Water Safety Tips for Parents

The Canal & River Trust have produced some information on water safety for parents based on their SAFE message – Stay Away From the Edge, with a focus on getting children to “Hold hands and take two steps back” when by the water side.  They have a video you can watch with your children featuring Maddie Moate from CBeebies: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/explorers/water-safety/toddler-water-safety

Other tips

• Always hold your child’s hand when by the water
• Make sure the brake is on the pram or pushchair when stationary
• Make sure to look out for other people on busy towpaths before stepping back

What to do if a child falls into the water

• There may be other people around, so shout for help as loudly as you can.
• If you have other children with you, make sure they are safe.
• Dial 999 and ask for the fire and rescue service. Explain your location clearly – use road names, bridge numbers, what3words and describe any landmarks.
• Lie down on the ground and try to reach them in the water. Use a tree branch, stick or an item of clothing to reach out to them. Don’t get in the water yourself. If they have fallen in, it’s likely that they won’t be too far away from the edge.
• If you can, haul them out of the water. Do this by lying down on the ground and pulling them out by grabbing their clothes. Don’t pull them out from a standing position as you are more likely to fall in the water yourself.
• If you can’t get them out, lie on the ground and hold on to them until help arrives.

Water Safety Poem:

The waterside is fun to go,

But there are things you need to know.

Let’s stay safe and not be silly,

The water here is very chilly.

Find your grown-up, hold their hand,

Two steps back is where you stand.

Look out for bugs and ducks that quack,

But always do it two steps back.

You can visit their website here: Water safety tips for parents | Canal & River Trust (canalrivertrust.org.uk)

Advice for parents on visits to settings involving contact with animals

Dear Parents and Carers, 

 This year’s World Book Day will take place on Thursday 2nd March with the theme “You are a reader!” 

 Due to the success of our last Book Swap Day, we will once more run a second-hand book swap shop. Children who bring in a book that they no longer want can swap it on the day (books in good condition only please).  

 As usual, we are all looking forward to seeing your child dressed up in costume as one of their favourite book characters. Teachers cannot wait to get involved too! 

 The World Book Day website has lots of ideas on how to do this with as much or as little effort as you would like. There are some excellent ideas to get you started: Dressing Up – World Book Day

However, children are equally welcome to come to school in their pyjamas all ready for a bedtime story if they prefer – just remind them to bring their favourite book too! 

 Your child will receive a £1 book token to spend on a FREE book, or to save £1 on another full price book of their choice. Full details are available at www.worldbookday.com where you can see the fabulous books that are on offer this year.  

 World Book Day is a super event to celebrate reading, but reading to and with your child is important every single day to ensure your child can learn to their fullest potential. We would love to see photos of you reading with your child – please stick them into your child’s reading diary if you can! 

Happy reading, 

 Mrs Thomas 

Literacy Coordinator 

Dear Parents/Carers,

You will have heard that the National Education Union (NEU) have confirmed that their teaching members have voted for strike action.

The NEU trade union are inviting their teaching members to strike for a number of days following national ballots on the issue on pay and funding.

Individual members have a choice to strike or not and they cannot be forced to strike.

The strike action does not include support staff or teachers from any other trade union.

At Newdale we do have a significant number of NEU members, however we are able to remain fully operational.

If this situation changes for further strike action, I will give you as much notice as possible so as to arrange alternative childcare.

Kind regards,

Miss Cook

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/back-to-school-advice-issued-amid-high-levels-of-flu-covid-19-and-scarlet-fever

Christmas Fair

If you are attending our Christmas Fair today, please collect your child from their classroom at 3:10pm. Entry to the Christmas Fair will be through the office at 3:20pm. Please bring change if you can.

Many thanks

Miss Cook