Therapy Dog 
I am pleased to be able to let everyone know that, thanks to a kind volunteer, we now have a therapy dog who will be visiting the school each week. Poppy is a nine year old labradoodle who is fully trained and approved by the Pets As Therapy charity. She came today for her first official visit and the children who were working with her were very impressed with her skills. For reward treats of pieces of carrot, she can shake your hand, give you a high-five, roll over, play 'dead dog' and can even sing! The children got to chat to her, groom her, read her a story and generally have a positive time with the latest addition to our well-being team!
Keeping Healthy
Our attendance has taken a big hit this week with the number of illnesses which seem to be in our community. However, even with flu and norovirus cases on the rise, here are four simple steps to help keep your child healthy this winter and hopefully keep them in school as much as possible.
1. Teach good hygiene habits: Encourage children to wash their hands regularly and use a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes to stop the spread of germs.
2. Know when to keep your child at home: Children can still attend school with symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or slight cough, but should stay home if they have a high temperature, diarrhoea and vomiting. Read NHS guidance to help you decide.
3. Stop the spread of stomach bugs: Stomach bugs spread easily in schools. If you or your child have diarrhoea and vomiting, wash hands with soap and warm water regularly and clean surfaces with bleach-based products. Keep children away from school until they have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 48 hours.
4. Get vaccinated: All school-aged children are eligible for a free nasal spray flu vaccine, which is painless and quick to administer. An injectable vaccine is also available for some children, such as children that cannot consume pork gelatine. If your child missed their school vaccination session, you can visit a community clinic. For more information, visit the CYPCIS website.
Kingston Parent Champions Network
Free advice, refreshments, wellbeing and fitness classes for parents.
Parent Carer Champions Network (PCCN) Informal discussion & support with parenting matters, signposting to further resources & more.
A couple of hours of respite from the usual, socialise, share ideas and practical tips for parenting children and young people.
TaiChi, Mindfulness, Pilates classes
Focus on physical and mental health wellbeing for parents once a week. Experience a sense of serenity, feel good, switch off from everything else, breathe, just be yourself and enjoy.
When: Thursdays, 10am to 12pm, term time only
Where: Kingsnympton Youth and Community Centre, Kingsnympton Park, Kingston KT2 7RP
Enquires: sanya.walker-batson@achievingforchildren.org.uk
PSA Christmas Fair
Now just one week to go until the Christmas Fair! The children with tickets will be going to the Elfridges store on Monday and then it will be all systems go for the start of the fair decoration and set-up. Please make sure you are all ready with raffle tickets, stall tokens and festive cheer ready for the event.
Now only two weeks left until the end of term, I look forward to seeing many of you at our Christmas performances which start on Monday. All the performances will be in the new hall.
Ian Hutchings
Headteacher
