Withymoor News

• Wake up Wednesday

  Thu 25 Jan 2024

  Despite ‘MyLOL’ being a dating app aimed at teenagers, there is no credible age verification system to prevent a younger child - or older adult - from signing up. The ease with which an adult could pose as a teen under a bogus birthdate makes grooming a realistic threat – and that’s far from the platform’s only risk. Please see this week’s guide to learn more.

  

• Children's Mental Health Week-5th-8th February

  Mon 22 Jan 2024

  Parents/Carers,

  We are delighted to announce that, this year, we will again be participating in Children’s Mental Health Week. This will take place from 5^th- 8^th February and is in association with the mental health charity ‘Place To Be’.

  The theme for this year is ‘My voice matters’ and is about empowering children and young people by providing them with the tools they need to express themselves. When we feel empowered, this can have a positive impact on our wellbeing. Children and young people who feel that their voices are heard and can make a difference have a greater sense of community and self-esteem. This year, we want children of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to be empowered to work together to create a positive change for their mental health and wellbeing.

  During the week, all pupils across school will be discussing ways - and thinking about strategies -to support mental health, whilst also participating in activities that will allow them to express themselves. As always, we recognise the important role parents and carers play in the mental wellbeing of our children; therefore, we want to provide our pupils with the opportunity to take part in an activity within school with a member of their family.

  On Tuesday 6^th February, it is also ‘Safer Internet Day’ - throughout the day we will be promoting the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people. We will also be making links between the use of technology and our own mental health, focussing in particular on how to better-protect ourselves within the digital world.

  We would ideally love to see as many parents in school as possible. However, due to the majority of the lessons taking place within the school hall, and in order to comply with relevant Health & Safety and Fire Regulations, we are only able to offer one parent/carer place per child for the activities within school. If you are not able to attend due to other commitments, then a grandparent or other family member may attend in your place. We are unfortunately not able to accommodate any younger siblings.  

  All sessions in school will involve parental participation, with the primary aim being for you to you and your child to express themselves– and have some fun together! School will provide all resources needed for the activity.

  We will also be encouraging pupils to ‘express themselves’ by allowing them to come into school in mufti on the day of their parent session.

   Please see the timetable below for all sessions:

   

   

  Timetable for Parent Sessions

  Monday 5th February	Phase Trust Workshop for year 5 and 6 pupils	Pupils only
  Monday 5th February	Year 4 parent session 2pm-3pm	One parent per child. Please come to the main entrance where you will be asked to sign in. We cannot accommodate younger siblings.
  Tuesday 6th February	Year 3 parent session 1pm-2pm	One parent per child. Please come to the main entrance where you will be asked to sign in. We cannot accommodate younger siblings.
  Tuesday 6th February	Year 2 parent session- 2.15pm-3.15pm	One parent per child. Please come to the main entrance where you will be asked to sign in. We cannot accommodate younger siblings.
  Wednesday 7th February	Year 5 parent session 9.15am-10.15am	One parent per child. Please come to the main entrance where you will be asked to sign in. We cannot accommodate younger siblings.
  Wednesday 7th February	Year 1 parent session 2pm-3pm	One parent per child. Please come to the main entrance where you will be asked to sign in. We cannot accommodate younger siblings.
  Thursday 8th February	Reception parent session 9.15am-10.15am	One parent per child. Please come to the main entrance where you will be asked to sign in. We cannot accommodate younger siblings.
  Thursday 8th February	Year 6 parent session      2pm-3pm	One parent per child. Please come to the main entrance where you will be asked to sign in. We cannot accommodate younger siblings
  Friday 9th February	INSET DAY

   

   

  In addition to the parent sessions, we have organised Phase Trust Mentoring Service to come into school and lead a workshop for Year 5 and Year 6, with regard to mental health and self-care. This was very successful last year and we are delighted to be offered it again this year. This is in addition to the Parent Session, so will be held in school with school staff only.

  Finally, year 5 and 6 pupils will be participating in ‘Withymoor’s Got Talent’ during this week. I have spoken to all pupils in upper key stage two, and some children have already expressed an interest in showcasing a talent to the rest of key stage 2. Further information will be sent to pupils in year 5 and 6 only.

  If you have any questions, then please do not hesitate to contact us. We really look forward to working with you during this unique week.

  Regards

  Lara Billingham

  Assistant Headteacher- SENCO/Inclusion/Senior Mental Health Lead

• Support for families experiencing severe financial hardship

  Mon 15 Jan 2024

  Please click here for information about who you can contact if you are experiencing severe financial hardship

• Parent and Carer Information and Advice about Measles

  Mon 15 Jan 2024

  Make sure your child is up to date with their MMR vaccine

  Parents and carers in the Black Country are being reminded to get their children vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).

  Measles is a highly infectious disease which can lead to serious complications if it is not treated. In the most severe cases, it can develop into more threatening conditions such as severe lung infections , especially in those with a weakened immune system.

  Symptoms of measles include:

  •a high fever

  •rash

  •cough

  •runny nose

  •watery eyes.

  All children are invited for their first MMR vaccine on the NHS when they turn one. The second dose is given when they reach three years and four months of age. Having two doses of the vaccine provides the best protection against MMR.

  Parents who are unsure if their child is up to date with all their routine vaccinations should check their child’s Red Book (personal child health record), the NHS App, or contact their GP practice.

  Adults and older children can also be vaccinated at any age if they have not been fully vaccinated before and are being encouraged to come forward if they haven’t had two doses.

  For more information on the MMR vaccine, visit the NHS website

• Christmas Fair

  Mon 11 Dec 2023

  Thank you to everyone who attended our Christmas Fair on Friday. It was a great success and I am told that around £2500 was raised for school funds!

   

  The event could not have taken place without the hard work and excellent organisation provided by Mrs Hill and the Friends of Withymoor team. I am sure you will want to join me in thanking them for all their time in preparing for and running the fair, and for their continued dedication to raising money for our children.

   

  Thank you also to all the Withymoor staff who gave up their time to help with stalls and to all the businesses and individuals who donated prizes for the raffle.

   

  We really do appreciate everyone's amazing support!

   

  Alison Wootton

  Headteacher

• Y4 Animal Man Visit

  Wed 06 Dec 2023

  Year 4 had a fabulous time with the Animal Man yesterday. Here are a few photographs from the day.  Please check your child’s class dojo story for more! 

  

• Dunelm's Generous Donations

  Fri 01 Dec 2023

  Thank you to our friends at Dunelm who have kindly donated Christmas presents. Our prefects were happy to receive these on our behalf.

  

• Harvest food and toiletry donations

  Wed 18 Oct 2023

  This past year has been incredibly challenging for many of us with the cost of living crisis and increased fuel bills following on from the pandemic. Sadly, we are seeing more and more families using foodbanks. Foodbanks across the country are facing one of the most difficult situations in a decade. At Black Country Foodbank, distribution of food parcels has risen by 20% compared to last year with over a 1/3 of all food distributed throughout the year going to children.

   

  Next week, as part of our Harvest celebrations, we are inviting donations of food and toiletries that will be collected next Thursday afternoon by Brierley Hill Food Bank. If you feel able to help, we would be extremely grateful if you could send to school a donation, however small, of food or toiletries from Monday 23^rd October up to 10am on Thursday 26^th October. Thank you so much!

   

  Meanwhile, if you are struggling financially yourself, or if you know of another Withymoor family who is finding it hard to make ends meet, please speak in confidence to myself or Mrs Tong and we may be able help or direct you to support from local agencies. 

   

  Alison Wootton

• Dudley Fostering Coffee Morning

  Tue 03 Oct 2023

  If you are interested in finding out more about fostering a child, you are invited to attend a coffee morning at school hosted by Dudley Fostering. The event is on Tuesday 17th October in the school hall from 9am - 10am. Please enter school via the main school entrance. We look forward to seeing you!

  

• Information about Respiratory Infections, including COVID-19

  Wed 27 Sep 2023

  During the autumn and winter months there is usually an increase in respiratory infections which can spread easily between people. These include the common cold, COVID-19, flu, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Symptoms of respiratory infections can be very similar, and it is not possible to tell which infection your child might have based on symptoms alone. These infections usually pass within 1 to 2 weeks and symptoms can usually be treated at home. A pharmacist can advise on treatments to relieve symptoms, such as decongestants and nasal sprays.   Children and young people with mild, respiratory symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their education or childcare setting. Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can. They can go back to school, college, or childcare, and resume normal activities when they no longer have a high temperature, and they are well enough to attend.   Most people in England can no longer get free COVID-19 tests, and there is no requirement for people to test if they have symptoms unless the below applies: They have a health condition which means they are eligible for COVID-19 treatments (NHS-Treatments for COVID-19) It is not recommended that children and young people are tested for COVID-19 unless directed to by a health professional.   If a child or young person (aged 18 years and under) has a positive COVID-19 test result they should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day they took the test, if they can. After 3 days, if they feel well and do not have a high temperature, the risk of passing the infection on to others is much lower. This is because children and young people tend to be infectious to other people for less time than adults.