Our big news this week is that Mr Gunner has been appointed as the new Headteacher for Victoria Park Primary School, starting in September. The recruitment process took place this week. Mr Jack Lacey (Director of Primary, Cathedral Schools Trust) said "We are delighted to have been able to make such a strong appointment. Mr Gunner has worked at the school for 12 years in a number of different roles. He has shown a deep commitment to the community and is perfectly positioned to continue moving the school forward. Mr Gunner has worked closely with Mr Bailey over the past few years which will ensure a smooth handover. We are sure you will join us in congratulating Mr Gunner on his appointment."

Assistant Headteacher Vacancy

Following Mr Gunner's promotion to Headteacher for September, we are now seeking a new Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for Teaching and Learning. Full details can be found here on eTeach. Visits to the school are welcomed; please contact victoriaparkp@victoriaparkprimary.co.uk to arrange. Feel free to forward the link to anyone else you know, who may be interested.

School Gates - Reminders

We operate a one-way system on our playgrounds at drop-off and pick-up times. Please support us with the following:

• Only children in Y5 and Y6 should be coming in to school through the gate on Atlas Road; all others should use the entrance gate on Raymend Road.
• At the end of the school day, entry via Atlas Road will not be permitted. Parents of Y5 and Y6 may wait outside for their children but if they want to come onto the playground they should use the Raymend Road gate.
• Staff on duty are trying their best to remind parents and children about the morning and afternoon routines and to ensure that children are entering and exiting school safely. We expect adults to be respectful to staff who remind parents about our systems.

SEND survey 2024

Bristol City Council wants to hear from the parents and carers of young people aged 0-25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Bristol.
This is your opportunity to tell them what you think the Local Area SEND services do well, and what they could improve. Your response and views about your experiences will help them to improve and shape services in your local area.
The survey is specifically aimed at the parents and carers of young people aged 0-25 with SEND in Bristol. Two further surveys will run in the future, one specifically aimed at young people aged 18-25 with SEND, and another survey specifically for SEND providers.

This survey is open from Friday 15 March to end of day (midnight) Tuesday 7 May. All those completing the survey will have the opportunity to be entered into a prize draw to win one of four £10 ‘Love2Shop’ vouchers that can be spent on-line or in store at more than 20,000 shops.

Young Carers Support in School

A young carer is someone under the age of 18 who is helping to look after someone at home who has:

• Physical disability (including sensory disability)
• Learning disability
• Mental health condition
• Long-term illness
• Alcohol or other substance misuse problem

It has been estimated that there are around 800,000 young carers in England. At Victoria Park Primary School we want to give Young Carers the support and recognition they need to fulfil their potential. We also want to recognise and celebrate the amazing achievements of many of our young carers, and the additional skills they have gained as Young Carers.
If you think that your child might be a Young Carer, Mrs Jackson would love to hear from you. Please email her at rjackson@victoriaparkprimary.co.uk or call the main school number and leave a message for her. Currently in school we have an afternoon drop-in session for Young Carers and optional 1:1 support.
SUPPORT AVAILABLE IN THE COMMUNITY
Parents, Carers and Young Carers may also find the following websites and resources helpful to support them outside of school. 
CARERS SUPPORT CENTRE

The Carers Support Centre has a form you can complete to refer Young Carers directly. The form for referral and eligibility criteria can be found on the Carers Support Centre website, alternatively Mrs Jackson is on hand to help and support with this process.

If you wish to find out more, please contact Mrs Jackson, our Young Carers Lead on:
Email – rjackson@victoriaparkprimary.co.uk
Phone – 0117 903 0343 

Smart Phones

A number of parents of VPPS children have recently joined a grassroots movement of parents called Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC), which was set up in the UK in February 2024. It has triggered a national conversation about the age at which we give children smartphones, and was in response to research around this topic. They would like to share a simple survey with the school community to find out the current smartphone usage and views of parents in our school – for example, what parents feel about the issue, and when they plan to get their child a smartphone.

Here is a link to the survey.

Don't forget that Monday is a Bank Holiday so school will be closed. We will see everyone again on Tuesday 7th May. Have a lovely (long) weekend!