Bulletin 26th May 2017

Dear Parents/Carers

PGL: Y4 RESIDENTIAL TO MARCHANTS HILL

Well done to all our fabulous Year 4s for their marvellous behaviour and sense of adventure at PGL this

week. They were a pleasure to look after! We were particularly proud of the many children who found the

activities challenging and a bit scary, but pushed past their personal limits to go that little bit further. Parents

are invited to an assembly on Wednesday 7th June at 9.10am where children will be sharing their thoughts

and experiences. Thank you indeed to Mrs Burningham and Miss Bucknell for their time and dedication to

the children – and to Mr Photi and Mr Jones who were completely bonkers and wonderful at the same time!

ADVICE REGARDING RECENT TRAGIC EVENTS

On Thursday, Potley joined with the rest of the country in observing a minute’s silence for those who

tragically died in the Manchester bombing. Since these events unfolded very quickly, a decision was made on

the day to do this. As with Remembrance Day, teachers spent a little time talking to children about why we

were holding the silence – lots of questions were asked and answered as diplomatically as possible, bearing in

mind that some children have more information available to them than others. Teachers are well versed in

handling these upsetting events sensitively. We all react differently so I have included some advice for

parents from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/ as a follow up:

News of a terrorist attack is always frightening, but for parents there is the added dilemma of

what to say to their children.

Should I shield them from the news? Is it best just to turn the television off? Will the images they see

traumatise them? Or should I tell my children exactly what's happened?

Talk about the news

The advice from professionals is that talking about these issues is better than avoiding them.

Consultant clinical psychologist Emma Citron, who specialises in children and trauma, says families should not

shy away from talking about the tragic events in Manchester.

"Give children basic facts, tell them what it is they want to know, ask them what they would like to know and

then give them access to that," she says.

"Support them and comfort them and be there for them, hug them, cry with them if they're crying, just

respond to how they're responding emotionally.

"Take the lead from them - we need to know what it is they want answers to."

Should I turn off the television?

While turning off the television and radio might be a natural protective instinct, Dr Bernadka Dubicka from the

Royal College of Psychiatrists, says shielding children from traumatic events in the news isn't practical in

today's society.

"Parents can't shield children from these events completely," she says. "The reality is that children and young

people are bombarded by 24/7 news."

Dr Dubicka says the most important thing is for parents to be there and to try to help their children manage

their emotions.

"Trying to hide the news isn't helpful because they'll hear about it elsewhere and parents won't then be there

to take them through it."

'Avoid nasty details'

While it's important to talk about the news, parents should avoid unnecessary detail, adds Ms Citron.

"Avoid nasty details, there's no need for them, they're unnecessary.

"You don't want to be describing the scene, describing the bloodshed, describing what it looked like, showing

them images - I would be avoiding all of that, because that can traumatise the child."

Ms Citron also advises parents to be firm with older children about how much they read on the internet.

"Tell your young person not to go scouring the internet for all the inside stories, it's just not necessary - we

need to protect our young people as well."

Helpful phrases

Ms Citron says parents should take the lead from their children in how the conversation develops, but should

try to include as many calm and reassuring phrases as possible.

"General comments like, 'This is a very rare occurrence', 'it’s absolutely awful, but thank goodness it's

extremely rare', and 'Security is going to be tightened even more', are really reassuring.

"We don't want our children feeling afraid to go out; we don't want them not to grow up to lead normal,

happy, healthy, well-adjusted lives."

If faced with the question, "Could this happen again, mummy?” Ms Citron recommends telling the truth, but

also giving children lots of reassurance about their normal, everyday activities.

"I would be saying, 'Of course it could' - and don't lie about that - 'But it's very unlikely, these are very, very

rare events and we are sure the police are going to up security even more.

"'It'll be absolutely fine to still go to your football or your netball, it'll be absolutely fine to still go on your

scout camp', or whatever it is they do.

"'We have to carry on living our lives in a normal way and not be cowed by these bad people.'"

Will teachers talk about events?

The scale of the Manchester attack and the possibility that affected schools might postpone exams, means the

subject will be an inevitable topic of conversation in schools.

"I'd be surprised if schools weren't giving pupils a chance to talk about the attack," says Geoff Barton, general

secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders.

"If students want to talk, teachers will let them ask questions and they will be talking to them about how they

can look at appropriate, reliable sources for information."

Mr Barton says schools will also be working hard to emphasise a sense of community cohesion.

"Schools will be wanting to emphasise the sense of community and shared values - they'll be using every

opportunity to celebrate what they have in their own community."

But, in his 15-year experience as a head teacher, he says schools will be keeping a "business as usual" approach

in the wake of this attack, unless they are directly affected.

"Routines are important and can carry people through - they keep a sense of calm purpose."

How would I know if my child was traumatised?

The signs of trauma depend very much on the individual, however, symptoms to watch for include:

child becoming fearful, clingy and anxious

bedwetting

child becoming preoccupied with thoughts and memories

being unable to concentrate

becoming irritable and disobedient

physical symptoms such as headaches and stomach-aches

If you are concerned about your child and think he or she is traumatised by events in the news, you can

approach your GP.

If the problems go on, the doctor may suggest accessing some extra help from the local child and adolescent

mental health service (Camhs).

But parents should try not to be overly anxious, as Dr Dubicka says: "The vast majority of young people will

cope with this and will be OK."

FRUIT SNACKS

From the beginning of YR, children are encouraged to try the daily fruit snack that is provided for them. This

is done in a very structured and social way in YR, with children sitting round a circle, taking turns to hand

things out and practising basic good manners in terms of ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. Children are often

reluctant to try new things and teachers encourage them to try 3 bites before they give up! These can be

minute. This is to encourage them gently to develop their palate and we have many success stories of

children loving certain fruit by the end of the year when they didn’t initially like them. Research states that

children need to try foods between 10 -15 times before they actually like it. It is also part of our school

curriculum to encourage healthy lifestyles and eating and an area that Ofsted also takes a firm interest in.

As children move into Year 1 and 2, this ‘try 3 bites’ approach continues though often children take their

fruit outside with them and are not directly supervised when eating. Please note that we do occasionally

offer up the odd incentive to encourage children to persevere but if they are adamant that they will not eat

it, they are never forced.

STAFFING NEWS

After doing such a fantastic job in ‘Acting Up’ as Headteacher at Potley during my recent secondments, it will

come as no surprise that Mrs Inglis has been snapped up as the new substantive Headteacher at Long Sutton

Primary. She will be taking up her post in September. Whilst we are all very sad to be losing such a good

Deputy Head, we have no doubt that Mrs Inglis will be even more marvellous in her new and exciting role.

Mrs Willcocks, who is currently in YR two days a week, has also secured a new job at Fleet Infants from

September. Mrs Willcocks has also been at the school for a considerable amount of time, firstly in a full-time

capacity as a class teacher, then later on a part-time basis after having her children. She is known for her pub

quiz knowledge and her singing of instructions to the children!

We will be giving any parents who would like say goodbye to either teacher a chance to come along to a

cream tea near the end of the school year. Any parents who would like to make a contribution to a leaving

gift may send this in to the school office or alternatively may like to send in a card.

Mrs Cross, who joined us in January to share responsibility for one of our Y6 morning groups, is sadly

moving to Bristol – unfortunately, the commute is just too long! She will also be leaving us at the end of the

year.

Our final staff news is to congratulate Mrs Djeneralovic and her husband who are expecting their second

child in the Autumn. This will not affect her class responsibilities this year and she will be continuing with

Hummingbird Class until the end of the year. In September, Mrs Djeneralovic will be briefly carrying out

release for other teachers before going off on maternity leave and will not be based in any one class.

We are hoping to confirm which teachers will be in which year groups immediately after half term.

SPORTS DAY

Our annual Sports Day is creeping up on us and hopefully we will be luckier with the weather this year! Our

morning of sporting fun is planned for Friday 9th June and will follow the same format as last year:-

We will aim to kick off the proceedings at 9.30am in the lower field by the car park. This will be a carousel of

different, short athletic activities led by the teachers and support staff in colour teams. Each team will be

awarded points after each event: 4 points for 1st, 3 points for 2nd, 2 points for 3rd and 1 point for 4th. All points

will go towards our grand final total. Parents will be able to follow their children around the different stations.

Hopefully, even with three children in the school, parents will then get to watch at least 3 or 4 activities

before we move to the races…

After we have finished our carousel, we will move the children up to the track outside of the school office for

the races. These will include usual favourites such as sprints, relays and obstacle courses. Our winning team

will be announced at the end. Bacon and Sausage rolls for parents will be on sale from 9.15am from our

servery hatch.

Children will be taken back to classrooms at approximately 12.20pm and registered before lunch. Parents

should then collect from the classroom doors between 12.20pm and 12.30pm for their picnic lunch before

taking them home. Picnic lunches will be in crates by each classroom if they have been pre-ordered.

Otherwise parents may choose to bring their own food. From 12.20pm, those children who have parents

collecting them will be the responsibility of their parents. Teachers and staff will continue to look after any

children unable to be collected early until the normal time of 3.15pm/3.20pm. These arrangements help to

alleviate the difficulties trying to get children who are spaced out over various fields back into the classroom at

12.45pm for register and allow those parents who need to leave immediately after the sporting events to take

their children without an absence being recorded.

During the afternoon, as is our usual practice, teachers will meet together to pass on information regarding

transition.

In the event of wet weather, we will endeavour to use our reserve day of Friday 23rd June. Despite many

talents, I am unable to predict what the weather might do! In this case, we will aim to inform parents as soon

as possible via ParentMail. Since many parents often book afternoon activities with their children on sports

afternoon, we will allow children to be collected, as above, at 12.20pm on the 9th June. We will hold the

reserve sports day on the 23th and then keep the children in school for the remainder of the day. No children

will be allowed to leave early on the 23th so please do not ask.

Please complete and return the sports day slip at the end of the bulletin by Thursday 8th June.

MARWELL TRIP FOR Y3/4

On our return, our Year 3s and 4s will be visiting Marwell Zoo to link with their Science topic. This will take

place on Thursday 8th June and permission slips/contributions should be returned to the school by Tuesday

6th June at the latest.

BOOK FAIR

Our next book fair will be arriving on Friday 9th June and is usually open at the end of sports day for parents

and children to browse. This will depend on when it actually arrives – otherwise, it will open on the Monday

morning and again be open at the end of the school day over the beginning of the week in our ‘old’ library

area. Classes will also be taken down by their class teachers to have a look during the school day.

NEAR MISS

Drivers, please be extra vigilant for pedestrians when using the campus car parks. We had a report that one

driver failed to stop at the zebra crossing yesterday whilst an older child was in the process of walking across

and another report from a concerned parent about younger children running out in front of them in the

Leisure Centre parking area. Please make sure that children are well supervised and controlled at all times.

NEW YR PARENTS INFORMATION EVENING

We will be holding our information evening for parents of the new YR intake on Tuesday 6th June at 7pm.

There will be a short introduction in the hall followed by time spent in classes with the appropriate class

teacher and support staff where we anticipate that there will be lots of opportunities for discussion and

questions.

POTLEY PROMS

Potley Prom will be held on the evening of June 20th starting at 6.15 pm with a performance to the school in

the afternoon. The theme this year is ‘Disney’.

If your child has a musical talent and they would like to audition to take part please let me know by Friday 9th

June in order for me to put the programme together. They will need to perform a piece that fits in with our

theme.

This event is open to all Potley Hill children and to make sure the performance does not go on for too long

we will be auditioning everyone wanting to participate in order to put a programme together.

See signup sheet at the bottom of the bulletin.

SUMMER FUN CLUB - YRS

Potley Hill Pre-School are launching a 'Potley Hill 3-4-5 Summer Fun Club'.

The club will be open for children aged 3, 4 and 5 (up to the end of Reception year), whether they attend

Potley Hill Preschool or not. They will use all the preschool's equipment and facilities, including the playing

fields and adventure playground giving the children plenty of activities to use up all that energy.

The club will run for 3 weeks from Monday 24 July to Friday 11 August 2017 and you will be able to book:

Half days 9am - 12noon or 12noon - 3pm @ £20 per session

Full days 9am - 3pm @ £35

(Lunch period will be at 12 noon - bring a packed lunch)

Places will be limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Please see the form at the end of the bulletin which will need to be returned directly to the PRE SCHOOL.

‘TOP HAT OF THE WEEK’

Child/ren Reason

Caterpillar Louisa H For using her Blue thinking hat to improve her attitude to

learning literacy.

Ladybird Phoebe W For using her Green creative thinking hat to make a super

troll.

Dove Lucy M For using her Green thinking hat to offer thoughtful ideas

during our RE day.

Hummingbird Melody P For using her Blue hat to think about special places.

Puffin Olivia C For using her Red thinking hat to express her thoughts and

feelings about special places in RE.

Dolphin Natalia G For using her Blue thinking hat to help her solve problems at

PGL.

Whale Louie B For using his Red thinking hat whilst at Marchants Hill to

consider the feeling of other children who found it difficult to

be away from home and displaying good empathy.

Shark Finnley N For using his White and Green thinking hats to design and

create a detailed clay pod inspired by natural forms.

Leopard Rachel M For using her White thinking hat in the arithmetic test this

week.

Lion Empress E For using her White and Blue thinking hat during science

discussions on inheritance and variation.

Tiger Charlie C For using his White thinking hat excellently during the reading

test.

Reminders….

Y5 DT DAY AT FROGMORE

Our Y5s will be visiting Frogmore CC on Thursday 13th July for a Design Technology day. A letter has been

sent out by Frogmore to ALL local primary schools about the day. Rather than parents dropping off and

picking up at Frogmore, as per this letter, at Potley we normally register the children here first and then

take them over – and then bring them back at the end of the day. This is because we are so close and

it means that parents can do their normal arrangements without having to put something else into place.

YR DADS & LADS AFTERNOON

Reception would like to invite dads, grandads, uncles or other male family members over 18 to Lads and Dads

afternoon on Friday 16th June from 1.15 – 3.15pm. The theme will be pirates and we would like everyone to

dress up (children and adults!). This will be an opportunity for you to spend an afternoon with your child,

completing a variety of activities together.

CLASS ASSEMBLIES FOR THE SUMMER TERM

All Class Assemblies will take place on Wednesday mornings at 9.10am in the school hall:

Wednesday 7th June: Y4 (PGL/Marchants Hill)

Wednesday 14th June: Y3

Wednesday 21st June: Ladybirds

Wednesday 28th June: Puffins

Wednesday 12th July: Hummingbirds

Y5 & 6 do not do class assemblies this term as they will be working on their summer term production.

DATES FOR NEW YR PUPILS

We are busy putting together our new lists for YR pupils starting in September and parents will shortly be

sent more detailed information by post. In the meantime, the following dates can be pencilled into your

diaries:

Tuesday 6th June: Information evening for parents from 7-8pm

Thursday 21st June: Visit 1 with parents to Ladybird Class at 9.15am – 10.15am

Wednesday 21st June: Visit 1 with parents to Caterpillar Class at 9.15am – 10.15am

Tuesday 27th June: Visit 2 without parents staying for both classes 2pm – 3pm

Monday 3rd July: Visit 3 with children in classes & parent workshop in hall 9.15am – 10.30am for

Caterpillar Class

Tuesday 4th July: Visit 3 with children in classes & parent workshop in hall 9.15am – 10.30am for

Ladybird Class

Thursday 13th July: Visit 4 for all children, staying for lunch 9.15am – 1pm

There will also be our usual ‘story time’ drop in sessions on Wednesday 21st June, Thursday 29th June and

Wednesday 5th July from 2.45pm – 3.10pm.

Mrs Stark will be Caterpillar Class teacher and Miss Hook will be Ladybird Class teacher.

CALENDAR DATES

DATE EVENT

29th May – 2nd June HALF TERM

W/c Monday 5th June Streets Ahead training for Y2 pupils

Tuesday 6th June New YR information evening at 7pm

Wednesday 7th June Y4 PGL assembly

Thursday 8th June Y3/4 trip to Marwell Zoo

Friday 9th June Sports Day

Book Fair arrives

W/c Monday 12th June Y1 Phonics screening

Wednesday 14th June Y3 Year Group Assembly 9.10am

Thursday 15th June 6.00 pm France 2017 Parent’s info evening

Tuesday 20th June Visit 1 for new ‘Ladybird’ YR: stay and play 9.15am – 10.15am

Potley Proms – Disney theme

Wednesday 21st June Ladybird Class Assembly 9.10am

Storytime for new YRs 2.45pm – 3.10pm

Thursday 22nd June Visit 1 for new ‘Caterpillar’ YR: stay and play 9.15am –

10.15am

Friday 23rd June Reserve Sports Day

Tuesday 27th June Move up afternoon for whole school

Visit 2 for all new YRs: 2pm – 3pm

Wednesday 28th June Puffin Class Assembly 9.10am

Thursday 29th June Storytime for new YRs 2.45pm – 3.10pm

Monday 3rd July Visit 3 for ‘Caterpillar’ YR: parent workshop included from

9.15-10.30am

Tuesday 4th July Visit 3 for ‘Ladybird’ YR: parent workshop included from

9.15-10.30am

Y5/6 production to parents 2pm

Wednesday 5th July Y1/2 trip to Alice Holt

Storytime for new YRs 2.45pm – 3.10pm

Y5/6 production to parents 7pm

Thursday 6th July Y6 Induction Day at secondaries

Move up day for rest of school

Friday 7th July Summer Fun Night

Annual reports out to parents

W/c Monday 11th July – Friday 14th July Y6 residential visit to France

Wednesday 12th July Y5/6 to Paultons Park

Wednesday 12th July Hummingbird Class Assembly

Thursday 13th July Y5 Technology day at Frogmore CC

Visit 4 for all new YR children: 9.15am – 1pm

Monday 17th July Y6 Leavers Fun Afternoon

Y4/5 to World Para Athletics Championships in London

Friday 21st July LAST DAY OF SUMMER TERM for children

(INSETs booked on 24th and 25th)

9.30 Leavers Assembly

Mrs Heather Clarke

Head Teacher

Email: adminoffice@potleyhill.hants.sch.uk www.potleyhill.hants.sch.uk

Sports Day – Friday 9th June

Collection Arrangements

Name of child ……………………………………………..Class……………………………

Will be collected at 12:20pm / Normal time (delete as appropriate)

Signed ………………………………………………….. Date ……………………………

Potley Prom 2017

Potley Prom will be held on the evening of June 20th starting at 6.15 pm with a performance to the school in

the afternoon. The theme this year is ‘Disney’.

If your child has a musical talent and they would like to audition to take part please let me know by Friday 9th

June in order for me to put the programme together. They will need to perform a piece that fits in with our

theme.

This event is open to all Potley Hill children and to make sure the performance does not go on for too long

we will be auditioning everyone wanting to participate in order to put a programme together.

Many Thanks,

Fiona stark

Instrument Teacher Name of child/children Music Title

Potley Hill Pre School3-4-5 Summer Fun

Club 2017

Child’s Name

Please tick which sessions you would like:

Week 1: Mon 24th July – Fri 28th July 2017

Mon 24th July Tues 25thJuly Wed 26th July Thurs 27thJuly Fri 28th July

Half day: 9am – 12noon

Half day: 12noon – 3pm

Full day: 9am – 3pm

Week 2: Mon 31st July – Fri 4th August 2017

Mon 31st July Tues 1st Aug Wed 2nd Aug Thurs 3rd Aug Fri 4th Aug

Half day: 9am – 12noon

Half day: 12noon – 3pm

Full day: 9am – 3pm

Week 3: Mon 7th – Fri 11th August 2017

Mon 7th Aug Tues 8th Aug Wed 9th Aug Thurs 10thAug Fri 11th Aug

Half day: 9am – 12noon

Half day: 12noon – 3pm

Full day: 9am – 3pm

Total amount due:

Number of full day bookings

@ £35 per day £

Number of half day bookings

@ £20 per half day £

Total payable:

£

I enclose payment – cash/cheque

I enclose payment – cash/cheque I have paid using childcare vouchers – please detail:

I have made a bank transfer using my child’s name as a reference

Sort code 08-92-99 account 65488751

Signed: date:

Please return your form directly to Potley Hill Pre School.