Newsletter 9th September 2022

Dear Parents and Carers,

We have had such a good start to the new academic year. The Year 1 and 2 children have settled well into their new classes, made new friends, kept old friends and have got used to the new routines. Our new Reception and Nursery children have been visited by the class staff this week for home visits. The staff are grateful for this as it really does help the children settle, when they start school next week.

HM Queen Elizabeth II

Yesterday we heard the sad news that Queen Elizabeth II had passed away.  We ask parents to share with your children, if you feel it is appropriate, in an age appropriate way. Or you might want to wait for the weekend or nearer the funeral.  This won’t be addressed in school by teachers over the next few working days to allow you to deal with this in a way that is right for your family. 

School will remain open and will be closed on the day of her funeral. That day will be shared once we know more.

Many children will have learnt about the Queen’s reign last year in school, when the Platinum Jubilee was celebrated. The children of this generation will remember the Queen fondly; her sense of humour, her love of dogs and horses, her brightly coloured hats and her kindness and ability to communicate with people from all over the world. 

Partnership News

I have written an impact document, outlining some of the benefits of partnership working. Here is an extract. Further extracts will follow:

Impact of partnership model on the children

The children at both schools have been given memorable experiences:

  • Year 3 have visited Mousehold to attend a Maths afternoon, working with all ages from Nursery to Year 2. The Year 3 children enjoyed coming back to Mousehold and were excited and could articulate their favourite moments when there last year. The younger children looked up to the Year 3s and were helped by them with their Maths learning.
  • Year 2 children have visited GWJS Year 3 children for a Maths afternoon and this supported with transition for the children who will be starting there in Sept 2022.
  • Year 6 children watched the Year 2 Samba Drumming performance. They remembered learning Samba when at Mousehold and could talk about how their learning in music since then has built upon the foundations of music at Mousehold.
  • Joint working for Refugee Week. There will be displays in both schools to share the work the children have completed from Nursery to Year 6 – to show respect and understanding of refugees in our schools and their families. This links to the ‘Respect’ ethos at GWJS and the ‘High Five’ at Mousehold.
  • The progression of learning is clear from Nursery to Year 6, and subject leaders have worked together on this. This means that children’s learning builds upon previous learning and this gives the children the best chance to learn more and remember more, leading to better outcomes at the end of Year 6.
  • Safeguarding leads meet regularly from both schools to ensure that joint families are having the joined up support they need from both schools to keep children safe. Training is shared, so all designated safeguarding leads are as fully informed as possible.

Mousehold’s High Five

Our ‘High Five’ is the golden thread that underpins our Curriculum:

Respect   Help   Learn   Enjoy   Achieve

Children leave Mousehold as successful learners who:

are critical thinkers, with enquiring minds who can adapt to the ever changing world around them. (Respect)

can understandcooperate and shape the world together. (Help)

are motivated and passionate about life long learning. (Learn)

are happy and confident to succeed in modern British society. (Enjoy) 

are resilient, with a growth mindset to carry on achieving. (Achieve)

Please talk to your children about the High Five. If you feel your child deserves a High Five letter for something they have achieved at home, linked to our High Five, please let a senior leader know on the playgrounds in the morning or afternoon. If members of staff notice something amazing in school your child will receive a High Five letter and will stand up in a Friday assembly.

Music Mark 2022-2023

At our school, all children enjoy a wide range of musical experiences.  These range from singing and dancing in EYFS, to ukulele lessons in Year One, Samba drumming lessons in Year Two, singing assembly and recorder club.  We also welcome local performers, such as the classical group who will be performing to KS1 next week. In recognition of our commitment to provide high quality music education for all our children, we are pleased to announce that we have once again been made a ‘Music Mark School’ for this academic year. We look forward to welcoming back Anna and Jon, our ukulele and Samba drumming teachers, who will be starting with us again next week.

Mousehold Facebook Page

This is a great way to stay connected. You will find us at Mousehold Infant & Nursery School.

If you don’t have Facebook, a social media feed is on our home page of our website.

Allergy to nuts – please help us

We have a child in school who has an allergy to nuts. Our school kitchen is nut free. We would like to ask that when children bring food to school that every effort is made for no nut based products to be in the lunchbox:

Examples:

  • No nutella or peanut butter sandwiches
  • No bags of nuts
  • No cereal bars with nuts in.
  • No Cakes or chocolate bars with nuts in
  • No sesame oil based products

We can make every effort to be a ‘ nut free school’ with your cooperation, however we cannot guarantee this at all times, as some nuts are hidden in foods. Thank you for your cooperation. 

Well done to Valentina in Wagtail Class

After battling cancer, overcoming and coping with many barriers and showing so much perseverance and determination we are pleased to announce that Valentina has won an award. She is a National Champion in Get Set’s Values Champions Awards!


The Values Champions Awards inspired an amazing number of nominations and there were only 16 National Champions. Valentina was selected by the Olympic and Paralympic athlete judges as one of the National Champions. A huge congratulations to Valentina and her family.
As a National Champion, Valentina’s story will be published in a Values Champions Award book and a certificate will be awarded to celebrate her amazing demonstration of the Olympic and Paralympic Values.

Community News

Forest School After-School Club on Wednesdays 4pm-5.30pm at Mousehold Heath (starts on Wednesday 14th September 2022). Activities include: building dens, woodland craft activities, foraging, fauna & flora identification, wood carving, willow sculptures, woodland games, fire circles, story telling, climbing trees, forest yoga, and free play in the magic and beauty of the woods. Sessions are run by Amber Hale – a qualified and experienced Forest School Leader. The sessions cost £48 for 6 weeks. 

To book please go to: www.enchantedwoodsnorfolk.com or email: enchantedwoodsnorfolk@gmail.com

This is not linked to school and school are not organising or responsible for this club.

Safeguarding and looking after each other

You will see Mrs Derer on our school playground on a Monday and Tuesday. She is our Parent Support Advisor and will always be happy to talk to you. We like to support the whole family at Mousehold.  If you have any worries about anything relating to your child or problems at home that are affecting the family, then please feel free to make an appointment to see a member of staff who can help you. Please make an appointment through the school office or drop into the office after bringing your children to school.  We will do our best to help you. 

Please see our website for all of our policies and more information about safeguarding

Designated Safeguarding Leads Mrs Westall, Mr Tolson, Mr Smith and Miss Wood. These members of staff monitor and manage all safeguarding practices and ensure staff are supported and have the training they need. Please ask to see one of these adults if you are worried about the safety of a child at school.
If you have a safeguarding concern about a child out of school hours then the number to ring is:   CADS – Children’s Advice and Duty Service – 0344 800 8020.

A message from our Mental Health Champions


At our school we have a Mental Health Champion Team.  The three of us (Mrs Abeyta, Mrs Desouky and Mrs Graham) are a team of individuals who are passionate about the wellbeing of children, families, and staff. 

Please see our school website to see who we are and to read more about how we can support you, by clicking on the Safeguarding tab at the top of our school website –Mental Health Support – Mousehold Infant and Nursery School (mouseholdinfants.com)

Mental Health Support – Mousehold Infant and Nursery School Mental Health Champions. What are Mental Health Champions? We are a team of individuals who are passionate about the wellbeing of children, families and staff. www.mouseholdinfants.com

For those of you who have children beginning their school journey this September it can be a mixed time of emotions. You may feel happy that you’ve got to this point, perhaps sad because your children are growing up, possibly anxious about your child managing the school day. These are all very normal emotions. If you are finding this struggle hard, please come and talk to us. As a mental health champion team we are always happy to talk as is Mrs Derer our Parent Support Advisor. (see our website for more details)

Here are a few websites that you might find helpful: 

Starting school: what it’s REALLY like for your child … and you! – Netmums

Starting School (justonenorfolk.nhs.uk)

“It can be tempting to plan lots of things in for yourself once the children are back in school but the first few weeks back can be physically and emotionally exhausting for everyone, build in a little time for yourself, that way, everyone in the family will benefit. 

                                                                                                Care for the family-Back to school tips

Thank you for your continued support

Yours faithfully

Mrs Rebecca Westall

Headteacher

Mousehold Infant and Nursery School is part of Inclusive Schools Trust