Hello everyone,
What a fantastic start we've had to the term! There's so much going on at Sheet Primary, and I'm thrilled to share some highlights with you all.
First off, our after-school clubs are in full swing, and what an incredible array we have this year! From tennis and Spanish to basketball and football, not to mention craft zen and forest school - there's something for everyone. It's wonderful to see our pupils engaged in such diverse activities after the school day.
Our curriculum is buzzing with excitement across all year groups. The Robins are diving into a fascinating topic about the people who help us in our community. We're on the lookout for guest speakers who work in 'helping' jobs, especially from the emergency services. If you know anyone who'd be willing to come in and chat with our little ones, please let us know - we'd be ever so grateful!
Meanwhile, the Kingfishers are embarking on a right royal adventure, learning all about kings, queens, and castles. They're in for a treat with an upcoming trip to Windsor Castle - I can't wait to hear about their experiences!
Our Herons are venturing into the lush world of rainforests this half term. They'll be bringing their learning to life with a visit to The Living Rainforest - how exciting!
Not to be outdone, the Kestrels are travelling back in time to explore the fascinating Maya civilisation in their history lessons. They're also gearing up for a trip to The Natural History Museum, where they'll participate in an Evolution and Inheritance workshop. It's sure to be an eye-opening experience!
For those of you following us on Facebook (and if you're not, why not?), you might have caught the hilarious video of our budding musicians trying out their cornets. It's moments like these that remind us of the joy and laughter that fill our school hall every day.
Looking ahead, our Year 5 pupils are about to begin preparations for The Petersfield Music Festival choir. They'll be joining forces with other local schools, showcasing the wonderful musical talent we have here at Sheet Primary. And speaking of pupil voice, our school council will be meeting again soon to discuss the changes our children would like to see in our school this year. It's always inspiring to hear their ideas and perspectives.
Now, I'd like to touch on an important initiative that we're supporting: the Smartphone Free Childhood movement. If you haven't already, please consider signing up at https://smartphonefreechildhood.co.uk/. Recent research has highlighted the potential risks of exposing children to smartphones before they're developmentally ready. These risks range from anxiety and eating disorders to cyberbullying and online predators.
Here at Sheet, we're fully behind this movement. It's gaining momentum nationally, with 87,989 children and 10,766 schools already on board. We're currently ranked 14th in Hampshire with 49 parents signed up - let's see if we can climb even higher! Your support in this initiative would mean the world to us and, more importantly, to our children's wellbeing.
Talking of help, are there any parents who would like to do some site work at all? FOSS have purchased a new shed for our outdoor toys and we are planning to move its home to where the garden beds are. To that end we need some muscle and skill to clear some space, put down some slabs (8x6) on which to house the new shed. I was thinking Saturday 1st February 10-12am - coffee and bacon sarnies all round? Please let us know and we will compile a 'helpers' list.
There's always so much happening at our wonderful school, and I'm constantly amazed by the energy, creativity, and enthusiasm of our pupils and staff. Thank you all for your continued support in making Sheet Primary such a vibrant and nurturing place for our children to learn and grow.
Until next time, take care and keep smiling!
Julie Robinson
Haslemere Educational Museum are holding a free family event on Saturday 25 January, 10.30am-1pm. A chance for children and adults to have fun together making bird cakes, doing craft activities and discovering the birds in the Museum grounds and galleries. Advance booking not required. 
