WEEKLY UPDATE
SPRING TERM
WEEK 3
WOW! What a busy week in school. Visitors. Learning. Visits.
We might have to have a weekend to have a rest and recuperate.
A HUGE THANK YOU AND AN UPDATE!
Firstly, a massive thank you to everyone who helped make the Santa Dash such a success. The children absolutely loved it and thanks to your incredible generosity through sponsorship, we were able to raise a fantastic amount of money. Thank you to everyone who got involved in some way - we couldn't have done it without you!
As promised, all money raised will go directly towards improving our children’s health and wellbeing.
We are constantly liaising with the School Council to understand how we can best improve pupils’ health and wellbeing. As a result of their creative ideas and suggestions and thanks to your support, we have been able to achieve the following:
- Whole-School Yoga Workshop – every child in the school took part.
- KS2 Theatre Trip – 101 Dalmatians.
- KS1 Pantomime – Aladdin.
- Improved Playtimes – purchase of new equipment to promote positive play.
- Reintroduction of the Golden Table – improving behaviour and the lunchtime experience.
- Reintroduction of Wake and Shake – supporting a strong start to the school day and improved punctuality.
We would love to continue this great work, starting with 'Let’s Connect Day!' on Wednesday 11th February. More details will follow about what this exciting day is, why we are doing it and how it will work!
In the meantime, we are gathering further ideas and suggestions from the School Council and will be back in touch next Friday with another update!
WEBSITE UPDATES
Check out an update on the following pages.
SEND UPDATE- information on if you are thinking about a diagnosis or applying for an EHCP
https://www.fairlight.brighton-hove.sch.uk/aboutus/inclusion/support-for-parents
SANTA DASH- an update on the total money raised.
SEVERE WEATHER- a reminder about the procedures.
JOINING US- how to apply for a place at Fairlight.
https://www.fairlight.brighton-hove.sch.uk/parents-and-carers/joining-us
PTA UPDATE
Here are some things that our amazing PTA want to share with you.
Lets Talk About Kids and Smartphones
See the enclosed flyer/ advert for an upcoming event around this.
This topic has been in the media this week so is a good time to find out more. FRIDAY FOOTBALL. Sadly, we are still not able to start Friday Football this term as the Level remains so wet.If only we had our own football pitch or a million pounds to fund something!!!If you don’t ask and all…
WEEKLY UPDATE
SPRING TERM
WEEK 2
A busy start to the term scattered with some wet weather.
A shorter update this week however a few key reminders.
PARENTS STANDING ON THE RAMPS
The entrance and the ramps coming into school are quite small and can easily get congensted.
I will also remind you that we have several children who need to be able to fully access these ramps and need more space.
In the mornings we get over 400 people using the ramps and in the evening it can be almost double that.
It is therefore tricky when parents wait on the ramps and block the ramp. This week with buggies and brollies it has become really congested on some days.
Please can I remind parents that they should not be waiting on the ramp. Please wait in the playground.
Our older children who are meeting parents can come and meet you outside the school gate.
We will monitor this again this week and the start of next week and may have to ask parents to move if this bottleneck continues.
OPAL PRESENTATION
I have been proud to share this week the amazing work we do in our Opal at an online conference on Play.
I finished the presentation to schools, school leaders and those who are interested and know about play with the following line. "Fairlight proves that even modest spaces can become rich play landscapes."
FOOTBALL UPDATE (sorry no football this Friday just as a reminder).
We have been informed this week that we have been awarded the FA Barclays Girls Football in Schools Equal Access Award. This means we have shown that at Fairlight we have equal access to girls’ football. This isn't just about Friday football but also playground football also.
We are extremely proud to have been given this award and to have been recognised for all of the work we have done and continue to do over the years at Fairlight for girls football and equal access to football for all.
This is years and years of some of our pioneer players (many of whom still play football at secondary school, college, university and as adults) coming along to Friday Football and taking part that has led to this point.
WET WEATHER AND OPAL
We just wanted to remind parents that we do go out to play in all weathers. Of course that isn't extreme weather however if it is raining we will go out to play. This means that children will need a proper coat to wear. Parents have asked if their children can stay in. The simple answer is no. We do not have the staff to have the children inside and outside. Also the children need to go outside into the fresh air and to play outside. Teachers may send reminders to parents if children are not coming in a suitable coat at this time of year.
SAFEGUARDING TRAINING FOR PARENTS
Thank you to all of those parents who have read and took part in some Safeguarding training that was part of last weeks Weekly Update. The links are still below if you want to do some learning around AI and Toxic Masculinity.
PARK RUN REMINDER
See the information below about this weekends run.
UPDATING INFORMATION
Don't forget that if you have changed your phone number or contact details in any way you need to update them either on Compass or come to the office.
WEEKLY UPDATE
SPRING TERM
WEEK 1
WELCOME BACK TO FAIRLIGHT AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
🌟 Welcome Back – Happy New Year to Our School Community 🌟
Welcome back, and Happy New Year 2026!
We hope this Weekly Update finds you refreshed after the winter break and feeling ready for the term ahead. As we step into a new year together, we want to thank you for the continued support, encouragement and partnership you give your children and our school community.
January is always a moment for fresh starts, new routines and renewed focus, and we know that parenting and family life can feel busy at the start of term. With that in mind, we’ve gathered some helpful links, ideas and local opportunities to support you as parents, as learners, and as people.
👨👩👧 Supporting You as Parents
Being a parent is rewarding but demanding, and support matters. These trusted resources offer practical advice, reassurance and guidance:
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Parenting Support & Advice
- NHS Parenting Hub: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/parenting/
- Parentkind (UK parent support): https://www.parentkind.org.uk/
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Children’s Mental Health & Wellbeing
- YoungMinds (support for children and teens): https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
- Place2Be (mental health support in schools): https://www.place2be.org.uk/
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Online Safety & Digital Parenting
- Internet Matters: https://www.internetmatters.org/
- NSPCC Online Safety: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
📚 Supporting Learning at Home
Small conversations at home can make a big difference to children’s confidence and progress in school. These sites offer simple ideas and resources to support learning:
- BBC Bitesize (all key stages): https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
- Oak National Academy (free lessons and resources): https://www.thenational.academy/
- National Literacy Trust (reading and writing support): https://literacytrust.org.uk/
💡 Tip: Asking your child what they enjoyed learning this week can be more powerful than asking what they found hard.
💬 Support for Parents, Personally
Your wellbeing matters too. Whether you’re looking for support, connection, or a little time for yourself:
- NHS Mood and Mental Wellbeing Support: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/
- Mind (mental health support): https://www.mind.org.uk/
- Carers Support if applicable: https://www.carersuk.org/
🌊 Ideas Around Brighton & Hove to Support Wellbeing
Living in Brighton & Hove offers wonderful free and low‑cost ways to reset and recharge as a family:
🌿 Get Outdoors
- Walk along Hove Lawns or the Undercliff Path
- Winter beach walks and sea air (bracing but brilliant!)
- Stanmer Park or Devil’s Dyke for open space and calm
📖 Learn & Connect
- Local libraries in Brighton & Hove offer free activities and quiet spaces
- Brighton Museum & Art Gallery – family‑friendly exhibits and workshops
🧘♀️ Look After Yourself
- Free or low‑cost community yoga and wellbeing sessions (check local community centres)
- Volunteering opportunities through local groups can help build connection and purpose
✨ Looking Ahead to 2026
As we move forward into 2026, our focus remains on:
- High aspirations for every child
- Strong partnerships with families
- Wellbeing, belonging and inclusion
Thank you for being part of our school community. We are excited for the term ahead and look forward to working together to help every child thrive.
💬 If you ever need support or have a question, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
NEW PARENT VISIT
We only have one more parent visit before Application Deadline day. Please ensure you have either visited or have directed your firends and family to either visit or complete the application form.
JOIN US IN SOME SAFEGUARDING TRAINING
On Monday all staff and Governors took part on the INSET day in Safeguarding Training. This is an area of strength at Fairlight and something we do regularly as we know how important it is. This year we are taking the unusual step of asking parents to also consider doing some of the training with us. We would like to invite parents to join us in engaging with some of the key themes explored by doing some reading. Two particular areas of focus were online safety, including the growing influence of AI, and toxic masculinity.
While these issues are especially relevant for our older pupils and in school we will be doing more work directly with the relevant year groups, they are important for all parents to be aware of and to begin considering at home. This years Safer Internet Day 2025 will take place on the 11th of February 2025, with celebrations and learning based around the theme ‘Too good to be true? Protecting yourself and others from scams online‘ so this is a good preparation for you.
Some parents may already be familiar with these themes around Toxic Masculinity having watched the powerful Netflix series Adolescence, which highlights many of the challenges young people can face today.
We look forward to working together to support our children to stay safe, confident, and respectful in an ever‑changing world.
If you have any questions then please do not hesitate to come and speak to us.
LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT HOW AMAZING WE ARE AT FAIRLIGHT
We (and when I say we I mean the amazing SEND team) have recently been published because of the amazing work and support we do around Speech and Language.
Read more about it here https://www.fairlight.brighton-hove.sch.uk/aboutus/inclusion/speech-and-language-at-fairlight
JUNIOR PARKRUN TAKEOVER
We’re delighted to let you know that the school is partnering with Queen’s Park Juniors, a local Junior parkrun event- a free, fun 2km run for children aged 4 to 14.
The school has teamed up with Junior parkrun to organise a special takeover event. It’s a great opportunity to showcase the school to the wider community.
For anyone who isn’t familiar with Junior parkrun, it’s a free weekly 2km event around Queen’s Park. Kids and their families can run, jog or walk the route.
It’s a great opportunity for kids to get active, build confidence and enjoy being outdoors with friends and family.
Top line details:
· Date: Sunday 18th January
· Where: Meet at Queen’s Park Tennis Club, Queen’s Park, East Drive, Brighton, BN2 OBQ.
· Time: Warm up: 08:50am. Event starts at 09:00am
Young people can walk, jog or skip the course and the events are incredibly welcoming and inclusive. Parents and carers can either run alongside their children or wait at the finish line. There is no time limit, and no one finishes last.
You can register for parkrun for free here https://www.parkrun.org.uk/register/. Once registered, you’ll received a personal barcode which you’ll need to print or save on your phone. This barcode is your ticket to receiving a timed result at any parkrun events around the world.
If you can’t attend on January 18th, Junior parkrun happens every Sunday so you can come any weekend you are available. More details can be found here: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/queensparkbrighton-juniors/.
It would be great to see as many of you as possible at the takeover!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/queensparkjuniorparkrunbrighton
