Dragon’s Roar May 2022 

As we reach the halfway point of the Summer Term, we have been delighted to have welcomed so many new families to our school community over the past 6 weeks. It has been heart-warming to see how friendly and welcoming the KPNS children have been, and our new arrivals are all settling in well. Welcoming children and their families from so many different cultures has really enriched our school.  

We have had a fantastic term and the whole school celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee together today with lots of different activities and a picnic together on the field at lunchtime. It was really lovely.  

Please read this Dragon’s Roar carefully as it outlines some of the key events coming up after half term.  

 

Staffing changes 

As we move towards the end of the school year, we have can confirm some changes to the staff team: 

• After well over 20 years preparing meals for KPNS children, Brenda Frame has retired from her role as school cook. Brenda will be greatly missed by the staff team at KPNS and I know you will want to join us in wishing her a happy retirement. 

• Also, after over two decades at KPNS, and following a period of illness, Miss Peck has left her role as a Teaching Assistant. Her passion for art and her skills as a TA has positively impacted generations of children. We wish her every happiness in the future. 

• Replacing Mrs O’Connor, Mrs Speer will be joining the team in September. Mrs Speer was a real hit with staff and children on her interview day and comes with fantastic experience from another Nottinghamshire school. 

• We are currently recruiting two new Teaching Assistant. The adverts can be found here: 

• Grade 4 TA 

• Grade 2 TA 

 

Uniform 

We have noticed several children not wearing correct footwear as part of our school uniform. When purchasing new shoes please ensure they are plain black with no branding on them. Branded, expensive shoes can make children not wearing them feel inferior and also put parents under pressure to buy them. 

Many supermarkets sell excellent, great value plain black school shoes and bargains can be found online. 

 

School attendance - IMPORTANT 

The government are asking schools to place an even greater emphasis on ensuring all pupils attend school regularly – new guidance has been issued that all schools will need to follow. Research shows that poor school attendance has an extremely negative impact on children’s progress and, eventually, their life chances. 

At KPNS, we will be following the new guidance and working hard with all families to ensure their children attend regularly and make good progress. 

If your child’s attendance is below 90%, your child is classed as a persistent absentee; if this is the case, it is crucial that we work together to improve attendance and imperative that parents do not book holidays or take any other unnecessary time off from school. 

Where children’s attendance is poor, and our efforts to promote good attendance are not working, parents may find they are issued with a penalty notice that results in a fine. Fines have been issued already this year where parents were not ensuring their child attended school regularly. 

Please pop in if you have any concerns or questions about this. 

 

Parent Survey 

Many thanks to those families that were able to complete our recent parent survey. We had 83 responses – more than in previous years, giving us a good sample of parents’ views and opinions. We are delighted by the positive comments and feedback we received. For instance: 

• 98% of families feel their children are happy at KPNS 

• 100% of families would recommend KPNS 

• 95% of families have no concerns about pupils’ behaviour 

• 98% families say their children feel safe at KPNS 

• 100% families believe KPNS supports their children’s mental health 

 

Excluding ‘Don’t knows’, 19/20 questions received over 95% positive responses. 

 

The one area less than 95% centred around bullying – this question had 10 negative responses. We were extremely surprised to see this as very, very few parents come into school to express concerns about bullying. In fact, we have not reported any incidents of proven bullying over the last 12 months. If you do have any concerns about bullying, please arrange to speak to Mr Cresswell, Mrs King or Mrs Holmes asap. For your information, this is the definition of bullying we use at KPNS: 

The repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal or psychological.  It can happen face-to-face or through cyberspace 

One parent did ask about our provision for modern foreign languages. In response to this, we can confirm that we have reviewed and updated our provision and will launch a new programme of teaching from September. 

If you have any questions about our survey, or issues you raised when completing it , do not hesitate to get in touch and arrange to come into school. 

A copy of the questions we asked in the survey can be found here 

 

Key dates for the term ahead:

WB 6th of June- Year 1 Phonics Check 

WB 13th June- Y4 Times Table Check  

Thursday 16th June- Y6 Residential Parents’ Meeting (3:30- 4pm) 

WB 20th June- Sports Week 

Friday 24th June- Sports Day  

4th-6th July- Y6 Residential  

Friday 15th July- Transition Morning (Children will spend the morning with their new teacher in their new classroom)  

Tuesday 19th July- Morning performance of Oliver 

Wednesday 20th July-Afternoon and evening performances of Oliver. 

Wednesday 27th July- Leavers' Assembly (Approx 9:15-11am for parents wishing to join us) 

 

Sports Week- WB 20th of June  

Miss Robinson has been working hard to plan an amazing Sports Week. For this week, the children can come to school wearing PE kit every day. Sports Day will be held on Friday 24th of June and we usually invite parents to come and join us in the afternoon if you would like to. More information about this event will be sent to you after half term. 

 

End of Year Performance 

Our end of year performance this year will be Oliver Twist. The children have been learning the songs (which they can access through the ‘Sports and Enrichment Blog on the website) and should come home with a letter regarding tickets and costumes today.  

 

Doodle SUPERSTARS! 

The following children complete the Spring Doodle Challenge 2022: 

Y1- Hugo, Arlo, Reuben 

Y2- Max and Archie  

Y3/4- Megan, Bailie, Imogen, Bertie 

Y6- Agnes, Grace, Cyrus, Freda 

Well done to all these children! The next Doodle Challenge will be over the Summer holidays and we will let you know so that the children can take part!