Dear Parents and Carers

Today we have sadly said goodbye to Mrs Dourass who is leaving to pursue another opportunity. I am sure we will all miss seeing her in school but happily she will remain involved with school and nursery as a parent. I am sure you will join me in wishing her all the best for the future.

We look forward to welcoming Mrs Faye Rusu as our administrator who will be joining us on the 28th March. Please continue to contact the office on the usual email address and phone number in the meantime.

Comic Relief Thank you for sending your children in today in their multi-coloured clothes. We had a huge amount of fun in the sunshine with the red nose and spoon races (well done to Finn and Zack for winning overall). At the time of writing we have raised over £160 for Comic Relief from your generous donations.

Ukraine On Thursday 7th April at 2:30 you are invited to come and listen to our pupils sing together in the playground before you collect your children at the end of the day. A maximum of 2 people per family should attend please. At the end of the performance we will be collecting funds for Shelterbox based in Helston. Your support will provide lifesaving aid for families affected by the Ukraine crisis. Please support us with whatever you can afford. On the day, pupils should come in wearing uniform; however, they are welcome to also wear something yellow and blue (the colours of the Ukrainian flag) eg socks, a scarf, a hairband. We will deal with any discussions which may arise from this fundraiser in a sensitive and age appropriate way.

Time2Move Holiday Programme – Easter 2022 Attached to this blog is a letter about the Time2Move Holiday Programme which will continue across Cornwall over the Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays for the next three years. The programme offers fun physical activities, games and wider activities plus a meal for every child. Activities this Easter will be taking place across Cornwall from Monday 11th to Thursday 14th April and Tuesday 19th to Friday 22nd April. All children are welcome to attend, and it is completely FREE for children that are eligible for benefits-related Free School Meals.

Landrake Fun Run Well done to our amazing runners who completed the Landrake Fun Run today (see photo).  We are very proud of you.

Wishing everyone a lovely, sunny weekend.

Mrs Hillman

Dear Parents and Carers

This Term’s Enquiry Questions

The children have quickly settled into this term’s learning and are working on their new class enquiries as follows: Penhallow: Can Anyone be a Superhero? Landaviddy: Is the Force Always with You?
Talland: Why Settle in Britain?
Chaipel: How did Ancient Civilizations Shape Today’s World? More information about your child’s learning is on the class blogs which are updated weekly by the teachers.

Events in Ukraine – speaking to your child

We recognize that children may be listening to news around them and may be worried or confused about what is happening in Ukraine. The following links maybe helpful should you need to speak to your child: https://www.childnet.com/blog/supporting-your-child-with-upsetting-content/ https://www.childline.org.uk/get-involved/articles/worrying-about-russia-ukraine/

Comic Relief Red Nose Day is next Friday, 18th March. We would like to raise money for Comic Relief to help people live free from poverty, violence and discrimination. This includes funding organisations that are supporting people right now in Ukraine, and those attempting to cross the border. This year we would like the children to come to school in the brightest, most colourful and funniest clothes they can find. Nothing needs to match. To raise money please send your child in with a minimum donation of £1 for this MUFTI day. We will be selling Red Noses for £1.50 each and holding a red nose and spoon race across the school. Entry for this competition will be 50p per child. Staff will hold their own race too!

Have a lovely weekend.

Mrs Hillman

Dear Parents and Carers

Thank you so much for sending your children in on World Book Day in their amazing costumes. School definitely felt much more normal than in recent times and it was a huge amount of fun. We were overwhelmed by the response to our ‘Book in a Box’ competition and so pleased with the wonderful ideas and level of detail. It took all of the teachers over half an hour after school to decide on two winners per class and three runners up. See photos for some of the many inspired entries.

Road Safety at Drop off and Pick Up Times As you will be aware outside school is very busy at drop off and pick up times. Please ensure that you drive very slowly at this time as children may be crossing the road.

Future Dates It may be helpful for you to know that we are planning a sports day later in the year with parents present on the morning of Tuesday 5th July (reserve date Tuesday 12th July). Please note that upcoming dates can be found on the Events Diary on the website.

Clubs Please refer to the Update sent out earlier this week (1st March) which details the upcoming clubs that are due to start next week. If your child would like to participate please email the office at secretary@polperro.co.uk.

Have a good weekend.

Mrs Hillman

Dear Parents and Carers

Well what an unexpected end to the half term. I had been looking forward to our celebration assembly today as there has been a lot to celebrate about the children’s learning this half term but we will have the assembly the first day back after half term instead.

Thank you for trying to go online with your children this morning. I understand there were problems for several of you with logins so we will send these out again in case we need to switch to home learning at short notice in the future. Let’s hope not. A power cut for me meant I couldn’t join any of the classes so I do sympathise with those of you who had similar issues earlier.

World Book Day This is on Thursday 3rd March. To celebrate this, we would love the children to come in dressed as their favourite book character. If they don’t have a full costume, children are welcome to come in as a ‘hint of a character’ where they bring or wear an item related to the character and challenge their classmates to guess which one they represent. Our competition this year, which your child’s teacher will have shared with you today, is for the children to create a ‘Book in a Box’. Please see information in the blog photo or attached flyer for information.

Clubs After School Club and Breakfast Club will restart on Tuesday 1st March. We are looking forward to restarting our other clubs on Monday 7th March and we will send an updated list after half term.

INSET This is on Monday 28th February and we look forwarded to welcoming the children back to school on Tuesday 1st March.

I hope you have a lovely half term break.
Mrs Hillman

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Dear Parents and Carers

This has been an enjoyable and busy week with a focus on Children's Mental Health and how to stay Safe on the Internet.

Safer Internet Day  this year celebrated young people’s role in creating a safer internet, whether that is whilst gaming and creating content, or interacting with their friends and peers. At Polperro the children have been looking at how to stay safe on the internet in many different ways. Penhallow Class looked at a story about Smartie the Penguin which explored various scenarios that a young child may find themselves in when using a device. The story repeats the message of telling an adult when there is a problem and covers three themes: pop ups and in-app purchasing, inappropriate websites for older children and cyberbullying. Landaviddy Class looked at how they use the internet and which information is safe to share on the internet and which information is not. They agreed that sharing your sock colour online is ok but sharing your address is not. Talland Class created a Gaming Guide containing key advice about how to stay safe while gaming while Chaipel Class learned about respectful and healthy relationships on and off line with a focus on the importance of getting help if needed. They had discussions about how to make their online experience a safer and more enjoyable experience for everyone. Following on from this learning at school, you may wish to talk to your child about appropriate and inappropriate online behaviour as this will help your child learn how to stay safe.

The Looe Pioneers’ Mini Miler Children’s Fun Run, which your child may be interested in attending, takes place on 27th February. You are encouraged to pre-book for your child as places are limited to 100 runners. Please book via this link http://www.looepioneers.co.uk/looe-10-miler.html or on the Looe Pioneers’ Facebook page.

School Lunches With the February half term around the corner, please can you look to pre-book your child’s meals ready for when we come back on Tuesday 1st March. Please note on Parentpay it will say there is no menu for the week commencing 21st February (as it is half term), but skip to the following week and you will be able to book for the 28th February onwards, right through to the end of the academic year if you wish.

Upcoming dates reminder Half term 21-25 February INSET day 28th February

Best wishes for a lovely weekend

Mrs Hillman

Time to Draw

I am delighted to let you know that thanks to funding from the Polperro Arts Foundation, we have started an exciting Art Project in school. Sean Hewitt, a local artist, has started working with all of the children on this project and this week he demonstrated and taught them drawing skills.  The results have been impressive so far in all year groups. The top two pictures on this blog were drawn by pupils in year 6 while the bottom two were drawn by pupils in Reception. Such fantastic talent! Over the coming weeks Sean will continue to work with all of our classes and each child will be creating their own masterpiece which will be exhibited later in the year in a gallery in Polperro for everyone to see. More information to follow.

Staying Safe As you may be aware, the number of Covid cases in the community is on the rise. Please remember that regular lateral flow testing can help us catch cases. Although many restrictions have been lifted, our protocols within school will remain the same in order to limit the spread as much as possible and allow the children’s education to be as uninterrupted as possible. 

Internet Safety Tuesday 8th February is Safer Internet Day and we will be working with the children on this year’s theme of ‘All fun and games? Exploring respect and relationships online’. From gaming and chat, to streaming and video, young people are shaping the interactive entertainment spaces they are a part of. Safer Internet Day 2022 celebrates young people’s role in creating a safer internet, whether that is whilst gaming and creating content, or interacting with their friends and peers. We will also be reminding the children how to stay safe online which is more important than ever at the moment. This link https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/esafety-leaflets-resources/
will take you to information and advice on a range of online issues that your child may face to help them enjoy the digital world safely and smartly.

Upcoming dates:
• Cross Country - Friday 4th February for years 3-6
• Half term - 21st to 25th February
• INSET day - Monday 28th February

Have a lovely weekend

Mrs Hillman

Happy Christmas from Everyone at Polperro Primary Academy

We end the year with mixed emotions. It has been lovely to have parents in to see class performances but sad that not everyone has been able to be here.

This week the children have enjoyed our Christmas Art Day, Christmas lunch, Christmas Performances and parties, both in school and virtual.

Thank you for your support this term and during 2021. Your children continue to amaze us in the way they deal with changes and challenges at school. They have worked extremely hard since their first day back in September and their good humour and resilience and amazingly positive attitude to learning has been wonderful to see.

We look forward very much to seeing everyone back in school on Tuesday 4th January.

With all best wishes for a very safe and very happy Christmas.

Mrs Hillman and everyone at Polperro Primary Academy

As the end of term races towards us, the children have been busy rehearsing their Christmas performances. Years 4 and 5 have made some amazing lanterns for the parade in Polperro on Saturday. The Christmas tree is up in the hall and the classrooms are decorated. We are sorry you are not yet able to join us in school, however we do look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the upcoming outside performances.

Your tickets for the performances are going home with the children today. Please wrap up warm when you come and make sure your children wear an extra layer on the day. If it rains, we will be in touch on the morning of the performances by text. Please don’t forget, as part of our ongoing fundraising for the school we will be selling hot drinks and mince pies and biscuits. Please bring cash with you if you would like to buy something. We will also be holding a raffle with prizes for children and adults and selling Christmas cards. We will draw the winning tickets on Thursday 16th December.

Safety arrangements. You are welcome to wear a mask at the performances. Please note that we have been advised to ask anyone attending an event to test with a Lateral Flow Device (LFD) in advance.



Polperro Christmas Lights and Lantern Procession Saturday 4th December Please note that the Lantern Parade now starts at 4:00pm on Saturday. Please meet at 3:45pm at the Village Hall in preparation for a 4.00pm start. Fancy dress for the parade is optional. Children from the school will be reading Christmas poems before the light switch on and helping the special guest switch on the lights. Please note that although staff from school will present at the procession, children will remain the responsibility of their parents at all times and parents should walk with their children. We look forward to seeing you there.

Christmas Jumper Day This is on Friday 10th December this year. As a school, we would like to take part in this charity event which raises money for Save the Children and we are therefore asking the children to bring in a donation of at least £1 if they would like to wear a Christmas jumper to school on Friday 10th. We will also provide opportunities for children to add some sparkle to a plain jumper if they do not already have a Christmas top to wear.

Christmas Lunch The Christmas lunch will be held on 15th December this year. If your child would like a Christmas dinner, please ensure you have booked their meal by Monday 6th December on Parentpay, even if you do not need to pay for their lunches.

Have a lovely weekend

Mrs Hillman

Dear Parents and Carers

We have had another busy week which has included Year 6 doing Bikeability on the playground at first and then on the roads.

During the week, throughout the school I have heard Christmas songs on most days which has been really uplifting to hear and has made me realise how quickly
Christmas is approaching.  For the performances, we are hoping you will wrap up warmly and join us for Christmas singing and performances outdoors along with mince pies and hot drinks to keep you warm while you are entertained. Performances will be in the afternoons (see dates below) and we will have reserve dates in case it rains. A maximum of 2 tickets per family per performance will be issued.  

Tickets: If you would like to come to see your child’s Christmas performance, please return the slip sent out on the Head's Update today.

Dates:
*Penhallow Class: Thursday 9th December. Join us for mince pies and hot drinks at 1:15 for a 1:30 start; Reserve date: Friday 10th December.
*Landaviddy Class: Thursday 9th December. Join us for mince pies and hot drinks at 2:15 for a 2:30 start; Reserve date: Friday 10th December.
*Talland Class: Tuesday 14th December. Join us for mince pies and hot drinks at 1:15 for a 1:30 start; Reserve date: Wednesday 15th December.
*Chaipel Class: Tuesday 14th December. Join us for mince pies and hot drinks at 2:15 for a 2:30 start; Reserve date: Wednesday 15th December.

Fundraising: Before each performance, we will be raising money for school by having a raffle and selling hot drinks and mince pies. Please bring cash with you if you would like to buy something. Our Plastic Free Group has asked that if you are thinking of buying a hot drink, please feel free to bring your own lidded cup as we are trying to reduce our use of single use plastics as part of our work towards becoming Plastic Free School. We will also be holding a raffle with prizes for children and adults. If you have any prizes for adults you would like to donate, please send them into school with your child. We will ask the children to draw the winning tickets on Thursday 16th December.

Christmas Jumper Day This is on Friday 10th December this year. As a school, we would like to take part in this charity event which raises money for Save the Children and we are therefore asking the children to bring in a donation of at least £1 if they would like to wear a Christmas jumper to school on Friday 10th. We will also provide opportunities for children to add some sparkle to a plain jumper, if they do not already have a Christmas top to wear.

Polperro Christmas Lights and Lantern Procession Saturday 4th December On Saturday 4th December Polperro will be switching on the Christmas Lights in Big Green at 6pm. Before the lights switch on, there will be a lantern procession leaving the village hall at 4:30pm. Willow lanterns, made by children from Polperro School, will be available for children to carry. The materials for the lanterns have kindly been paid for by the Christmas Light Committee. Please meet at 4:15 at the Village Hall in preparation for a 4.30pm start. Fancy dress for the parade is optional. Please note that although staff from school will present at the procession, children will remain the responsibility of their parents at all times and parents should walk with their children.

Clubs Please note that there will be no clubs the week beginning 6 December apart from football which will be the last club of the term. There will be no Art Club on 30th November due to staff training. 

Have a lovely weekend

Mrs Hillman

Welcome back to another busy half term. 

Poetry Winners We start this half term with good news about a Poetry Competition that Chaipel Class pupils entered before half term. Chaipel Class learned about Wilfred Owen and WW1 and created amazingly powerful poems about the war. Very well done to Eloise, Poppy and Acen who have won 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes respectively. The competition was judged by Poet Sally Crabtree who, at half term, took all of the poems to the Wilfred Owen Museum at Ors in France where they are now on display.

Staying Safe I am pleased to say that we have been able to relax our bubble system in school and are operating more normally at the moment. Please continue to look out for covid symptoms, if unsure then please test, and if in doubt then call the school office.

Clubs Please note that there will be no running club or art club on Tuesday 9th November because of staff training. Clubs will continue the same for the year groups as last half term.

Anti-Bullying Week 2021will be taking place from Monday 15th - Friday 19th November and the theme is One Kind Word. We will be joining in with Odd Socks Day which is part of AB Week - All the children need to do is wear odd socks! It's a great way to celebrate what makes us all unique in Anti-Bullying Week! It will be held on Monday 15th November 2021.

Lunches Reminder that all Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils are entitled to free school lunches, regardless of family income. To access these meals you need a ParentPay account but do not need to pay for them. Thank you for persevering with the new system. We are quickly ironing out any issues but please call Mrs Dourass if you are having problems with booking.

PE With the weather getting colder, please send your child in with joggers for PE as each class does at least one outside PE session each week.

Cross Country The next Cross-Country race is taking place on the 12th November, a letter with more details went out yesterday to the relevant year groups.

Have a lovely weekend.

Mrs Hillman