WEEKLY UPDATE

Each week on Friday there will be an update on all things to do with Fairlight.

Please read and click on the links to find out what is going on.

WEEKLY UPDATE

FAIRLIGHT PRIMARY AND NURSERY SCHOOL 2025-2026

 AUTUMN TERM WEEK 4

The weeks seem to be flying by at the moment. This I think is also linked to how quickly it seems to be getting dark in the evenings and waking up in the darkness in the morning- well those who get up early!!

VOLUNTEERS IN SCHOOL

We take a range of volunteers in school. Those looking for carers in education. From potential teachers to teaching assistants. To parents who just want to come in to school and help. Work placements. And former students who are doing various courses.

We are always looking for volunteers and have a range of things they can be doing. Reading is a great one to come in to school and do with children. Teachers all love a reading Volunteer.

Sadly (but not sadly) we have to go through a number of processes including asking for a DBS check for parents. This is now costing us to do so people who are volunteers will need to make a commitment. We may even ask those who are looking to Volunteer as a stepping stone to pay for this.

I will also say at this point if you are a Grandparent reading this and you are not out enjoying every last minute of your well-earned retirement then we would love to see you. Many of our children do not see or have Grandparents who are local or around and they absolutely love “Grandparent Volunteers”. And so do we.

As well as Volunteers to be in school working on academic areas and with children we are always looking for people to support us with their skills in other ways. We have a couple of brick walls that need building. Some areas of the school that need painting. And other jobs that if they can be done for cheaper or free will allow us to use these budgets for other things.

FOOTBALL THIS WEEK AT THE TRAINING GROUND

Our School 1^st Team took part in the Primary Stars Tournament at the Brighton and Hove Training Ground on Thursday in Lancing.

This is the first outing for the school football team this year and it was a tough first outing for a newly formed team.

3 games against tough opposition ended 3-0/ 2-0 and 3-0. And sadly, not in a favour. Some top goalkeeping kept the scores down also along with a Van Heeke type display in defence.

Training will now focus on shooting and tackling!!!

PLAYING FOOTBALL OUT OF SCHOOL

I am often asked and often advise that the best way to improve football is to play more football and as was shown at the tournament this week playing in a team out of school on bigger pitches and against other teams is great training and teaches so much more than kicking a ball around with friends or even Friday Football.

It is however often quite tough to find a local team as there are not lots of them and often they are already established.

https://find.englandfootball.com/

If you follow this link then you can find out which clubs might be local to you and then you can contact them to find out if they have spaces or a team to join.

SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS

It’s that time.

See the timetable on the School Council page and you might want to spend this weekend getting the applications together.

https://www.fairlight.brighton-hove.sch.uk/in-the-classroom/other-classroom-information/school-council

PARK RUN ON SUNDAY

This Sunday (28th), the children of Fairlight have been invited to gather as many willing participants as we can to take part in the Queen's Park Parkrun junior event.

Every Sunday at 9 am at various parks across Brighton (and the country), 2K (2000m) Junior Parkrun events take place. Junior parkrun is a free, fun, friendly, weekly, community event organised by volunteers of all ages for children aged 4 to 14, so gather your siblings, cousins and neighbours to take part. Junior parkrun is a great introduction for all the family to be physically active outside together. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate with us.

Taking part is easy! Once you have registered your child, their account will have a barcode that you need to bring along (printed out or on your phone) on Sunday morning to take part in junior parkrun.

I would recommend getting there at least 10 minutes early.

Hope to see you there

Please sign up via link below

https://www.parkrun.org.uk/

HARVEST FESTIVAL

We are going to have our special Harvest assembly on the 8th October led by “Off the Fence” a local Charity who support Brighton and Hove’s most vulnerable families.

In support we will be reaching out to the school community for donations of food and basic necessities.

If you are able to donate, however small please kindly drop items off on to the playground on Wednesday, 15th October.

We truly appreciate your support and generosity and every donation is gratefully received.

The items we are collecting this year are listed below. 

Best wishes,

Mrs Austrin

RE lead

The items we are collecting in Harvest assemblies this year:

·        Socks (thin or thick)

·        Deodorant

·        Hand gel

·        Pot noodle

·        Instant oatmeal

·        Canned soup

·        Biscuits

·        Multipack chocolate bars

·        Cleaning materials

·        Toilet rolls

·        Wet wipes (for body)

·        Tena Lady type pads/ incontinence pads

SMART PHONE FREE CAMPAIGN

Enclosed is a letter from Councillor Daniels regarding the Councils decision to support schools to become Smart Phone Free.

I can confirm that at the current time we will continue to allow parents to make this decision as this is ultimately a parent decision and we are happy that the schools policies around phones in school are robust and work.

It remains my personal view that this is a parenting issue and should be decided by parents. Schools have enough to be focused on and limited resources enough and whilst I welcome the Council having a position I do feel they should be spending time, effort and resources in other areas or campaigning in other areas. Sadly they are not.

WEEKLY UPDATE

FAIRLIGHT PRIMARY AND NURSERY SCHOOL

2025-2026

AUTUMN TERM WEEK 3

Another great week of learning at Fairlight this week. I have been extremely lucky to have seen so many excellent examples of learning that have either been sent to see me in my office or that I have seen in visits to the classrooms. It is always so nice when children want to share with you their amazing learning and equally when they are really proud of what they have achieved.

SECONDARY SCHOOL VISITS

We have updated and continue to update the school website with information about the range of open sessions and visits for Year 6 pupils and their families.

You can of course go on to the individual school’s website and see when they are holding the meetings.

CHECK YOUR COMPASS AND THE WEBSITE

Each day more and more information is updated and uploaded to Compass and our School Website. Please keep a check of this so you don’t miss anything important.

BRINGING THINGS TO THE OFFICE DURING THE SCHOOL DAY

I have never worked in a school where there has been such a busy school office during the day for phonecalls and parents “popping in”. This is often for things that might be able to wait until the end of the day or next day or to bring in things that have been forgotten.

Emergencies and very urgent we completely understand however I would ask parents to think if it really is urgent or important before they come in. It is taking valuable time away from other jobs and things the office staff are doing that is starting to impact on their ability to meet deadlines and get other things done.

Weekly Update Autumn Term Week 2

WEEKLY UPDATE

FAIRLIGHT PRIMARY AND NURSERY SCHOOL

2025-2026

AUTUMN TERM WEEK 2

Fantastic Week- except the weather at times!!

What a great first full week back at school. Only another 187 more school get ups until the next Summer Holiday.

I have seen so many examples of children who have come back to school and got straight back to their learning but also (and this was a theme in the certificates in assembly today) of children who have come back to school and are being extremely kind to other children, helping the teachers and adults as well as the new children and have come back with an excellent attitude towards learning.

A number of children today in assembly had every Learning Superhero ticked on their certificates.

Reception Children

We have been so impressed with how our Reception children have started the school year. There have been so many sensible and grown up (I know they are

only 4) children coming in to school in the morning.

We will now start moving towards the next phase of the start of the year which will be ALL parents saying goodbye at the door and letting the children come in to the corridor alone.

This will also then allow the final few children who do need something different or extra to have more space and time with the key adults as they are not needing to speak to quite the volume of parents and have a bit more space to mover around in.

And a special mention to our Year 1 children (who used to be Reception) as they have all gone this week from meeting and lining up in the Playground to now walking into school all on their own and walking up to class.

Parents in School

ALL parents who come in to school must come via the School Office and will be asked to sign in also.

As you will understand this is for the safety and well being of all of the children and staff.

Also, just to remind you that teachers are in class in the morning at the start of the day greeting all of the children. Settling everyone in. Taking the registers and starting the learning.

If you have a message for the teacher or need to talk to them this information can be passed on to them either via Compass or by passing the message to the other adults at the gate, in the playground or at the office.

I know it is tempting to see an open door and think I will go and speak to the teacher however we cannot have adults just walking into the school and wandering around.

Gate Times

We have been asked by several parents to explain how their child is late when they come in the main gate.

In simple there is late through the main gate. Late via the front door and then VERY late.

The gates open at 8.40am.

Registers start at 8.45 and are closed at 8.55 at the very latest.

The gate however stays open until about 9am.

Anyone can work out that you cannot walk through the gate at 8.55am (and even 8.50am if you are on the top floor) and be at the classroom by 8.55am to not be late.

Children coming through the gate when they open are fine. Anyone after that needs to remember to move quickly to get to class on time.

Taxis in the Road Outside School

You will have noticed that some of the children who come to school in taxis organised by the Local Authority are being dropped at the front gate in the morning.

This is to ensure the children can access the school via the ramp which they need to come in the school and to access the lifts.

If you come to school in a taxi that you have organised these are not registered with the Local Authority/ Council and are not exempt from the School Streets rules and regulations.

School Streets

This continues to ensure the safety and well being of all of the children and our school community in the morning and after school.

The rules remain the same that no one should be driving along the road by the main gates in the morning and that access here is restricted.

We await the installation of the cameras that would issue fines for anyone not following these road restrictions.

Until then we continue to monitor and manage this.  

Uniform- including jewellery

Thank you to all of the parents who continue to send their children to school in the correct school uniform.

As PE is up and started we have noticed a number of children who are wearing jewellery to school. Necklaces, rings and Bracelets particularly.

These are not school uniform and should be being worn to school for the safety of everyone but also as these are often precious and could be lost.

The Uniform information is:

JEWELLERY/ MAKE UP

• A watch- which is the responsibility of the child throughout the day
• One wristband (not jewellery) is allowed.
• No necklaces.
• Small plain stud or sleeper earrings- no fancy styles, gems or stones. Hoops or dangly earrings are not permitted. Must be covered or removed for PE if required.
• No Make up.
• No hats to be worn in school- they can be worn to school.
• Nail Varnish is not advised.
• 3 appropriate badges will be allowed.

Parent Visits

Two reminders here.

Year 6 parents please start looking up when our local secondary schools are holding their Open Evenings and events for you to attend. It all happens very quickly this term so get on it now.

Future Reception parents can book on our New Parent Tours now.

https://www.fairlight.brighton-hove.sch.uk/parents-and-carers/joining-us

 These can get very busy and booked so don’t leave it to late.

As we always say the best advert for a school is to go and visit. However it is also the views and thoughts of parents and children who are currently their. With that in mind if you have a friend, family member, neighbour and even someone on the street. Tell them what an amazing school Fairlight is and that they need to send their child here. And then tell them to book to come and see for themselves.

WEEKLY UPDATE

FAIRLIGHT PRIMARY AND NURSERY SCHOOL

2025-2026

AUTUMN TERM WEEK 1

Welcome Back

As I have shared already on Compass it is great to see everyone back at Fairlight. It has been a very busy few days getting back into new routines but also starting the new learning in new classes and year groups.

A big welcome to our Reception children who have been in this week with parents for Stay and Play and to meet the teachers, complete the final paperwork and information sharing and to finalise their start routines.

A welcome to the new families we also have across the school and in some cases from across the globe. I know the existing parents will make you feel welcome and part of the school community.

The term has started with all of the children focusing on our Learning Superheroes and the Golden Rules. If you want to become involved then ask you child about this. They should hopefully tell you lots about this.

The Weekly Update will continue to be put on the School Website but will also be on Compass and sent to you.  

Summer Works

The Premises Team (well mainly Chris our Caretaker) has been busy over the summer working with and liaising with a range of different contractors over a number of projects. Some are behind the scenes and may not be visible to everyone and others are easy for everyone to see.

Our playground was completely resurfaced for the first time in over 40 years. This was a complex job as it couldn’t be done by large equipment and also due to the number of drains and different levels in the playground space. The final part of the playground will be completed in the coming weeks (most probably half term) when we get the new markings. This is currently being discussed with the children.

A new area of the school has been designed and decorated for our new Treehouse @ Fairlight. This is on the ground floor where the former Children Centre and Nurture Classroom was.

A new SEND suite has been built in the school with purpose built and designed spaces for our Nuture Class, Play Therapist, ISS teaching space, Intervention Room and SEND Office.

A new chimney has been fitted for our boiler room to support the new heating and energy systems in the school. Over the Summer we were given our highest Energy Efficiency Certificate and rating and we are now one of the most energy efficient schools in Brighton and Hove. Not bad considering the building and school is over 150 years old.

School Improvement Plan

https://www.fairlight.brighton-hove.sch.uk/aboutus/important-school-information/school-improvement-plan

These are the priority areas for our School Improvement this year. As you can see we have 2 main things to focus on. Innovation and Empowerment and Belonging.

Often parents ask how they can find out about or read further on what we are doing in school wider than just how they can help their child or what we are doing at a classroom level. I would direct parents to the work we are doing around Metacognition and Memory. And the work of Kit Messenger.

Innovation at Fairlight is about ensuring the we remain ahead of the game in many areas and that we lead on things both in school but in the city and in some cases in the country.

Empowerment and Belonging allows us to support the wide range of groups we represent and have in school but also to ensure that everyone gets a fair deal. It is also an area that allows us to celebrate what we do and who we are.

Happy Birthday Us

This year we are 150+.

Plans have started however I want to just keep reminding everyone that we are the oldest public school in Brighton and Hove on the same site. Quite an achievement.  

Treehouse @ Fairlight

Treehouse will opening at Fairlight this term as part of the Connected Hub Provision across Brighton and Hove. This provision is to support children across the whole city and not just Fairlight children.

We are very pleased to host Treehouse and were very happy to see recent Government and Department for Education releases directing schools to start opening and exploring having specialist provision and units in mainstream schools and on the same site as mainstream schools. It is as if we knew and were “innovating” before the told us!!!!

PARENT VISITS

Two reminders here.

Year 6 parents please start looking up when our local secondary schools are holding their Open Evenings and events for you to attend. It all happens very quickly this term so get on it now.

Future Reception parents can book on our New Parent Tours now.

https://www.fairlight.brighton-hove.sch.uk/parents-and-carers/joining-us

These can get very busy and booked so don’t leave it to late.

As we always say the best advert for a school is to go and visit. However it is also the views and thoughts of parents and children who are currently their. With that in mind if you have a friend, family member, neighbor and even someone on the street. Tell them what an amazing school Fairlight is and that they need to send their child here. And then tell them to book to come and see for themselves.