Weekly house point totals are:

Owls = 105 

Badgers = 104

Squirrels = 149

Foxes = 129

Well done to the Squirrels .team this week.

Unfortunately some children are accessing online content at home which is not designed for their age group and is causing distress to our school community. This is a safeguarding concern. We kindly ask that parents support us with this matter by respecting both our school and the UK guidance. Our website offers multiple links to the online safety guidance and we regularly refer to guidance in order to keep pupils safe.

Current issues relate to WhatsApp (13+), Discord (13+ or 17+) and Twitch (13+). If age restrictions were being adhered to, we would not have these concerns in our school and our children would not be subjected to harmful or potentially harmful content. 

• WhatsApp – multiple classes in KS2 have children’s WhatsApp groups. These groups are causing significant challenge for our school. Some children are being deliberately unkind to each other using these platforms. This is happening at home, but is causing disruptions in school and is taking up valuable staff time to rectify. The age restriction for WhatsApp is 13+.

Live streaming apps – Discord and Twitch

• Discord – Discord has an age restriction of 13+. While users must be at least 13 to sign up, they don’t always verify age, and some servers geared towards older users may contain content inappropriate for younger users. Apple’s App Store rates Discord 17+ for a range of reasons, including “Frequent/Intense Mature/Suggestive Themes” and “Infrequent/Mild Sexual Content and Nudity.”Similarly, Google Play rates the app as ‘Parental Guidance’ because of user interaction and in-app purchases.Because users may share images on text channels or engage in voice chat, children and young people run the risk of exposure to inappropriate content or language.

What is Discord? Safety guide for parents | Internet Matters link

• Twitch – Twitch, a live streaming platform, has age restrictions and content restrictions in the UK to ensure the safety of users, particularly children and young people. The platform restricts access to content with sexual themes and gambling, especially for those under 18.  Twitch has an age restriction of age 13 under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian who ‘agrees to be bound by’ Twitch’s Terms of Service if the user is under 18.

What is Twitch? What parents need to know | Internet Matters link

We thank you for your support with this matter and hope to see a positive change in online activity to support the emotional health and wellbeing of our primary aged children. Internet use is a powerful tool and whilst we want our pupils to be proficient in the online world to further their learning and access, this needs to be in a safe, responsible way which is appropriate for their age of development.

Mrs Lyall.

Well done to everyone who received awards or shout outs today. We are very proud of you.

• Class R – William H for always being ready and respectful. 
• Class 1 – Ted for increased participation and concentration on tasks, well done Ted.
• Class 2 – Sybil, for having a great attitude, being a kind and thoughtful friend and a good role model
• Class 3 – Kiaan for great English work and providing thoughtful answers.
• Class 3 – Lillian for her fantastic enthusiasm and kindness.
• Class 4 – Wren for being a fantastic learning role model, always showcasing our values. Well done.
• Class 5 – Maeve for trying hard in all that she does, her enthusiasm for learning makes her an outstanding role model.
• Class 6 – Mackenzie for his diligent attitude to learning, well done!
• EY/KS1 Headteacher’s award – All of pupils who completed their Phonics Screener Check this week in Y1 and Y2. Well done, you tried your best, reading carefully and precisely. We are very proud of you.
• KS2 Headteacher’s award – All of class 4 for their determination, perseverance and diligence when completing their Multiplication Check this week.
• Lunchtime award – Oliver B in class R for his wonderful manners.
• Raffle ticket – Lacie in class 1.