TEXTING TO PARENTS
In order to improve school to home communication we have introduced a texting service which enables us to let you know important information at the click of a button. We need up to date mobile numbers so please visit the school office if you've got new contact details.
Fancy a school meal?
Thinking of switching your child from packed lunches to school meals? Then why not come along and have lunch with your child and see for yourself how great our school meals are!
Your meal will only cost £2! If you're interested please contact Mrs Warttig for more details.
Talking of school meals; results to the questionnaires you and your children received will soon be available for you to read. More positive reading!!
Watch this space.
Big Writing - what is it?
This is something special that we do here at Thurlstone Primary school. If you attended our Big Writing evening you'll know a bit about how it works and hopefully you'll have noticed the progress your children have made as writers! We have.
Big Writing is an extremely focused and creative approach to writing - it takes the form of a double lesson writing workshop where the children learn about the four areas of writing which are the key factors of good quality writing - these are know as V.C.O.P or VOCABULARY, CONNECTIVES, sentence OPENERS and PUNCTUATION.
The children are expected, at the end of each workshop, to work for 45 minutes to produce a piece of writing - during this 45 minutes the children are provided with special writing pens or pencils, special paper and healthy snacks. They also have gentle music playing - Mozart is particularly conducive to good concentration.
All classes have the same type of Big writing displays - showing that we are consistent in our approach.
Wow! Words are words that literally make you say ' WOW THAT'S A GOOD ONE!' |
There's lots more to know about Big Writing so please feel free to pop in and have a look at the class displays and ask any questions you may have.
Drug and alchol-related health issues.
As we all know, there's far more to being healthy than eating a healthy diet. Developing a healthy and informed attitude towards drugs and alcohol is vital if you and your child are to stay safe. The Department for Education and Skills have issued an extremely helpful booklet called How to deal with drugs and alcohol.
We asked them to sent us multiple copies but they wouldn't(!!) so here's some information from the AT A GLANCE section.
Most young people come into contact with alcohol at some point as they grow older. They might hear very mixed messages about them- from their friends, family and the media. As a parent, you might be more likely to worry about them getting involved in drugs. But studies show that alcohol misuse is more common.
- Taking drugs isn't part of daily life for most young people. For those who do take illegal drugs, it's often just a passing phase.
- Young people take drugs in different ways and for different reasons. Some will only experiment, but a few might misuse drugs regularly and develop a problem.
- It's often difficult for children to realise that alcohol can be dangerous, because they see it all around them - perhaps at home. But it can be particularly dangerous for young people.
- By getting to know the risks involved inusing drugs and alcohol, you are in a better position to talk to your child about them and help them stay safe.
- It's important your child knows what the law says about drugs and alcohol - and why it says it - so that they don't develop drug and alcohol misuse problems or get in trouble with the police.
- Because you are a role model to your child, you can influence how they see alcohol and drugs. Take time to talk to them about both. You'll know when the time is right, but it's a good idea to start with the basics when your child is in primary school.
- If you think your child has a problem with alcohol or drugs, it's important to get help.
- DID YOU KNOW? Studies show that alcohol misuse is more common than drug misuse.
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?
The Talk to Frank website offers free and confidential advice about drugs 24 hours a day - there's also a helpline. You can visit it by clicking here or clicking the "Frank" logo link on the left. The site will open in a new window.
Please note that although www.talktofrank.com is a very useful website, we're not in any way connected with them we and cannot be held responsible for any of their content.
Alcohol Concern offers general information about alcohol and their website can be found at www.alcoholconcern.org.uk
