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Laleham Gap School

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Latest News

Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

  • Music Showcase

    Thu 02 May 2024
  • World Book Day

    Fri 08 Mar 2024

    February 2024 

    Dear Parents/Carers, 

     

    World Book Day (WBD) is nearly here! We shall be having our WBD on Friday 8th March (which is a day after the National WBD).  Your child is encouraged to dress as their favourite book character for the day if they should wish. If your child wishes to dress up and is due out on a trip for part of that day, please ensure they have a suitable change of clothes with them. 

     

    We are also running a whole school ‘Book swap shop’ to celebrate our World Book Day this year.  We would welcome pupils to bring in a book(s) they would like to donate to the ‘swap shop’ and in return they will be able to choose a book from the swap shop in the afternoon of our WBD. 

     

    The day will also include:

     

    Bring in a favourite book to share an extract with the class in class time/tutor group time 

    Prizes for best dressed character 

    A range of art and craft, writing and reading activities relating to World Book Day 

    A poet and author visit 

     

    Kind regards, 

     

    Fran Eastwood/Alice Carey 

    English Lead/Primary Lead 

     

     

  • School Aged Immunisation Service

    Tue 05 Mar 2024

    REMINDER: The School Aged Immunisation Service is coming to school soon to carry out the TdIPV and MenACWY vaccinations for students in Year 9, as well as a catch up offer to Year 10 & 11 students.  Don’t forget to consent or decline before the cut-off date via their website https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/imms 

     

    You can also phone the team 0300 123 5205, text 07401320923 or use their web chat if you have any questions about your child’s immunisations.

  • Headteacher Letter

    Wed 07 Feb 2024

    2 February 2024

    Dear Parents and Carers  

      

    I hope that this letter finds you, your friends and family in good health.

    Drama Club Production

    7 and 8 February 2024 at 7.00pm

    Our Drama club will be presenting their very own adaptation of the Lion King. Not to be missed!  You should have had a letter and slip to book tickets. If you haven’t received and would like to attend, please talk to Natalie or Helen in reception. There are still tickets available.

     

    Use of social media within our community to include WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Please see our updates on the website. PowerPoint Presentation (primarysite-prod-sorted.s3.amazonaws.com) it is important that you take the time to read this document as it outlines our communities’ expectations around use of social media. There are other updates on the website, if you have suggestions for further updates, please let me know. 

     

    I am pleased by the initial impact of the recent changes in secondary regarding the use of mobile devices.  Pupils have quickly adapted to the change.  Many thanks for all your support with this.

     

    Just to let you know that we will be marking Safer Internet Day (6 February 2024) with a number of lessons and activities around internet safety.

     

    Wellbeing Day

    The last day of term, Friday 9 February 2024 is our next wellbeing day. The theme for the day is  ‘Your Voice Matters’ and positive mental health.

     

    Our wellbeing team are working hard behind the scenes to put together another great day for pupils. It will be a non-school uniform day and pupils will be off timetable so that they can enjoy the numerous activities available on the day. They can choose from Art sessions, aromatherapy, football coaching and Ping Pong competitions.

    Save the date - Coffee Morning 26 March 2024 at 9.30am

    Please join us for the next coffee morning where our Head of Therapies, Jon Deslandes, will be talking about The Balanced System. A whole system approach to planning and delivering services for children and young people.

     

    Best wishes

    Les Milton

    Headteacher

  • Notice of Annual General Meeting

    Wed 31 Jan 2024

    Notice of Annual General Meeting of the Thanet Endeavour Learning Trust

     

    Notice is hereby given that the Annual General meeting of the Thanet Endeavour Learning Trust will be held at 4pm on Wednesday 31 st January 2024 at Garlinge Primary School and Nursery, Westfield Road, Margate, CT9 5PA.

     

     

    Company number: 09355006 Registered office address: Bromstone Primary School, Rumfieldsf Road, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 2PW Tel: 01843 867010 Email: office@bromstone.kent.sch.uk

  • Mobile Phone Policy Changes

    Tue 12 Dec 2023

    Tuesday 12th December 2023

     

    Dear Parents and Carers,

    Subject: Updated Student and Parent Mobile Phone Agreement

     

    We are writing to inform you about important changes to our approach to using mobile phones and devices in school.

    As you are aware the Department for Education made an announcement earlier this year that there were plans to ban students from using mobile phones in all schools. This is due to the impact devices can have on attention, behaviour, and safeguarding issues. However, there is yet to be any legislation published around this.

    In response to the announcement, the Senior Leadership Team at Laleham Gap have been reviewing our existing approaches surrounding the use of mobile phones and personal devices. This was the focus of our recent coffee morning and we have continued to consult members across our school community about this.

    Many schools have chosen to ban mobile phones entirely; however, as a communication and interaction provision, we recognise the importance of these devices in our students’ lives, particularly in aiding communication and addressing anxieties related to school, transitions, and transport. At present, our approach remains that we wish to educate our students about safe and responsible use, rather than imposing an out-right ban. Our ethos has always been that we are happy for children to use their devices providing they adhere to the conditions below:

    • The school is not responsible for loss or damage to mobile phones and other personal devices.
    • Phones must not be used during lesson times unless permitted by the teacher.
    • Inappropriate use of phones will result in parental contact and could lead to phone safety interventions or a ban

     

    Following feedback from our school community, we will also be implementing a number of changes within our policies to ensure that our students use their devices responsibly. Some of these changes will take effect from January 2024:

     

    1. To support our policy and our safeguarding procedures, we are requesting that all parents provide us with the make, model, and mobile number of your child's device using the slip attached to this letter. This is information we have routinely requested in the past and will be securely stored and used only in cases of loss or if there are concerns about inappropriate calls or messages. Please rest assured that we will respect your privacy and only use these details in safeguarding scenarios. We ask for these details to be sent to us by Friday 12th January 2024. Failure to provide this information by the deadline will require your child to leave their phone at home.
    2. There will be no changes to the Primary Age Phase routines for phones and devices.
    3. The second break (10:50 am) for the Secondary Age Phase, will be a phone and device free break to encourage all students to engage with others. There will also be no use of phones and devices during the first part of lunch until to allow all students to interact while eating together.
    4. Children using phones in school will be asked to do so in designated areas. For Year 7 to 10, this will be within their designated hub. This will help us to monitor and address safeguarding issues swiftly. Year 11 and upwards will be allowed to use their phones around the school, providing they do so responsibly.
    5. We will be encouraging all students to use our Guest Wi-Fi when in school. This offers the same level of filtering and protection as our main network, helping to keep student safe.
    6. It will be an expectation that all students follow the school charters and student acceptable use policies, else they will receive a phone ban. We have included a copy of the Student Acceptable Use Policy to review.
    7. We are encouraging all parents to look at the EE Phone Smart license with their children. This will be particularly helpful to children new to using mobile phones and may be useful to any child receiving a phone over the holiday period. The site can be accessed at: https://eephonesmart.co.uk/

     

    Please note, the additional changes from September 2024:

    It is our intention that all children entering Year 7 will follow a model that aligns with our Primary Age Phase. This means that devices will be available for transport and in case of emergencies but will be handed in at reception and stored securely until the end of the day.

     

    Students entering Year 8 and those identified as needing additional support will be required to complete a Phone Smart License and work within the curriculum, before being allowed to use their device throughout the day. This will help to ensure that all students understand how to use their devices responsibly and respectfully and know how to seek support if it is needed.

     

    There will be more allocated time in Personal Development, Learning for Life and Computing Lessons to explicitly teach online safety. We are also asking our staff to role model a culture of reducing the frequency of mobile phone use.

    We appreciate your support in these changes and believe that they will contribute to a safer and more focused learning environment. Our goal is to prepare our students to use technology responsibly and effectively in their academic and personal lives.

     

    Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

    Kind regards,


    Mr J Payne                                                          Mr Les Milton
    Assistant Headteacher                                   Headteacher
    Safeguarding and Wellbeing

     

     

     

     

    Mobile Phone Details and Agreement
    For the attention of Mrs S Sullivan                                       Please return by Friday 12th January 2024

    Student name:                                                                                                

    Mobile Phone number:                                                                                

    Make and Model of mobile phone:                                                                                                                                                          

    Signed                                                                                                       Date                                                                                                

  • Headteacher Letter

    Fri 24 Nov 2023

    November 2023

     

    Dear Parents and Carers,

     

    I trust this letter finds you, your friends and family in good health.

    Mr Danny Ralph, who has been our Deputy Headteacher since 2017 will be leaving at Christmas.

    Danny has supported the school extremely well in the last six years. He has contributed significantly to the school’s improvement. I wish to thank him for all his service to our community. I am delighted for him that he has secured a promotion and will be working at Broomhill Bank School, next year. Your children have been told today that Mr Ralph will be leaving on 15th of December 2023.

     

    On a separate note, I would like to thank all the families and carers who attended our Coffee Morning last week. I felt we had a comprehensive debate regarding pupil use of their phones. I was pleased that all who attended could acknowledge the complexity of this topic and appreciated the need for change. Thank you to the parents who emailed their thoughts which I shared. I am continuing my discussions with staff groups. I will write again separately when decisions have been made, regarding our routines and expectations of pupil phone use.

     

    Many thanks for your support.

     

    Best Wishes

     

    Les Milton

  • Minster Playhouse Christmas Play

    Mon 20 Nov 2023
  • Primary Christmas Letter

    Fri 17 Nov 2023

    November 2023                                                                                          

     

    Dear Parents/Carers

     

    (Primary)

     

    Friday 1 December: Non-school uniform day

    We will be holding a non-school uniform day in exchange for a gift to sell in the 'Secret Santa' room.  This can be brand new, or 'nearly new' in good condition.  Gifts should be suitable for children of all ages and grown-ups.  NO ALCOHOL PLEASE. If you are sending in food items such as chocolates, please ensure these do not contain nuts.

    Donations of gifts need to be placed in the boxes by the Primary door on entry to school.

     

    Friday 8 December: Primary Christmas Fair.

    During Enterprise Week (Monday 4 – Friday 8 December) children will be making a variety of items for friends and family to buy at our Christmas Fair. Your child will be helping on their class stall, for the first 30 minutes (1.30pm – 2pm). Please come from 1.30pm to ensure the children can show you their best shop-keeper skills! 

     

    Parents and carers may collect their child from their class stall from 2pm to enjoy the rest of the afternoon together.  Children may leave school with their parents/carers from 2.30pm., ensuring everyone is signed out of the premises.

     

    Please inform your child’s taxi company if you are planning to attend and take your child home with you rather than in their usual mode of transport.

     

    Whole School Raffle

    This year’s raffle will be paperless, numbers are allocated to each paperless ticket purchased.

    Tickets will be £1; please could all money be sent in a sealed envelope with your child’s name to the school office, we can accept money from tomorrow (Thursday 17 November 2023). The raffle will be drawn on the last day of term (Friday 15 December), if you have won your child will bring home the prize that afternoon.

     

    Donations for our raffle are always welcome.

     

    Christmas cards (last posting date Wednesday 13 December)

    If your child would like to write Christmas cards, they need to be addressed with the name of the child they are for and class they are in. These need to be posted in the post box at the front door between Monday 4th to Wednesday 13 December.

     

    Cards cannot be handed out by the pupils in class.

     

     

    Monday 11 December: Christmas Carol Concert

    There will be two performances on the day

    9.30am

    1.30pm

    Maximum of two tickets per child

    If you attend the 1.30pm performance and would like to take your child home with you afterwards, you must inform class staff. If your child usually travels by local authority transport, please inform the taxi company if you will be taking your child home.

     

    Parking

    Please be aware that if you park in the main turning circle for either of the Christmas events, your will vehicle must be moved by 2.30pm.

     

    Wednesday 13 December: Christmas Lunch and Christmas Jumper Day

    Christmas Lunch and Christmas Jumper day all pupils and staff may come into school in their Christmas Jumpers with a £1 donation which will go to the ‘Save the Children Charity’.

     

    Reminder Christmas dinner slips/payment need to be back by Friday 24 November please.

     

    Santa’s Gift Shop

    This year’s gift shop will be open Tuesday 12 December.

    Children will be able to select a unique gift for family and friends. All gifts will be priced at £2.50 and each child will be able to select up to 5 gifts.  Further information to follow.

     

     

    Please complete the form on the next page to order your tickets for the Christmas concert (two per child in total)

     

    Yours faithfully

     

    Mrs K Reeves

    Deputy Head

     

    …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

     

     

  • Secondary Christmas Letter

    Fri 17 Nov 2023

    November 2023                                                                                          

     

    Dear Parents/Carers

     

    (Secondary)

     

    We hope this letter finds you and your family safe and well.

     

    We are holding some Christmas events this year and wanted to share what we are doing in school with you.

     

    Friday 1 DecemberWhole school non-school uniform day – in exchange for a present donation for the Santa’s secret wrapping rooms. This can be new items or any quality used items please.

    Wrapping Room

    During the fair pupils will be able to pay £2.50 (per gift) to visit the room, select a present for any family members. This will be wrapped there and then, ready to go under the tree at home. In exchange for pupils wearing non uniform on Friday 1 December, hence we are asking that you send in donations of gifts suitable for adults or children (no alcohol). If you are sending in food items such as chocolates, please ensure these do not contain nuts.

    If you feel your child may not be able to remember who they want to buy for or the person’s rough age please pop it on an envelope with the money inside so the ‘elves’ can help in the room.

     

    Whole School Raffle

    This year’s raffle will be paperless, numbers are allocated to each paperless ticket purchased.

    Tickets will be £1; please could all money be sent in a sealed envelope with your child’s name to the school office, we can accept money from tomorrow (Thursday 17 November 2023). The raffle will be drawn on the last day of term (Friday 15 December), if you have won your child will bring home the prize that afternoon.

     

    Donations for our raffle are always welcome.

     

    Christmas Dinner/Jumper Day

    Depending on the day your child is due to have ‘Christmas Dinner Day’ we invite pupils to wear festive themed jumpers/tops on this day, with a £1 donation which will go to the ‘Save the Children Charity’.

    As always, school uniform can be worn if preferred. 

     Wednesday 6 December – Christmas Dinner Yr 7,8 & 9 (Christmas Jumper Day for these year groups)

     Friday 8 December – Christmas Dinner Yr 10, 11, 12 & 13 (Christmas Jumper Day for these year groups)

     

    Christmas Fair (Pupils only)

    Thursday 14 December – Secondary Phase Christmas Fair (morning) (inc. wrapping room)

    During Enterprise Week (11 December – 14 December) pupils will be making a variety of items to sell at our Christmas Fair.

    Talent Show (Pupils only)

    Friday 15 December – Secondary Talent Show – Morning performance.

     

    Yours faithfully,

     

     

     

    Mrs Katie Reeves

    Deputy Head

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