Newsletter 20-09-24

Kirsty Gibbs

1 year ago

Headteacher's Message

It has been a wonderful start to a new school year. Our children have settled so quickly back into their learning.
Please can I remind you that arrival time for school is between 8:35am and 8:45am through the designated gates. After 8.45am the gates will be closed and lessons start. Any late arrivals should enter the school through the main entrance and be signed in at the office. It’s important that parents/carers should let us know by 9:00am if their child is not attending school that day and the reason for their absence. Parents should not enter the school building unless they are accompanied by a member of staff.
Although it is the beginning of the year I have already started the admissions process for Reception children starting September 2025. Tours of the school are booking fast and if you need any help with the process, please ask in the office. This is important for all children currently in our Nursery and any children born between 01/09/20 and 31/08/21.
If you are a parent of Y6 please make sure you complete your applications for Secondary by 31st October. I’m here to answer any questions you may have and the office can support if you are having any difficulty with the application process.
Click here for more information about the secondary application process.

School Council

Thanks to the funding from International Day of Play and ChangeX, in the last week of the summer term we held a very successful and enjoyable ‘Day of Play’. This came about after School Council focussed on play throughout the year and discussions around how we can improve play and playtimes.

On our day of play each year group had an additional hour of playtime, playing in a different playground to the one they normally play in. Each playground was set up in a different way, focussing on different interactive types of play.

Reception, Y1, Y3 and Y4 played in the Year 1 playground set up with obstacle courses from crates, planks and tyres; den building using camo sheets; sand trays with sand tools.

Y3, Y4, Y5 and Y6 played in the Main Playground, set up with: den building using camo sheets, tarpaulins, ropes; water and sand trays with water, sand, orbeez; dressing up; beach ball games. all got to play in this space.
Y1, Y2, Y5 and Y6 played in the Paxton Playground set up with balls, skipping ropes, bean bags, hoops, parachutes, jumping sacks.
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The atmosphere on the Day of Play was incredible and it was wonderful to see every child in the school happy throughout the day. Children loved the opportunity of having extended play with a range of play opportunities and the School Council are very proud of this achievement. This was all made possible thanks to a successful bid for funding which we received from International Day of Play and Change X.

Parent contact details

In the event of an emergency or accident, the school MUST be able to contact you immediately by telephone, so we need to have the most up-to-date information on our system. Please see the letter sent out early today to ensure you have given us your most up-to-date contact information.

Lost Property

We can’t emphasise enough how important it is for parents and carers to clearly label children’s school jumpers, jackets, coats, bookbags, water bottles and lunch bags with their name tag.

This helps us to return any lost and found items quickly to their rightful owner/s.

Unnamed lost property will be displayed by the pod in the main playground from 8.30 am – 8.45 am and again at 3.15 pm – 3.30 pm on a regular basis. All unclaimed items will be sent to the local charity shop to benefit our wider school community.

Pre-loved school uniform is also available from Kids Support Tree – in addition to our official school uniform provider Wearabouts in Sydenham.

Iroko Theatre Company

Year 5 have had a blast on Thursday launching their topic ‘Into Africa’ with a visit from the Iroko Theatre Company. We began the morning by watching a performance and then taking part in different active workshops throughout the day. See more photo from their visit here. We can’t thank Iroko Theatre Company enough for coming to teach us!

Real Relics!

Year 3 have had a fabulous start to the term launching their new Topic ‘Stones & Bones’. All of Year 3 collaborated to create cave painting inspired drawings using different chalks and charcoals, and the children were lucky to have been sent a Stone Age box. This box held lots of ancient treasures and real relics, with some artefacts dating back over 8,000 years ago! It was such a privilege to be able to see these up close and hold them! See more in our post here.

Pre-booking Clubs

Our exciting autumn club line up returns next week (W/C Monday 23rd September). As well as some of our much-loved activities, we have added a host of new and energising clubs. Some clubs are fully booked, however, we do have some limited club spaces available, so log onto SCOPAY/Trips & Events and pre-book your child’s favourite activity.

New clubs this term include:

Cricket Wicket Club (Y3,4,5&6) – Wednesday – 8:00am – class
We are delighted to introduce cricket to our school. This popular bat and ball sport is played all over the world and is something we think the children will thoroughly enjoy!

French Club (Y1,2,3&4) – Wednesday – 3:30pm – 4:25pm
This club celebrates all things French, the language, the culture and the food. Members will create art, learn French words and phrases, and also get the chance to cook.

Drama Club (Y3,4,5&6) – Wednesday – 3:30pm – 4:30pm
As William Shakespeare once said ‘All the world’s a stage and men and women are mere players!
Drama is fun as well as confidence boosting, it’s also where children get to express themselves and impress each other with their hidden talents.

Volleyball/Dodgeball Club (Y3,4,5&6) – Friday 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Both Volleyball and Dodgeball are mighty popular team sports here at Kelvin Grove.
Children will get to partake in both of these sports which are fun and fast games and help to develop children’s hand and eye coordination and increase their fitness levels.

Chess Club (Y3,4,5&6) has moved from Friday to Wednesday – we will text parents/carers confirmation and inform them of the day change.

Coding Club and little Coder Club are also returning – please book direct via the flyer. Click the image to enlarge.

Our clubs are not open to Reception children at the moment, but we will be able to offer Little Keys Music Club and Cooking with KG after half term – so watch this space!

Pre-Booking Clubs on SCOPAY –

SCOPAY is our safe and convenient on-line payment system, which allows you to pre-book club sessions from the comfort of your own home!

We have emailed registration codes to all our new parents, which gives instructions as how to set up your account.
We also have this handy parents’ step by step guide to help you register.

Highlights from Class

Year 5 Iroko Theatre Company

Year 5 have had a blast today launching our topic ‘Into Africa’ with a visit from the Iroko Theatre Company. We began the morning by watching

Copper Class Training!

Copper Class have been enjoying our sunny PE lessons with Mr Gibbs where we have been completing different circuits. It’s been fun exercise and great working

Mint Class timelines and grouping 10’s

Mint Class is time-traveling! This week we made timelines in History, ordering key events from the Bronze Age, Iron Age and Stone Age. In English we

Year 4 Maths

Year 4 are tackling BIG numbers in maths this week! Rounding 3-digits to the nearest 10s and 100s? We’ve got this!

Year 3 Stone Age Artefacts

Year 3 have kicked off their Stone Age topic for this term with a workshop handling real artefacts! We saw bones from a Wooly Rhino, replica’s of

6th September 2024

Governors' and Friends News

the Governors

We hope you all had a good summer, and are enjoying these bonus few days of sunshine! Welcome back to the new term. A particular welcome goes out to all of our new families, and new members of staff; Shay Walters joins as School Business Manager, teacher Miss Elboury (Y1) and teacher Ms Saglam (Y4). We hope your first weeks at Kelvin Grove have been good and we are looking forward to getting to know you all even better.

As families, staff and pupils settle into their new routines we, as Governors, will be looking at how the start to the school year is going, and working with Mr Hyde and the team to ensure that we are all clear on what the priorities for the year should be. We have our first Full Governing Body meeting at the start of October, and committee meetings thereafter. If you are interested in finding out more about being a Governor, or have anything you would like to raise with us, please do get in touch on governors@kelvingrove.lewisham.sch.uk

The KG Circle

Welcome back! We are looking forward to another busy school year and are pulling together a calendar of events which we will share soon.

We would love for more parents/carers to be involved in the KG Circle and if you think you are interested and can spare your time, please don’t hesitate to get in touch: pta@kelvingrove.lewisham.sch.uk

Asda Cashpot is live between now and the 30th November 2024 – every time you shop with Asda using your Asda Rewards app, Asda will donate 0.5% of the value of your shop to the KG Circle. Also, every time somebody opts-in to support our school, Asda will give an additional £1 to the school Cashpot.

It’s as easy as 1,2,3

1. Download the Asda Rewards app, register and opt-in to Cashpot for Schools (make sure you have the latest version of the app installed)

2. Choose Kelvin Grove Primary School, Sydenham – either searching by name or postcode (Be aware there’s another school with the same name in Glasgow)

3. Shop instore across Asda and George, or online at Asda.com and start filling your Cashpot as you shop.

There are lots of other ways you can fundraise for the KG Circle – Easyfundraising, Match Funding, Bake sales etc – For more information, click here.

And also a big well done and thank you to Marci and Margot who held a store over the summer holidays and raised £36 for the KG Circle.

Thank you for your continued support.

The KG Circle

Community News

Children's Centre

On 1st October the management of Kelvin Grove & Eliot Bank will move to Lewisham Council management, as Lewisham are integrating the Children and Family Centres into Family Hubs.

The sessions will remain the same.
Please join our Facebook page: Eliot and Kelvin for the latest updates or join our WhatsApp Channel ‘Kelvin Grove and Eliot Bank Children and Family Centre.

Our timetable is also available here
For enquiries please call us on: 0208 613 0172

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Click the image to view the timetable.

Free Legal Advice Duncan Lewis via phone call 0208 613 0172 for appointment
All sessions held at TNG will be charged @ £2 per adult.
Low income families are free

We hope everyone had a great summer break! WE ARE CURRENTLY IN NEED OF DONATIONS OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: – PE kits – Christmas Jumpers – World Book Day Costumes

Please see the attached poster for more information on items that we can and can not accept. All donations can be left with the office. If you are in need of any school uniform, please fill out the form using the link here.
Simone Daniels will be in touch with you to confirm when the items are ready to collect.

Keep an eye on our noticeboard in the main playground for all the latest news, updates and ways to help.

Thank you,

Simone Daniels

#KST #GIVEBACK #TCT

Our gofundme page, with all donations going directly to the Kelvin Grove Community Centre is here.

Instagram: @kidsupportree
Twitter: @kidsupportree
Facebook: Kid’s Support Tree

Harry Potter UK Casting Call

The search for the next Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger is underway!
An open casting call for residents of the UK and Ireland has been announced for the new HBO original series adaptation of ‘Harry Potter’.
Currently only children who are aged 9-11 in April 2025, and a resident of the UK or Ireland, will be considered.

See the poster or visit https://app.castittalent.com/HPCasting for more.

The Octopus Club

Young V&A is hosting a collaboration with The Octopus Club, with a pop-up shop in the museum. ‘The Nearly New Store’ will be filled with great quality second hand baby and kids clothing and gear that are both affordable and sustainable. (Everything from babygrows to bouncers, scooters to slings, coats to cots)

The Octopus Club is on a mission to help brands, parents and caregivers to make and save money, reduce waste and cut carbon emissions for a cleaner, greener, better future. Since launching in 2020, their community has rehomed over 40,000 items. The store will be stocking items such as babygrows, bouncers, scooters, cots and high chairs with items ranging from £5 – £500, and savings from 30-70% on RRP, it will be the shopping destination for pocket savvy and planet conscious parents and caregivers. Come in and check it out – you might find your new favourite item!

Open 10.00am – 5.00pm, everyday.

Where: Young V&A Museum, Top Floor Shop.
Cambridge Heath Road
Bethnal Green, London, E2 9PA

Family Events at Tate

Tate Draw
See your drawings come to life using our digital sketch pads at Tate!
You can draw online or take a seat at one of the desks at Tate Britain or Tate Modern, where you can see your finished drawing projected onto the wall.
When you’ve finished your drawing, you can save it to a phone, or order a T-shirt to wear your creation.
Share your art at #TateDraw
Days and Time: Open Monday to Sunday from 10.00am – 6.00pm
Location: Tate Britain Lower Floor, next to the Djanogly Café
Tate Modern The Starr Foyer, Natalie Bell Building, Level 1 and Blavatnik Building, Level 3
Price: Free

Tate Modern
Uniqlo Tate Playmake Studio, The Joy of Not Knowing
Come and discover the unknown inspired by joyful artworks in Tate’s collection.
Let your imagination run wild with a variety of hands-on activities for the whole family, all using recycled materials sourced right from within our galleries. You’ll be encouraged to imagine and explore magical futures by creating props and costumes made from sensory, re-purposed materials. There’s something for everyone!

Perfect for artists of all ages, including our tiniest creators aged 5 and under.

Under 5s

On Wednesdays, we offer special activities just for them featuring themed storybooks, sensory exploration and more. Using everyday materials and objects we’ll explore new ways of seeing the world and create fresh, joyful perspectives.

Please note that you may be asked to queue at busy times.

See the webpage for more details.

Days and Time: Every weekend and Wednesdays from 31 August 2024 until 23 October 2024
Families with under 5s: Wednesday at 10.30am – 3.00pm (Last entry 45 minutes before event finishes.)
All the family: Saturday – Sunday at 10.30am – 6.00pm (Last entry 45 minutes before event finishes.)
Price: Free

Tate Britain

Play Studio
From 25 May 2024, POSE by Harold Offeh at the Play Studio

Dress-up, move and play with different ways of expressing yourself through performance, music and making in our creative learning space for children, young people and families.
Inspired by the ways artists portray themselves and others, Play Studio: POSE by Harold Offeh invites you to react to artwork at Tate Britain in your own way, while discovering something new about yourself in the process.
Make something together inspired by the stories you’ve encountered in the galleries, or relax with under 5s next to the sand trays, collections of objects and books.
Visit the Play Studio page for full details
Days and Time: Open every weekend and Fridays during term-time. Every day during school holidays from 10.00am – 5.00pm.
Location: Learning Gallery. Entry via Manton or Millbank Entrance
Price: Free

Story Space
Explore the growing Story Space book collection, celebrating books that centre children of colour, featuring books by black authors, indigenous authors and authors of colour from around the world. Story Space also includes books by authors and about characters who have protected characteristics such as disability, sexual orientation and religion/ belief.

Read to yourself, to someone else, with each other, out loud. Once you’ve discovered some new stories, tell your own story through our dress-up and drawing activities!
Visit the Story Space page for full details and news of Story Space Events

Days and Time: Open every weekend and Thursdays during term-time. Every day during school holidays from 10.00am – 5.00pm.
Location: Manton Studio. Entry via the Manton Entrance
Price: Free

Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ

Family Craft Saturdays

Join Horniman Museum’s volunteer team on Saturday afternoons for family craft activities inspired by the Museum’s collections. Learn about some of the 350,000 objects in the Horniman’s collections, and discover more about music, nature, wildlife, and the world around us.
Get stuck into some crafts and have fun with Horniman’s wonderful volunteers at these free, drop-in sessions.

When: Saturdays
Time: 2.00pm- 4.00pm (last entry 3:30pm)
Tickets: Free

Perfect for children aged 3 and above. (Children must be accompanied by an adult).

September

Bookmarks 🔖- 21^st September
Make and decorate your own bookmark to keep in your favourite book for International Literacy Day.

Maps 🗺️- 28^th September
Become a sailor for the afternoon and make an ocean treasure map for World Maritime Day.

October

Black History Month – 5^th and 12^th October
Celebrate Black History Month by making hanging clouds to write your dreams on – inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.

Bat Baskets🦇🎃 – 19^th and 26^th October
It’s getting spooky at the Horniman! This Halloween we are making bat baskets. Come and join the fun!

Location: Education Centre – near the entrance
Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ

Hear it Live

In this month’s Hear it Live, join us on Thursday 10^thOctober to experience a unique performance celebrating the saxophone’s unique instrumental voice – from classical to jazz and contemporary to folk – with saxophonists Charlotte Harding and Jonathan Radford.

Charlotte Harding is an Ivors Composer Award-winning composer and saxophonist and graduate of the Royal College of Music where she studied with Mark-Anthony Turnage. Drawing on an eclectic mix of classical and cross-genre influences, her diverse career has seen her works performed at the Royal Albert Hall, Sadler’s Wells, Cadogan Hall, Three Choirs Festival, WOMAD and Kings Place. Charlotte is published by FaberAlt.

Recognised for his ‘virtuosity and engaging musicianship’ (Gramophone Magazine), Jonathan Radford is regarded as one of the leading classical saxophonists of his generation. He is an international prize-winner, with notable awards including Commonwealth Musician of the Year and Gold Medallist in the Royal Over-Seas League Competition (UK, 2018). He features as ‘One to Watch’ in Gramophone Magazine and as a ‘Rising Star’ in BBC Music Magazine.

Hear it Live! often includes performances on our four historical keyboard instruments, three of which, from the former Finchcocks Musical Museum, were restored to playing condition thanks to National Lottery funding.

The instruments are:

A rare surviving example of a signed Neapolitan virginals by Onofrio Guarracino, 1668;
A beautifully-preserved square piano by Adam Beyer, London, 1777;
A 1772 Kirckman harpsichord; and
A handsome English chamber organ, possibly by Joseph Beloudy, London, c.1800.

When: Thursday 10^thOctober (the second Thursday of every month)
Time: 3.30pm- 4.00pm
Tickets: Free

Perfect for children and adults.

Location: Music Gallery Performance Space
Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ