Newsletters

MESSAGE FROM MRS JONES

Dear Parents and Carers

It has been a busy half term with lots of things happening in school.  

We have celebrated the Queens Platinum Jubilee today in school with a non-uniform day, a special lunch and lots of fun activities for the children to take part in.  It has been lovely to see the children enjoying themselves so much.

I have some sad news to share, we will be saying goodbye to Mrs Roberts on 7th June as she will be leaving us.  We have really enjoyed working with her and we wish her all the best in her new job. 

School finishes at normal time today (Friday 27th May), and I wish you a safe and happy half term holiday and look forward to seeing you and your children return to school on Monday 6th June.

Mrs Jones
Headteacher

UPDATE FROM THE SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY

The Full Governing Body met on Tuesday 17th May, as part of the usual cycle of governance meetings. 

Within this meeting we discussed a number of issues in relation to the strategic running of the school.  Importantly, the school budget for the year ahead was signed off.

During the Summer term we are planning a series of visits to the school, as well as training, and holding our final Full Governing Body meeting for the year, on Tuesday 19^th July. 

Nerys Anthony
Chair of Governors

CHANGING PICK UP ARRANGEMENTS

In line with the Collection of Children Policy, if you need to contact the school about a different person collecting your child, please  email office@vaughan.harrow.sch.uk with the details so that we have a paper record. 

We are unable to take these message over the phone.  Thank you for your understanding. 

BOROUGH GIRLS' FOOTBALL FINALS

Here is a write up by Jaya ( 5A):

Two teams represented Vaughan at the Borough Girls’ Football finals on Monday 16^th May.   Vaughan 1 were in the Cup for teams who finished first in their pool and Vaughan 2 were in the plate for teams finishing second. 

Vaughan 2 played first and the Vaughan 1 team cheered them on like mad!  When they came off they were tried, but even though they lost they all had smiles on their faces.  We were the same and win lose or draw we all enjoyed the event! 

In the end, Vaughan 2 narrowly missed out on a spot in the semi finals and Vaughan 1 managed to finish 3^rd (in the Borough!).  Despite the disappointment of not winning we went home with our heads held high and feeling really proud of ourselves (Mr Young and Miss McCrohan are very proud too!).

HEALTHY EATING WEEK

Monday 13^th to Friday 17^th June marks Healthy Eating Week.

This is a great opportunity to not only talk about a balanced diet, but to spread awareness of being ‘sugar smart’ to improve our oral health.  It’s tough to resist that tempting bit of chocolate or even a juicy bowl of fruit, but if teeth are not taken care of, the sugar in these foods will just eat away at the teeth of our little ones.

Did you know that tooth decay can cause sleepless nights, lack of concentration, time off school and poor eating habits to name a few? 

By introducing tooth brushing techniques and fluoride to a child of 3 to 5 years, we can influence their learnt behaviours, which they will then have for a lifetime. Check out the website below and head to the ‘parents’ section for tips and videos about oral health: https://teethteam.org.uk/

PARENT FORUM

Thursday 26^th May 2022

5.30pm

The school held a forum linked to the launch of our
Parent Partnership Policy.

The session explored the key elements of parent partnership and considering how we develop these partnerships as a school community moving forward.

Thank you to all the parents who attended.  We hope you found it interesting.

READING BOOKS

It has come to our attention, especially in the upper years, that children have been reading books that are not appropriate for their age range.

With so many choices and different retailers, including supermarkets, selling books it is hard to tell what might be suitable books for children to read.

Therefore, when purchasing books for your children please consider:

• Has the book come from the children section of the shop?
• Can you ask the shopkeeper for advice if you are unsure of the age rating?
• Can you Google or Amazon search the book because this will provide the age rating?

It is great to see children reading so much in school, we have attached (below) some recommended books for each year group that are suitable for your child’s age.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Appropriate Books for Nursery Children

 Appropriate Books for Reception Children

Appropriate Books for Year 1 Children

Appropriate Books for Year 2 Children

Appropriate Books for Year 3 Children

Appropriate Books for Year 4 Children

Appropriate Books for Year 5 Children

Appropriate Books for Year 6 Children

YEAR 3 FOOTBALLING EXPERIENCE

WALK TO SCHOOL WEEK

This week has been Vaughan School’s walk to school week, with the theme ‘Power Up’.

We have encouraged the children to walk, cycle or scoot to school daily and have taught them about the benefits of doing so.  The children know that there are numerous health benefits to avoiding taking the car to school.  The children have also learnt about how walking to school helps the environment and works against climate change.

There have been several assemblies this week to encourage walking to school and the children have been completing daily surveys about how they came to school. 

Children have also been invited to enter a competition to design a poster on walking to school and the benefits of doing so.  We have received lots of entries and will be announcing the winner shortly after half term.  If your child would like to create a poster, there is still time to do so!

Well done Vaughan School on your participation with this initiative and keep walking to school!

VAUGHAN ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP

Vaughan Environmental Group have been working hard on many environmental initiatives throughout the school.

This week they have created seed bombs and have distributed these in our school playground.  Wild flowers are important for minibeasts, such as butterflies and bees, which are under threat. 

Pupils understand the importance of protecting and restoring nature and have enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of these initiatives at Vaughan.  Well done to all of the Environmental Group, who are inspiring pupils across the school on our environmental journey.

The seed bomb kits were donated by Barratt London.

KEY MESSAGES FROM WELFARE

Please remember that we have a 48 hour policy for sickness and diarrhoea.  This means that we ask parents to keep their child at home for 48 hours after the last time their child has vomiting or diarrhoea.  This is to minimise infection to other members of the school - children and staff.

Asthma Friendly School Audit

The school will shortly be having an ‘Asthma Friendly School’ audit by the School Nurses.  Parents/Carers with children who suffer from Asthma or have inhalers should be having yearly reviews with their Asthma Nurse/GP.  The school should be provided with an age appropriate spacer.

Welfare should also be advised/updated about any new or updated medical conditions by emailing welfare@vaughan.harrow.sch.uk or telephoning the school.

Medication

If your child is prescribed medication which has to be administered at school, please complete a consent form which can be found on the school website with clear instructions.  It must come via the school office or alternatively, call Welfare tel: 0208 427 7222 Ext 2 and arrangements can be made to collect from outside the school office.

Any medical queries, please contact Mrs O’Rourke or Ms Goodspeed in Welfare.

Medical appointments during the day

And lastly a reminder about medical appointments.  If your child has a medical appointment during the school day, please remember to email attendance@vaughan.harrow.sch.uk with the details and with proof of the appointment.  We do ask however, that appointments during the day are kept to a minimum and that you book appointments for outside of the school day.  Thank you.

SAFEGUARDING UPDATE

Keeping Your Children Safe Online

With the ongoing COVID pandemic, children are online more than ever, not only communicating with friends and family, but for their schoolwork too.  Whilst the Internet can be a fabulous resource, it also fraught with potential dangers.

It is essential that as parents you have all the necessary information at your fingertips, so that you can ensure the safety of your children whilst they are using an electronic device, whatever that may be.

The NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) has some fantastic information, advice and resources for you to use with your children, including a range of safety guides, what to do if you are concerned about something you’ve seen and how to set up parental controls across a range of devices. 

Follow the link https://www.nspcc.org.uk/ to find out more.

Parents’ Safeguarding Forum

Following the success of the first forum last term, there will be another one during the Summer term – watch this space!

Safeguarding at Vaughan

If you have any concerns, please contact safeguarding@vaughan.harrow.sch.uk or speak to Miss Rogers, the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

If you ever have a concern about a child, and you can't get hold of the school, you can call the Golden Number directly (see below):

FRIENDS OF VAUGHAN UPDATE

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

• Ice Cream Sale - 8th June after school
• Vaughan Summer Fair - Vaughan-fest - Saturday 2nd July 11am - 2pm

WHAT’S NEW

Vaughan Summer Fair

Move over Glastonbury, there is a brand new festival that everyone wants a ticket to - VAUGHAN-FEST!  This year we want to celebrate our amazing school & local community with singers, dancers, raffles, tombolas and more in our own summer festival!  Please come along, bring your friends and have fun.

We appreciate everyone's help in making this a brilliant event.  Below is all the information you need to know over the coming weeks but do look out for posters, emails and texts with reminders and further information.

Raffle Tickets will be sent home on Friday 27th May.

Donations for the various tombolas and stalls will be collected on Friday mornings after half term by the main gates.  Letters will be sent out a week before as a reminder but here is everything:

• Jolly Jar Tombola - Friday 10th June
• Vaughan School Jumpers - any Friday from 10th June
• Teddies (washed) & Books - Friday 17th June
• Chocolates & Bottles Tombola - Friday 24th June
• Crisps & Cake stall - Friday 1st July

Tokens will be used instead of cash as far as possible on the day and these can be purchased in advance along with tickets from Monday 6th June at www.pta-events.co.uk/friendsofvaughan from pta-events at a special discount.

Volunteers make the fair happen, running every stall and activity and the more people who help the better.  This year you will be able to sign up for a 1 hour slot on pta-events (www.pta-events.co.uk/friendsofvaughan) from 6th June.  It is a lot of fun and we encourage all of you to get involved.

We know this is a lot to ask of you all, but we can’t run the day without your generous help - it is so appreciated, and we hope the children all have a wonderful day!

HELPING FRIENDS OF VAUGHAN ALL YEAR ROUND

Raise Money While You Shop!

You can support Friends of Vaughan without spending a penny extra by shopping through Easyfundraising or Amazon Smile.

Sign up to Easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/vaughanschoolpta (or download the app) and use the links provided whenever you shop online with John Lewis, M&S, Ebay and more.

Please use Amazon Smile whenever you buy from Amazon and select Vaughan School PTA as your charity.  You can set this up on the app so you don’t need to remember each time.

Regular Giving

As with all charities, you can choose to support us through regular donations which are all eligible for Gift Aid.  If you, or a member of your community would like to do this then please contact our treasurer who can advise on the best way at fovtreasury@gmail.com.

Thank You!

Finally, a big thank you to all of you for your support so far this year particularly the amazing team who are working tirelessly behind the scenes to organise the summer fair this year.

Keep in touch:

• Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/VaughanPTA
• Email: vaughanpta@gmail.com

HARROW FOODBANK

Further information is available from the following website:
https://harrow.foodbank.org.uk/

TERM DATES

School will close at 1.35pm on the last day of each term
(Thursday 21st July 2022, Friday 16th December 2022, Friday 31st March 2023 and Friday 23rd July 2023).

Afternoon Nursery will be closed on the last day of each term.

After School Club finishes at 4.00pm on the last day of term. 

Please do not book holidays for during term time as these will not be authorised.  If you wish to request leave from school, please complete a Request for Leave form and email it to attendance@vaughan.harrow.sch.uk for Mrs Jones' attention.