Dear Parents,

It is the end of a very busy and exciting half-term, which has seen pupils produce some super work, particularly in

relation to History, Literacy and Art. Thank you so much for supporting your child’s learning at home - especially

with some of the super model making - it makes such a difference. Thanks also to all of the staff who have worked

exceptionally hard to ensure that pupils have had exciting, positive and productive learning experiences since

September.

I hope you and your family have a lovely Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Best wishes - Fiona Shields & the Dove Bank Team

NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 2017

DOVE BANK PRIMARY SCHOOL

ALL DIFFERENT. ALL EQUAL. The theme for Anti-Bullying Week 2017 was 'All different. All equal'. During our special anti-bullying day, pupils explored a number of issues relating to respect, friendship and thoughtfulness. They were also treated to a performance of ’Catchfool City’ by One Day Creative. The children were all utterly engaged in this wonderfully interactive performance, which really got the message home that bullying in any form is not acceptable. I am also delighted to inform you that our Y2 and Y6 Anti-Bullying Ambassadors have reported that they have had no issues of bullying or intimidating behaviour to deal with since September. Pupils have commented positively on how well the children play together, and how caring everyone is towards one another. Well done kids!

Bullying has no place at Dove Bank and we hope to keep that message strong.

GIANT EGG DISCOVERY Pupils in Classes 1 and 2 have witnessed a series of strange events this half-term… muddy footprints, scattered leaves and branches, and the discovery that a giant egg has been laid in a nest in one of the school’s woodland areas! After a request by the Ministry of Strange Objects, pupils undertook the task of looking at the ‘evidence’ to try and identify the strange creature that had laid the egg. All clues pointed to the Tyrannosaurus Rex that had visited school a few weeks earlier. The giant egg has now been taken to a secret location where it will be well looked after by scientists from the Ministry of Strange Objects! However, inspired by their incredible discovery, pupils have embarked on a story writing project – they certainly weren’t short of ideas!

NSPCC ‘SPEAK OUT. STAY SAFE’ ASSEMBLIES. We were delighted to welcome two representatives from the NSPCC who visited school to deliver their ‘Speak Out; Stay Safe’ assembly and share information with pupils about how they can keep themselves safe from harm and get help if they have any worries. They spoke to the children and staff about the valuable work they do across the country, and talked about how important it is for everyone in our school community to join them in their ‘fight for every childhood’. Our Sponsored Penalty Shoot-Out Athon was a great success! The winning house was Vikings, with 289 goals. However, as a school, we scored a combined total of 941, which was just 59 off out target of 1000. More importantly, we managed to raise £247 for the NSPCC. Well done! HOBGOBLIN THEATRE VISITS To enhance their topic on the lives of the rich and poor during Victorian times, the Hobgoblin Theatre Company once again visited school to perform ‘Workhouse Boy’. It was a stunning live performance, with some wonderful acting which really brought the children’s History topic to life. The children then took part in a drama workshop to explore the workhouse theme further. Y5/6 also enjoyed their ‘historical detectives’ walk around Nailstone, to look at evidence of the Victorian period. As a ’nearly end’ of term treat, the Hobgoblin Theatre Company also visited school to perform their latest production: ‘The Wizard of Oz. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all and a lovely way to end a very busy week. SPORTING NEWS

We are so proud of all the children who have taken part in events run by NWLSSP this term, not least the Y5/6 pupils who thought it would be fun to have sponge balls thrown at them for over an hour and a half at two local Dodge Ball Tournaments!

We made the semi-finals for one of these competitions, which was fantastic.

Our pupils’ behaviour was exemplary and they took part with wonderful team spirit.

CHILDREN IN NEED

A huge thank you to everyone who took part in our ‘Crazy hat and hair’ day for the BBC’s Children In Need appeal on Friday 17th November. Our school raised £167.45 in support for the charity, which included the funds from additional activities such as the Pudsey colouring competition and name the teddy.

CHRISTMAS PERFORMANCE

A massive well done to pupils for working so exceptionally hard on our Christmas Production, ‘Aladdin. The standard of singing, dancing and acting was once again extremely high, and the performance was a joy to watch. Thanks also to the staff for their support and to Mrs Howard for all of the admin work. PPS CHRISTMAS FAIR

Thank you to all of those parents who supported the Christmas Fair, either by sending in donations for raffle or tombola prizes, or by attending the event on the Friday.

A huge thank you to the school’s wonderful PPS group for all of their hard work, as well as to Mrs Davies who helped to co-ordinate the event.

REMINDER: SCHOOL CLOSURE

If the school is closed due to adverse weather conditions, parents will be informed via text and the school’s website, no later than 7.45am. Please also listen to BBC Radio Leicester (104.9FM) or GEM 106 who will broadcast a list of school closures.

DIARY DATES

Monday 8th January - INSET day. School closed to pupils

Tuesday 9th January - School opens to pupils

Wednesday 10th January - Classes 1 & 2 Didgeridoo Workshop

Monday 15th January - Severn Trent Water Assembly & Workshop

Wednesday 24th January - NHS Height & Weight survey Reception and Y6

Thursday 1st February - Glow in the Dark Dodgeball Taster Day

Monday 5th February - ‘Keeping Safe Club’ workshops for Classes 3 & 4

Tuesday 6th February - Safer Internet Day

Friday 9th February - School closes

12th - 16th February HALF-TERM

Monday 19th February - School re-opens

Monday 26th February - KS2 Steel Band Workshop

Parents’ Evening Monday 26th Feb (3.30-6.00) & Wednesday 28th February (5-7)

Thursday 1st March - World Book Day and PPS Film Night

Wednesday 7th March - Archery Taster Day

Thursday 15th March Y2/6 SATS Information Evening

Tuesday 20th March - Y5 Orienteering Event

Thursday 22nd March - Easter Eggstravaganza Day

Friday 23rd March - School closes

SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS

As well as running a number of fundraising events this term, pupils have also launched Tuck Shop Tuesdays. Running during KS2 break-time, the tuck shop is beginning to make a useful profit for pupils—thank you to all those children who are supporting this venture.

E-SAFETY

A reminder that our E-Safety Parental Support Booklet, which contains lots of useful information about keeping children safe online, as well as a ‘low-down’ on some of the most popular websites with youngsters, can be downloaded from the e-safety page on the school website. It is important for parents to note the following legal minimum age for account holders: 13 years old: Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / Snapchat 16 years old: Whatsapp Therefore, no pupils at Dove Bank Primary School should be account holders for any of the above social media sites. New CEOP / Thinkuknow resources about Live-streaming - Live streaming is becoming one of the most popular online activities for children and young people. Apps such as Musical.ly, Live.me, Periscope and YouNow are all growing in popularity and other well established apps such as Facebook are also adding live streaming functions. New #LiveSkills resources from CEOP concentrate on the specific risks children and young people face whilst live streaming. Resources for Primary, Secondary and parents can be downloaded here if you have a password for the website: www.thinkuknow.co.uk/professionals/resources/live-streaming/ SCHOOL GAMES MARK AWARD’S NIGHT

We were delighted to have been invited to attend the North West Leicestershire Local Sports Alliance Awards evening on 23rd November to officially receive our Silver School Games Mark. It is a wonderful achievement and clear recognition of the excellent work carried out by staff over the past academic year. Special thanks, as always, to Mrs Shaw.

SPRING TERM (A) CLUBS

Tues lunchtime - Digital Leaders - Mrs Davies Wed 8.15-8.45 - Wake & Shake NWLSSP Wed lunchtime - KS2 Homework Club - Mrs Wallis Wed lunchtime - KS1/2 Art Club - Mrs Vale Thurs lunchtime - KS2 Board Games Club - Mrs Wallis Thurs lunchtime - Recorders - Mrs Shields Fri lunchtime - KS1/2 Lego & K’nex Club

REMINDER: WAKE & SHAKE CLUB

A coach from North West Leicestershire Sports Partnership will be running a ‘Wake and Shake’ Fitness Club, every WEDNESDAY morning from 8.15-8.50, starting on Wednesday 17th January 2018. The last session will be on Wednesday 7th February 2018. The club is free and is open to pupils in Y1-6. Numbers are limited to 20 pupils however. A letter has already been emailed - names and permission slips back by Friday 12th January please.