Happy New Year and Welcome back to School

In recent days the Public Health Agency has updated their guidance in relation to Covid. 

Please be assured that our staff are doing all that they can to minimise the risk of Covid infection in school and also appreciate your help and co-operation with this. 

Consistent Groups

In compliance with Department of Education advice to school we continue to operate ‘Consistent Groups (Class bubbles)’.  All staff are wearing face coverings in corridors and public areas of school and enhanced cleaning and ventilation is rigorously adhered to in all classrooms.

Adults accompanying pupils into school

As we limit the numbers of individuals coming in and out of school and ask that only P1 pupils who may not be ready to come into school on their own are accompanied into school each morning.  Everyone bringing pupils into school must wear a face mask.   

Please find attached two letters emailed to parents in advance of the new term.  

Merry Christmas from everyone in Windsor Hill Primary School 

We very much appreciate everyone's co-operation this term.  While we started this term with our 'bubbles' or 'consistent groups' in place in school, we were hopeful that life would gradually return to normal, unfortunately we have to travel this Covid journey for a while longer and remain cautious and vigilant in school. 

While we are continuing to operate in bubbles and have limited cross bubble contact, our school curriculum and school day are as normal and stress free as we can make it for our children. 

Not stiffling the excitment of the build up to Christmas is very much part of our aim with our preparations for each class contribution to the website.  The children enjoyed and learned a lot from their work leading up to their final productions which you can link to below. 

With technology, green screens and ipad apps being used by some classes to ehance the final product in a way which would not have been possible in person.  

Hopefully is won't be too long until we can have concerts and Carol Services together again, when it is safe to do so, but in the mean time I hope you enjoy the variety of Christmas Videos each class have prepared for you to enjoy - using the webste our talents may reach a global audience.  Click on the links below to take you to each class's Christmas offering for 2021.

P1 - Mrs Moore - Christmas Fun Twinkle, Twinkle Christmas Start

SP1 - Miss Quinn - Jingle Bell Song and Rockets

P2 - Mrs Jennett - Christmas Performance 

P3 - Mrs Chapman - Christmas 2021 

P4 - Miss McKeown - The Snowflakes

P4/P5  - Mrs Magill & Mrs Morton - Christmas 

P5/6 - Miss Nesbitt - Christmas Around the World.

P6 - Mr Morrow - The Night Before Christmas

P7 - Mrs Kerrigan - Christmas Abundance

We really hope you have enjoyed exploring our Christmas Performances, all so different, but all sharing the joy of and excitement of Christmas with you all.  

We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New year for 2022. 

We look forward to welcoming all our boys and girls back to school on Wednesday 5th January 2022.  The New lunch menu for Term 2 has been posted on the website and can be accessed using the link below: School Dinners Term 2

Thank you all for your generosity in our Christmas Charity Collections

On Friday 17th December - Festive Friday - Christmas Jumper Day, our pupils very kindly donated food for the Homeless in Newry.  We filled Miss McKane's boot and back seat with non perishable groceries which were delivered to teh Newry Larder in Mary Street this morning.

Primary School Admissions for September 2022

Thank you for considering Windsor Hill Primary School and trusting us with your child's education. Information to assist you with the application process for admission to our school is provided in the admissions sections of our school webiste - you might also find some information and links below. We hope you find it useful, and look forward to working with you and your child.  All prospective parents are very welcome to make an appointment to visit school and speak driectly with Miss McKane.  Appointments will however be made in the afternoons due to Covid Restrictions at present.  

Applications for P1 for September 2022  are open from noon on 10th January to noon on Friday 28th January 2022. 

It is very important that you get applications in on time

Education Authority Admissions Link

Info re: Windsor Hill

Windsor Hill Primary School Admissions Criteria

Applications for Primary School Admissions are made via the Education Authority Admissions Hub  .

Information regarding applications for 2022 will be available from Friday 17th December 2021. 

While online applications are prepferred by the Education Authority, paper applications can be made directly to school using a paper form.  

For those who who find online difficult, for whatever reason, paper applications can also be made directly to the school -

For further information call: 028 30264047 or email: imckane521@c2ken.net  

If you require any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us on, tel:028 3026 4047 or email: imckane521@c2kni.net .  We are more than happy to help at any stage in the application process.

Amended School Dinner Menu for Week Beginning Monday 13th December -

to include Christmas Dinner

WINDSOR HILL PRIMARY SCHOOL MENU

Anti-Bullying Week

 Week beginning Monday 15^th November has been designated Anti Bullying Week in Northern Ireland.  This Year’s theme is One Kind Word.

While our whole school community actively encourages positive relationships between our pupils and strongly discourage bullying in school on an ongoing basis, Anti-Bullying Week provides an extra focus and raises awareness in a different way. 

During Anti Bullying Week, whether in PDMU / Paths or during class discussion, each class will take the opportunity to discuss the importance of looking out for each other and using Kind Words – hopefully more than just one, as we interact with each other. 

Should anyone be feeling sad or annoyed by others, one kind word can make such a difference.

Odd Socks Day - Monday 15th November 2021

Odd Socks Day is an opportunity to encourage people to express themselves and celebrate their individuality and what makes us all unique! There is no pressure to wear the latest fashion or for parents to buy costumes.  All you have to do to take part is wear odd socks to school, these can be any kind of socks at all,  ‘silly socks’ if you are feeling creative and as colourful or plain as you like.

Pupils are also welcome to upload a picture of their odd socks to the class Seesaw page and from there they can be shared with the class. 

Odd Socks Day is supported by the CBBC personality – Andy Day and the Odd Socks Band who have created a song for the occasion.  While this may not be everyone’s taste in music, (or maybe I am showing my age!), you can listen to this year’s Anti-bullying Anthem: ‘The Kids are United’ using this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6hR6rTHFSk

Thank you for your continued support and please feel free to contact school should you require any additional information. 

Planting a Tree for the Jubilee

P7 pupils, Eco Committee and staff at Windsor Hill Primary School were joined by The Lord Lieutenant of County Down, Gawn Rowan Hamilton, members of the Board of Governors, Rev B Colvin, Chair, Mrs L Bingham, Vice Chair and Rev Scott McDonald and Councillor David Taylor from Newry Mourne and Down Council at their tree planting ceremony. 

This newly planted tree is part of the Queen’s Green Canopy, a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.  Windsor Hill was selected as one of the ‘city schools’ to receive this special donation of a pear tree which is now in their grounds.  Further details about ‘Planting a tree for the Jubilee’ are available at: https://queensgreencanopy.org/  

Best Classwork Certificates - September 2021 

When we could all get together for whole school assemblies we presented our 'Best Classwork' Awards.  This was a special time when pupils could share their success with friends and have their work recognised.  We have a best classwork board in the main corridor in school on which we display one or two special pieces of work from each class completed the previous month. 

In the absence of this opportunity this special achievement at school assembly, we are acknowledging these pupil's success on our school Website.  

Congratulations to everyone this month and we encourage everyone to do their best to try to have their work displayed at the end of October. 

We have a few more pupils to add when they return to school 

Thank you all so much for your generosity and support

While we generally try to limit the number of charity collections in school, this year in quick succession we have had two and appreciate so much the generosity and support parents, pupils, staff and the whole school community have made to both to Rory Best's Miles to Mayo walk and P1 & P2's Macmillan Coffee Mornign appeal. 

MIles to Mayo raised £820 for the Cancer Fund

We very much appreciate Rory taking the time to send his personal thanks to you all for your efforts. 

Rory's Thank you.  

We were also able to donate £870 to Macmillan Cancer Care

Mrs Moore raised some funds for this worthy cause using her home baking skills - she sold delicious buns to staff.  Mrs Jennett and Mrs Moore then planned tea parties with their class. Thanks to the generous donations received following their their tea parties at home we can send £870 to Macmillan Cancer Support. 

Have a look at Mrs Moore and Mrs Jennett's class pages for a link to pictures of what the boys and girls got up to at home for this worthy cause. 

Dyslexia Awareness Week 

We are pleased to celebrate and promote ‘Dyslexia Awareness Week UK 2021’.

The Edication Authority have produced an infographic with information on freely available resources and software that can support all pupils at home as well as in school. Please find below a digital link version of available resources for all pupils. 
A link to the Literacy Service Homepage on the Education Authority website is included. This page offers advice, resources and helpful tips in the area of literacy difficulties that may be useful for pupils, parents and schools.

The software tools outlined are as follows:
Read&Write - which can help pupils develop their literacy skills and support curricular access;
0365 - a suite of apps including Word, PowerPoint and Excel with the built-in accessibility feature Immersive Reader. Office 365 gives you a cloud version of the apps we have all grown to love plus many more new ones. With Word, Excel and PowerPoint, pupils have the ability to work on a document on the move on any type of device, at any time.

It is compatible with any operating system as it is a web-based product; 
Importantly, all pupils can now download this software at home to support them with homework and remote learning using their C2k username and password.

Please contact school should you need your child's username for downloading. 

Useful sites you might also like to explore: 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/dyslexia-awareness-week-teaching-resources/zkw7qfr 

Family Learning Programme - sessions for parents which may help you work with yor children at home.

We encourage all our parents to engage with these free parents information sessions.  

Further details about each session is included on the information sheets below.  Both Kate O'Hanlon and Collette Delargy have worked in school on staff development and are expertises in their field.  Liz Jones too comes highly recommended.  Session are on Zoom and parents are welcome to link in to particular sessions depending on the age of your chidlren.  

Please get in touch if you need further details.  

October 2021 -  Three Week programme 3 sessions per week

                                                                                   Week 1                                          Start time: 7.30pm.  Duration: 1.5 hrs

Newry Olympic - Year 7 - 9 After Schools' Hockey 

Clare Dunn, Head of PE at Newry High School is helping Newry Olympic Hockey Club promote their new after school hockey club starting on  Wednesday September 15^th.  

It will run from 3:15pm -4:15pm. It is open to Primary 7, Yr 8 & Yr 9 boys and girls of all abilities.

This is a free after school activity and a great opportunity for our young people who have missed out on so much over the last 18 months.  This is a fantastic new sporting opportunity - please consider attending!

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me, or Brian Lockhart who is the club chairman (07770655643).

flyer with all the information and a permission form are posted below

Return to School August 2021

Restarting Arrangements – August 2021

As a school staff we are very much looking forward to welcoming children back for another school year.  Our P2 – P7 children will meet their new teachers in their new classrooms on Tuesday 31^st August from 9:00 – 12:00 at their induction morning.  Please see below a breakdown of the staggered finishing organised in June for our first day back:

P2           12:00                                     P3           12:05                                     P4           12:10                                 P4/5                12:15                                      P5/6       12:20                                     P6           12:25                                     P7           12:30pm

We ask our parents to continue to avoid gathering around the gate as much as possible as we all work to limit the continued spread of Covid.   

While the department of Education Guidance has been relaxed somewhat, and we will endeavour to move forward, we do want to ‘hasten slowly’ and will continue most of last year’s procedures from last year.  We will continue endeavouring to minimize movement in and out of school and our class groups for lunch, break etc. will continue as last year.   

School bags, lunch boxes and personal stationery were reintroduced last year and this can continue.  Children are also encouraged to bring their own clearly labelled water bottle into school. We would however encourage pupils only to bring in essential items, toys etc. from home are not permitted. 

We are introducing a Breakfast Club on a trial basis this half term, from the week beginning Monday 6^th September.  We also plan to resume our 2- 3 club from Monday 6^th September as well. (Separate details to follow)

ACCESS TO SCHOOL

Parents, other than P1 Parents, are asked not to accompany their children into school.  Please leave pupils at the footpath inside the school gate. We would appreciate it if parents would try not to gather around the gate and move quickly from the school premises both in the morning and afternoon while maintain social distancing.  Everyone coming in to the school building will be required to sanitise their hands on entry and a one-way system will be operated around the school. 

ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL

Our ‘Trickle Arrival’ worked well last year and we intend to continue with it this year.  The school door will be open from 8:45 am – 9:15am each morning for children to come in.  On entry the children will go straight to their own class and should not accompany younger siblings to their classes.  As a protective measure, we would ask parents to exercise wise judgement upon arrival at school and simply wait in the car for a few moments if there should happen to be a larger number of families arriving at the same time.  Please do not, if at all possible, allow your children to gather at the school door before 8:45am.

STAGGERED DISMISSAL TIMES

Moving forward when 2-3 club is in place, to optimise teaching time and minimise class disruption, we are asking that all pupils stay with their class until the allocated finishing time each day. 

The following finishing times are being trialled:

P1                                         1:40pm (From 20^th September)    Mrs Moore

P2& P3                                 1:50   pm                                                Mrs Jennett & Mrs Chapman

P4, P4/5 & P5/6 2:50pm                                                   Miss McKeown, Mrs Magill & Miss Nesbitt 

P6 & P7                                3:00pm                                                   Mr Morrow & Mrs Kerrigan

We would appreciate it if the office is informed in advance if your child needs to leave school early for medical appointments so that we can, as far as possible have the children ready to go on time.

SCHOOL MEALS

School dinners will begin again on Wednesday 1^st September with arrangements being made for meals to be eaten in classes during staggered lunch breaks at ‘class tables’ in the assembly hall which worked well last year.  A menu for September is available on the school website: https://www.windsorhillps.co.uk/school-dinner-menus/

FREE SCHOOL MEALS AND UNIFORM GRANT

Please ensure that those who may be eligible for free school meals and uniform grant have made a new application for this school year as soon as possible if you have not already done so.  Free meals cannot be provided until clearance is given by the EA.  This year applications were requested online.  Further details are available at EA: https://www.eani.org.uk/financial-help/free-school-meals-uniform-grants .  Anyone who has trouble with online applications should contact the office immediately. 

Payment for dinners should be sent to school on Monday morning in a sealed envelope with the pupil’s name and dates dinner is required written on the front.  (Cheques can be made payable to 'Education Authority'.  Cash can be sent but the exact money would be very much appreciated.)

FAMILIES IN QUARANTINE

If your family has been effected by the Government guidance on quarantine, particularly if returning from abroad, please email / phone the principal to inform us. 

FAMILY MEMBERS WITH COVID SYMPTOMS

Do not send your child to school if your they or anyone you live with has any of the following symptoms, or has been identified as a close contact with anyone who has tested positive:

· a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature);

· a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual);

· a loss of or change in sense of smell or taste.

Please inform the office immediately if your child or immediate family member they live with are suspected to have Covid.

WE SHARE ONCE AGAIN THIS IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM LAST YEAR:

The classrooms may need to be protective bubbles, but our school will still have life and fun as we resume our learning together.  Please try to keep the conversations about returning as positive as possible.  Tell your children how much we are looking forward to welcoming them back.  Despite the challenges and restrictions, we are confident that we can make learning enjoyable. It is so important that the children know that, along with you, we all want the best for them. 

At the beginning of another year while we continue to control parental entry into the school, this does not mean that we are unavailable; just available in a different way.  Feel free to call or email me and I will get back to you as soon as possible.  Seesaw will also be available for communicating with school. 

Sammy and his team have worked extremely hard all summer cleaning and sanitising.  Procedures are in place for handwashing, enhanced cleaning etc. to protect us all as much as possible.  I assure you, that as a whole staff we will do all we can to nurture our pupils all back into school, but with a sense of getting on with it and moving forward as positively and productively as possible.  Our procedures and routines will be reviewed and updated regularly as we strive to minimise inconvenience for parents. 

Your patience, co-operation will be very much appreciated.  Please feel free to get in touch if you have any further questions or concerns. 

Yours faithfully

I. McKane

Principal

Best Wishes to our P7 pupils as they move to Post Primary School 

Thank you to all our 2021 P7 pupils for their work leading up to the end of term and for all the ways you have all contributed to our Windsor Hill family while at school. 

It has been an honour and privilege to see you grow, learn and mature together over the last 7 years in so many different ways - we really trust your move to High School will also be as happy and fulfilling for you all.   

We look forward to hearing of your achievements - please keep in touch and let us know how you are getting on!

We have lots of budding actors and actresses in this year's P7 - check out their leavers videos using the links below 

P7 Leavers Videos -    P7 OK - The Great Escape

                                      P7 PM - The Great Escape 

In the absence of a traditional Leavers' Assembly this year each class gave out a number of achievement awards marking progress and achievement across the curriculum . 

            Mr Morrow's P7 Achievement Awards

             Mrs Kerrigan's  P7 Achievement Awards

PlayBoard NI- Summer of Play Challenge

As we look forward to summer, and a summer when we may not get away as we usually do please have a look at a wish list which might keep you all busy. 

https://www.playboard.org/summer-of-play-challenge/

Newry, Mourne and Down Youth Service

Playday

Saturday 26th June 2021

FREE OF CHARGE

Venue: Newry Olympic Hockey Club, Belfast Road, Newry BT34 1QA

Time 2:30pm - 6:30pm 

Open to anyone aged 9 - 13 years old

Consent forms must be completed and brought on the day.

Snacks will be available on the day however anyone with food allergies must bring their own.  

For more information please see the attached sheets below.  All P5 - P7 pupils got a flyer with the permission form on the reverse.  

Windsor Hill Primary School

Jurassic Ark Encounters NI

In the absence of classes going out of school for trips at present, a visit into school, by Jurassic Ark Encounters NI has been arranged for next week.  This is a local company who provide ‘Educational Animal Encounters’ with Reptiles and Amphibians.  The children will see the animals up close as well as learn about their lifecycle, natural habitat etc. 

There is no charge to pupils towards the cost of this visit.  It will be managed in line with our covid procedures with classes visiting the animals in the assembly hall in their class bubbles.  The children from P4/5 to P7 will see the animals on Wednesday 16^th June, while the younger classes are booked in for Friday morning (18^th June). 

We hope this will be a new and interesting opportunity for our pupils, but please inform your child’s class teacher in writing if you would rather he / she do not participate. 

Please feel free to contact me should you require any more information. 

Yours faithfully,

I. McKane

Principal  

 Libraries NI Summer Reading Challenge

19 June until 18 September 2021 Wild World Heroes,

Summer Reading Challenge 2021; a celebration of nature and action for the environment, in partnership with WWF UK. Get ready for Wild World Heroes, arriving online and in libraries across Northern Ireland this summer.

Children age 4 to 11 can join the World Wide Heroes for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge to discover how they can make a difference to the environment. Produced by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with libraries, we’re teaming up with WWF for a very special nature themed challenge that will inspire children to stand up for the planet.

The Summer Reading Challenge will take place from 19 June until 18 September. Children can sign up at their local library, choose their reading goal then read any books to collect special stickers and other rewards along the way – all for FREE. There is a digital platform too, so the fun can carry on at home! Children can read whatever they like in their chosen format – fiction, fact books, poetry, joke books, picture books, graphic novels, audio books and eBooks. Everyone who completes their personal challenge will receive a certificate and medal.

The Reading Agency’s annual Summer Reading Challenge really helps by getting over 700,000 children regularly into libraries over the summer, with thousands more taking part online. There is no other free reading activity that involves so many children, introduces families to their library, encourages children to choose books freely and independently and is endorsed by parents and teachers.

There will be more information on the Libraries NI website www.librariesni.org.uk and social channels over the next few weeks so please keep a look out for further updates. 

Covid Updated Information from the Southern Trust

The Covid Helpline, managed by Advice NI is available for those needing support:

Freephone number:  0808 802 0020

You can also get in touch by email, text message or web form:

email: covid19@adviceni.net

text: ACTION to 81025

Complete a form on the Advice NI Website

Public Health Messages:

• Car sharing advice - https://vimeo.com/manage/488920758/general translations also available at https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/advice-car-sharing-english-and-translations

• Safer shopping during COVID-19 video, poster and translations https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/safer-shopping-during-covid-19-poster-and-translations

• COVID-19 - how to reduce the spread within your home graphics and animation https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/covid-19-how-reduce-spread-within-your-home

• Gatherings and public health advice -Widescreen: https://vimeo.com/531259847 Square: https://vimeo.com/531770709 Portrait: https://vimeo.com/531773466
•  

The videos below can all be downloaded for use:

·         Amy's COVID-19 incubation video:  https://vimeo.com/488071904 

·         Dave's symptoms, testing and tracing video:  https://vimeo.com/469707818

·         Close contact definition: https://vimeo.com/500380372

·         Digital self-trace - how does it work: https://vimeo.com/484096114

A Mud Kitchen and Play Bus have been added to the Foundation Stage outdoor Playground

The Volunteers from Barcroft Community Garden produced these amazing structures from recycled wood and very kindly donated them to our school.

 Mrs. Moore and Mrs. Jennet couldn't wait to try them out!

Included in the picture above is Kevin Henry and his helpers, the talented gentlemen who made the bus and kitchen for our pupils to enjoy.

The children were very excited to investigate their new equipment this week.    

RISE - RISE NI (Regional Integrated Support for Education in N.Ireland)

Support for children returning to school 

If you feel your little one is worrying about coming back to school please do not hesitate to contact the Principal or class teacher who will work with you to make this transition as smooth as possible.  

RISE NI have created this short video clip to help parents support their child’s return to school,  to help cope with any worries or fears children may have going back into their classrooms.

Understanding Childhood Worry & Anxiety 

Please watch this short video clip to help parents to support their child with feelings of anxiety or worries.

You may also find other useful links on the RISE WEBSITE. 

Post Primary School Applications for September 2021

Post Primary transfer this year will be a litte different to previous years for a number of reasons:

• A new online Transfer Process has been developed by the Education Authority.

• Transfer Tests for admission to the Newry Grammar Schools were cancelled in Spring 2020

• The AQE test for admission to Banbridge Academy & The Royal School Armagh was cancelled in January 2021

• This has removed academic selection from all local schools criteria. 

Parents have started to call requesting information about the new process.  Please be assured everyone will be provided with as much support as they need, and you have plenty of time to prepare.  You can begin by having a look at the local post primary school websites and review their admission criteria.  All Post Primary Schools have 'Virtual Open Days' available on their websites.  Take time with your child, to look at these now. 

Timetable

Tuesday 2nd February

Admission Criteria will be published and are available on the EA Website

The 2021/2022 admissions criteria for post primary schools are now available here.

For further information on how and when you can apply please visit the Post Primary Admissions Guide.

POST-PRIMARY APPLICATION PARENT CHECKLIST

The Post-Primary application process will take place online, for the first time, in 2021. The application process will be open from 12 noon on 1 March and will remain open until 4pm on 16 March. Please see our parent checklist that may help you prepare for the process or visit our website for more details.

https://www.eani.org.uk/.../post-primary-admissions-guide

Monday 1st March - Online Applications open

The Post Primary online application procedure opens at 12 noon on Monday 1 March 2021 and closes at 4pm on Tuesday 16 March 2021.

Saturday 19th June

Parents access the outcome of their child’s application via the online portal

From the EA Website: 

The online application is very straight-forward to complete and you will be guided through each page.  In addition to the guidance videos and documents on the EA website, the Admissions Helpdesk will be available for digital assistance if you need it.

Tel: 028 9598 5595                          Email postprimaryadmissions@eani.org.uk
 

If you are unable to apply online, paper applications will only be available on request from the Education Authority.

P1 Applications went online for a few years and this was straightforward.  We are therefore confident that the process will work relatively smoothly.  It is however very important that parents do their 'homework' now with their children, make their choices and know which criteria apply to them. 

It is important, particularly for those who wish to apply to over subscribed schools, that careful consideration is given to the admissions criteria and time is taken to ensure that parents clearly state how they meet the set criteria on the admissions portal when applying, particularly this year, where test results are not available to be used. 

Please be assured help and support will be available to all parents as needed.  Choosing the school for next chapter in your child's education is a very important decision.   

World Book Day - Thursday 4th March 2021

World Book Day is a celebration of books and reading in school - It is an opportunity to encourage our children to read for learning and pleasure.  This year we are having a 'Potato Challenge' where the children are being asked to decorate a potato as one of their favourite book characters. Further details are available on the children's class Seesaw Page. 

We look forward to seeing their finished products next week.  

Some ideas are available on pinterest 

Half Term

School is closed to pupils all of next week for the half term break.  While most of us have not been in the building, it will be a break for everyone from 'Remote Learning'.  Let's hope it warms up a bit so that we can get outside to enjoy the first signs of new beginnings - like the snowdrops.  

No work will be posted on Seesaw from Monday 15th - Friday 19th February

Congratulations on how well you have all done this half term and enjoy the break.  

NI 4 KIds - February ONLINE Magazine

Microsoft Office is available for download free for all pupils with a C2K email address

Students can download the full version of Microsoft Office for PC or Mac free of charge with their C2k username for installation on personal and home computers.

Pupils will need their C2K username to do this.  This is their login when they logging in to the computer network in school. Their initial, surname and 3 numbers.  If you need reminded of this please contact imckane521@c2kni.net and it will be sent to you. 

Please find attached the staff information sheet which is the most straightforward guide to installing the package on to your home computers.   

Cover for children of Keyworkers and Vulnerable Groups –

Week Beginning Monday 25th January

(9:00am – 3:00pm or 2:00pm for younger pupils if this is more convenient). Everyone must book in advance on a weekly basis so that staffing can be finalised.

Keyworker parents, who have no alternative childcare provision at home, are asked to email imckane521@c2kni.net  stating the days that the child needs to attend next week.  Please email as early as you can each week and before 2pm on Friday 22nd January. 

Covid Reminder

Do not sent your child to school if they are unwell, particularly if they have any covid symptoms:

• High Temperature, New / Persistent Cough, Loss of taste or smell – Stay at home, isolate and book a test.                 https://covid-19.hscni.net/testing
• Inform school immediately and advise us of the result as soon as possible.
• Pupils do not return until symptoms have gone for at least 48 hours – even if the test result was negative.

The children are being supervised by members of staff operating on a rota between 9:00 – 3:00pm. 

Next week P1 – P3 children should come into the P3 classroom via the Emergency Exit in the carpark. 

P4 – P7 pupils are asked to come in through the side door in front of the office and go upstairs to the P5 classroom. 

Please note - School Dinners are not available in school at present. 

Children should bring a pencil and a rubber, their morning snack, packed lunch and a water bottle with them.     

Home Schooling Information, Advice and Support

It is very important that we all work together during this time to ensure that the impact of Covid on our children's learning is minimized.  We are therefore asking everyone to complete the tasks and activities planned and provided on Seesaw. 

Support is Available - 

We really want this to work for everyone.  Our teachers are extremely conscientious and are working hard to plan interesting, varied, fun activities at your child's level.  

Please do not hesitate to contact school if you are having any connection issues, need advice.  Copies or booklets can be made available from the school office - but must be 'ordered' and collected at a prearranged time.

All Seesaw activities are being monitored and missed tasked will be followed up with parents as needed.  

This morning our Covid Link Officer provided the following links to pointers, tips and advice which parents might find useful to help establish routines with your children over the following weeks.  We all want this to be as constructive as we can make it for your children.  

7 tips for Supporting Reading at Home

Helping Home Learning - Read with TRUST

Helping Home Learning - Read with TRUST - Comic

Supporting Home Learning Routines - Planning the Day

Windsor Hill Primary school Eco Committee for 20.21

Congratulations to this year's 'Eco Warriors' who were chosen by their class mates.  Mrs Kerrigan will be delighted to get your ideas and help to maintain our school grounds and ideas for recycling.  Our Eco Flag shows our care for the school and the environment. 

Best Classwork - November 2020 

Congratulations to all our pupils whose work was displayed on the best classwork page for November 2020.  

Food Collection for The Larder - Newry Help the Homeless

Thank you to all our parents and pupils for your very kind donations of food for Newry Help the Homeless. 

Some of this year's Eco Committee and School Council helped to get the groceries ready to deliver to the office in Mary Street.

Radius Housing Christmas Card Competition Winners

Radius Housing are currently working at a number of sites around Newry building Environmentally Sustainable Social Housing, the closest to our school being Rockmount on the Belfast Road. 

When in an area they link with the community and are funding a science initiative in school.  Many of our pupils entered their Christmas Card Competition.  

The winners received a frames copy of their entry and a shopping voucher which they will no doubt enjoy spending before Christmas.  Congratulations to them all, especially the central picture which was chosen by Radius as their Christmas Card this year.  

Community Information Bulletin - Emergency Department 'Phone First' 

A new ‘Phone First’ service is being trialled at Daisy Hill and Craigavon Area Hospital Emergency Departments and South Tyrone Minor Injuries Unit from today (Monday 30th November).

Patients including children, who are considering attending with an urgent but not life threatening injury or illness are being asked to ‘Phone First’.

Website link

The service will operate 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

The ‘Phone First’ number to ring is 0300 123 3 111

Text relay number is: 18001 0300 123 3 111

October Best Class Work

Congratulations to all the boys and girls whose work was chosen by their teachers to display on the Best Classwork noticeboard in the main corridor.  

Antibullying Week and Odd Socks Day

The Week Beginning Monday 16th November is this year's Antibullying Week.  We will be having an Odd Socks Day on Monday and during the week opportunities will be taken to reinforce the importance of looking after each other and positive relationships.

Please find attached below a letter sent to parents on Thursday 12th November and links to this year's 'Antibullying Anthem' from Andy and the Odd Socks - 'The Kids Are United'.

The Kids Are United 

Extended Half Term Break

By now I am sure, through TV, radio or social media, you are aware that schools have been instructed to finish this Friday, 16^th October for an extended Half Term holiday by the Department of Education. I can only apologize for the inconvenience that this late announcement may cause working parents at this time.  It is planned that school will reopen to all pupils on Monday 2^nd November. 

The Department of Education have designated this as an extension to our half term holiday as distinct to learning moving home as happened last March.  Some of this time off has to be taken from our school holiday allocation with the department allocating additional ‘Exceptional Closure’ days to cover the closure.  I therefore have to make another change to our annual holiday list.  (An updated holiday list will be posted on the school website as soon as it has been confirmed with DENI).  

While most KS1 & KS2 classes have already got reading and spelling lists home for next week which teachers would welcome your continued help with, please note, as directed by DENI, work will not be posted on the school Website or Seesaw for the children during the two weeks of this half term holiday.

Free School Meals

 During the week beginning 19 October direct payments will be made to pupils in receipt of Free School Meals.

School App & Messaging

Many parents have signed up for our school App.  Using the App, letters like this one, go directly to your phone or email account.  While it is appreciated that not everyone uses email, it is proving a quick and efficient means of getting information to parents and we would encourage as many parents as possible to make use of it, especially at this time.  You are welcome to email: imckane521@c2kni.net including your mobile telephone number and child’s name to be included in future emails.

Foundation Stage Macmillan Collection

Sincere thanks to everyone who so generously donated to the Macmillan Coffee Morning.  Please check the P1 & P2 class pages on the school website for a flavor of the experiences enjoyed by the pupils both preparing for the event and at home in aid of this very worthwhile charity. P2 have also added a little video to say thank you. The amazing amount of £908 has been sent to the charity.  We appreciate the work put in by our P1 & P2 staff, particularly Mrs. Moore’s who coordinated the event.

Continued Vigilance Please

Please continue to keep up your guard and stay safe during half term.  We really want everyone back in school to learn together after this two week break.  We continue to remind children to remain in their class bubble and regular handwashing while in school.

Please do not send your child to school if they are unwell and especially if they have any Covid 19 symptoms:

• A high temperature or
• New, continuous cough or
• Loss or change in sense of taste or smell.

The PHA & EA’s latest guidance poster  which includes testing information has been posted on the school website at: https://www.windsorhillps.co.uk/newsletters-and-letters-for-parents/

Please feel free to contact school for any further clarification.

Yours faithfully,

Miss I McKane

Principal 

Best Classwork for September 2020 

 Congratulations to all our pupils whose work was chosen by their class teacher this month for the best classwork board.  Each child received a certificate and Windsor Hill 'Well Done' pencil this morning to recognise their achievements.  Our best classwork board is updated monthly.  We look  forward to showcasing further good work throughout the year. 

We usually celebrate this success at Assembly, but in the absence of whole school assemblies at present we want to show everyone through our website. 

 (Please note we do not publish pupil names on the website - the reason for the blanked out certificate).