This week our Values assemblies focused on Kindness. Children thought about how we can show kindness to others, but also ourselves. Using the picture book "Incredible You!" by Nathan Reed and Rhys Brisenden we thought about all the things that make us unique; being kind to ourselves can be about remembering all the wonderful things we are capable of, and being happy to be ourselves.

Proposed Industrial Action

You will probably be aware that one of the largest teaching unions, the NEU, have announced their intention to hold industrial strike action on:

• Wednesday 1 February 2023: all eligible members in England and Wales.
• Thursday 2 March 2023: all eligible members in the following English regions: London, South East, South West.
• Wednesday 15 March 2023: all eligible members in England and Wales.
• Thursday 16 March 2023: all eligible members in England and Wales.

We are currently working with staff and the CST Central Team to assess what the impact of this action will be on provision at Victoria Park Primary School for these days. It is very likely we will need to alter our normal operations in some way, as we have a significant number of staff who are part of the NEU. We will update you with a full response and plan as soon as we have all the information needed to make an informed decision. 

Attendance

Miss Mullen revealed a new attendance board in assembly this week! We celebrated the classes with the best attendance, as well as the class with the most improved attendance. This is all part of our drive to improve attendance and return to the higher levels we were used to before the pandemic.

• Whole school attendance (YTD): 95.1%
• Best Class Attendance last week: Oak and Ash
• Classes with no lates last week: Ash and Cherry
• Most improved class attendance last week: Cherry

Dressing Up

It was lovely to see the children enjoying our dressing up area at lunchtime this week. Many thanks for your donations which made this possible.  Don’t forget if you have any fancy dress lying around at home, which is no longer of use to you, it will be gratefully received.

Adventure Film Festival

One of our Year 3 parents, David (former chair of the PTFA) is hosting an adventurous film festival to raise money for Keynsham Life Saving Club - and he's offering a discount to VPPS Parents!
Date: Fri 3 Mar
Time: Doors open at 6:30pm and the screening starts at 7:00pm.
Details: Age rating 12A. Unreserved seating. Please bring along your ticket for entry to the venue.
Visit www.klsc.co.uk for full details and to book your tickets. Remember to use Discount Code "VPPS10" for your 10% discount!
We've got a packed programme of short, but inspirational, outdoor and adventure films, including:

• Lapporten Skyline - a group of friends set out to walk a 2km tightrope strung between two mountain peaks
• Circumnavigate - one man's quest to raise awareness of water safety by paddle-boarding around mainland Britain, and
• some amazing mountain-biking, canoeing, and diving films too!

The money raised from ticket sales will support Keynsham Life Saving Club and help them bring essential first-aid and water-safety skills to more people than ever before.

Other information

We have lots of notices from external organisations this week - the information below is provided because we feel you may be interested, although we are not responsible for the content.

• A message from Jubillee Swimming Pool - "As you may be aware Friends of Jubilee Pool Management Committee took Jubilee Pool into community ownership in September 2022. The first Jubilee-athon (24hr swim relay) held in January 2022 saw the community come together to raise £30,000 to support this transition. On 28th and 29th January we will be hosting our second Jubilee-athon. The funds raised will help us to meet the rising costs of energy, expand our swim lesson program, deal with basic repairs and securing expertise to help with grant applications." Click on the flyer below for more information.

• Murmuration have a new batch of wonderful SEND parent nurture groups starting this month. These groups are for parent carers who want to connect with others who get it, to take a break from holding it all and feel held themselves, to learn ways to build resilience. This course is run by a therapist and a community worker/parent carer. You can book a place via https://murmurationcommunitytherapy.eventbrite.com. More information is available on the flyer below. 

• Ultimate Activity Camps provide outstanding Ofsted-registered activity day camps for children aged 4-14 during the school holidays. Children will enjoy a fantastic range of over 40 sports, games and art activities every week led by engaging staff at amazing locations. Running this Easter & Summer at Badminton School. Book by Wednesday 1st March to save up £40 a week on all Easter & Summer dates! Details below.

• Shine are running lots of fun activities for all age groups at 5 venues in BS9, BS6, BS21 and in Southville BS3, held at Southville Junior School for all primary school age children from any school.  Held from Monday to Thursday this February Half Term.  Use the code Early Booker for a limited time only, to receive 20% off your day from 09:00-4:00pm.  Early and late drop off is available if you need it.

  All activities are here - Shine Holiday Clubs.

For fans of forward planning our term dates and INSET days for next academic year are now published on the school website and school calendar. We hope you have a lovely weekend.