases that some parents feel, we would like to invite parents from nursery to year 2 to come to share their experiences over a cup of tea and a biscuit on Tuesday 25th June at 3.40-4.40. We would particularly like to focus on any racial bias you may feel you or your children have encountered.
Ashleigh and Philipa will hold the meeting in the nursery as we are aware that some families may need to bring their children with them. A governor with a particular interest in this aspect of school life will also try to attend.
International Week: We will be holding International Week at Kilmorie during the week beginning 15th July, where the children will take part in a variety of activities throughout the week. It would be lovely if there were some parents that would like to come in to help children learn more about a different country. This could be telling a story, teaching a language, showing photographs or objects or even teaching a dance! It could be limited to your child’s class or year group or could be shared more widely throughout the school. We are open to suggestions but would love to get parents involved and make sure the week reflects as much of our community as possible. If you have a suggestion or would like to volunteer, please get in touch. Send any emails to the office (info@kilmorie.lewisham.sch.uk) marked for the attention of Martha or speak to someone in the playground.
Cake and Plant Sale: We have two raising money events quite close to each other: On Tuesday 11th June, Friends of Kimorie will be holding a cake sale to raise money for the Finding Nemo production. The monies raised will help with the production costs such as programmes, prop making and costumes.
Eva is holding a plant (& cake) sale on Monday 17th June in the Wild Garden to raise money for our project with Street Trees for Living to get 10 new trees for the school and surrounding area. Trees are so important for our environment and in turn, our health. We do, however, need donations of plants and some cakes too to ensure we can raise the essential funds needed . If making cakes, please remember no nuts and all ingredients need to be listed. All donations need to be brought into school on the Monday, either at drop off or just before pick up, Eva will be around to sort, and the Year 6 children will be helping at the event. Thank you in advance for your support - every penny helps!
Thank you to all of you who agreed to have a board up outside their house advertising the summer fair. Winkworth sponsor our event so every board brings us in some money.
Wishing all our families a lovely weekend – lets hope it stays dry, and I look forward to welcoming you all back on Monday
Kind regards
