We are aware that many children are talking about the ongoing situation between Russia and the Ukraine.  If children ask staff about this, they will answer in an age-appropriate, factual and reassuring way.

 

As a school, we subscribe to First News, which is a newspaper written for children.  First News have created a fact sheet called an 'explainer' about the conflict, which might be useful to you should you discuss this at home with your children.

 

You can find the explainer by following this link:

www.firstnews.co.uk/ukraine

Reminder that the last day of term is Friday 11th February 2022.  Children return to school on Tuesday 22nd February 2022 as Monday 21st is an Inset Day.

 

Please see the term dates under the Parents & Community section for all our dates.

Westcourt is proud to be in partnership with Magic Breakfast, providing healthy breakfasts to our pupils so that they are settled and ready to learn. Magic Breakfast provides Westcourt with nutritious breakfast food to ensure children start their school day in the best possible way.

Breakfast gives children the energy needed for the busy school morning, enabling them to focus on their lessons.

Here at Westcourt we offer a traditional breakfast club and we are now about to launch playground bagels!  Starting Monday 12th July

 

• Playground Bagels/Bagel Grab and Go

Venue: At the different entry points for the children

Time: Entrance time

 

This is available for all children who wish to have a bagel, no one will be forced to eat bagels as many children eat breakfast at home. 

However, bagels are a good source of slow release energy and are simple buttered bagels. 

 

www.magicbreakfast.com

Yo Ho! Yo Ho! It’s a pirates life for me!

Pirate Day at School Friday 16th July

Shiver me timbers, batten down the hatches, walk the blank and come dressed as a pirate!

A new online game has been launched to help primary schools, clubs and other youth groups teach children about cyber security from an early age.

CyberSprinters is a free interactive game, developed by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) – a part of GCHQ, aimed at 7 to 11-year-olds.

 

The online game sees players become a ‘cybersprinter’ who is racing against its own depleting battery power. Users can win battery power by correctly answering questions about cyber security but face losing it if they bump into ‘cybervillains’.

 

Click here to visit the site and find out more!

As shops have now reopened I know many of you will be updating your children’s uniform as they have grown so much over the last few months! From Monday 19th April, the expectation is that all children will be back in the correct school uniform including shoes. Coloured trainers should not be worn to school. 

Asda have launched a new school uniform range which might be of interest to some of you. 

We look forward to seeing you on Monday!

 

 

Westcourt Primary School has been recognised as a best practice representative for the upcoming 2021 edition of The Parliamentary Review; an independent publication which looks at how key British organisations are responding to different political and economic challenges.

 

Success for organisations of any size does not always come easily, and The Parliamentary Review is indispensable for anyone who seeks to make a difference in their sector. It highlights significant developments and concerns for leaders up and down the country.

 

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Kwasi Kwarteng says “this year’s Parliamentary Review reflects on a tumultuous and extraordinary year, globally and nationally.”

 

Westcourt Primary School's article can be viewed here: https://www.theparliamentaryreview.co.uk/organisations/westcourt-primary-school

 

Westcourt now has a Facebook Page! Please like the page to get updates. 

I-pad Allocation

 

 

The Department for Education (DfE) is providing laptops and tablets to schools to help children and families access remote education during coronavirus (COVID-19).

 

Schools have been able to order an allocation of devices for:

• disadvantaged children in years 3 to 11 who do not have access to a device and whose face-to-face education is disrupted
• disadvantaged children in any year group who have been advised to shield because they (or someone they live with) are clinically extremely vulnerable
• disadvantaged children in any year group attending a hospital school

 

Disadvantaged children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are included within this offer. However, if specialist support and equipment is required help may be available through the Family Fund.

How device allocations have been decided

Schools and colleges have received an allocation of devices to be used to support disadvantaged children who are otherwise unable to access remote education.

Examples of this include disadvantaged children:

• with no digital devices in their household
• whose only available device is a smartphone
• with a single device in their household that’s being shared with more than one other family member

 

At Westcourt we have received an allocation of 36 devices.

This calculation is based on:

• the number of children in years 3 to 11
• free school meals data
• an estimate of the number of devices a school or college already has

If there are widespread school closures, allocations could be temporarily reduced.

If you would like to be considered for the loan of an i-pad please fill in the form that is online or email the same details into admin@westcourt.kent.sch.uk

Please complete the form by Tuesday 19^th January.  As a school we will then look at the criteria and allocate laptops against this. Please understand that we might not be able to loan laptops to all applicants.

The following information must be submitted to the school.

 

Loan of I-pads

 

Name of children and class

1.

2.

3.

 

Do your children receive free school meals?

 

 

Do you have access at home to broadband via wi-fi?

 

Yes or No

 

If yes, what type of plan do you have?

 

Do you have any device already at home?

Please indicate below

 

Is your mobile on a limited data package?

 

Do you have any other school age children at home? E.g. secondary age

 

Please confirm your email address

 

Are you in agreement to the terms and condition outlined on the website and agree to take full responsibility for the device and will pay for any damage, loss or theft?

 

This agreement will be signed on receipt of the laptop.

 

Would you be able to collect and sign for the laptop from the school?

 

 

Name

Date

 

Please go to your class page today to find out what your home learning is. Miss Sexton has put a video on her page. Please take a look, as there is news on the chocolate raffle!