Dear Parents and Carers,

Not quite the end to the term we had anticipated! Thank you for your cooperation  and understanding. 

We look forward to heading into spring term 2 and hopefully some lighter mornings and evenings and some warmer weather. At the end of the first week back, we have World Book Day with a celebration of reading. On Thursday 3rd March we kindly ask for all children to wear their pyjamas/onesies  and bring their favourite bedtime story for them to share with their class. This will be followed on Friday 4th with an author visit and workshops in class. 

For now, I wish you all a happy and safe half term and we look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday 28th February. 

Lucy Collins 

The Stars of the Week for week ending 4th February:

The Stars of the Week for week ending 11th February:

Just some dates for your diary at this point:

Face to face parent’s evening meetings with your child’s class teacher will be available on:

Monday 4^th April (3:30pm-5:30pm)

Tuesday 5^th April (3:30pm–6:30pm)

Bookings will open 6pm on Monday 14^th March and closing on Monday 25^th at 12midday.

Bookings can only be taken via the SZapp, so please do ensure you have this downloaded on your chosen device.

Instructions on how to download the SZapp:

SZapp Install Instructions 

Internet Safety Day

On Tuesday 8^th February we celebrated Internet Safety Day. In our classes we looked at how we can stay safe online and what we can do if something happens and we are not sure what to do. If you would like more help and advice on Internet Safety, please look at the e-safety section on the school website and our monthly e-safety newsletters.

Football 

Boys played a brilliant game against St Peter’s last Thursday. Unfortunately they lost 4-3 but played and represented the school brilliantly. Special mention to Noah in Y6, who scored an absolute worldy, a definite Puskas award contender!!

The Linden boys ended the league season in style, winning 10 - 0 this Thursday. Well done lads! We are looking forward to playing Kingsway in the cup after half term. 

Commonwealth Games Ambassadors

Some of our year 6s were given the exciting opportunity to become Commonwealth Games Ambassadors. They went to a conference at Plock Court and are excited to share their ideas and activities with the rest of the school to build excitement ahead of the Games. 

Reception

Reception have had a very busy few weeks!

We celebrated Chinese New Year by doing our own Chinese crafts, doing traditional Chinese Dragan dancing, and by trying traditional Chinese foods including a variety for sauces, prawn cracker and rice. We had a really fun week and especially enjoyed our Chinese New Years party on the Friday.

In reception we visit forest school weekly. This week we had a great  time experimenting with the mud and soft ground which we discovered for the first-time due to the heavy rain fall. We also climbed trees, hunted for bugs and dug using large shovels in the soft earth.

 

This week in reception we have enjoyed listening to different music and speaking about how the different pieces made us feel based on the pace, volume and notes. We really enjoyed taking turns to play along to our favourite songs using a variety of percussion instruments.

KS2 Cricket

On Thursday, KS2 were lucky enough to welcome Olly from All Stars & Dynamos Cricket Club. They all had great fun and learned lots of new cricket skills along the way. Attached is a flyer for the cricket club, should your child wish to pursue their cricket career further!

Robinswood Hill

Back in the autumn term, Jenny from Robinswood hill, took an assembly. She told us about all the fun and exciting things happening at Robinswood! She also told us about how they are celebrating memories of past visits and experiences! Here at Linden we took time to reflect on what our memories of Robinswood Hill are! 

Free event but booking required: https://www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/events/2022-02-21-audio-exhibition-launch-stories-robinswood-hill

We are excited to announce that we have arranged for local author and illustrator Hannah Shaw to visit Linden on March 4^th in celebration of World Book Day. She will be spending the day with the children, sharing her many books and leading hands-on workshops.

Hannah Shaw writes and illustrates picture and chapter books that have one purpose: to make you giggle! Hannah creates loveable animal characters that get up to mischief. Her latest fiction series is about a muddy and magical unicorn pig...Yes that’s right. A UNICORN PIG!

The Unipiggle chapter book series: Witch Emergency; Mermaid Mayhem; Unicorn Muddle and Dragon Trouble: 

As well as the picture book (illustrated by Hannah) The Disgusting Sandwich:

The books can be purchased via Parent Pay for £5.50 per book.  Your child will then receive a signed copy of each book when Hannah comes to visit us. (Please be aware that only books purchased via the school/Parentpay system can be signed by the author).  The deadline for Parentpay purchases is Tuesday 1st March.  

Spring is around the corner - we have so much planned - take a look at next term's plans!

Key Stage 1:

Please see below for details of some great courses online which are designed especially for parents/carers. All of the courses are open to all and free* to many.

Upgrade Your Maths is a 6 week course running on Thursday mornings from 10-12. This course is designed especially for parents who are anxious about maths. Parents work in a small group online and are supported so that they soon feeling comfortable tackling a range of maths questions and develop confidence to support their children with their homework. Starting on Thursday 3 March. You can enrol by clicking on this link Upgrade Your Maths

Help Your Child with Reading for ESOL Parents runs on Wednesday afternoons online. The focus of the class is to improve parents English skills and look at the techniques schools use to support children to learn to read in the UK.  This class runs weekly in term time from 2 March. You can enrol by clicking on this link English class- Help Your Child with Reading

Calm Kids, Calm Home is a 6 week course running on Friday mornings. The course look at ways of making the home environment calmer, including discussing effective co-parenting, family routines, parents as role models and self care.

Starting on Friday 4 March  from 9:30- 11:00. You can enrol by clicking on this link Calm Kids, Calm Home

Calming the Mind is a 6 week introduction to mindfulness. Parents who attended this course last year have noticed a real change in their lives, and a greatly improved relationship with their children.

Starting on  Tuesday 1 March from 7:30-8:30. You can enrol by clicking on this link Calming the Mind

* The courses are free if you are over 19 years old, have lived in the UK for 3 or more years, or have a valid Residence Permit, and are one of the following: Unemployed or earning below £17,374 per year; Qualified below a Level 2 ( less than 5 GCSEs); Have mental health challenges, Have a learning difficulty or disability.

Parents can enrol online through the links on this email or by contacting Fay:

Fay Tucker

Adult Education Family Learning Coordinator

07760 171477

[email protected]

http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/adult-education-in-gloucestershire/

YogaBugs online offer

We have an offer for families who can claim a FREE eCode to access YogaBugs Virtual - Healthy Screen time for the whole family throughout January & February 2022. Please could you pass on these messages to families who you think will benefit from the platform.

What is it?

YogaBugs virtual gives online access to hundreds of yoga & well-being videos for the whole family to take part in from the comfort of your own home! Perfect if people are worried about going out due to rising cases of COVID but still want to get some exercise in.

https://yogabugs.com/parent-form/ to watch a short video to find out why it’s a great option for families!

Why sign up?

• It is FREE!
• It takes less than 60 seconds to sign up.
• Help families feel calm, increase your child’s confidence & help get your family active over the cold winter months.
• Suitable for children with SEN.

How to gain access?

Visit: https://yogabugsvirtual.com/my-account/

Click on parents, enter the unique eCode gloucestershire-1361 and follow the simple registration (it takes less than 60 seconds!) Enjoy YogaBugs at home!

If you have any queries regarding this offer please get in contact by emailing [email protected]