Principal Update
Message from Vicky Ross, Principal
Parents, Friends and Carers
Congratulations to everyone for managing to get through the wet, windy, rainy month of January. It has been a real trial by weather! I know that for many families, this month is one of the hardest - remember we are here if needed.
However, in school, no day is long enough to fit in all the learning and fun that we want to squeeze in. It was straight back to it. Don't forget to check out what is happening for your child by accessing the curriculum newsletters. They will have gone out on Class Dojo - or you can access them on the newsletter section of our website.
So the big question...are you signed up for My Child At School (MCAS)? By halfterm, Parent Pay will not be available and all payments will be via MCAS. We will not be able to process cash/payments via the office so it is essential that you are signed up. Please contact the office if you are having difficulties.
So back to the Spring term...this is the term that is when children make the most progress - they really fly! Attendance is vital, as the pace of learning is fast and it is really hard emotionally for children to catch up when they miss important chunks. We are still noticing a high number of term time holidays being requested. These will always be refused and often result in fines.
But enough of that - let's see what the children have been up to.
Mrs Ross and The Richmond Team
New Year Reminder...
Please ensure that the school holds up-to-date medical, allergy and intolerance details for children as well as up-to-date phone numbers and email addresses for parents and carers as both medical alerts and school messages will be sent to these.
Term Dates
Term 3: Monday 6th January 2025 - Friday 14th February 2025
Term 4: Monday 24th February 2025 - Friday 4th April 2025
Term 5: Tuesday 22nd April 2025 - Friday 23rd May 2025 (Bank Holiday: Monday 5th May)
Term 6: Monday 2nd June 2025 - Friday 18th July 2025
Communications
A reminder that we are communicating via:
Email - enquiries@richmondprimary.co.uk
Academy News
Trust and Academy News
This term has started with a number of sporting events - with many more planned. The first event, Girls' Football was a fiercely competitive affair - resulting in a well-earned third place for one of the teams.
We also entered an athletics team into the Sports' Hall Athletics competition. Again, they gave their all and bounced back runners up!
A huge well done to all the children who competed. I look forward to updating you with more sporting victories!
Check out tonnes of other trust news here…David Ross Education Trust
Staff Spotlight
Welcome to....Mr Ratcliffe
'Mr Ratcliffe?' I hear you all saying. 'Welcome to Mr Ratcliffe? But he's not new!'
No he isn't, but Mr Ratcliffe, having been completing his teacher training degree, is now a qualified teacher. He has always had the skills but now he has the piece of paper to prove it. Mr Ratcliffe is a very well-loved member of the EYFS team and is also a staff governor, on the Parents and Friends Association (PFA) and (because that isn't enough) plays a huge role, alongside others, in the musical and theatrical elements of the school.
Thank you Mr Ratcliffe - you are just fabulous!
Community News
Need support with Autism, or suspected Autism?
To find a group near you, you can look on the How Are You Lincolnshire website. The Virtual Autism Hub will also give you an updated list of local autism-specific or general support groups. Email: lpft.virtualautismhublincs@nhs.net
What if I need more help?
Lincolnshire Talking Therapies has graduated help for over-16s, from computerised CBT therapy and self-help courses, through to counselling and interpersonal therapy.
Lincolnshire Recovery College offers a wide range of courses covering autism, anxiety and depression among others. They also run creative courses like poetry, song writing, drama and journalling for mental health and courses for carers who may be affected.
Lincolnshire Talking Therapies and Lincolnshire Recovery College are NHS services that you can self-refer to on their websites.
Mental Health or Wellbeing Support?
What if I need urgent help now?
If your mental health deteriorates and you feel unsafe, distressed or worried, call 111 and select the mental health option. A mental health professional will answer your call. If you are unable to call, someone can call on your behalf.
Emotional support can be found by calling the mental health helpline 0800 001 4331.
Mental health and emotional wellbeing support for children and young people can be accessed by ringing Lincolnshire Here4You on 0800 234 6342.
If you cannot call, text SHOUT on 85258 to start a conversation
Fundraising for the School
As always, the PFA are busy organising events for the new year.
Upcoming is a 'Wear something Red or Pink for Valentines Day'. Children can add something red or pink to their uniform for a voluntary donation.
The team have also managed to access free funding for Book Day costumes and have paid for more cones to keep the front of the school safe!
You can see some of the events that the PFA are trying to organise. A lot of work is involved. If you would like to be part of the PFA - or just support with an event or two - please contact the school office who will forward you details.
Thanks, team!
Community News
Contextual Safeguarding is combatting the risks to children that are presented by their location - part of which is the community they live in. At the Richmond Primary Academy, we have identified that our Primary Contextual Safeguarding Concerns fall into the following three categories:
Risk/Harm caused by inappropriate supervision of children
The proximity of water (sea and waterways), the railway, busy roads and dangers caused by the influence of drugs, alcohol and gangs, means that children who are alone - or poorly supervised in the home and community are at risk - we aim to support parents with increased knowledge and access to local/national agencies. In this way we will minimise these risks and educate our children in navigating these dangers.
Risk/Harm caused by anti-social and/or criminal behaviour in the community
Domestic and sexual violence, gang crime, shop-lifting, arson and anti-social behaviour are prevalent in the area of Skegness. We are making links with the community services to support our families. Children, through PSHE and values education, will have the right character to resist these dangers.
Risk/Harm caused by exposure to inappropriate content
TV, media - including social media, streaming, and online gaming are conduits for children to access the dangers of grooming, self-harm images, explicit images and extremist views. Our PSHE and parental engagement programme will be developed to support parents in reducing the risks of exposure to these and to build digital resilience in children.