|
Thank you for joining us this afternoon, thank you to the PTA and staff, thank you Mr Paragreen and thank you for selling the raffle tickets far and wide.
No additional words are needed. The photos speak for themselves!
  
Further photos will be shared on a gallery page shortly.
|
|
Apologies for not running the Open Book afternoon this week. Please be reminded that you are warmly invited to come in to school on Monday morning (24th June) to look at your child's books. This will replace the regular Monday reading morning. Join us, optionally, from 8.45am - 9.10am.
|
|
Staffing Updates
For the new school year, there will be some changes to the staffing plan and structure. While we are very much looking forward to the year ahead, it is always a difficult time of year when we have to start saying goodbye to special and greatly respected staff members. Every staff member at DPS plays an invaluable role and their team spirit and hard work is very much appreciated.
|
|
At the end of the school year, we will be saying goodbye to Mrs Kim Ritchie – a hugely valued and dedicated member of our team. Kim joined us in January 2007 and has been instrumental in raising standards in maths, supporting our early career teachers as a mentor and teaching brilliantly in the classroom ever since! There’s not a week goes by when Kim isn’t getting us all motivated in TT Rockstars and starting a real battle – fortunately, only the very positive mathematical kind!
Mrs Ritchie is heading to another school in our Trust on a one year secondment. She will be supporting New Bradwell Primary School with their onward journey and working in one of their Reception classes. As we work very closely with the Grand Union Schools, she won’t be far away and the maths leaders will continue to work closely.
While it is always hard to say goodbye and make changes, it is good to know that Kim isn’t going far away and will enrich school life in one of our Trust schools.
|
|
Mrs Emilie Simons started at Deanshanger as our part-time librarian. In this role, she bravely tackled our enormous stock of books, supported a massive library reshuffle and helped us all to access these with greater ease whilst providing inspiration for topics and class libraries.
Since September, she has been teaching in Year 5 for one day a week - a role she has taken on brilliantly with hard work and lots of positivity. Emilie is extremely well respected by her class (and all the staff) and will be greatly missed.
In both roles, she has brought something special to our school and we are very grateful.
Good luck in your next role, Emilie.
|
|
Mrs Kelly Jacobs joined us two years ago as a new teacher in one of our Reception classes. In this time, she has demonstrated strength and passion for teaching with real commitment and enthusiasm.
In addition to providing strong foundations for two classes of Reception children and championing RE across the school, she has been integral in helping with the development of the Reception learning space and, in particular, their incredible kitchen area!
Kelly worked closely with Wickes (and her phase team) to bring the dream alive - a lasting legacy for children now and for many years to come.
We wish Kelly all the best in her next steps.
|
|
Mr Nik Larcombe joined us in 2020 and has been a beacon of professionalism, enthusiasm, talent and laughter ever since.
In addition to his Year 6 teaching role (which he commits to with real dedication and talent), he has been jointly championing English in the school. Nik has inspired and supported us all in this area and gently guided our teaching and learning forward. He has led many assemblies and writing sessions for the whole school and has always done so with a myriad of creative ideas.
Additionally, Nik has been very successfully running a performing arts club. Bringing out the best in every student, even the very quietest one, he has a unique talent. The last two concerts at Stantonbury have allowed our performers to shine brightly due to Nik's skills.
Nik has exciting new family plans that sadly pull him away from us. His kindness and talents will be sorely missed.
|
|
Mrs Nicole Lothian may have only been part of our team for one year, but she has had a significant impact in this time. She has demonstrated what a strong team player she is with endless positivity, flexibility and creative thinking.
Nicole has been working with individual children in the school, and we are extremely grateful for her dedication, commitment and skill.
We wish Nicole all the very best in her next job and can't thank her enough for the way she fully immersed herself in school life for the benefit of the children in it.
|
|
Congratulations to our athletics team who participated in the School Games Quadkids Athletics competition on Thursday. They competed in 600m, 75m, vortex throw and standing long jump. They placed a very impressive 6th overall out of 18 teams - Well done! Please see the gallery for all the photos
|
|
On Tuesday this week, children from the schools of the Grand Union Partnership gathered at Stantonbury Theatre for what is becoming a glorious annual event.
Children had the opportunity to take to the stage in two shows for parents, where their singing, dancing, acting and instrumentals absolutely dazzled. Deanshanger children contributed a performance poem called ‘Atchooo!’, the song ‘Deliver Me,’ and also a performance of ‘Macavity The Mystery Cat’ from the musical ‘Cats.’
Every young person representing their school made us proud – not only as a performer but also with their enthusiasm, good behaviour and resilience (it was a LONG day.) We were also pleased to celebrate one individual from each school, who had particularly impressed their staff and friends across the year. Each one of these children received the G.U.P. Arts Award. From Deanshanger, the immensely talented Disney Stewart was nominated for the award – well done Disney!
During the day, much like last year, it became very clear that schools in the Grand Union Partnership are blessed with many, many talented children. Well done to you all!
Mr Nik Larcombe
|
|
Our sincere thanks extend to Mr Nik Larcombe and Mr Luke Webb for the hard work and energy that they put into the concert at Stantonbury. They are both extremely talented.
Thank you
|
|
Breakdancing
On Monday and Tuesday this week, everyone took part in a breakdancing workshop with Kevin, who is a Commonwealth breakdancer! They learnt the basics to breakdancing and got to watch Kevin perform as well. We are hoping to start a breakdancing club from September with Kevin, as there are a lot of keen and excellent breakdancers!
Please see the gallery for all the photos https://www.deanshangerprimary.co.uk/gallery/?pid=3&gcatid=2&albumid=1178
  
|
|
Uniform
If your child has outgrown their current uniform, or you'd like to get stocked up for the new school year, please help yourself to our pre-loved uniform in Admin. Similarly, if you would like to donate washed items, we'd be happy to have them.
Ties are available for £5 from Admin too. The ties are only needed in Year 6.
|
|
Homework Questionnaire
A huge thank you to all those parents who took the time to complete the Homework Questionnaire. There were some incredibly forthright thoughts and opinions and I am grateful for your honesty.
As with most things linked to education, pleasing everyone all of the time is a difficult challenge. For example, many of you and your children enjoy the fact that the majority of our homework is online whilst others are keen to limit screen time, preferring paper-based homework instead.
I intend to share the responses with the Staff Team and discuss what amendments are needed to be made to our current Homework Provision in time for the beginning of the next academic year.
Many thanks
Mike Pennington
|
|
Parent survey
Thank you very much for taking the time to fill in our annual parent survey. The feedback received is extremely useful to support our planning and thoughts for the year ahead.
If you haven't filled it in yet, please do. The survey link sent to you will be valid until next Friday ie, 28th June.
Although the survey is anonymous, if you are open to sharing your thoughts and ideas for us to action (wherever possible), I would absolutely love to chat with you. This would be particularly useful where you have concerns about any areas of school life, feel your child is unhappy and where you have great ideas for us to improve. This opportunity would be invaluable to us and I'd really appreciate hearing from you. Meetings could be in person, on the phone or via Zoom.
We love hearing the positives, but hearing 'next step' ideas, would be incredibly useful
|
|
|
St Mark's Meals
Our school council got the opportunity to go to St Mark's Meals' warehouse recently. They learnt more about how the charity works and also supported the packing of the food boxes. These boxes are held in our school in the Admin area. Please help yourself to them at any time. There is everything needed to make a family meal in the box along with a recipe card.
To help this extremely worthwhile charity further, we will be having a mufti day / Dress for Dinner day on Friday 12th July. On this day, the children are warmly invited to bring in a tin of food for us to donate to them.
|
|
Upcoming Sporting Activities
2nd July - KS1 Sports Day
5th July - KS2 Sports Day
Please come along and enjoy these events wherever possible. You will be invited in to school from 9am. Bring in a picnic too, if you'd like, as you'll be able to stay and enjoy this with your child/ren at the end.
Don't forget to bring your running shoes too if you're game for an adult race!
Thank you for all of your support with PE and sport at our school. It is so great to see more and more children being active and enjoying a range of different sports. As always, please get in touch if you have any questions or feedback regarding PE and sport at DPS. Please contact Mr Taylor - ntaylor@deanshanger.northants.sch.uk
|
|
Rag 2 Riches
Thank you very much for helping us to raise £63. Not as much as we have raised previously, but still a positive in so many ways.
|
|
There is no doubt whatsoever that we love volunteers and freebies @ Deanshanger! Anything that enriches school life is very much appreciated. This week, we received a large selection of cookery items, glasses, mugs and bakeware from BSH Home Appliances Limited and all for free! WOW!
The items will be used by staff and children across the school. Thank you so much.
|
|
We have been keeping you updated about the big changes in our school library and it is with excitement that we declare that the big day is now nearly upon us! On Monday and Tuesday next week, we will be having a complete transformation as new library furniture is installed.
We are able to carry out this project as a result of the money left to us as a school in Mr Aaronson's will! As our former Chair of Governors, David and his wife (a teacher at DPS) had a significant impact on our school, and it seems only fitting that this legacy continues with a beautiful new reading space for us all now and for many years to come. Photos will be shared next week.
|
|
West Northamptonshire stay connected June 2024
This newsletter focuses on all the amazing events, clubs and groups that families, children and young people can access across the county that are free or affordable to attend.
|
|
Support, Inspire, Challenge
Make a difference!
Become a Parent Governor
Did you know?
Parents governors are volunteers who work as part of the Local Academy Committee for Deanshanger Primary.
Governors at the school work together to provide support and challenge for the school leadership team.
Alongside a meeting each half-term, they visit the school regularly to gain assurance that current priorities are being effectively taken forward.
We are currently looking for a new parent governor.
If you wish to stand for election, you may nominate yourself as a candidate. No proposer or seconder is required, but you must signify your intention to stand, in writing. Those eligible to stand are the parents or carers of pupils who are currently registered pupils at this school. A person who works at the school for more than 500 hours in a consecutive twelve-month period or who is an elected member of the Local Authority is not eligible to be a parent governor.
The term of office will be for a period of four years. A parent whose child leaves the school may continue as a parent governor until the end of their term of office, if he or she so wishes.
Nominations should be sent to me within the next two weeks, that is before the closing date for nominations, which is 21st June. If there is only 1 parent nominated, they will of course be elected unopposed, but if there are more candidates than vacancies, a ballot will be held.
Knowledge of the education sector is not required, but a passion to make a positive contribution most definitely is!
It’s challenging, but extremely rewarding work.
MORE INFORMATION?
Email: headteacher@deanshanger.northants.sch.uk or
01908 268920
We would love to hear from you!
Deanshanger Primary School is part of The Grand Union Partnership, a local Trust of three other primary schools - Old Stratford, Jubilee Wood and New Bradwell. The Local Academy Committee of each school is delegated its responsibilities by the Board of Trustees.
|
|
PTA dates for your diary
Summer Disco
The final disco of the school year will take place after school on July 11th. 3:30pm to 4:30pm for Reception and KS1 and 5:00pm to 6:30pm for KS2. Tickets are already on sale via the PTA event page.
If you would like to get involved with the PTA or are able to spare a few hours to help support the events above, please get in touch via: ChairOfPTA@deanshanger.northants.sch.uk.
|
|
Volunteers Day - Saturday 20th July
9am - 1pm
Last year, for the first time, we had a parent volunteer day at the end of the summer term. It was a roaring success and we had a large group of parents come in to help with lots of jobs around the school with projects such as painting, jet washing and gardening.
We intend to run another one this year and would love your support. You can volunteer for an hour, two hours, three hours... we really don't mind. No experience is needed, just lots of enthusiasm. We'd love to be able to get the school in the best place possible for the new year ahead.
Thank you
|
|
Fruity Friday
The Fruity Fridays have gone extremely well this year and the creative and tasty treats have been very much enjoyed. With Year 4s Fruity Friday today, we just have the Reception one to look forward to now, on Friday 12th July.
|
|
Safeguarding
TikTok has been a topic of discussion this week in staff meetings. We are aware that it is being accessed by many of our pupils despite the age restriction of 13+. Some of the language choices and trends from TikTok are not appropriate for our age groups and sometimes come into school. We'd appreciate your support in monitoring its use.
On the safeguarding page of our school website, you'll find lots of handy guides regarding TikTok and other popular Apps.
If you have any safeguarding concerns or questions at any time, don't hesitate to make contact:
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) - Mrs Rachel Rice
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs) - Mrs. Lynn Mildren, Mrs. Natalie Parsonson, Miss. Steph Forward and Mr. Mike Pennington
|
|
The final PAG of this academic year (the year has flown by!) will be held on Wednesday 10th July at 14:30 and will take place in the School Library.
The aim of the session will be to finalise as much as possible the new Home/School Agreement for September. I am also hoping to share an update with you regarding our homework provision.
Looking forward to seeing you.
Mike Pennington
Deputy Head
|
|
On behalf of our neighbours, could we politely and respectfully remind parents, who are dropping off and picking up their children, not to sit with their engines running and with their music playing at a high volume outside our neighbours' homes? Thank you also for not blocking their driveways and for continuing to drive very slowly in the vicinity of school.
Thank you
|
|
Wrap Club over the summer holidays
This year, Wrap Club will be running for the first two weeks of the summer holiday. Bookings are now open.
While we have run the club for four weeks in previous years, the take-up for the last two weeks of the club each summer has been consistently very low and hence, making the change this year.
|
|
The next three weeks @DPS
|
|
|
As always, if you have any concerns or comments to share, please always do this straight away. Open communication is very important to us.
Have a lovely weekend.
Rachel Rice
head@deanshanger.northants.sch.uk
|
|
