As a school we like to promote healthy eating and lifestyle. With this in mind, it was brought to our attention the amount of cakes/sweets being eaten at school for birthdays so we decided to ask our parent community for their views. We have received 46 online responses, the results are listed below:

84.8% would still like to bring in birthday cakes/sweets

15.2% do not wish to bring in birthday cakes/sweets

We have also asked other primary schools what their school position was on this, only one school (after asking parents) do not allow cakes/sweets to be brought in. In light of the responses we have received, we will continue to allow cakes/sweets to be brought into school.

Fairy cakes/cupcakes are preferable as these can easily be handed. However, should you make/buy a whole cake, may we please ask that this is cut and individually wrapped before coming to school. We will hand out the cakes/sweets at the end of the day so it will then be parental choice whether your child eats the treat once they are at home.

If your child has an allergy or a dietary requirement, please could we ask that a small pot of treats that they like could be brought into school to be given to them whenever anyone has brought in a treat.

Many thanks for your responses.

Recently a concern on YouTube regarding Fortnite has been brought to our attention. The videos that have caused concern are called ‘Strip Fortnite’. They involve a male playing Fortnite and each time the male player ‘gets a kill’ the female player will strip off a piece of clothing.
An E-safety advisor has checked the videos to find no explicit nudity, however the videos have been described as very suggestive. Unfortunately, as the videos are not age restricted, applying the restricted mode on YouTube will not work.
Here is some useful advice if you are concerned:
• Have a discussion with your child to re-enforce what they know of right and wrong.
• As children are naturally curious and may consider watching these videos, ensure you have parental
restrictions enforced on all mobile devices used by your child.
• Also, with Christmas quickly approaching, you may consider using the ‘Take a Break’ reminder on YouTube to minimise screen time exposure. Please see the link below if you require guidance on how to set this up.
https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/9012523

Fortnite has a PEGI rating of 12, PEGI have said this is due to the: ‘frequent scenes of violence. It is not suitable for persons under 12 years of age’.

Tucasi Update

Years 3-6
As you are aware, we are slowly working towards a cashless office. During the first phase we made the booking/paying of clubs online only so now if you would like your child to attend a club or trip, simply log on to www.scopay.com to make payment and secure your child’s place. The second phase will begin after Christmas, this will involve dinner money payments and bookings. From January 7th the class will no longer take a dinner register, instead you will be need to log onto www.scopay.com to book and pay for your child’s meal. Bookings can be made/paid in advance, however you will not be able to request a meal without payment. We will of course print
out a dinner register to check that all children have either a packed lunch or have been booked in for a school dinner. However if a child arrives at school without a packed lunch or booked school dinner, the office will phone you to ensure a packed lunch is brought to school or that you log on to www.scopay.com to book them a school dinner.

Years R-2 (Universal Free School Meals) and children in receipt of Free School Meals
Please do still log on to www.scopay.com to book your Childs meal, however no payment will be necessary

Tucasi instructions

If you are worried or unsure that a child may be suffering, or have suffered harm, neglect or abuse please contact:

Hants Direct on 03003000117

Other useful information about keeping children safe can also be found at:

http://www.iowscb.org.uk  Isle of Wight Safeguarding Children’s Board

http://www.barnardos.org.uk Barnardo’s

https://www.iwight.com/wightchyps The Isle of Wight Family Information Zone

Island Womens Refuge Tel: 01983 825981

Isle of Wight Foodbank Tel: 01983 292040 Emergency food for local people in crisis

Allegations Against People in a Position of Trust
If you believe that a child has been harmed by a person in a position of trust, you should contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
The LADO should be advised of all cases where it is alleged that a person who works with children has:
Behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed, a child.

Possibly committed a criminal offence against, or related to, a child.

Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicated s/he is unsuitable to work with children

LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) lado@iow.gov.uk Telephone: 01983 823723

Keeping Children Safe Online
There are several ways to safeguard children. Undoubtedly the most effective way is to educate them from an early age about the risks they may encounter when online, what these risks are, how to spot them and what action to take.

• Set ground rules about the use of the internet, email and texts. They should learn to take responsibility for their own actions and develop their own judgement.
• Make children aware that online contacts may not be who they say they are
• Children should keep personal details private
• Ensure that they use a family email when filling in online forms
• They must never meet someone they have only met online without a trusted adult present
• Get your children to report concerns about conversations, messages and behaviours to you or another trusted adult. Encourage them to share their internet experience with you.
• Get children to report bullying online, by text or phone immediately to you
• Use parental control settings on your browser, search engine and internet security package
• Block pop-ups and spam emails
• Always sit with younger children when they are online
• Watch out for any unusual or secretive behaviour from your child when they are using the internet

As you are all aware the financial pressure on schools is increasing year upon year. With this in mind we would like to explain a few new procedures, to ensure we are able to provide children with the best possible opportunities.

Clubs
We provide a varied, interesting and cost effective club program. We are now only accepting club applications with full payment. It is worth being mindful that even clubs run by a member of staff incur costs to the school.

Trips
When we arrange a school trip we do try to keep the cost down. The payment requested from parents is advertised as ‘voluntary contribution’ (we also supplement those pupils in receipt of pupil premium with a 50% reduction). However, if a number of parents decide not to make a ‘voluntary contribution’ quite rightly the trip cost is not covered, we may need to cancel the trip.
If finding that ‘extra’ for school trips is causing you a problem, please do pop into the office and make an appointment to see a senior member of staff to discuss.

Please be assured that we do not ‘make’ money from clubs or trips. To keep the cost down we price our clubs and trips at cost which does not leave any ‘pennies to cover nonpayment.

We would also like to thank our PTFA for their contributions towards our trips.