News

• Reception Visit from Hayes Fire Department

  Tue 27 Sep 2022

  The Reception children have been learning about people who help us in school, at home and in the community. As part of this learning, we had a visit from Hayes Fire Department. They spoke to us about what their job role is, what they do in the community to help us and discussed some fire safety. 

  

• Year 1 Toy Day

  Thu 22 Sep 2022

  Year 1 started a new unit in English based around the story, 'I love you Blue Kangaroo.' To launch the story, our 'hook' was Toy Day...children were able to bring in their favourite toy from home. It was a great opportunity for speaking and listening. 

  

• Commemorating Queen Elizabeth II

  Tue 20 Sep 2022

  To commemorate the death of Queen Elizabeth II and her funeral on 19th September 2022, the children at Minet Infant and Nursery School made sympathy cards for the Royal Family. The cards were taken to Windsor Castle and London's Hyde Park where they were laid next to the floral tributes people has been leaving since the news of her death on 8th September 2022. 

  

• Polio Booster Vaccination Programme

  Thu 15 Sep 2022

  Dear parents/ carers,
   

  Following the detection of polio virus in sewage samples taken from North and East London, the NHS is offering all 1-9 year olds in London a polio booster vaccination. For some children, this may be an extra dose of polio vaccine, on top of their routine vaccinations. In other children, it may just bring them up to date.

  
  Polio is an infection caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system – it can cause permanent paralysis of muscles. Because of the success of the polio vaccination programme, there have been no cases of natural polio infection in the UK since 1984. By giving an extra polio vaccine dose, this will boost each child’s protection.

  
  Find more information about polio, its symptoms, and vaccinations by visiting: www.nhs.uk/conditions/polio/

  
  You can read the information leaflet by visiting:
  www.gov.uk/government/publications/polio-booster-campaign-resources

  
  Getting Vaccinated

  
  The polio vaccine is safe and effective. The best way to prevent polio is to make sure parents/carers and children are up to date with their vaccinations. The vaccine is given as part of a combined jab to babies, toddlers, and teenagers as part of the NHS routine childhood vaccination schedule.

   

  It's given when the child is:
  · 8, 12 and 16 weeks old as part of the 6-in-1 vaccine
  · 3 years and 4 months old as part of the 4-in-1 (DTaP/IPV) pre-school booster
  · 14 years old as part of the 3-in-1 (Td/IPV) teenage booster

  
  You will need to have all these vaccinations to be fully vaccinated against polio.

  
  Where can you get vaccinated?

  
  Parents/ carers in North West London have been contacted by the NHS to ask them to book an appointment. Parents/ carers should take up the offer as soon as possible.

   

  Parents/ carers can check their child’s red book or can speak to their General Practitioner (GP) if they are unsure if their child has received this vaccine.
   

  If you are not yet registered with a GP, details on how to find and register with a GP can be found at GP services by visiting www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps

  
  GPs treat all common medical conditions and provide immunisations to adults and children.
   

  Children aged between 1 and 4

  
  Parents/ carers with children aged between 1 and 4 are being offered an appointment at their GP practice.
   

  Children aged between 5 and 9

  
  Parents/ carers with children aged between 5 and 9 years old can use the following link to book a vaccination appointment for your child: www.nwlondonics.nhs.uk/polio or they can be vaccinated at their GP practice.

  
  It is important to come forward for the Polio booster as soon as possible.

  
  We are working on increasing the number of sites offering the polio vaccine across North West London - more vaccination clinics will be opening soon.

  
  Frequently asked questions about the polio vaccination programme for children can be found by visiting
  www.nwlondonics.nhs.uk/application/files/3616/6298/4714/20220811_Public_facing_polio_QA_FINAL_2.0.docx

  
  Best wishes,

  
  NWL Vaccination and Immunisations Team

   

• Year 2 continents and oceans workshop

  Thu 08 Sep 2022

  The Year 2 children really enjoyed a workshop where they learnt about the 7 continents and 5 oceans of the World. This was an introduction to their topic this half term 'Globe Trotters'.

   

  They packed a bag and visited each continent. The children were all able to name the continents and oceans and learnt some fun facts such as animals that live in these continents or in the oceans.

   

  The children were very curious and enjoyed being explorers today!

  

• Important information for parents/ carer for the beginning of the new school year

  Thu 01 Sep 2022

  Dear parents/ carers,

                Welcome to the new academic year 2022-2023. I hope you have had an enjoyable and relaxing summer holiday. This letter contains some important information for you to read through. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

   

  Safeguarding

   

  The school’s Designated Safeguarding Leads are:

   

  • Sarah Dolan (Assistant Headteacher)
  • Wayne Wathen-Howell (Headteacher)
  • Abbas Jaffer (Deputy Headteacher)
  • Lynne Holland (Learning Mentor)

   

  If you have any safeguarding concerns about a child, you can contact one of the school’s Designated Safeguarding Leads who will be able to assist. You can also contact other agencies outside of school to report a safeguarding concern if needed. Concerns can be reported to:

   

  • NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk
  • Hillingdon’s Stronger Family Hub on 01895 556006 or by emailing strongerfamilieshub@hillingdon.gov.uk
  • CEOP website for online abuse – www.ceop.police.uk

   

  If a child is in immediate danger, call the police on 999 straight away.

   

  New school opening hours

   

  The new opening times for all children in Reception and Key Stage One will begin on Monday 5^th September 2022. The school day will begin at 8.40am each morning and finish at 3.10pm. The gates will open each morning at 8.30am and children will be able to go into class for a ‘soft start’ from this time. It is essential your child is in school by 8.40am at the latest each morning as this is when the registers will be taken. If children arrive at school later than this time, they will be recorded as ‘Late’ on the school register. Please ensure your child is in school each morning on time as good punctuality will ensure they do not miss out on any lessons which begin promptly after the registers have been taken.  

   

  The timings for Nursery children will remain the same. AM sessions will begin at 8.30am and finish at 11.30am. For PM sessions, the sessions will begin at 12.15pm and finish at 3.15pm. Nursery full-time children will begin each day at 8.30am and finish at 3.15pm.

   

  Breakfast Club and After School Care

   

  The Breakfast Club and After School Care will begin on Monday 5^th September.

   

  The Breakfast Club is free of charge and begins at 8am each morning. Children should be dropped off at the main school office.

   

  After School Care runs until 5pm each day and is charged at a daily rate of £5.00. Children should be picked up from the main school office.

   

  Please inform the office if you wish to send your child to the Breakfast Club and/or After School Care. The office can be contacted by emailing: office@minetinfants.org.uk or by calling: 020 8573 5177.

   

  Attendance

   

  There is a clear link between excellent attendance and the progress children make and this is why we aim for all children to have 100% attendance at Minet or at least a minimum attendance rate of 95%. Due to the importance of attendance, term time absences are only authorised by the headteacher in ‘exceptional circumstances.’ If you need to make an application for term time absences, these should be made to the headteacher in writing. Unauthorised absences may result in a penalty notice being issued which is £60.00 per parent/ carer or £120.00 each if the fine is not paid within 21 days. Term time holidays will not be authorised by the headteacher and will likely result in a penalty notice being issued.

   

  If you need any advice or support related to your child’s attendance, please contact:

   

  • Mandeep Virdee (Admissions and Attendance Officer) or
  • Lynne Holland (Learning Mentor)

   

  Further information about the importance of good attendance and the school’s Attendance Policy can be reviewed by going to the attendance page on the school’s website. Click here to access.

   

  Uniform and PE kit

   

  The school’s uniform is:

   

  • Black or grey trousers or skirt
  • White blouse/ polo shirt
  • A red jumper or cardigan with or without the school logo. Jumpers or cardigans that do not have the school logo on must be plain with no other logos/ writing on.
  • Smart black shoes
  • During warmer weather, your child may wear a red Gingham checked summer dress.
  • If you child wears a headscarf, it must be plain and preferably white.

   

  On the days your child has PE lessons, they can come into school wearing their PE kits. Children should come into school wearing their school uniform on the days they have after school sports clubs and bring in their PE kits to change into after school. For PE kits, children must wear:

   

  • Black shorts
  • Black tracksuit bottoms (to be worn for outdoor PE in the winter only)
  • Trainers or plimsols
  • A red Minet PE t-shirt or plain red t-shirt.

   

  It is important children come into school wearing the correct uniform and PE kits for health and safety reasons. The red PE t-shirt, jumper or cardigan with the Minet logo on as well as bookbags, can be purchased from Brigade – click here to access their website. Please ensure all your children’s uniform and PE kits are labelled with their name.

   

  If you need any assistance with purchasing the uniform or PE kit, please contact the school as we will be able to assist.

   

  Pupil Premium Grant

   

  The Pupil Premium Grant is extra funding the school receives for eligible children. The school uses the funding in many ways including providing eligible children with free educational visits and school uniform. We strongly encourage all families check if they are eligible for Pupil Premium funding and to apply for it if they are. Click here to find out more information about the Pupil Premium Grant and how to apply.

   

  Key autumn term dates

  Monday 19th September	Reception welcome meeting for parents/ carers – 2.30pm
  Wednesday 21st September	Year 1 welcome meeting for parents/ carers – 2.30pm
  Thursday 22nd September	Year 2 welcome meeting for parents/ carers – 2.30pm
  Thursday 20th October	Parents/ carer evening – school closes at 1.15pm for children and there will be no afternoon nursery
  Monday 24th – Friday 28th October	Half term
  Friday 16th December	Last of day of Autumn term – children finish school at 1.15pm
  Monday 19th December – Monday 2nd January 2023	Christmas holidays

   

  Please note dates are subject to change and other events will be added throughout the term which you will be informed of.

   

  Temporary school building

   

  As you may already be aware, the infant school has moved into a temporary school building while refurbishment works take place in the main building. Please see below a map of the temporary school building showing the location of each classroom so you know where to drop off and pick up your child.