Dear Parents & Friends,
In the wake of the American election, Hackthorn Primary School has held its own democratic process. Our school council candidates virtually delivered their speeches to the entire school and voting took place last week. Although we didn’t have our traditional polling station in the school foyer, due to COVID restrictions, we still managed to have a secret ballot with everyone in school being entitled to vote. We had an incredibly high turn-out as we take our right to vote very seriously, something we hope the children will take with them into later life. Our school values feature prominently at this time of year.
Our Tradition of visiting the war memorial to commemorate Remembrance Day with the Hackthorn Community to show our Respect had to be slightly adapted this year. Instead, we held a specially prepared, socially distanced Remembrance service on our playground. Our eldest pupil laid the wreath in the middle of the playground and our youngest pupil laid it on the war memorial during lunchtime. The children understood the gravity of the day and were extremely respectful. Some of our children and parents have been saddened by the prospect of no Hackthorn KS1 Nativity. It is one of the highlights of our year and proves itself to be a huge success. Even the shyest of children have wowed their parents with their ability to get on the stage. We can confirm that there is no need to panic! Although we won’t have the facility for live performances to parents, there will be a Nativity and an opportunity for families to still enjoy the festivities with us. Watch this space!
Mrs K Appleby, Headteacher
REMINDER
Despite lockdown, cases of coronavirus are increasing in our County. There are still so many ‘unknowns’ about the virus with people in the medical profession suggesting that you may even be able to contract it a second time (hence our PM self– isolating again as a precaution). Thank you to everyone for wearing facemasks when dropping off & collecting children and for socially distancing.
Please continue to do this to protect our school community.
Anti-Bullying week / Odd socks day 20 November
Anti-Bullying Week is an annual UK event held in the third week in November which aims to raise awareness of bullying of children and young people, in schools and elsewhere, and to highlight ways of preventing and responding to it. You may have thought , on collection of your children on Tuesday, that Mrs Appleby had gone mad, due to her attire. Her ‘odd socks’ were a result of an assembly she had delivered to KS1 pupils about celebrating difference. KS2 have had an assembly about being united against Bullying.
We would therefore like all pupils (and adults) to wear odd socks on Friday 20th November to show that we are all united against bullying and value diversity.
Christmas Jumper Day 11 December
This year our newly elected School Council members have decided that we will support ‘Save the Children’ by participating in Christmas Jumper Day. Even though we’re in lockdown, this is a day you can safely enjoy wherever you are; grab a jumper and donate to Save the Children. You don’t even need a new jumper. Dig out last year’s, take a boring old sweater and add some tinsel, or get one from a charity shop (you won’t believe what people have cleared out in lockdown!)
Together we’ll help this year not be so bad, and make the world better with a sweater.
FOHS Winter Fair 11 December
Our hard-working team of parents are in the process of finalising arrangements for this year’s Winter Fair on Friday 11th December. Once again, we are having to adapt our plans, in light of COVID. Unfortunately, we won’t be allowed to have parents onsite this year. FOHS will prepare items for a limited amount of stalls that the children will be able to purchase from. The traditional teddy stall will feature as will the gift jars and a separate treasure hunt map for each ‘bubble’. Parents will be able to purchase raffle tickets for the Christmas hamper.
Christmas Parties 17 December (pm)
We will be having our Christmas parties on the last day of term but this year, in order to maintain our ‘bubbles’ we will have to have separate KS1 and KS2 parties. Children should come to school in uniform as usual and bring ‘party clothes’ to change into for the afternoon. School will provide refreshments for the children so there is no need to send in party food.
Attention all pre-schoolers
At this time of the year, we would normally be having a pre-school activities afternoon. Sadly, we are unable to run these craft activities at this time but we are able to provide tours around the school for pre-schoolers and their parents at the end of the school day.
Please contact the school on 01673 860295 or email enquiries@hackthorn.lincs.sch.uk if you are interested.