Holy Trinity Church Of England Academy

**EYFS Parents/Carers** Tomorrow is our Valentine's Stay and Play session from 10.15-11.15am. Please remember you must have completed a form and handed this back to staff to be able to attend for safeguarding purposes. There will be a raffle and the children have had their Valentine themed photographs taken. Spare forms are available if anyone needs one. Please ask.

The Year 5 children loved their mini-beast visitors courtesy of Bugz'n'Stuff. The children learned about the creatures habitats and food chains and lots more to support their topic and science work. Not every one was keen at first but building on from last week's theme a lot of children found their brave and even though there is no photographic evidence even Mr Swan touched the spider's leg!

This week in school has been all about 'Finding your brave'. We introduced the idea on Monday with a whole school assembly and then had a day focused on wellbeing with Nadia the yoga teacher visiting all of our classes. On Tuesday we were visited by the Lifeguards who talked to us about what they do and how brave they are! On Wednesday we focused on a different kind of brave with a whole school assembly from Young Carers which gave us food for thought. Each class has focu...sed on a different 'brave' story during class time as well as finding out about brave careers such as being a firefighter or joining the police force. On Wednesday evening after school over 150 children stayed back to take part in our 'Brave' film night, along with popcorn, chocolate and pop - just like a visit to a real cinema! KS1 enjoyed the Disney film 'Brave' and KS2 watched (and shed a tear at) 'Wonder'. Thursday morning saw Y2 perform their own version of 'The Gruffalo', the story of the little mouse who found his brave to overcome adversity in the deep dark wood. We learned it is not about how big you are, but how brave you are.... Y2 were absolute superstars! Thursday lunchtime saw the school spectacular challenges on the yard where lots of our boys and girls found their brave enjoying a variety of different games and experiences. Today has focused on being a celebration of the way we have all embraced our brave. We had a presentation from two Y6 children who had been to hear a survivor of the holocaust speaking, as well as a rendition of of songs by our choir, all about finding your brave. Y1-Y6 enjoyed time on a giant inflatable obstacle course, and this afternoon we challenged the teachers to find their brave in a whole host of 'bush tucker' type trials in our very own version of 'I'm a Celebrity get me out of here!'. It was brilliant. I feel so privileged to work with your children and would like to take the opportunity to thank them for all the bravery they have shown this week. They are amazing, and without doubt I work with the bravest and best children in the world. Thanks again. Photos and videos to follow.... Mrs Spark
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Reminder for Science Club members - Due to our 'Find Your Brave' week there is no Science Club on Wednesday 5th February. Science club will start again on Wednesday 12th February with the last session being Wednesday 26th February. Thank you.

Reducing the spread of diarrhoea and/or vomiting: Advice for parents
What is it? • Vomiting is easily recognised, but diarrhoea can be less easy to identify. • Diarrhoea is the passage of more than one abnormally loose bowel motion in 24 hours. The faeces/motion has no solid shape and will take the shape of any container into which it is put.... What causes it? • The most common cause is a bug called norovirus, which requires no treatment. The diarrhoea and/or vomiting usually lasts 1 - 2 days. • Other bugs such as salmonella, cryptosporidium, campylobacter or E.coli O157 can also cause diarrhoea and/or vomiting and can spread from one person to another. These can cause more seious illness.
What should I do? • Do not send your child to school if they have diarrhoea or vomiting. If your child is unwell with diarrhoea and/or vomiting, pay special attention to hand hygiene in the home. • If the diarrhoea and/or vomiting is mild, let the illness run its course and give your child plenty of fluids (sips) to prevent dehydration. • If your child is unusually sleepy, isn’t improving after a couple of days, won’t take fluids or has other symptoms, such as blood in their diarrhoea, an unusual rash, headache, neck stiffness or difficulty breathing, contact your GP urgently or take your child to hospital. How are diarrhoea and /or vomiting spread? • The germs are shed in the vomit and faeces (motions) of those infected and can be spread to other places (taps, other people, food and so on) via hands. • Germs pass from person to person and through the environment or commonly touched items which have the germs on them. • Thorough cleaning of the environment/commonly touched items and not sharing towels or utensils is very important to stop the spread of infection. How can it be prevented? • Good hand washing is one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of germs. This applies to the child who is ill and anyone looking after them. • Hands should always be washed using warm water and liquid soap after using the toilet, before eating or handling food and after cleaning up a mess (vomit, faeces or urine) or changing nappies. • Good hand hygiene is crucial to prevent further spread to others. • If possible, each household member should have a separate towel for their own personal use.
Exclusion • If your child has diarrhoea and/or vomiting, keep them off school until they have not had any symptoms for 48 hours. • If your child has been to see the GP and you know what the cause of the illness is, please let the school know as soon as possible as it may help prevent further cases. • Keep your child away from other children and people who are particularly vulnerable (eg the elderly and those with chronic illnesses) until they have not had symptoms for 48 hours. • Anyone who has been in contact with someone with vomiting and/or diarrhoea but does not have symptoms themselves, may attend school as normal.
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On Monday two of our year six children had the opportunity to visit Lanchester EP and listen to a talk by Holocaust survivor Sigmund 'Sigi' Ciffer. The children learned a great deal about the terrible things that happened and candles were lit for Holocaust survivors. The children created some digital work about this and will be presenting their work and what they found out to the whole school as part of next week's Bravery Week for Mental Health.

Today is 'National Chocolate Cake Day' and what better way to celebrate than making a giant chocolate cake! Yum yum.

In Y3 we have a missing pair of gilrs black patent leather shoes. They are a size 2.5 from Clarks. We would appreciate if parents/carers would check their child's shoes at home, just in case they have been mistakenly picked up. Many thanks.

Reminder to all Parents/Carers that Yoga After School Club does not start until Thursday 23rd January 2020.
Thank you for your continued support

In year 5 we have been learning about Charles Darwin and his voyage aboard HMS Beagle. We have been practising our sketching and shading skills so we could draw insects just like he did. We hope you like some of our drawings

Dear Parents/Carers - Could we please remind everyone of the procedure for reporting pupil absences. Parents and Carers should contact school on the morning of the absence with your child's name, year group and reason for the absence, this allows office staff to inform teaching staff of any absences.
Thank you for your continued support.

Could we please ask that parents and carers park with consideration for our neighbours as well as other road users.
Thank you for your continued support.

There is a new charity service available to anyone in South Tyneside offering support to those who may be bereaved by suicide. Details of 'If you care, share' can be found using the following link. Thank you.

Reminder for Nursery Parents:
If your child will transfer to Reception in September 2020 the last day you can apply for a place is 4.30pm on Wednesday 15th January. The easiest way to apply is online at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/schooladmissions .
... If an application is made online you will be notified of the outcome on the 'offer day' of Thursday 16th April, 2020.
Please please make sure your application is in on time!
Thank you.
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Reception have had a magical day at Seven Stories, on the Polar Express experience. It was such a special way to end our term. Merry Christmas everyone! See you on Tuesday 7th January......

THANK YOU
On behalf of Holy Trinity Church of England Academy, our School Council members would like to say a huge thank you to all our parents for their amazing generosity this Christmas. We asked for donations to Hospitality and Hope Foodbank instead of a Christmas Gift, and wow look at how generous you have all been. What you can see in the photo is only a small selection of what we received.

Just a reminder that tomorrow Reception class will visit Seven Stories for a Polar Express Experience. Children can wear their pyjamas to school, but will need a coat and sensible shoes. We look forward to seeing you all for our final school day of this decade!

The School Based Immunisation Team for Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland have arranged community clinics in January 2020 for children who have not yet received their flu immunisation (nasal spray). Please note: The service will be closed from Friday 20th December at 17:00 hours and reopen on Monday 6th January at 8:30am.
For parents/carers to arrange an appointment please contact the School Based Immunisation Team on 0191 402 8179 up to 5pm on Friday 20th December or from Monday January 6th 2020.