Family Information and FOPHS News Friday 22nd December 2023

It doesn’t feel like almost 4 months has passed since we returned to school, yet here we are breaking up for Christmas. I would like to start by thanking, from the bottom of my heart all who have supported school in so many ways since September and, indeed well beforehand for many of you. You are amazing.

A week ago, I put out a plea for help setting up a Santa’s grotto feeling that it might be asking too much in the last week of term. You astounded me as 11 family members/carers turned up. It felt somewhat like a production line; decorating a bare pod was just the start of it. We also had 157 selection boxes/sensory alternatives (allergies etc too) to wrap and gift bags filled with goodies for 18 of our classes to share at their Jolabokaflod event. It was warm, it was fast moving, and we got there. It was also good fun as I always enjoy chatting to parents, carers, and other family members. Your children all had the opportunity to visit on Tuesday and it was wonderful. As we don’t yet have electricity connected, we were dependent on battery operated lights. Next year will be even better. Thanks so much. Here are a few photos I took before the students arrived.

Online Safety

The link to the Online safety information can be found on the school website under the heading “Parent and carers area”, then “online safety” from the dropdown menu.

This week’s blog is about setting up new devices at Christmas.

Online Safety at PHS >

Online Safety Blogs >

School Meals

This is a reminder to all parents to register with the online payment system. You will have received a letter from the office with a code specific to your child. I need to emphasise again, following a few queries that even if your child is in receipt of free school meals you still need to register.

If you are in receipt of the free school meal income related vouchers, these were activated on 18^th December. Please remember to activate them as North Tyneside Council will cancel those not activated within a month. They are intended to support you with feeding your child/young person during the holiday period for which they are issued. I’m happy to see that many of you have done so already.

16-19 Bursary

This is a final call to those who may be eligible for the above. It is for students who were 16 years old on 31^st August 2023 or who are still in Post 16 (18-19 years). This is provided by the Skills Funding Agency and is to reduce barriers to education for those in Post 16/college. I am still available to support if it has slipped your mind.

Here is a link to the government website.

16-19 Bursary Fund >

Information

Contact-for families of disabled children:

An interesting poster with some Christmas tips which may be useful:

Special Needs Jungle:

“Challenging societies negative narrative to understand the positivity of caring for a child with disabilities”

I was part of a Parent Carer Forum, worked in co-production with the Local Authority which is why I was drawn to read. I know some of our parents do the same and thought you would find this article interesting.

Click here for the article >

Activities

I’m not including much this week as I feel I have covered a lot over the last month. You may even want a fortnight without activities.

HAF: Holiday Activity and Food Programme 2023:

On 27^th October 2021 the government announced a 3-year funding plan for families with children in receipt of free school meals. I thought you might want to look at this and if your family is eligible visit your local authority website and see what they offer

Click here >

Money Saving Central.

Please see poster below for places you may be able to access cheap or free food over the holidays. The list is updated as more information is confirmed, and the link is here:

Money Saving Expert Kids Eat Free >

FoPHS News

As we look forward to the AGM in January, I am hopeful that we can encourage more parents to get involved ad support the work we do. Many hands do make light work as Monday proved. Traditionally, PTA’s and Friends of groups do struggle with most work left to a small number of people. That isn’t sustainable; they get tired and leave. There are many ways to support, and I understand the challenges most of our parents face as I came here first as the parent of a student. I live 45 minutes from school; when my son started here, I didn’t drive. He didn’t sleep (that hasn’t changed) I now work full time so there are a few of the reasons it would have been difficult.

Here’s the thing though. Monday was a lightbulb moment for me with such a big response. I want to ask why, so that we can build on it. Please drop me an email with your thoughts.

I know that you value what we do and there are little ways everyone can help.

Enterprise fayre:

It was a wonderful hive of activity on Wednesday, with so many parents/family members. The FoPHS held a raffle, a lucky dip and a parents ran her own stall for us.

Drum roll…..

We raised:

£107 from the raffle and lucky dip
£100 from the Christmas stall that Carol ran.
£40 donation in lieu of Christmas cards
With a grand total of £247.

FoPHS 100 Club.

We now have 57 numbers taken and there is still time to join. Please see the flyer below or email me for a hard copy, BACS details if you prefer this method of payment.

AGM

The AGM is due to take place on Thursday 25^th January from 9.30-11.00.

Would you like to be considered for an Officer role? Would you like more information on what it entails? Visit the FoPHS section of the website or contact me if you’d like an informal chat.

The link to the FoPHS section of the school website is here:

FoPHS Website Page >

Facebook page:

This is a closed group for family and friends of Percy Hedley School, where you can share news and updates about school life. It is not for external professionals who may be working with families. To join, you need to answer the question stating your link with school.

Please note: this group is for sharing news and updates about school life and is not intended to discuss any issues around individual students, and as such all comments are moderated. If you have a particular issue or concern, please contact school directly on 0191 216 1811.

Join Our Facebook Group >

I want to wish all our Percy Hedley School families and anyone else who reads these blogs a Merry Christmas and a very Happy 2024.

Ending with this food for thought:

Contact details

Eileen Robinson: Family Liaison Officer

Email: e.robinson@percyhedley.org.uk

Telephone: 0191 2161811 ext. 3260.