Fairlight Primary & Nursery School

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

SUMMER TERM WEEK 6

Hopefully you have all had a sunny weekend to start the half term holidays.

A few updates and reminders for the break and something to keep everyone busy also.

See you all on Monday 5th June 2023.

THE PATCH AND SAUNDERS PARK

A serious incident took place in a local park between children from different schools before we broke up for half term.

The Police are involved.

Please remember that if your child is in the park on their own they are being watched by members of the local community as well as the school community. Information is often shared back to the school on how they have acted. What they have said. And what they did.

This is mostly positive however is from time to time not. 

If we continue to reports about the same children and we do not feel parents are acting in a safe way then we will more than likely become involved and start dealing with this behaviour in school using the school systems.

PARKING OUTSIDE SCHOOL AND AT DROP OFF

We will be having a big push on this after half term as we have some new road signs and some new boards to try to help to keep children safe.

The Council have been to visit to observe the morning pick drop off and the afternoon pick up.

They are currently consulting on a range of ideas to improve the roads, pavements, crossings and local area to help keep everyone safe.

THE LEVEL UPDATE

I met with Local Council members and the Parks and Entertainment team last week at the Level to discuss concerns.

It was a very positive meeting and I hope there will continue to be dialogue both with the school but also the local community about how the Level can be improved but also how local users can be prioritised.

SHAUN THE SHEEP COMPETITION

Our Shaun the Sheep Design Competition is now open.

Children came home with a Design Sheet.

A copy can be found on our Shaun the Sheep page if you want another.

Or you can just draw your own.

Please ensure you write your name and class on the back.

You can enter as many designs as you like.

Finished entries should be given to the School Office by Friday 9th June 2023.

The Shaun the Sheep Team will then look at the entries and decide the winners- who will get a Shaun the Sheep inspired prize.

And most importantly their ideas will form part of our final design.

Find out more on our Shaun the Sheep page.

https://www.fairlight.brighton-hove.sch.uk/beyond-the-classroom/shaun-the-sheep-at-fairlight 

FRIDAY FOOTBALL AT THE AMEX

As a key partner of Brighton and Hove Albion in the Community we were invited to take part in their Play on the Pitch scheme last week.

On Friday our Girls Team were invited to a small tournament where the players would all get to play on the actual Amex Pitch.

All of the girls (and Mr Jordan) had a great time.

An inexperienced team took to the pitch and managed to win our group making through to the Semi Finals.

We came up against a strong team who had many players who play out of school.

Everyone played well however this is where our journey ended.

A medal for all was our reward- and to play on the Amex.

And as an extra special thank you from the Albion in the Community and the Premier League- a new kit.

WEEKLY UPDATE

SUMMER TERM WEEK 5

I am not sure what is more exciting to share with you this week.

The fact that Year 4 have had a letter from Sir David Attenborough.

The launching of our Fairlight Shaun the Sheep Design.

Or the fact that we have been in the local news and on the BBC to share our concerns about the Level.

And Mr. Jordan met Sir Mo Farah this week also.

LETTER FROM SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH

He is a very busy man. A very important man. And a hero to many.

And he took the time to write back to Year 4.

SHAUN THE SHEEP LAUNCH

Our Shaun the Sheep Page has been launched.

There will be details of how you can join in with the whole Shaun the Sheep in Brighton activities as well as how you could be part of the Fairlight Design. 

https://www.fairlight.brighton-hove.sch.uk/beyond-the-classroom/shaun-the-sheep-at-fairlight 

CONCERNS ABOUT THE LEVEL

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/23532885.brighton-park-churned-funfair---ruining-school-football/ 

You will recall that the Fairlight Friday Football had to take a season break recently.

Unlike Pep and De Zerbi it wasn't because of the World Cup or due to a run of fixtures.

But because of the poor facilities locally that we use.

Mr. Jordan continues to work with and challenge the Council to improve the local facilities. 

PARENTS WAITING AT THE GATE

As a key part of the local community it is important the we also act in the correct way.

The area outside the school gate is a great place to see people. To say hi to friends. And to catch up.

It is however important that parents who are waiting here are also looking after and aware of what their children are doing.

It is the street.

A busy road.

And for local residents it is also where they live.

Whilst some parents are friends with local residents and do wait on their steps and gardens this is not something we would encourage.

And the age old argument of "well you live by a school what do you expect" isn't really fair.

I am sure you wouldn't want someone you didn't know sitting in your garden or playing in your garden.

WEEKLY UPDATE

SUMMER TERM WEEK 4

Another week passes where we have to cram 5 days into 4. But we all love a Bank Holiday.

And what a 4 days we have had. 

Oh and a Sunday children's parade.

So is that 5 days into 4?  Or 6 days into 5?  Or 6 days into 4? 

And answering that would be easier then some of the questions Year 6 have had to answer this week in the SATS. 

But we are not allowed to talk about SATS or we could get in to trouble.

And you know we always follow the rules and don't want to rock the boat.

Y6 SATS UPDATE

Tears rolling down cheeks. Heads in hands. And that wasn't just the children.

Well done to everyone who survived.

SATS shouldn't be about surviving. If we have to do them they should be about celebrating everything that the children have learned.

This letter written to a local MP from a Primary Headteacher just about sums up this weeks tests.

https://thenantwichnews.co.uk/2023/05/11/tarporley-headteacher-blasts-sats-exam-which-left-children-broken/ 

I just wanted to share with every parent what I wrote to Year 6 just recently.

Dear Year 6 Pupil (and Parents)

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” Aristotle

In the coming weeks you will sit your SATs tests for maths, reading, spelling, grammar and punctuation. On the back of this letter I have written to you to tell you all about the arrangements and how important these are and how hard you have and are working towards theses however there is something very important you must know.

The SATs test does not assess all of what makes each of you special and unique. The people who create these tests and score them do not know each of you the way that we do and certainly not in the way your families do.

They do not know that some of you speak two languages or that you love to sing or draw. That some of you turn up every week before 8am on a Friday to play football. They have not seen your natural talent for dancing or playing a musical instrument. They do not know that your friends can count on you to be there for them, that your laughter can brighten the darkest day, that your face turns red when you feel shy or that you have a grumpy face until at least 10.00 every morning. They do not know that you participate in brownies, sports, wonder about the future, or sometimes help your little brother or sister after school. They do not know that you are kind, trustworthy and thoughtful and that every day you try to be your very best.

The levels you will get from this test will tell you something, but they will not tell you everything. There are many ways of being smart. You are smart! So while you are preparing for the test and in the midst of it all, remember that there is no way to 'test’ all of the amazing and awesome things that make you, YOU!

And just to remind you that your local MPs are:

lloyd.russellmoyle.mp@parliament.uk 

caroline.lucas.mp@parliament.uk 

peter.kyle.mp@parliament.uk 

And the Secretary of State for Education this week is:

gillian.keegan.mp@parliament.uk 

I am sure they would love to hear from you. I know Gillian Keegan loves to hear directly from parents. 

THE LEVEL

I have written to our newly elected Local Council members (and some who survived) to share my concerns that the Level looks like a scene from War Horse.

We last week played in a final where just 14 schools from across Sussex qualified. 

We are due to play on the pitch at the Amex in the coming weeks in a Girls Football tournament.

And the only space we have that is suitable to practise on looks like a plowed field.

For the second time this year a (not) Fun Fair has mean the Level is out of action for over a month.

I bet Pep or Arteta or De Zerbi or Klopp don't have these problems.

To save you the time I have included the email addresses of the Local Council in the Wards around the school and the new leader of the Council.

Like the Secretary of State for Education I am sure they would love to hear from you.

• Sue.Shanks@brighton-hove.gov.uk 
• Pete.West@brighton-hove.gov.uk 
• Ty.Galvin@brighton-hove.gov.uk 
• Tim.Rowkins@brighton-hove.gov.uk 
• Maureen.Winder@brighton-hove.gov.uk 
• Raphael.Hill@brighton-hove.gov.uk 
• Ellen.Mcleay@brighton-hove.gov.uk 
• bella.sankey@brighton-hove.gov.uk 

RIDING BIKES AND SCOOTERS IN THE PLAYGROUND AFTER SCHOOL- AND PLAYING BALL GAMES

Someone.

And when I say someone it is likely to be someone small.

A toddler or little one.

Is going to get hurt by children who are riding their bikes and scooters or playing ball games in the playground after school.

We just don't have the space.

I contacted everyone and reminded parents that they are responsible for their children once we have handed them over to you.

We are however still having a few problems.

Key children have been reminded of the rules today and teachers will have to start considering taking away Golden Time or choosing time in school.

We will also have to consider stopping children bringing in their bikes and scooters if they can't use them safely.

It is an accident waiting to happen. 

THE PATCH- AN UPDATE

We are still hearing a few problems at the Patch (and other local parks) with some of our older children and older children from other local schools. 

Please remember that if parents aren't able to do prevent problems then we will have to become more involved. 

As will the Police. 

NEW RECEPTION PARENTS FOR SEPTEMBER 2023

Check out the page that has been updated with information about what is happening now and when we will see you soon. 

https://www.fairlight.brighton-hove.sch.uk/in-the-classroom/year-groups/year-2-2/info-for-new-parentscarers 

TERM DATES FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR

These have now been agreed and published.

https://www.fairlight.brighton-hove.sch.uk/school-office/dates-for-your-diary 

FREE SWIMMING

https://www.fairlight.brighton-hove.sch.uk/beyond-the-classroom/sports/other-sports-information 

WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS

https://www.fairlight.brighton-hove.sch.uk/head-teachers-office/inclusion/support-for-parents 

WEEKLY UPDATE

SUMMER TERM WEEK 3

A system crash meant the weekly update that was beautifully written crashed and burned (much like the mighty Seagulls) over the weekend so instead here is a brief update to fill the gap as I know how much you all love reading Mr. Jordan's updates.

SATS WEEK

Tuesday 9th May 2023 is the start of Year 6 SATS week. 

Good luck to all of our Year 6 children who will be sitting their tests this week.

You are all amazing.

CHILDREN'S PARADE

Once again we were the best and the loudest. 

Of course I am slightly biased about it.

Thank you to everyone who took part and to those who came along to support.

If you have any photos from the day then please don't CALL ME. Email them to the school office.

FOOTBALL FINALS

Our Year 4 team were invited to the Brighton Cup Finals at the American Express Elite Academy on Friday 5th May following a great showing in the earlier tournament.

The best 12 schools across the whole of Sussex made it to the final.

A tough group meant we ended fourth in our section with 2 wins and 3 loses. 

It was however a great achievement to make the finals. 

THE PATCH

There continue to be some ongoing issues at the Patch after school with children continuing to engage in behaviour that is reported back to school.

Please can I remind parents that if children are not correctly supervised at the Patch and the matter is reported to the police then I will have to pass on your details directly to them.

Also please remember that once your child is 10 years old they can be dealt with by the Police without the need for your to be present. 

WEEKLY UPDATE

SUMMER TERM WEEK 2

Thank you to everyone who has shared their kind words of support for the continued industrial action that the teaching staff continue to take.

And also to shared their kind words with Mr. Jordan following the unsuccessful trip to Wembley. 

BABY NEWS

Teacher Mrs. Marija Austrin has welcomed baby Ella Adeline Austrin into the school community. 

Mother and baby are doing well.

FRIDAY FOOTBALL

Sadly the Fun Fair has appeared and taken over our Football pitch so we will be taking a mid season break until it has gone.

However our Year 4 Team will be busy as they have been invited back to the finals of the Albion in the Community Cup.

Good luck to them.

NEW RECEPTION CHILDREN FOR SEPTEMBER 2023

We have been allocated our children for September 2023 and are really pleased at the number of children who will be joining us. 

And we have already had a number of other parents contact us to ask if their children can either change from other schools or who have not applied yet.

It is all looking very positive.

A FEW DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

• Coronation Dinner and Red, White and Blue Dress Up Day on Friday 5th May 2023.
• School Reports will be coming home on Friday 7th July 2023.
• Open Afternoon is on Wednesday 12th July 2023. A chance to see your child's amazing learning. To quickly catch up with their teacher and pop to their new class and classroom and see their new teacher.

SHAUN HAS ARRIVED

Shaun has arrived however he is looking a little "sheepish".

If you want to get involved in the "Shaun Project" click on the link below.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=KmTye347xE6qpnl9014JDMruQ45hrYNPj6--sJaA13RUM01IWlVLVDZSQVNQTTc1Vk9HVjM3SE9DTi4u 

WEEKLY UPDATE

SUMMER TERM WEEK 1

Welcome back to the summer term. I hope you all had a great break.

We have hit the ground running with lots already going on in school.

There is also lots going on for various members of our wider community out of school.

The diversity of our community includes those who are just happy for the children to be back to school, those who will be joining Mr. Jordan at Wembley on Sunday to cheer on the mighty seagulls and those who will be celebrating Eid.

STRIKE UPDATE

STRIKE DAYS UPDATE- NEU Strike action – 27th April and 2nd May 2023

As you will have seen reported in the news, we have received notification from the National Education Union (NEU) of further industrial action. 

I was hoping, and am still hoping that all parties will meet and progress the discussions around the dispute, as none of us want to be in this position. However, until that happens, I thought parents would appreciate the earliest notice I can give them regarding next week.

The majority of the classroom teaching staff in our school are members of the NEU and they have informed me that they plan to strike next week, so the plan at the current time is that school will be closed to pupils again on both days.

Under this plan if parents of Free School Meals children require a Packed Lunch then they need to contact the school office to organise this.

Staff are not required to tell me if they are intending to strike however they are acutely aware of the need for parents to have as much notice as possible to arrange childcare.

The Department for Education have issued school leaders with guidance around closing schools and what measures have to be explored.

We continue to explore all options to safely open the school using the various government criteria around vulnerable children or children where both parents are critical workers or single parents who are critical workers or for NHS and education critical key workers to take priority if needed. This is however complicated due to not knowing which staff will or will not be striking until the day- which is their right.

I do not feel comfortable having vulnerable children in school being looked after by staff who do not really know that child as they don’t work in that part of the school or are not their usual staff member- which is what could happen.

 We work hard and pride ourselves on knowing our children at Fairlight and building positive relationships and this could undermine this work. This model would also require more detailed planning than we will be able to have.

As Headteacher I also do not feel comfortable asking highly trained and qualified staff to provide childcare. We provided childcare brilliantly during Covid however this was an exceptional circumstance and something we had no experience of.

One of the key points of the Industrial Action is about reminding all parties about the importance and priority that should be being placed on providing high quality education for our young people. And that is what we should be asking teachers to provide and recognising that in their pay and conditions and school funding.

With this in mind for the Strike Days if there are changes and classroom teaching staff are in school then I will be contacting parents at 8.15am to let them know that their Year Group is open on this day.

Parents are then able to send their child to school as normal on this day.

If we are open on any of these days there will be no Breakfast or After School Club.

I will be doing this via the SchoolPing.

This may be different each day so please check your SchoolPing each day. If you get no contact then please assume we will be closed to your child’s year group.

This will be the only way we will be communicating this information.

If this does happen then any child who does not attend will be authorised as being absent as you may already have made alternative plans that cannot change with this late notice.  

During the strike weeks the School Dinners selections will remain the same. 

To summarise:

• Plan A (the one we are expecting to happen): School will be closed to all pupils on 27th April and 2nd May.
• Plan B: The strike is called off- school will be open as normal.
• Plan C: Some teaching staff do not strike- parents will be notified by SchoolPing which year groups will be open by 8.15am. 

I know this is not ideal however it reiterates my feeling that if we can provide high quality education then we will.  

I know that closing the school for many families will create difficulties for those who may have to make alternative provisions for the care of their children however I hope you will all appreciate we are doing our best to support our families and support the staff in a difficult situation.

This is not a course of action that any of the staff in school are wanting to take.

Thank you for all your ongoing support.

CORONATION INFORMATION

On Friday 5th May 2023 we will be celebrating the Kings Coronation in a  variety of ways in school.

On this day children will be able to wear RED WHITE AND BLUE (or any combination of this) to school. 

There will also be a special Coronation Dinner Menu on this day- see below.

If the weather is good to us we hope to have this together as a garden (playground) party. 

SHAUN THE SHEEP https://www.shaunbythesea.co.uk/ 

We are pleased to announce that we are one of the lucky schools who have managed to secure a Shaun the Sheep.

We will be announcing more in the coming weeks as we find out more about what are going to have to do around sponsorship, funding and of course the important bit the design of our sheep.

With this in mind we are looking for creative, artistic and innovative parents who may want to be part of a small group who can start this process and start planning and getting ideas together.

Because if it is left to Mr. Jordan we could end up with a sheep wearing a blue and white striped Brighton shirt sporting a long grey beard!!!!

If you are one of those "artistic types" or you want to be then click the link below and let us know a bit more.

We also would love to hear from those who might be able to support us with the £ we might need to raise for this.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=KmTye347xE6qpnl9014JDMruQ45hrYNPj6--sJaA13RUM01IWlVLVDZSQVNQTTc1Vk9HVjM3SE9DTi4u 

THINGS TO NOT BRING IN TO SCHOOL

We have started the term with a few things being brought in from home that we do not want or allow in school.

I would ask that parents have a check of school bags and pockets but also remember to chat to children about what is appropriate to bring to school.

• No energy drinks- including Prime.
• No chocolate bars- including those with nut.
• No sharp implements.
• No fizzy drinks.

Weekly Updates

Below are the previous updates from this term. Please read through to find out what has been happening this term.

Of course to save room most of the pictures and videos have been removed from old posts.

You can scroll down to read them on this page also.  

SPRING TERM 2022/2023

AUTUMN TERM 2022/2023

SUMMER 2021/2022

SPRING 2021/2022

AUTUMN 2021/2022