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

Please note that much of our day to day news is shared via the school dojo, but here you will find a selection of news items each half term.

• Building work update

  Fri 08 Mar 2024

  Further to previous communications, I am writing to let you know about the arrangements for the building work to extend the key stage two part of the building. I am very excited to announce that this work is to go ahead this year as we hoped.

   

  Of course, as a result of this work, there is likely to be some disruption although given the timeframe of the program, disruptions are likely to be as minimal as we possibly could have hoped, which is great news. Work on the building is set to commence just before the Easter holidays and the contractors will be on site starting work externally for the first few weeks. This means that a portion of the key stage two playground will be taken up by contractors which will reduce children’s play space.

   

  Fortunately, as it will be the summer term we are intending to ensure that for the whole of the summer term the children are able to use the field, so we don’t anticipate that this will be a major issue. From after the May half term onwards, we will have to temporarily displace some classes. We have had to give very careful consideration to which class is the best class to displace, and we have made the decision that year 4 will undertake their learning through the summer term in community centre, who have very kindly agreed to let this space to the school for the duration of the work. This will be facilitated by having our interactive whiteboard mounted on wheels so that this can be used in the community centre and there is also adequate display space for the working walls. The size and shape is actually preferable to the class’ current space, so I don’t perceive that this change will impact the children’s learning in any way.

   

  We will be giving careful consideration to all matters relating to health and safety and make sure that if there are any perceivable issues that we ensure we address these prior to the class moving in. Year 4 will be taught in the community centre of the duration of the second half of the summer term and Year six pupils will be educated in the classroom currently occupied by Year 4. The Year 6 classroom will be the only classroom being worked on during school term time. The plan is that all of the rest of the work will take place during the school holidays.

   

  Between now and the Easter break we are revising our school evacuation plans so that if there was an emergency everyone is really clear on the process and we will be discussing this with the children over the course of the next few weeks. We will then do the same prior to the half term break, when Year 4 will move into the community centre. I am very excited to say that the building works are scheduled to be complete by the end of the holidays and that all of our classrooms in key stage 2 will be significantly larger in time for the autumn term. I am so looking forward to a ‘big reveal’ event, once all the work is completed!

• Reception Phonics workshop success!

  Tue 05 Mar 2024

  Last week Wren Class enjoyed showing off their amazing phonics skills to their parents.
  
  Thank you to all those parents that attended our Phonics Workshop. We hope you enjoyed the selection of activities that were set up for you to take part in both indoors and outdoors.
   

  

• Sports Update

  Tue 05 Mar 2024

  Sports Update
  
  We have had another fantastic and fun week. On Tuesday, we took a team to Newbold to the Competition4U Archery event, where they got to shoot arrows up and over the moat and castle walls 🏹, aimed at targets 🎯, had a go at bowling 🎳, boccia , curling 🥌 and a colouring competition. They showed great potential, achieving a great result coming 7th out of 18.
  
  More success! Thanks to our amazing team of Well Being Ambassadors, Girl Power leaders and some other wonderful individuals who helped set up activities, timed, counted and recorded results for our whole school during lunchtimes, we have been awarded first place 🥇 for the KS2 Central Warwickshire FITSAKNOCKOUT. We have also been awarded the 2nd place 🥈 for the EYFS & KS1. This was a whole school participation and therefore every child’s results contributed to the success, and will receive a certificate. 👏👏👏
  
  RUNNING CLUB IS ON THIS THURSDAY
  
  Girl power leaders will be launching this Friday. They will be organising for as many girls to participate in the Biggest Girls Football match at lunchtime on Friday, in line with International Women’s Day. Please encourage your daughter to join in and bring a change of footwear as we will be on the field.

• Children's Mental Health Week

  Fri 02 Feb 2024

  Good afternoon,
  
  Next week around the country is children’s mental health week. This year the focus of mental health week is My Voice Matters.
  
  My Voice Matters is about empowering children and young people by providing them with the tools they need to express themselves. A link to the website can be found below.
  
  https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/families/
  
  There is also a flyer attached to this dojo with some top tips for how to discuss mental health with your child at home.
  
  In school, we have been revisiting our network of trust at the start of each PSHE lesson so that children know who they can talk to if they need help. We have also reminded the children about the worry boxes that can be found in each classroom where children can write down any worries they have, and the teacher will address them.
  
  At Long Itchington C of E Academy, we also have two staff members trained in mental health first aid. These members of staff are Mrs. Fletcher and Mrs. Laycock.
  
  If you have any concerns about your child’s mental health, please do not hesitate to get in contact with school.
  
  I hope that you all have a lovely weekend,
  
  Mrs. Doberska.

  

• Do you love reading?

  Thu 01 Feb 2024

  Sponsored Readathon
  
  The children in year 3 recently read a book titled 'My Name is Not Refugee' by Kate Milner. This inspired lots of fantastic ideas about how we might be able to help refugees.
  
  We came up with the idea of a school wide sponsored readathon. Your child will be coming home with a sponsorship form and leaflet with all the details on, hopefully you'll join us in raising some much needed funds for the British Red Cross and encourage your child to enjoy a book at the same time!
  
  If you have any questions at all please feel free to ask.

  

• E-Safety Update

  Sun 28 Jan 2024

  Safer Internet Day 2024 will take place on the 6th of February 2024, with celebrations and learning based around the theme ‘Inspiring change? Making a difference, managing influence and navigating change online’.
  
  Safer Internet Day is the UK’s biggest celebration of online safety. Each year we cover an online issue or theme that speaks to the things young people are seeing and experiencing online. Created in consultation with young people across the UK, this year Safer Internet Day will be focusing on change online, this includes covering:
  • Young people’s perspective on new and emerging technology
  • Using the internet to make change for the better
  • The changes young people want to see online
  • The things that can influence and change the way young people think, feel and act online and offline
  
  In school we will be centering the day around the children and giving them the opportunity to promote their own views about online safety. Your children will be empowered to take the lead and work collectively to establish their vision and work towards how we are going to promote safety in our school. The activities and visions they create I hope to be able to share with you, in the coming weeks following on Safer Internet day.
  
  For more information about Safer Internet Day see the following link:
  https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2024/parents-and-carers

• Family Information Service

  Fri 26 Jan 2024

  Good afternoon,
  
  Today I am signposting families to the Family Information Service (FIS), a link can be found below.
  
  https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fis
  
  The family information service is a fantastic resource that helps to support families across Warwickshire with information and signposting.
  
  There is a section in this week’s FIS newsletter which can be found on the FIS website about parent mental health day which is tomorrow 27/1/24 as well as other information that may be helpful to you.
  
  On the family information service website you can find advice and signposting for health and wellbeing, parenting support, family relationship advice, housing, safety and so much more.
  
  There is a section specifically for special educational needs as well as mental health and wellbeing. Children’s mental health awareness week is from the 5-11th February and next weeks SEN post will be focused on this.
  
  I hope you all have a fantastic weekend,
  
  Mrs. Doberska

• After School Activities

  Mon 15 Jan 2024
  

• Parent Governor Vacancy

  Mon 15 Jan 2024

  Are you looking for a rewarding voluntary role, in which you can support and challenge people to fulfil their potential and to ensure they are achieving the Diocese of Coventry Multi Academy Trust’s vision of ‘living life in all its fullness.’ If so, this could be just what you are looking for. We are currently seeking a Parent Governor at Long Itchington CofE Academy to support the management of the school and enable the school to run as effectively as possible. Governors work alongside senior leaders and supporting teachers to provide excellent education to children. Being a School Governor is a commitment to attending Governing Body meetings which consider issues such as setting the school vision, mitigating financial risk and scrutinising educational outcomes. Governors are also involved in the school community, acting as critical friends to the headteacher and senior leaders. This can be through time spent in school during the day, e.g. on evidence days, to gain a better understanding of outcomes and the educational expectations at each stage of Primary School. Governors bring a wide range of skills and expertise from their professional lives to the governing board and schools benefit from working with skilled volunteers, of which you could be one. Training and support is provided by the Trust Central Team and a governors’ term of office is 4 years. If you would like to visit the school or speak to the Headteacher for further information, please call the school office on 01926 814819.

• Merry Christmas

  Fri 22 Dec 2023

  Thank you to all of our school community for your support over the autumn term. We wish you all a happy and safe Christmas and look forward to seeing all the children back at school on Tuesday 9th January 2024. Leaving you with some pictures of our fantastic Christmas productions - we are so proud of all of the children for performing so well.