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Issue Number: 30

                                                                                                                        9th May 2025

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VE Day 80th Celebrations

On Wednesday, we came together for our street party lunch to celebrate the end of the war in Europe. It was also a time to reflect and consider the sacrifices that were made so that we could live a free and enriched life. It will always be difficult to understand what the war generation went through so that we retain our liberty.
Watching the various national events across the week, the war veterans had a clear message; as the number of veterans decreases, their legacy needs to be maintained. That legacy? Learn from others, celebrate differences and be kind.
I'm sure you will join me in thanking the war generation for their huge sacrifice and contribution to the war effort. Furthermore, making sure that, going forward, that legacy is maintained and celebrated further. It doesn't take much to be kind. 
 

Roblox  - Updated Parental Controls

Roblox is a very popular game with our children. I received the following update from Andrew Hall, a safeguarding expert, around enhanced changes to parental controls so that you can make gaming as safe as possible. His advice is below. 

 

Roblox and Parental Controls - South West Grid for Learning 

Roblox, the popular minecraft 'style' game has announced a new raft of parental controls. The website which ranks among the most popular games for children in the e-space, has previously been accused of possessing weak child protection tools. Their new raft of adaptations is important due to the game's position among school aged children. The new features have been adopted to allow parents to take control of their children's game time in a more comprehensive manner.

Parents will now be able to block individuals who communicate with their children, as well as have more detailed oversight over their usage of the programme. Real-time awareness measures have been increased and these changes represent a big step forward in making popular multiplayer games more secure for underaged users. If interested, the South-West Grid for Learning (SWGfL) has produced a comprehensive run down of these changes. Please follow the link below for more: 

https://swgfl.org.uk/magazine/roblox-launches-new-parental-controls/ 

Have a lovely weekend! 

Mr Raraty

 

Weekly Attendance (week ending 02/05/2025)
School target:
97%		 Number on roll:
284
Whole-School Attendance Unauthorised Absences Persistent Absentees

Lateness

95.7%

0.7% 

8.2% (down 0.9%)

1.2% (=)

 

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This week, George and Remy took part in a Year 4 maths competition against other schools in the DEEP group. They represented the school brilliantly and were particularly speedy with one of the multiplication code breakers! Well done to both of you!

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'Creating a Buzz'

At Cre8 Club this week, guest artist Katy Frost worked with the children to create 'Bee Happy' collages. The buzzy pictures were really colourful and certainly brought a smile to our faces.  The next Cre8 Club is Tuesday 20th May from 3.15 - 4.30pm. 

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This week Sparrows have started a 'Buzzing' project with artist Claudia Charles. They will be creating textile work inspired by bees and they will develop skills including sewing and tye-dye. We look forward to seeing their final pieces at the Create exhibition in June.

'Buzz in the City'

Work has now started on the Farleigh Hospice Bee. Artist Katy Frost and Mrs Coates-Reynolds have mapped out the bee design today ready for the children to decorate next week. The children have also been suggesting names and the final decision will be made next week. 

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Playground Project Update

The Playground Project was started just over a year ago to enhance and enrich the outdoor play areas for every child at Rodings to enjoy.

It is still a work in progress but to date the children have been enjoying the addition of a scooter area, dressing up accessories, small world play areas and the endless enchantment of tyres. We also have art materials and books available for anyone wanting some calm and quiet time.

Coming Soon…

In the next few weeks we will be introducing a Lego area, assault course and den building materials and also the arrival of some new quiet shelters with benches and a reading nook.

Can you help?

We still need the following items to add to our play resources so if you have any of the following please could you drop them into the School Office.

  • SCOOTERS
  • HELMETS
  • TOY VEHICLES Large and Small
  • SMALL PLAY ANIMALS
  • DRESSING UP ACCESSORIES (not costumes)
  • HATS and BAGS
  • GARDENING EQUIPMENT
  • POTS and PANS
  • SAND TOYS
  • DRAINPIPES
  • LEGO BASE PLATES

Thank you in advance for your kind donations

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Colour Run 16th May

We are very excited to see the return of the Rodings Rainbow Run next Friday (16th May) from 3.30-5pm! This event runs on the Friday after SATs week so please come along and help the Year 6’s blow off some steam and celebrate. Ticket sales have now closed to give us enough time to order the paints and get enough glasses for the event to go ahead.

Children do need parental supervision for this event but you do not have to participate if you do not want to (but you are very welcome to join in if you wish). There will be drinks, snacks and an ice cream van to keep you entertained (as well as watching your children get covered in paint!).

If you are available on the afternoon of the event we do need some help from volunteers. We need help setting up from 1.30, during the event (3.30-5pm) and help with clearing up after the event. If you feel you can help at all please contact us by email (friendsofrodings@gmail.com)

Summer Fayre 14th June

We are starting to plan our Summer Fayre. Please keep this Saturday free to come and support the school whilst having a really fun day. We will update you nearer the time with more details.

Thank you to everyone that has very kindly donated raffle prizes for this event.  

Pre-loved uniform shed appeal

One of the Friends goals this year is to open a pre-loved uniform shop so we can regularly have pre-loved uniform sales and recycle more clothes. If anyone knows anyone who might be able to give us a discount on a shed or if your business would love to sponsor this really environmentally friendly cause please get in touch. (friendsofrodings@gmail.com).

Easy Fundraising

If you are planning on booking a holiday (or doing any online shopping) please consider using Easy Fundraising for your bookings. Many holiday companies are part of Easy Fundraising, allowing you to donate to your school while booking your holiday.

To sign up go to www.easyfundraising.org.uk - download the app or sign up on your browser. When signing up please select “Friends of Rodings Primary School” (there are a couple of other Rodings schools!). Once you are signed up you can access websites through the app or if shopping in your browser Easy Fundraising will ask you if you want to donate, this doesn’t make any difference to the cost of your shopping but a percentage of anything you spend will go directly to the school.

School Lottery

As some of you already know, we are a member of Your School Lottery. If you would like to support this you can sign up here: https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/rodings-primary-school. This is an easy way to support the school and you might be a winner!

If you would like to connect with us please follow us on social media:

Facebook – Friends of Rodings Primary School

Instagram - @the_friends_of_rodings_school

Or email us at: friendsofrodings@gmail.com

 

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Dexter and Maximus have just finished their season at Bishops Stortford Rugby Club and it would be so nice if they could be in the newsletter!

Dexter has been playing rugby for 2 seasons now and he won the Players Player award as voted by his teammates on Sunday. This is the highest award possible, he has had a brilliant season for the under 11’s, has played well in both matches and at every training session. He looks after his teammates and puts his heart and soul into playing rugby.

Maximus has just finished his first season for the under 7’s and has given it his all. He is a great team player and his confidence has soared!

Well done Dexter & Max, we are so proud of you :-)

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Week Beginning 28th April - Week 3

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SATs Week
All Day
from 12 May until 15 May
12
May
RSE Parent Workshop
7:00pm – 8:00pm
13
May
Colour Run
3:30pm – 5:00pm
16
May
Sports Day
All Day
23
May
Sports day
All Day
23
May
INSET
All Day
02
June
Learning Consultations
3:30pm – 7:00pm
04
June
Learning Consultations
3:30pm – 5:30pm
05
June
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