Newsletter

Term 3 February 2020

Message from the Principal This term saw the opening of our Meadowfield 6th Form Centre based at Ufton Lane. This facility has given our 6th Form students a more central to Sittingbourne base and is allowing them the opportunity to explore the benefits of a local youth centre and a wider community for work experience. The ethos of the 6th Form is to prepare students for life after Meadowfield School and trips to the local shops and restaurants is helping to grow their confidence and skills with everyday activities. We have only been at Ufton Lane since January but we have been welcomed by the community and this will enhance the opportunities being offered to our students. The building works continue to progress at our Swanstree site and we hope shortly to be able to see some brickwork! In Term 4 we are expanding our Primary Department with an additional class, Snowdrops. There will be fourteen new pupils joining Meadowfield, with eight pupils going into Snowdrops and six pupils spread across Reception to Yr.5. As you will see from the article in this newsletter, Lisa Candy one of our Deputy Principals has decided after many years service at Meadowfield to retire at the end of this academic year. Lisa will be greatly missed and I am sure you will join me in wishing her a happy retirement in July. We are activity recruiting a replacement for Lisa to be in post ready for the new academic year in September. I wish you all a happy half term and look forward to the start of Term 4 on Tuesday 25th February. Please note that Monday 24th February is a staff development day and the school is closed to pupils. Jill Palmer Principal

Message from Chair of Governors It was great to welcome our two new governors along to their first meeting and a further induction session this term. As part of the Agenda, we discussed better ways of communication with parents as our Parent Forum numbers have dwindled considerably so we are looking to try something different. We are investigating different apps to give personalised information. We are looking to offer parents different opportunities to contribute: coffee mornings and parental courses being just two mentioned. Any ideas would be welcomed. We will keep you posted. Have a great half term. Roberta Kane Chair of Governors

Retirement - Lisa Candy, Deputy Principal I would like to take this opportunity to share with you that I will be retiring at the end of this academic year. Meadowfield School, and before that St Bartholomew’s School, has been a huge part of my teaching career; even before I went to teacher training college I volunteered at St Bartholomew’s. I was very fortunate in 1996 to be able to return to St Bartholomew’s as a part time teacher which quickly became full time then Head of Department and then Deputy. In 2007 I moved to Ifield School but was delighted when Jill asked if I could be released to support Meadowfield in 2013 and then I subsequently came ‘home’ as Deputy Principal in January 2014. I am very proud to have been part of the team achieving two Ofsted outstanding grades for Meadowfield. There are many exciting changes ahead as the school expands and I know that whoever is successfully appointed to fill my post will bring innovative ideas continuing to put your children at the heart of everything. I will miss all your children who never fail to amaze me with their achievements and always make me smile but I am also excited to be able to care for my newest grandson when my daughter returns to work and to be able to get to see my other grandsons who live in Yorkshire more often. I am looking forward to my final three terms here at Meadowfield School and continuing to work to ensure every Meadowfield pupil has the very best learning opportunities. Hedgehogs Class – Sam Duggan Hedgehogs class visited Nasir Mosque in Gillingham as part of their RE Day. The pupils learnt about the teachings of Muhammed. We were made to feel very welcome and the pupils were able to explore Islamic artefacts. We had so much fun and would like to thank those at the Nasir Mosque for making us feel so welcome. Hedgehogs class made me very proud as they were a credit to everyone and were very enthusiastic to learn during our visit.

Badgers Class – Heather Kendall Badgers class enjoyed an open afternoon on 20th January, which they linked to communication and Shabomy Monday. The pupils enjoyed making friendship bracelets, which related to the ethos of Shabomy Monday, promoting happiness. As part of Badgers Class RE Day on the 4th February, they visited the Nasir Mosque in Gillingham. The pupils had a lovely time and enjoyed dressing up, tasting some treats and learning to write their own name in Arabic.

Mother Goose – Susan Farrington At the start of Term 3 we took some pupils from Key Stage 3 to see the relaxed performance of Mother Goose at the Marlowe Theatre. The pupils all had a great time and some of their comments are below: ‘My favourite character was Buddy because he was playing naughty tricks’ Alec ‘I liked it when the eggs popped out!’ Lewis It was awesome! When the confetti machine went off and the man dressed as a lady ran off…’ Alfie Oily Cart All Wrapped Up – Susan Farrington Some pupils from Key Stage 1 were very fortunate to attend an Oily Cart performance’ exploring a world of imagination, a wintery show for young children. Magical characters, hilarious creatures and hidden lands were brought to life through light, shadow and music. We joined in with the sensory stories hidden in scrunched up paper, and created our own story. The theatre welcomed young children into an inclusive, accessible environment, designed specifically for including those with a range of additional support needs. Audience members felt comfortable making noise and moving around as and when they needed to. A thoroughly wonderful experience for everyone.

Values Based Education/Meadowfield Marvels – Lisa Candy & Teresa Taylor Values based education has become embedded into school life. Staff and pupils demonstrate our core values through words and actions, these are happy, safe, welcoming, enthusiastic and proud. Our team of Meadowfield Marvels is growing. Pupils can be nominated as a Meadowfield Marvel by staff, parents and peers. The Meadowfield Marvels are those pupils who consistently demonstrate our values. At our next Meadowfield Marvels meeting we will be considering adding another value, that of kindness, this is a value that is central to a supportive and accepting community. We would like to congratulate our new Meadowfield Marvels:

Abigail D

Maisy L

Charley N

Ciaran R

Danny L

Harry W

Jack R

Cody B

Joshua P

Isobel B

They join our current Meadowfield Marvels who are:

Archie C Lee U

Thomas F Jayden S

Jack K Ridwan R Ewan M Alec K Kai C

Rhys D Jalen S

Georgina F Thomas S

Luke E Emma L Cailan G Bailey M Guy W

Charlie B Ashley B Sydnie L

Marshall B Christopher S Shannon M

Riley H Lilly May T

Skye C Leo T

Lily-Ann R James B

Hannah A

Brogdale Collections, Faversham Brogdale Collections are holding a number of fun activities this half term:

Beastie Bug Day

Meet the Raptors

Orchard Craft Day For more information or to book a place, please contact Brogdale on 01795 536250. London Eye – 50% off We are holding vouchers in the office giving 50% off London Eye pre-booked tickets. Each voucher admits up to 5 people. The vouchers are valid until 1st March 2021, full terms and conditions via the website on the voucher. If you would like a voucher, please let your child’s class teacher know via the Contact Diary or telephone the office.

Diary Dates

24th

February

2020

Start of Term 4 – Staff Development Day pupils

return TUESDAY 25TH FEBRUARY

MARCH 2020

27th March Wear a Hat Day Details to

follow

2nd March Owls Open Afternoon 1:30pm Letter to follow

5th March World Book Day Letter to follow

5th March Hedgehogs Open Afternoon

1:30pm

Letter to follow

w/c 9th March 6th Form Careers Week Whole school

11th March Robins Open Afternoon 1:30pm Letter to follow

17th March Buttercups Open Afternoon

1:30pm

Letter to follow

18th March Daisies Open Afternoon 1:30pm Letter to follow

18th March Foxes Open Afternoon 1:30pm Letter to follow

24th March Caterpillars Open Afternoon

1:30pm

Letter to follow

25the March Bluebells Open Afternoon

1:30pm

Letter to follow

25th March Kingfisher Open Afternoon

1:30pm

Letter to follow

26th March 6th Form Functional Skills Focus

Day

In Lesson

Groups

26th March Tadpoles Open Afternoon

1:30pm

Letter to follow

26th March Ducklings Open Afternoon

1:30pm

Letter to follow

26th March Ladybirds Open Afternoon

1:30pm

Letter to follow

31st March 6th Form Well Being Day In Tutor

Groups

APRIL 2020

1st April

2020

End of Term 4 Easter Holiday

2nd – 15th April

16th April

2020

Start of Term 5

20th April Squirrels Open Afternoon

1:30pm

Letter to follow

MAY 2020

5th May Poppies Open Afternoon 1:30pm Letter to follow

13th May Wrens Open Afternoon 1:30pm Letter to follow

14th May Swallows Open Afternoon

1:30pm

Letter to follow

18th May 6th Form Functional Skills Focus

Day

In Lesson

Groups

21st May Kestrels Open Afternoon 1:30pm Letter to follow

22nd May

2020

End of Term 5 Half Term

Holiday 25th –

29th May

JUNE 2020

1st June

2020

Start of Term 6