Bulletin 26th January 2018

Dear Parents/Carers

“A genius! For 37 years I’ve practised fourteen hours a day, and now they call me a genius!” Pablo Sarasate

READING COMPREHENSION

Our picture this week is entitled, “Cat School”. Credit: Goro Fujita

Where do you think this is? How do you

know?

How many cats are in this class?

What time of day is it? Why do you think

that?

Why is the white cat putting its paw up?

What are the other cats doing/thinking?

How is the black cat feeling? Why?

Which cat is the cleverest? Which cat is the

best behaved?

Draw/describe what you think their teacher

looks like.

What do you think the other classes in the

school are like?

What lessons are taught in cat school?

SCHOOL CLUBS – WEDNESDAY 31st January 2018

Due to teacher training, there will be NO teacher led clubs.

SPORTS REPORTS

On Monday evening the boy’s football team played their latest league match against Frogmore Junior School.

The lads were up 2-1, thanks to some superb goals from Leo W and the boys were ready to battle in the

second half. After our last match against Charles Kingsley, Alex W scored a thoroughly deserved goal closely

followed by another from Ollie H. The boys finished with a 4-2 win. Lucas T had some superb saves and all the

boys played like gentleman. Well done!

On Thursday, the year 5\6 girl’s football team played a match against Manor Junior School. Unfortunately, we

did lose 4-. However, Lily W scored a goal in the first half assisted by Millie C. A few players did get injured

but they are all still in one piece! It was a tricky game but we played so well. We all communicated well with

each other brilliantly. It was raining and at one point quite a bit of hail as well! At the end of the match we

shook hands and said well done to one and other.

A quote from our goal scorer Lily W “We played amazingly well as it was out first match playing together as a

team. Well done everyone!”

Team captain Poppy P said “We co-ordinated really well. I am proud of the team.” Written by Lily W.

INTERNET SAFETY FOR 9 – 12 YEAR OLDS

The BBC has launched a new internet safety website aimed at nine to 12-year-olds. Its aim is to help children

develop confidence and resilience in the digital space and to become “happy, healthy and creative digital

citizens”. It offers a range of empowering tips, insight, stories and advice. Go to www.bbc.co.uk/ownit for

more information.

And also for us adults

and parents, a guide to some new terminology………

E-SAFETY EVENING FOR PARENTS

As local cluster schools, we are holding an e-safety information evening

for parents on Wednesday 31st January at 6.45pm. Sharon Girling, an ex-police

officer, will be leading the evening. This will take place at Frogmore Infant

School and we strongly encourage you to attend what always is an eye-opening

evening for parents!

YR 1\2 WALK

As part of our Geography topic “Where do I live?” Years 1 and 2 will be taking

a walk into Yateley to explore the features of the village. We will be walking

during the afternoon of Friday 2nd February. Please ensure your child has

comfortable walking shoes, a coat and water bottle in school on this day.

We would welcome any parent/grandparent help during this afternoon, so

please speak to your child’s class teacher if you would be willing to take a little

walk into Yateley with us.

PARENT COUNCIL

Our next parent council meeting is on Tuesday 6th February at 7.30pm in the

staffroom. The focus is homework and spelling.

CLASS ASSEMBLY

Caterpillar Class would like to invite all parents and family members to their

assembly on Thursday 1st February at 9.10am in the school hall.

PTA DISCO

The next school disco takes place on Thursday 1 February.

Reception and Infant Disco 5.30 – 6.45pm and Junior Disco 7.00 – 8.30pm.

Please complete the reply slip at the end of the bulletin and return this, along with the money in an envelope,

for the attention of Sara Bartlett PTA. This should be handed in via the office or your child's teacher.

The ticket price, which includes a juice drink (water is available too) and sweets, is as follows:-

Reception tickets are £2.80 each in advance (£3.30 on the door).

Years 1 to 6, tickets are £3.00 each in advance (£3.50 on the door).

Glow bands will be on sale at the disco at 20p each.

A gentle reminder that children are not allowed mobile phones at the disco.

To run this event we need 15 adult helpers for each disco. Please indicate on the reply slip if you are able to

help and a specific job will be allocated. Unfortunately we cannot allow younger children to attend while you

help as your full attention will be needed for the pupils attending the disco. Parents are politely asked not to

stay unless they are helping.

Thank you for your continued support, The PTA.

GRAMMAR OF THE WEEK

Punctuation plays an important part in children ‘meeting’ age related expectations in writing

in different year groups. Below is a quick overview of the different types which can be

matched to the table on the left showing which year groups these need to be secure by.

YEAR 6 SATS INFORMATION EVENING

This year’s SATs tests for Year 6 pupils will take place during the week beginning Monday 14th May. We will

be holding a meeting for Y6 parents regarding revision and the format of SATs tests on Wednesday 7th

February at 6pm. The PowerPoint will be emailed after the event to all Y6 parents in case you are unable to

attend. However, it is strongly recommended that parents come along so that items can be explained in detail

and answers given to any enquiries.

WELL-BEING FOCUS: TAKING RESPONSIBILITY

“It wasn’t my fault” and “he made me do it” are phrases children like to put on repeat. A parent’s and a

teacher’s job is to help children learn to take responsibility for their actions, both because it’s right and

because it helps teach them cause and effect. A lesson that will serve them well for life.

It’s a fact of human nature: no one likes to be wrong.

We don’t want to get in trouble.

We don’t want to face negative consequences.

We want the easy way out.

This goes for men, women, young and old.

Blame shifting (n): a tactic to push fault on another person. Essentially, blame shifting happens when children

blame others or external circumstances on their behaviour. Whether they did something wrong, failed to do

something right, or feel a certain way, they are reluctant to own up to their own part or responsibility. They

shift the burden of blame and/or action on others.

“He started it!”

“She was there with me!”

“I can’t help it.”

Ultimately, children don’t want to displease adults. They want us to be happy, not angry. But it’s human nature

to test boundaries and try new things, even if those are forbidden. While we shouldn’t be alarmed when this

happens, it’s something we should most definitely work to curb for quite a few reasons.

1. Allowing blame shifting robs them of one of life’s most important lessons.

One of the great life lessons we can help our children take hold of in childhood is cause and effect. Children

need to learn – for their own good! – That it’s important to take responsibility for their actions. To own up to

their mistakes. To be the master of their own responses.

Example: If one child takes something off the other and the response is a kick, there are two things happening. One, a

child swiped a possession. Two, a child responded with a kick. Both have a level of responsibility and it’s important that

both parties shoulder the responsibility for their own choices. Excusing bad behaviour (in response to another bad

behaviour) just says, “Sure you can hit/slap/scream if someone does something unpleasant to you.”

2. Blame shifting encourages passivity.

There are times when children will do something (like colour

on the walls or take money, in an extreme example) and deny

it or blame it on someone else. There are other times,

however, when they will fail to do something and blame it on

external circumstances of people.

Example: Your child has a deadline for school, waits until the night

before it’s due, then realises the printer is out of ink, and there isn’t

a replacement. This is not your fault as the parent for not having

one ready. The work still has to be done and now it’s time to find

another way. Blame shifting says, “Oh well, it’s not my fault they

were out of ink. I’ll just have to turn it in late and hope it’s excused.” Problem solving says, “Is there somewhere else I

can go – perhaps to a family member’s house? – and print it? I won’t do this again!” That is recognising that they must

now deal with their choice to delay work and find another solution.

3. Blame shifting discourages ownership.

Blame shifting says, “this is someone else’s problem, not mine.” Well sometimes that’s true. But sometimes it

isn’t. By reminding your child they own their choices, emotions, and decisions you are actually empowering

them to change their situations. Those who feel that “life happens to them” do not set and meet goals. They

feel at the mercy of life. They feel robbed if luck doesn’t go their way. Instead of working harder and

persevering they blame life or fate for their situation.

4. Blame shifting increases pride and decreases the capacity for humility.

Some children quickly try to blame shift anytime it’s clear someone is in trouble. It’s often a struggle to get the

child to admit they are wrong. But, when given enough time to think about what happened, the desire to make

things right is born. This is humility.

However, if the child isn’t given time to swallow their pride and see where they hurt another, humility and

empathy don’t rise to the surface. This often requires reflection time.

Suggestions for parents to discourage blame shifting:

Hold each child accountable for their actions, not the one who “started it.”

Notice when your child fails to take responsibility for their actions and gently remind them where the

responsibilities lay.

Make honesty easy. If you want your child to come to you with the truth (or admit to it when asked),

try to keep your cool when expressing your dissatisfaction about their poor behaviour, Being calm and

approachable makes it easier -- and more likely -- that they'll fess up in the future. Let them know

everyone makes mistakes and what matters most is that they are truthful, learn from the situation, and

tries to right the wrongs. Then, discuss what they could have done differently, how they can make it

better, and any consequences. Don't forget to praise their honesty if they owned up to their actions.

Require children to follow through with what they start.

Help your children own age-appropriate tasks and chores by enforcing consequences if they go

undone.

Stick to the rules. We all allow some things to slide on occasion. But if you often let your child's

adorable face, charming ways, or pitiful pleading persuade you not to enforce punishment, your child

learns that they don't have to take the rules seriously and can convince you to go easy on them. To be

accountable, they need to learn to accept the consequences of their words, actions, and decisions, and

the only way they'll do so is if you're consistent with rules and discipline

Help your kids learn to problem solve and ask questions when they feel powerless.

Discourage self-pity by having them think outside themselves.

Don’t become the referee.

‘TOP HAT OF THE WEEK’

Child/ren Reason

Caterpillar Jesse W For using her Blue thinking hat brilliantly in all area of the curriculum.

Ladybird Thomas E For using his Blue thinking hat when doing addition number sentences.

Flamingo Brianna-Sage S For using her White thinking hat to recall facts in Guided reading.

Hummingbird Jasmine G For using her White thinking hat confidently using information she knew

about shapes to help her identify 3D shapes in the world around us.

Puffin Frankie G For using her White thinking hat by sticking closely to her plan when

writing her poem.

Dolphin Leuan G Brilliant times table knowledge and story writing.

Whale Rohan B For using his Black thinking hat to edit and improve his interpretation of

the Stone Age boy story.

Shark Diego G For using his Black thinking hat to edit and improve his story – adding

lots of different taught elements.

Leopard Jaiden B For using his White thinking hat to solve division problems.

Lion Abigail P For using her White and Blue thinking hats it independently check her

written topic work.

Tiger Evan H For using his White thinking hat to record information about light in

science.

CALENDAR DATES

DATE EVENT

Wednesday 31st January E-Safety evening for all Yateley parents at Frogmore Infant

School 6.45pm

Y5/6 Cross Country Fun Run at Wavell TBC 4-5pm

Thursday 1st February Caterpillar Class Assembly

PTA Disco

Friday 2nd February Y1/2 walk around Yateley

Monday 5th February Assessment updates to be sent home to parents

Tuesday 6th February

Art Exhibition for cluster schools “My Community”

Parent Council meeting at 7.30pm

Wednesday 7th February Yr 6 SATs information evening for parents

Y5/6 Cross Country League Race 4-5pm

Thursday 8th February Puffin Class Assembly

Y5/6 Athletics event 3-6pm at Samuel Cody

W/c Monday 12th February Half term

Wednesday 21st February Y3/4 trip to Wisley Gardens

Y5/6 Cross Country League Race at Calthorpe 3.30-4.30

Thursday 22nd February Tiger Class Assembly

Y5/6 Basketball tournament at Samuel Cody

Friday 23rd February Termly Mathletics reports to be sent home to parents

Tuesday 27th February Y1/2 trip to Windsor Castle

Wednesday 28th February Y5/6 Festival of Running at Frogmore 4-6

Thursday 1st March National offer date – Secondary Schools

Flamingo Class Assembly

Thursday 8th March Lion Class Assembly

Y1/2 Multi-skills Festival at Samuel Cody 3.30-5

Friday 9th March YR Mums afternoon

Thursday 15th March Hummingbird Class Assembly

Y5/6 Tag Rugby Festival at Samuel Cody 4-6

Thursday 22nd March Ladybird Class Assembly

Y3/4 Tag Rugby Festival at Samuel Cody 4-6

Monday 26th March Y3/4 production to rest of school

Tuesday 27th March Y3/4 production to parents at 2pm

Wednesday 28th March Y3/4 production to parents at 6.15pm

Thursday 29th March Last Day of Spring term

Monday 16th April 1st day of Summer term

Tuesday 17th April Parent Consultations

Thursday 19th April Parent Consultations

Friday 4th May INSET

Monday 7th May Bank Holiday

W/c Monday 14th May Y6 SATs

Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th May Y4 Residential to Marchants Hill (PGL)

Thursday 24th May PTA Disco

W/c Monday 28th May Half term

W/c Monday 11th June Phonics testing for Y1

W/c Monday 9th July Y6 Residential to France

Monday 16th July End of Year Written reports to be sent home to parents

Friday 20th July Last day of summer term for children

Monday 23rd July INSET

Monday 3rd September New academic year – likely to be INSET though not yet

finalised.

Reminders:

OVERVIEW OF HOMEWORK FROM JANUARY

Year R Year 1 Year 2 Year 3, 4 & 5 Year 6

At least 4 x

weekly reading

for 15 min

Maths Targets

Word packs

(linked to

reading)

1 x spelling per

week starting

Spring term

At least 4 x

weekly reading

for 15 min

At least 2 x

Mathletics tasks

set each week

At least 2 x

10min spelling

on Spellzone

At least 4 x

weekly reading

for 15 min

At least 2-3 x

Mathletics tasks

set each week

At least 2 x

10min spelling

on Spellzone

Times Table

Rock Stars at

least 2 x weekly

At least 4 x

weekly reading

for 15 min

At least 3-5 x

Mathletics tasks

set each week

At least 3 x

15min spelling

on Spellzone

Times Table

Rock Stars at

least 2 x weekly

At least 4 x

weekly reading

for 15 min

At least 4 - 6 x

Mathletics tasks

set each week

(until Revision

time)

At least 3 x

15min spelling

on Spellzone

(until Revision)

Times Table

Rock Stars at

least 2 x weekly

CLASS ASSEMBLIES & PRODUCTIONS

Each class, apart from those in Y3/4 who will be doing the end of term production, will be inviting parents in

to watch an assembly this term. The Spring term is always incredibly short and time for learning is extremely

precious. For this reason, most of the assemblies will be used to show off what the children have been doing in

a ‘show and tell’ type format – this will help us to avoid lengthy rehearsals! The dates for each are as follows

(all at 9.10am):

Thursday 25th January: Leopard Class (afternoon class)

Thursday 1st February: Caterpillar Class

Thursday 8th February: Puffin Class

Thursday 22nd February: Tiger Class (afternoon class)

Thursday 1st March: Flamingo Class

Thursday 8th March: Lion Class (afternoon class)

Thursday 15th March: Hummingbird Class

Thursday 22nd March: Ladybird Class

On Monday 26th March, Y3/4 will perform their show to the rest of the school. Parents will be invited on the

afternoon of Tuesday 27th March with a final evening performance at 6.15pm on Wednesday 28th March (NO

CHILDREN UNDER SECONDARY SCHOOL AGE WILL BE PERMITTED).

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

Ma.........................................................................................................................................................................

Reply Slip - School Disco – Thursday 1 February 2018

I would like:

…..… Reception tickets at £2.80

…..… Infant tickets at £3.00

…...... Junior tickets at £3.00

Total enclosed: £ ……………………… (Cheques are payable to Potley Hill School PTA)

Child's name: ……………….………………………………........………….. Class: ................................................

If your child has any medical condition you feel it would be helpful for us to know (or has an inhaler/epiPen held at school for them), please give details here: ...........................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................................

________________________________________________________________________________

Helpers: I am able / unable to help at the Infant Disco / Junior Disco

Name: …........................................................................ Signature……………………………..……. Parent/Guardian

If you are able to help please can you provide your email and/or mobile number as we will allocate jobs before

the event to help the disco run more smoothly.

Email: ............................................................................... Mobile Number: ………………………...............

Do you hold a current DBS? ................................................

If yes please can you confirm your reference number: .........................................................................

ny thanks