This week we have started with some Christmas activities, but continue to keep school life as normal as possible through the rest of the week.

Christmas lunch was AMAZING! A huge shout out to our dedicated catering team, along with helpers from the domestic, premises teams and SLG helping with the washing up!

The catering team definitely came up trumps on Wednesday, but we do need to give them a shout out for keeping us all well fed and looked after ALL year round. THANK YOU!

Elves and Christmas jumpers were everywhere for the day! Back to school uniform for most for the rest of the week.

The wellbeing team ran the Christmas market stall on Thursday- I’ve never seen it so busy! You and your families certainly have some lovely gifts coming your way, I hope you enjoy!

Once children leave today, staff are invited to (Shhhhh!) wrap up their gifts in school, out of sight of their own children and families, wrapping paper, refreshments and music provided!

Next week Key Stage 3 are out on a Science trip, so school will be quiet on Monday.

We have the Jingle Jog with our local Primary on Wednesday, followed by the Singing Hands Makaton Christmas special show in the afternoon, which children will access in their tutor groups.

The rest of the week continues as normal, but behind the scenes staff are getting everything ready for the Christmas Shows on Thursday- Lower School 10am- 11.30 and Upper School 2pm- 3.15

Stalls and refreshments are available throughout. Please be careful and mindful about parking and do not arrive too early for either show as pupils will obviously be in school as usual.

After the Upper school show we do ask you to leave by 3.15 to reduce traffic in the car park. If you plan to take you children home afterwards, please let taxis know, and do not leave without signing your child out with their form tutor.

Also a reminder for you and taxis that school closes for children at 1pm on Friday 19th December.

And finally…

You can still buy raffle tickets- please ask the school office! The draw will be on the 18th December after the shows.

Sickness

As you will be aware from recent press reports, national illness and therefore staff absence in schools is currently high. Dawn House School is no exception to this. To support us, please do keep your children off if they are unwell, to avoid the spreading of germs where possible, and do let us know as early as possible ( even the night before) by leaving an answerphone message, if your child will be off school.

This really helps us to organise staffing and cover required in school. As you know, where possible, we will always use our own staff for cover, rather than supply, which we know your children find tricky.

Parents Day– just a reminder that if you were unable to attend this day, please let your child’s form tutor know and they will arrange a time to have a conversation with you.

Thank you for your support with this and we look forward to seeing you next week.

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.