The Abbey CE VA Primary School

Headteacher: Miss E. Fenn Grove Road

Telephone: 01727 851802 St Albans

Fax No: 01727 766991 Herts

Email: head@abbey.herts.sch.uk AL1 1DQ

Website: www.abbey.herts.sch.uk

14 February, 2014

Dear parents,

Goodbye Mr Newton Leaving Song

As part of Mr Newton’s leaving celebrations Mrs Tumber rewrote the lyrics to

‘Whistle whilst you work’ (very appropriate) for the children to sing during his final

assembly. Mrs Price taught the whole school the song and by popular request I have

provided the lyrics below as many children are still whistling or singing it!

Goodbye Mister Newton (whistle) You’ve done such an am-az-ing job round here for 12 years long.

So hum a merry tune (hum) You’ve done your best, now take a rest

While we sing you this song.

And as you’ve swept each room

Pushing your trusty broom

You’ve kept us smart and safe

We’ll miss your cheerful smile and whistling tunes.

You’ve whistled while you’ve worked (whistle) The time has flown, now time’s your own

To sing and dance and bake.

You’ve whistled while you’ve worked (whistle) Your days can now be filled with joys

of making lots of cakes.

(whistle) (whistle) Put your feet up and grab a cup of Mrs Newton’s tea!

(whistle) (whistle) And know that we all thank you for your time at The Abbey!

The Abbey CE VA Primary School

Reception’s Gingerbread Sale

Last Friday Reception had a very successful gingerbread sale as part of their maths

topic on money. The children priced the ingredients and decorated the gingerbread

men and sold them for 50p each. The class made £16 profit which they plan to spend

on a remote control car, as their next topic is Journeys and Transport. Thank you to

all the Reception parents who purchased the finished articles.

Friends’ Association Cake Sale

Another successful cake sale was held on Friday and £140.85 was raised from the

cakes and £45.50 from the second hand uniform giving a total of £186.35. Thank you

to all the parents who provided cakes, uniform or their time. The next Cake Sale will

be on Friday 7th March as part of our Usborne Book Fair to end our annual Book

Week.

Book Week – Week beginning Monday 3rd March

Who will your child dress as on Thursday 6th March when they can dress as their

favourite book character? If you are struggling for ideas, Book Aid International, as

part of World Book Day, have created some easy costume making tips and tricks

sheets for you to download.

http://www.bookaid.org/getinvolved/fundraise/schoolsworld-book-day-

2014/dress_up_resources/

February half term 500 Words Story Writing Competition

If half term proves as wet as recent weather conditions this competition may be of

interest to you: A competition for 5-13 year olds with a category for under 9s and

10-13 year olds. Entries must be an original piece of fiction and not an account of

real events – either historical or current. However, stories can feature well known

public figures from present day or from history (e.g. Wayne Rooney or Charles

Darwin) take place in historical eras (e.g. the English Civil War) or use real-life

experiences as a creative springboard as long as the story is fictional.

If your child has written a fantastic short story they may choose to enter the Chris

Evans Breakfast Show's 500 words competition. You have until 7pm on Wednesday 26

February 2014 to enter!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00rfvk1

The Abbey CE VA Primary School

Shakespeare Week

Shakespeare Week is a new national, annual celebration to bring Shakespeare to life

for millions of primary school children. The first Shakespeare Week will be the 17 –

23rd March 2014. With the date being so close to our Book Week we will be

incorporating the two during the week of the 3rd March to inspire the children with

Shakespeare’s stories, language and heritage. Shakespeare Week will be celebrated in

schools, theatres, historic sites, museums, galleries, cinemas, and libraries all over

the U.K.

Internet Safety

Children can now access the Internet in many ways including on their smart phone,

games console or tablet. With all this new technology, keeping them safe online is

becoming more challenging.

The ESafety working group of the Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Board

(HSCB) reports that children continue to be victims of bullying online. Do you know

what your child is doing online and can you prevent it?

To mark Safer Internet Day, 11 February, Mrs Tumber led a whole school assembly on

ESafety to give the children support and guidance on using the Internet positively

and safely on Tuesday and I spoke to Key Stage 2 separately after assembly today.

ESafety is important to all children who have or use a mobile phone, computer, laptop

games console or IPad. As a school we are hearing of more and more ESafety

uncomfortable situations and the Key Stage 2 children have been reminded to:

• Not to share private information and passwords.

• To block people who are mean or nasty via social media sites such as Facebook, BBM, Instagram and Snapchat.

• Speak to a trusted adult if anything concerns them on their phone/computer.

• Cyber Bullying is not acceptable and that any images or text that is posted online will be there forever!

Parental ESafety Survey

The HSCB is inviting parents and carers to complete a short survey to help better

understand the internet use of children and young people. Parents and carers input

will be welcomed to help us understand the Internet activity of children by

completing the online survey at

http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/healthsoc/childfam/childprotection/keepsafeh

scb/

The Abbey CE VA Primary School

Please help The HSCB evaluate their role as parents/educators in Hertfordshire by

completing this online survey - your input is vital to our planning and education in

schools. Thank you.

ESafety information for parents

Top tips for a better Internet usage:

• Keep your personal details private – would you tell a stranger your phone number or address?

• Remember once online, always online. Always consider what the words and pictures you put online say about you.

• Be nice online just as you are in the real world

• Be careful about opening emails from people you don't know, or emails asking you to click on a link you don't recognise. These can sometimes be

scams or contain viruses. If in doubt, don't open it.

• Make sure your computer is protected with the most up to date versions of anti-virus software.

• Make sure your Wi-Fi network at home is password protected

• Learn the risks and how to stay safe online with the BBC's WebWise advice.

• Ensure privacy settings on Facebook, Instagram etc. are set to the highest level of privacy possible.

• Children must not make contact with school staff via social media.

• Parents and carers: further tips on keeping your children safe online are available at: www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents.

Facing up to Facebook - the Magic 13!

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media are increasingly being used by

children under 13 years of age to socialise, to share photos, videos, links and

information, to chat, to plan social events and so on. Many children have a Facebook

account even though the T & C state the minimum age is 13 years. To help raise

awareness with parents/carers of the safeguarding implications and provide practical

advice the HSCB ESafety group have developed a parent handout.

The Abbey CE VA Primary School

13 Reasons Why Facebook is for 13 year olds

1. The minimum age to open a Facebook account is 13 years.

2. Facebook has additional protection and security settings for teens (age 13-17).

3. Facebook advertisements or apps may have content that is not appropriate for under 13s.

4. Facebook expects parents of under 13s to show their children how to delete their Facebook account, if they have one.

5. Facebook expects all users to use their real name and identities. It’s against Facebook terms to lie about your name or age.

6. Every word, message, image and video you add to Facebook will be there forever unless you take it down.

7. Facebook expects parents to discuss online safety with their child and to set ground rules.

8. Every image, including your profile photo, can be copied by others, changed by others and be online forever!

9. Facebook games may have different T & C to Facebook and only be suitable for over 18s.

10. Facebook Timeline is an online representation of your child’s life based on the information they and others added. What does their timeline reveal about

them?

11. Facebook will remove images that break copyright law or are pornographic but will not remove photos you just don’t like!

12. Facebook Places uses GPS, to enable users to share their location in posts. Do you want your child’s online friends to know where they are?

13. Facebook has a safety centre specifically for parents.

http://www.facebook.com/safety/groups/parents/

13 Reasons has been developed by the HSCB eSafety Multi-agency group. For further advice email: esafety@hertscc.gov.uk or call 01438843086

The Abbey CE VA Primary School

13 Ways to ‘Stay Safe’ on Facebook

For those of you who use Facebook yourselves, or have older children on this site, the

information below may also be of interest in helping ‘Stay Safe’ on Facebook:

1. Preview your profile to see how it looks to others.

2. Make sure that you are not a victim of ‘Fraping’. Have a strong password and logout when not using Facebook.

3. Check your privacy settings – do you know who can see your phone number or post on your timeline? What about your child’s timeline!

4. Turn Facebook chat on and off to control who knows you are online. You can also see your chat history.

5. Edit the privacy settings of the Apps you use and your Photo albums.

6. Review posts and photos that you are tagged in before they appear in your profile by editing your ‘timeline and tagging’ settings.

7. Check before adding content, including photos, that you have the right to do so. Facebook expects you to do this.

8. Always be nice online, just as you are in the real world. Facebook does not tolerate bullying or harassment.

9. Report abusive or offensive content that you believe breaks Facebook T & C by using the “Report” at the top right of the comment. Reports are anonymous and

you will not be identified.

10. Check your online friends are friends in the real world. You can easily unfriend or delete a friend - they will not be told.

11. Create a Facebook group for your family so that you have a private space to keep in touch, share photos and learn about Facebook together.

12. Read the T & C to make sure you know what Facebook expects from you!

13. Visit the Facebook Safety Centre http://www.facebook.com/safety/tools/

ParentMail

If you make changes to your mobile telephone number or email address please ensure

that you make these changes on your parent mail account yourself by logging in and

making the corrections under the “My Account” tab on the left-hand side.

The Abbey CE VA Primary School

Midday Supervisory Assistant

We are looking for MSAs to work every day and would be interested in anyone who

could offer one to five days per week.

PART-TIME JOB OPPORTUNITY

The Abbey Primary School is looking for additional midday supervisors to help with

the supervision of children during the lunch break. The hours are 11.55 am to 1.10 pm

at an hourly rate of £6.50. We would be delighted to hear from applicants who would

be interested in working on a Monday - Friday. Please contact Mrs Pip Andrews in the

School Office for further details.

Best wishes and have a wonderful half term. I will look forward to seeing you on

Monday 24th February.

Emma Fenn

Headteacher