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Dear Parents / Carers

Our Sports Days will take place during the school day, on the following dates:

Years 3 and 4 – Tuesday 21^st June 2022

Years 5 and 6 – Wednesday 22^nd June 2022

Years 1 and 2 – Thursday 23^rd June 2022

Nursery and Reception - Thursday 30th June 2022

As with all previous years, parents and carers will not be invited to spectate.  

All children can come to school in sports clothes or their PE kit for the day.  

Yours sincerely

Ms. S M Collins

School Business Director

Executive Head Teacher’s PA

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Dear parents and carers

Don't forget, there is no school tomorrow (27/5/2022) due to Inset Day.

Children will return on Monday 6th June 2022.

Many thanks

Abbey Federation

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Dear parents and carers

Can we remind you that school photos are taking place this week.

As an update to this, the children in 4M who are taking part in the Commonwealth Games on Wednesday, and the children in RS who are doing Forest School on Thursday, should come to school in their uniform and bring their Sports / Forest School clothes to get changed into. 

We have quite a lot going on this week, so we would like to remind you to check the website to make sure nothing is missed.

https://www.abbeyfederation.co.uk/diary/grid/2022/05/

https://www.abbeyfederation.co.uk/letters-communication/

Many thanks

Abbey Federation

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Dear parents and carers 

It has been bought to our attention that some children are wearing expensive Apple Watches and similar brands to school. 

These watches have a camera feature, and are therefore prohibited from being warn or used in classrooms and around the school site. 

Please refer to the Mobile Phone Policy https://www.abbeyfederation.co.uk/health-safety/

Additionally, we strongly recommend that children do not come into school with expensive items, due to the risk of loss or breakages.  

If children do come into school with these watches, the teacher will keep them and you will be asked to collect them at the end of the school day. 

Many thanks for your understanding, 

Abbey Federation  

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Dear Parents/Carers

It is fast approaching the Platinum Jubilee and Abbey School, in conjunction with our Friends of Abbey, would like to hold a Street Party style celebration on Tuesday 24^th May 2022.  During the afternoon the children will enjoy a celebration with games, music, entertainment, sing-along and afternoon tea.  

We ask that all the children attend school on this day in non-school uniform; wearing colours of red, white or blue, or a combination.  We also ask that you provide your child with an additional, small snack to enjoy at the afternoon tea.  Please do not provide any products that may contain nuts.  Children will have a drink provided. 

We do hope that this will be a memorable day to commemorate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. 

Many Thanks

Abbey Federation

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Dear parents and cares,

Can we remind you to ensure that your children's jumpers and cardigans are named.

With the warmer weather here (hopefully to stay) its easier for children to find their jumpers and cardigans at the end of the day, if they have taken them off in the classroom.

You are able to send your child in with a sun hat and sun cream.  The sun cream must be clearly labelled with your child’s name, and they must be able to apply it themselves.

If the weather does change however, please can we remind you that umbrellas shouldn't be used by the children around the school site.  We don't want anyone getting caught or poked in the eye accidentally. 

Many thanks

Abbey Federation

Dear parents and carers,

We have been informed by SIPS Catering that the new menu will be available after Easter.

The majority of the items will remain the same, with only a handful of changes.

As soon as we receive the new menu, we will email and upload it onto the website:

https://www.abbeyfederation.co.uk/useful-links/

Many thanks

Abbey Federation

Dear parents and cares,

Can we remind you to ensure that your children's jumpers and cardigans are named.

With the warmer weather here (hopefully to stay) its easier for children to find their jumpers and cardigans at the end of the day, if they have taken them off in the classroom.

You are able to send your child in with a sun hat and sun cream.  The sun cream must be clearly labelled with your child’s name, and they must be able to apply it themselves.

Many thanks

Abbey Federation

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Dear parents and carers, 

So far, we have raised £197.00 for Red Nose Day across both schools! 

Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far. 

We will leave the item on ParentPay until Friday 25th March, just in case anyone wants to make any last minute donations. 

Many thanks 

Abbey Federation  

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Dear Parents and Carers

We have been informed by our kitchen staff that chicken poppers are unavailable this week, therefore on Friday 25th March they will be serving breaded chicken instead.

All other options will remain the same. 

Kind Regards

Abbey Federation

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Dear Parents / Carers

Red Nose day is Friday 18^th March 2022.  Children may choose to wear any simple Red Nose Day items during the day such as red noses and t-shirts with their school uniform.

This is not a dressing up day, it is just an opportunity to wear any Red Nose Day items that you may have already purchased.  Please do not rush out and buy items especially for this day, normal school uniform must be worn.

On the day there will be an assembly talking about the work of 'Charities', what we do at Abbey to promote and take part in charity events and explaining how the money raised on Red Nose Day will be used by this charity.

If anyone also wishes to donate to Red Nose Day, we have set up an option to make your donations via ParentPay.  This is a variable amount so you are able to donate any amount you wish.  We will then transfer the total amount to the Red Nose Day Appeal on your behalf.

Many Thanks

Abbey Federation

Dear Parents/Carers 

The children at Abbey will be taking part in World Book Day 2022 and we will have lots of 'booky' fun at school throughout the week and on the day! On Thursday 3rd March 2022 we are asking that the children come to school dressed as a character from a book, but this is entirely optional.   

Your child can be as creative as they want to be and think of some clever costumes; for example, why not carry a bucket of dinosaurs for 'Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs'? We are not expecting expensive shop bought costumes, but for everyone to have some fun around the theme of books. Here is a link to the world book day website for further ideas: http://www.worldbookday.com/ideas/  

Every year, we receive books tokens. Your £1 book tokens will be given out on World Book Day and can either be swapped for one of the new, exclusive World Book Day books OR get £1 off any book or audiobook costing £2.99 or more in bookshops and supermarkets (redemption period 17 February - 27 March 2022.) Booksellers take part in World Book Day because they want to help create the readers of the future. Booksellers buy the books and give them to children in exchange for the £1 token. They give children the chance to experience choosing and owning a book – for free. Your local bookseller might be on a high street or could be a supermarket. Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco all stock the £1 books. You can also find your nearest bookseller at booksaremybag.com.  Our local high street bookseller is Bear Books and they will be holding a Reading Party on Thursday 3^rd March from 3.30pm - 6pm where you can read and party together!  Here you will be able to use your book voucher for £1 off any book. 

We are all looking forward to a great day with reading and books at the heart of all the fun! 

Thank you for your continued support, 

Dear parents and carers,

The offices are running on reduced staff this week.

Please can we ask that you email office@abbey-inf.sandwell.sch.uk (Infants) OR office@abbey-jun.sandwell.sch.uk (Juniors) or leave a voice message on the absence line where possible.

If your child is showing any symptoms that relate to the Corona Virus, please can you arrange a PCR test and keep your child at home until they have had a negative result.

If your child receives a positive PCR test, please can you email us with this information.

Many thanks for your cooperation (and patience). 

Abbey Admin Team

PE Clothing

As we informed you on Tuesday, one of the key control measures in place following the latest guidance, is to ensure good ventilation.

As well as classrooms, this also includes the school hall during PE.

Therefore, if you wish, you can add tracksuit bottoms/leggings and a jumper to your child’s PE bag for them to wear during PE.

Please ensure that any extra clothing you send in for PE is clearly named.

Many thanks

Abbey Federation

Abbey Federation Christmas Party Day – Friday 17^th December 2021

Abbey Infants and Juniors will be holding a Christmas party day on Friday 17^th December 2021.Children are welcome to dress in their party clothes for the day and we are asking for a contribution of £1.00 to go towards the cost of the food and drinks.

Please send your £1.00 contribution to your child’s class teacher, no later than Friday 10^th December 2021.

We are asking for a cash payment, rather than using ParentPay as this will enable staff to go and purchase the food and drinks required with the money collected.  

Many thanks for your continued support.  

Abbey Federation

We are aware that some children in Year 2 and Year 6 did not receive their flu vaccination due to the vaccination team running out of time. 

Vaccination UK have arranged a mop up session on Monday 6^th December 2021 for these children and any other children who were absent on vaccination day. 

Some parents have already informed us that they have since taken their child to their own medical practitioner to receive their flu vaccination.  

To ensure vaccinations are not duplicated, we are asking parents to give consent on ParentPay for their child to receive the flu vaccination on the above date. 

Vaccinations will only be offered to children whose parents have previously completed the original flu vaccination consent form.  Unfortunately, we are unable to check which parents have given consent, as the Vaccination Team have these.   

Please log on to your child’s ParentPay account, to give consent by Thursday 2nd December 2021.

Please note that consent via ParentPay doesn’t guarantee your child will get the vaccination if you didn’t previously complete the flu vaccination consent form.   

No child will be offered the vaccine without this consent.  

Many thanks 

Abbey Federation 

Dear Parents / Carers, 

We are writing to update you briefly on Covid-19 safety measures at Abbey following the Government's changes this weekend.  

Few of the main control measures have not changed for Primary schools.  One key measure is to ensure good ventilation.  All classrooms now have CO2 monitors so we can be sure that throughflow is sufficient.  As the temperature drops and windows remain open, the internal temperature can dip.  Please make sure that children have their school jumpers/cardigans with them. You may consider layering clothing with additional vests or t-shirts and warm socks and tights.  We will try to balance temperature and airflow as best we can. 

In addition to these measures, we will continue to follow the guidance on infection.  Any child who has the recent onset of one of the main symptoms of Covid-19 will be asked to stay at home.  If the symptoms are identified at school, we will ask you to collect your child.  Both will require a PCR test before a child returns to school.  We’re not being difficult, we’re not being obstructive, but if parents report that a child has one of the main symptoms or they develop these whilst in school (a new or continuous cough, raised temperature, loss of taste or sense of smell) then going for a PCR test is what’s recommended.  These measures will ensure that the child receives the care that they need and the school community is protected from the spread of the virus.  The most important symptoms of COVID are a new continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss, of, or change in your normal sense of taste or smell.  More details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection 

Please can we remind parents that we expect all of our staff to be treated with tolerance and respect; the same way as that we treat you.  We all understand that this is a challenging time but our office staff have experienced extremely unpleasant conversations, where they are not treated well and this is something that will not be tolerated.

Please can we remind you that lateral flow tests are available for families to use and they can support early identification of Covid-19. They can be ordered for home delivery and picked up locally. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/regular-rapid-coronavirus-tests-if-you-do-not-have-symptoms/ 

Regular handwashing and the use of antibacterial hand gel is used throughout the school and we continue with an enhanced cleaning regime.  

Finally, new guidance recommends that face coverings should be worn on public transport and in shops.  We ask that you consider the use of face coverings during arrival and collection time and observe social distancing.  

We are grateful for the continued support that we have from our school community.  Thank you

Mrs Tracey Flanagan

Executive Deputy Head Teacher

Dear parents and carers,

We would like to remind you that next Tuesday 7th December, is Christmas Dinner Day. 

As the closing date for this was Friday 26th November, we have already given the numbers to the kitchen for everyone who has signed up.

We must make you aware that the kitchen will only be serving either the meat, or vegetarian Christmas Dinner option that day. 

Therefore, for those families who haven't signed up because their children don't like the food choices for that day, we would like to remind you that you will need to provide a lunch from home that day.

Many thanks

Abbey Federation

We are pleased to announce that the school will be serving Christmas Dinner on Tuesday 7th December 2021. Please see attached poster. If you would like your child to receive a Christmas dinner on this date, please can you log on to ParentPay to inform us of your decision. Only children who have expressed their intention will receive a Christmas Dinner on this date, as we will be ordering exact numbers from the supplier. INFANTS - There will be no charge for this as children in EYFS/KS1 are entitled to free school meals. JUNIORS - There will be a charge of £2.40 please ensure this is credited to your dinner money account by Tuesday 7th December 2021. Children who receive free school meals do not need to pay but will still need to express their interest on ParentPay, Bookings are open immediately on ParentPay. The closing date will be Friday 26thNovember 2021. Please note this date will be strictly adhered to.

Many Thanks

Abbey Federation

Dear Parents/Carers,

As a school we are not actively supporting the charity 'Children in Need' and will not be collecting money this year.

We get requests from charities both big and small, frequently.  It's impossible as a school to support everyone and we must be mindful of asking families for donations. 

We have supported Children in Need in the past; and will again in the future.  Our most recent charitable donation was to our local foodbank where we delivered (two minibuses full of food) - thank you for your support.

However, if children have the Children In Need merchandise, they are more than welcome to wear it to school on Friday 19th November.

Please note this is not a 'Dress Down Day' or 'Wear your own clothes', only Children in Need merchandise will be allowed.

Many Thanks

Abbey Federation

WOOHOO… MONDAY 15TH NOVEMBER IS ODD SOCKS DAY!

WHAT IS ODD SOCKS DAY? Odd Socks Day is part of Anti-Bullying Week! To celebrate that we are all unique, we ask that your child wears odd socks to school on Monday 15th November. Andy Day (Cbeebies/cbbc) and his band Andy and the Odd Socks are supporting the Anti-Bullying Alliance to help bring Odd Socks Day to life again this year. Have a listen to the brilliant song they have recorded especially for Anti-Bullying Week, One Kind Word. Andy and the Odd Socks - One Kind Word (Official Video) - YouTube

The day sends an important message that we should all be allowed to be ourselves free from bullying and helps us celebrate Anti-Bullying Week in a fun and positive way.

WHAT DO WE NEED FROM YOU? Make sure your child wears odd socks to school on Monday 15th November. 

Thank you