Good afternoon.

My priority today is to thank you all for your support or our Parents Day and Christmas Fair event last Saturday! On final count we had over 200 people join us for the day and approximately 75% of parents were able to come. We have yet to count up the money raised on the day but will let you know very soon. If you were the lucky bidder for one of the silent auction prizes we will let you know early next week.

The next event for parents is our Christmas Show on the 18th December. There will be a lower school (10-11.30am) and an upper school show (2.00- 3.30). As well as the shows you will be able to buy last minute Christmas items, play on the tombola, buy raffle tickets (the raffle will be drawn on the day) and bid for more gifts in the silent auction.

Elf Day

Hi, Elf Day 2025 is a fundraising event for the Alzheimer’s Society on Wednesday, December 10th 2025 to coincide with Christmas Dinner day. Participants can dress up as elves, or wear non uniform,  to raise money and awareness for dementia support. Please send any donations in with your children to give to their form tutor.

I was fortunate to be part of a regional SEND Reform Engagement Event yesterday with Georgia Gould, Minister of State (Minister for School Standards) along with many school leaders across the whole of the education sector. It was a real opportunity for us to have a voice. I would encourage you to have yours too…

Make your voice heard on SEND reform! The Department for Education is hosting a series of live online discussions with Schools Minister Georgia Gould MP and a panel of experts, focusing on the future of SEND provision. This is a unique opportunity to take part in what the government are saying will be the biggest national conversation on SEND in a generation. Your insights and experiences matter – join the discussion and help shape the changes that will impact children and families across the country.

Upcoming dates (online)
• Wednesday 10th December, 13:30
• Wednesday 17th December, 18:00
• Tuesday 6th January, 18:00
• Wednesday 14th January, 18:00

Register now via Eventbrite: SEND Reform National Conversation – Online Series | Eventbrite

Special Needs Jungle have worked their magic with the team at Twinkl to come up with some resources to support you during the festive period. These are free to readers of SNJ, so do sign up.

https://www.specialneedsjungle.com/twinkl-support-christmas-grab-free-resources-limited/

Thank you also to the many of you who have sent us gifts from the Amazon wish list  https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/254DMG1FZMRMY?ref_=wl_share  – it feels a bit like Christmas every day at the moment.

I will finish by acknowledging how amazingly your children have managed in school despite higher than usual staff absence. I think this reflects the national picture about flu having hit people sooner and harder than in previous years. Please do be sensible about sending your children in to school if they appear unwell. Everyone in school is following guidance about keeping their distance, washing hands well and using hand sanitiser as necessary.

We will share more about the various trips, to the cinema, to the pantomime and to the seaside in upcoming newsletters. For now keep looking at the website and Facebook page to see what’s been happening at Dawn House School!

Have a great weekend,

Jenny

If your child leaves home in the morning a little unsettled and you want to quickly tell us, so we know to expect a tricky start to the day, a quick email (that we can follow up later) to the tutor and/or core team with ‘Handle with Care’ in the email title will ensure that we are aware.