Dear Families
I have to start this newsletter by saying a huge well done and to share just how immensely proud I am of each and every child in Year 6. Yesterday marked the end of the SATs and I am sure that you have seen the reels and posts on social media saying just how much SATs do not show or test. Well, I wholeheartedly agree – our children are much more than a score or a number and, as a head, I know that I treasure more what is within them than we ‘measure.’ The SATs are done now and what will be, will be so it's onwards and upwards to trips, shows, Leaver’s parties and preparation for their new schools in September! Also, a huge well done to our amazing Yr 6 teaching and support team, including Mrs Heavens, who led the children up to and through this week!
Assembly – Mental Health Awareness Week
On Monday, the children held class assemblies which focussed how we can care for our Mental Health as this week was Mental Health Awareness Week and they also looked at our logo and considered pictures and symbols that could represent our school. They had a wonderful and important discussion. Also, did you hear us on BBC Radio Northampton? Mrs Roberts and a group of children spoke about what we do here at EHPS to support children’s mental fitness – have a listen by clicking the link here (scroll to 1 hr 24 minutes) and have a read here.
Wheelchair Rugby
Also on Monday, we had Jamie from the Saints in to work with our children in the SU playing wheelchair rugby. What a brilliant session they had and it was fantastic to see their skills and understanding of the sport grow.
Safeguarding and Security
We take the safeguarding and security of our children incredibly seriously. As such, we have been reviewing when we open our school gates. Please note, that from Monday onwards, you may notice that the gates into the inner ground of the school e.g. the pedestrian gate on Rowtree road or the gates near the Year 6 classrooms, will not be opened until 8:15. If you do need access to the school prior to then, you will need to use the main entrance/pedestrian gates on Penvale Road.
Whilst I appreciate that this may be inconvenient for some, I hope that you will agree that the safety of our children must always come first. We will be doing this as a trial period until the end of the academic year. Finally, if you find that the gate is ever locked at 08:30 – please do call the school office.
Furthermore, PLEASE, when entering the school walk on the paths rather than across the car park.
Reading Awards
I am really excited to share with you that we are involved in the Children's Book Awards. Did you read the newsletter the other week that we are only one of 3 school in Northampton who have been chosen to be a testing group (one is a secondary) for the Children’s Book Awards?
The award is where the children do ALL the reading, voting and judging. Publishers donate their new books to Testing Groups around the country and it's the first time the Northampton Children's Book Group, of which EHPS is a member, has the honour of being a Testing Group.
Some of the Reading Ambassadors have been reading picture books, non-fiction and books for younger readers, as well as longer chapter books. Each book will be read several times by different ambassadors and complete a voting form to scale the books.
Over the year, lots of books will be read, and a shortlist compiled. Some of the children will even be able to attend an awards ceremony. At the end of the process EHPS will get to keep some of the lovely new books for our library! Thank you Mrs DeChastelain for organising.
Carnival Time
Did you know that EHPS is attending the Northants Carnival this year? We are so excited to have been invited to take part and be one of the 7 floats which will commemorate the Great Fire of Northampton on its 350-year anniversary. Year 2, as part of their history learning, will be helping to decorate the float and please look out for us on the day if you are able to come and see the parade!
Coming up soon…
Next week is a busy and exciting one… we have our Year 5s performing at the Derngate, show casing our RSC work, on 21st it is Cultural Diversity Day, it is the start of our Sports Days, and we end it with a Governor Monitoring morning and meeting – phew!
Please do not forget to complete our Parent Survey and our Breakfast Club one – what you think, really matters and shapes what we do. Thank you to those who have already completed it.
Kind regards
Ms Pennington