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Friday 20th January 2023               

Messages from the Principal, Mrs Pelazza

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I would like to start by introducing a new member of staff, Mr Hazell, who joins us in a senior leadership capacity. Mr Hazell will be based in Year 2 primarily, and can be found on Eagle class' doors each morning and afternoon. We are delighted to have him on board!

The weather has certainly turned colder of late. Thank you to those of you who ensure your children come to school wearing winter coats, hats, gloves and scarves. Our children will continue to play outside, so it is imperative they wrap up warm.

The school is offering an exciting opportunity for all parents to contribute to our school's curriculum. Do you have views on what your children should be learning?  Would you like to share the importance of your cultural heritage?  If so, please come along on Wednesday 1st February from 9am.

 


SAFEGUARDING

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"Parenting can be rewarding, but it can also be challenging. We've got parenting tips for all stages of your child's life, as well as advice on how to deal with difficult situations." (NSPCC)

Please click HERE to visit the NSPCC's website for tips on the following:

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Keeping children safe is everyone's responsibility, including out of school hours.

For general queries regarding a child's safety, please telephone 01753 477321 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. For emergencies outside these hours, please call the Emergency Duty Team on 01344 351999.

If you believe a child is at immediate risk of harm, please dial 999 straight away.

ONLINE SAFETY TIPS:

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The Marie Collins Foundation, in partnership with the Ann Craft Trust, have developed a resource to support parents/carers of children with autism to keep them safe online.

Please click HERE for the guidance.

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Lunar New Year 2023

This year's Lunar New Year, also referred to by some as Chinese New Year, will be observed on Sunday. 

Read all about the history and customs HERE.

There are so many opportunities for families to observe the Lunar New Year practices, as well as join in the celebrations.

On Sunday 29th January, there will be Chinese Folk Storytelling at Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery which is a relatively short drive from Slough. 

There are also lots of lovely events taking place in London.

Please click HERE for some Lunar New Year stories for children.

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Milad un Nabi

This half-term, Year 1 children are learning all about the Islamic festival of Milad un Nabi which commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.

During the festival, many Muslims - although not all - hear stories of Muhammad’s life, visit the mosque, sing songs, share a meal with family and give to those in need.

We are so incredibly proud of the independent writing our children have produced.

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Would you like to try and develop your English-speaking skills?

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If Urdu is your first language, you could access one of the many apps that support Urdu speakers to learn English, including 'Learn English' (the app picture can be seen here.) This app is free to purchase.

We would love to hear how useful you find it!

For examples of dual language children's stories in Urdu and English, including Eric Carle's 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar,' please click HERE!

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YOU are your child's first 'teacher' and, as such, we would like your help

Research shows that when parents contribute to their children's curriculum, learning is more effective and children are happier.

'Curriculum' can be defined as the knowledge and skills children are taught / need to learn. Simply, the lessons and their content.

YOU know your children better than anyone.

YOU know your cultural heritage best.

YOUR INPUT IS THEREFORE CRUCIAL

Please join leaders for our Parent Curriculum Event

Date: Wednesday 1st February

Time: 9am

Please come to the Warrington Avenue entrance.

We look forward to welcoming you!

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WE ARE HIRING!

Do you love working with young children?  Are you looking for your next role? Do you have excellent communication skills - both written and verbal? 

If so, we would LOVE to hear from you!

Please visit the vacancies section of our website to see our adverts.

We are currently looking for Lunchtime Leaders, an Admin Assistant and Teaching Assistants.

Please contact the school office if you require further information.

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Come and join this wonderful team!!

Fancy dress optional! ;) 


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Chess Club

We are so proud of our children attending Chess Club. I joined them on Monday, and the concentration was commendable!  I think we may have some future Grand Masters!

Do you follow us on Twitter?!

If not, please do!

As of Wednesday, our latest Tweet had been viewed by over 3700 people. This is incredible and demonstrates that our wonderful community is making a huge impact.

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ATTENDANCE

Well done to all parents/carers who have ensured their children have attended school regularly since returning after the Christmas holidays.

This week Year 1 has the highest attendance of any year group across the school again. 

The class winners in each year group can be seen below.

All attendance expectations can be found on our website.

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RECEPTION CLASS WINNER

Well done to Blackbird class who won the attendance trophy this week with 96.2%.

Keep it up!

YEAR 1 CLASS WINNER

Well done to Kingfisher class who won the attendance trophy this week with 97%.

Keep it up!

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YEAR 2 CLASS WINNER

Well done to Eagle class who won the attendance trophy this week with 99.3%.

Keep it up!


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Punctuality

We are seeing far too many children being dropped off to, and collected from, school late.

Last week alone, there were 25 instances of children being collected from the office after 3:25pm - the latest time for collecting. One child was collected late 4 times, and the latest collection time recorded was 4:03pm. 

Not being collected on time can significantly impact a child's well-being. They often ask staff where their mummy and daddy are and when they will arrive. They are often quieter than usual. Some children are visibly upset.

The school recognises that there are some instances when arriving late is beyond your control; however, consistent late collection is unacceptable. 

Senior Leaders will continue to contact parents where we feel expectations are not being adhered to, and children's well-being and learning is not being prioritised.

Please remember, if you need any support with attendance or punctuality, please do not hesitate to contact your child's class teacher or Principal Mrs Pelazza (the school's Senior Champion for Attendance.)


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Our HEROIC Winners THIS Week:

Star of the Week Teacher's Special Award Class
Musa Hussain Kingfisher
Amal Adam Heron
Jathvika Husayn Swan
Ranveer Muzahir Buzzard
Minahil Aoun Eagle
Marwah Maheera Falcon

Our HEROIC Winners LAST Week:

Star of the Week Teacher's Special Award Class
Khadija Zaki Kingfisher
Urwa Sahib Heron
Abdul Eesa Swan
Abid Aaruhi Buzzard
Sibella Mankeet Eagle
Divya Khadijah Falcon

Our HERO House Winners THIS Week:

Winner HERO House Class
Hafsa Teachers Kingfisher
Bisma Teachers Heron
Aira NHS Swan
Aminah Police Buzzard
Yusuf Police Eagle
Taha NHS Falcon

Our HERO House Winners LAST Week:

Winner HERO House Class
Kirti NHS Kingfisher
Aasiya Fire Brigade Heron
Sargun NHS Swan
Rumaysa Teachers Buzzard
Tanvir Teachers Eagle
Enric Teachers Falcon

Winning HERO House THIS Week

Winning HERO House LAST Week

FIRE BRIGADE

TEACHERS

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Follow us on Twitter! @phoenixinfants

Phoenix Infant Academy Follow
We have future Grand Masters at work! Our children lost in, and loving, #chess! Fancy a game, @MagnusCarlsen / @MickeyAdamsGM? @Chess_MastersUK @FIDE_chess https://t.co/txEfPWxMDg
3 days ago
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And we won the first prize, too!! So surprised (and a lot giddy!) Thank you so much #NewhamEY23! https://t.co/mVq7gqztJu
1 week ago
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Teaching Assistant, Phoenix Infant Academy, Slough https://t.co/6Rvytzx7jh
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Class Teacher EYFS, Phoenix Infant Academy, Slough https://t.co/gnI9xw7hrn
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An incredibly special day of #EYFS expertise and collaboration at #NewhamEY23, opening with MP @helenhayes_, Professor @eunice_lumsden and @juliangrenier CBE. #EarlyYears https://t.co/9qJS1lCcSc
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And, just like that, we've reached the end of term! Wishing our wonderful #schoolcommunity a very happy break and happy #Christmas for those who celebrate. See you in the #NewYear2023! https://t.co/2VJweeXUv2
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Absolutely. https://t.co/r85m1JfzP6
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Dates for your Diaries

Parent Curriculum Event
9:00am – 9:30am
01
February
Y1 Curriculum Celebration Event
9:05am – 9:25am
07
February
Parents' Progress Meetings
3:30pm – 6:00pm
07
February
Y2 Sharing Assembly
9:30am – 10:00am
09
February
Parents' Progress Meetings
3:30pm – 6:00pm
09
February
Last Day of Term
All Day
10
February
Half Term
All Day
From 13 Feb until 17 Feb
13
February
Children's First Day Back
All Day
20
February
Fire Brigade Visiting
All Day
22
February

PENDING INDUSTRIAL ACTION

The school is currently making arrangements which will be communicated to you all in due course regarding the upcoming teacher strikes. 

As part of this, we require all parents to complete a short survey. This is to enable the school to identify those of you who are critical workers, as defined in the Department for Education guidance below, and make arrangements for your children should staff take industrial action.

 

Please click HERE to complete the survey by Friday 27th January.

 

Critical Workers:

Health and social care

This includes, but is not limited to, doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, care workers, and other frontline health and social care staff including volunteers; the support and specialist staff required to maintain the UK’s health and social care sector; those working as part of the health and social care supply chain, including producers and distributors of medicines and medical and personal protective equipment.

Education and childcare

This includes: • childcare • support and teaching staff • social workers • specialist education professionals who must remain active during an emergency response to deliver this approach.

Key public services

This includes: • those essential to the running of the justice system • religious staff • charities and workers delivering key frontline services • those responsible for the management of the deceased • journalists and broadcasters who are providing public service broadcasting.

Local and national government

This only includes those administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of: • an emergency response • essential public services, such as the payment of benefits including in government agencies and Arm’s length bodies (ALB).

Food and other necessary goods

This includes those involved in food: • production • processing • distribution • sale and delivery • as well as those essential to the provision of other key goods (for example hygienic and veterinary medicines).

Public safety and national security

This includes: • police and support staff • Ministry of Defence civilians • contractor and armed forces personnel (those critical to the delivery of key defence and national security outputs and essential to an emergency response) • fire and rescue service employees (including support staff) • National Crime Agency staff • those maintaining border security, prison and probation staff and other national security roles, including those overseas.

Transport

This includes those who will keep the air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating during an emergency response, including those working on transport systems through which supply chains pass.

Utilities, communication and financial services

This includes: • staff needed for essential financial services provision (including but not limited to workers in banks, building societies and financial market infrastructure) • the oil, gas, electricity, and water sectors (including sewerage) • information technology and data infrastructure sector and primary industry supplies to continue during an emergency response • key staff working in the civil nuclear, chemicals, telecommunications (including but not limited to network operations, field engineering, call centre staff, IT and data infrastructure, 999 and 111 critical services) • postal services and delivery • payments providers • waste disposal sectors.


Community Notices:

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Please click HERE for information on how to get support from Slough's Food Bank

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Wishing you all a lovely weekend. 

TOGETHER WE SOAR!