Another week flown by. A few bits to tell you about – have a great weekend. See you next week.
Attendance
Whole School – 95.18%
Year 5 – 99.39%
Year 4 – 98.79%
Year 2 – 97.33%
Year 3 – 96.67%
Year 1 – 96.13%
Year 6 – 91.21%
Reception – 85.76%
Well done Year 5!
Reflexions Events
Reflexions have organised a couple of events. A webinar which introduces the service for parents, you can find out more details of that here, and a ‘Spook Your Worries Away’ workshop, one held in Dudley and one in Stourbridge, which you can find out about here.
Important Safeguarding Updates – Please Share
There are some safeguarding updates that we want to make you aware of. Please share with any family or friends that you have who don’t normally read/have access to this newsletter.
Spy Series by Andrew Cope
We have been made aware that several titles in the Spy Dogs, Spy Pup and Spy Cat series by Andrew Cope contain a weblink at the back of the book that no longer directs people to information about the books. The links now direct to inappropriate and unsafe material, including some adult content. Below are some of the front covers to help you identify the books should you have any at home.
TikTok Warning
Although the official age requirement for TikTok is 13, we are aware that some children in school do access the service. There has been a recent report that suggests that the content restriction settings do not work as they should, resulting in adult content being shown to children. You clan see an article about the research on the Global Witness website HERE. In particular, take a look at image 4 to see what TikTok search was recommending to these 13 year old users.
App Safety Settings
With the Online Safety Act now in force there is a lot of focus and scrutiny on tech companies, their features and safety settings being so prominent in the media, particularly safety settings failures (see above). However, that shouldn’t detract from the fact that safety settings are important; they’re not perfect and never will be, but they are there for a reason. So this feels like a good time to either send a reminder to take a look at some of the more popular social apps which are below, all from the Internet Matters website:
- TikTok parental controls – HERE.
- Snapchat parental controls – HERE.
- Instagram parental controls – HERE.
- FaceTime privacy and safety settings – HERE.
- WhatsApp privacy guide – HERE.
Flu Vaccine Information
It’s that time of year where flu immunisations are taking place. Please have a read of the leaflet here for more information.
Forest School
Today is Forest School Day and I have been fortunate to be working at Pedmore for nearly 15 years as the forest school leader. Over that time I have developed a school field into a lovely little woodland and I am forever grateful for the opportunity. Please take a look at my social media pages to see a little reel of the children in the woods and what forest school is all about.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CqjX6SBJ2/?mibextid=wwXIfr
This week…
A busy week in forest school as both Year 2 and reception spent some time in the woods.
Year 2 love apples and this week were treated to chocolate dipped apples which went down well!
They were also challenged to work in teams to take the teddy bears on an adventure! Children made dens, performed for the teddies and enjoyed sone treats from the mud kitchen. It was great to see how the children worked together, developing ways in which they worked out plans and the all important compromise!
For some children in reception it was their first ever time in forest school and it was lovely to hear children say they didn’t want to leave! There was lots of time for exploration and play.
Outside of school hours I offer sessions in the school holidays and during December we have a Santa trail every Saturday, as well as a wreath making event.
For more information and booking please visit
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/fruits-of-the-forest
Have a lovely weekend.
Ruth Hill
The Fine Collective CIC
Take Care & Stay Safe
Mr Dunn
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