Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Modeshift Stars Regional Travel Awards: 8th November 2023

  Tue 10 Oct 2023

  We are delighted to inform you that Fairfield Infant School has been shortlisted to take part in the Regional Travel Awards Event on Wednesday 8th November after achieving one of the highest levels of Modeshift Stars Accreditation in 2022/23—Platinum .

   

  This event is to highlight and celebrate the work actioned by the schools who have achieved the top level  accreditation scheme. They will be revealing the Local Authority Schools of the Year before announcing the Modeshift Stars Schools of the Region 2023.

   

  We are hopeful that we will be selected to go forward to the Modeshift Stars National Travel Awards in London in March 2024...

  

• Walktober

  Mon 02 Oct 2023

  We are taking part in Walktober this term!

   

  By travelling actively and/or sustainably throughout October, we can all get moving for our wellbeing, our community and our planet.

   

  We hope as many of our pupils and staff as possible can get involved by walking, wheeling, cycling, scooting, using Park and Stride and public transport more often. 

   

  We are planning extra school activities in conjunction with Walktober and full details about this will   follow soon but may include:

   

  · Bling your bike/scooter event including a parade in the playground

  · Participation in whole-school Road Safety training through our feature assemblies

   

  This event will serve as our school entry for the school Walktober competition being run by the My Journey Team at Hampshire County Council, so your support would be appreciated.

   

  They will also be running a Walktober competition for your child to enter. Each pupil will receive a Walktober Challenge Card today, which sets four weekly challenges to try over the course of the month plus a bonus task for the final two days. The weekly challenges can be adapted if necessary, or your child may like to come up with their own ideas instead.

   

  We have sent parents an information leaflet via Parentmail on Monday 2nd October.  The leaflet includes how to submit your child’s competition entry.

   

  Please visit: myjourneyhampshire.com/walktober

  for information and ideas.

   

  You can also hand your child’s entry direct to the school and we will submit their entries for you! Please hand these in  before Friday 10th November.

   

   

  

• Open Days

  Thu 28 Sep 2023

  Is your child 4 or will they turn 4 on or before 01September 2024? If yes, they can start school in September 2024!

   

  From 1 November 2023, Hampshire residents can apply online for a school place or collect an application form from us or any Hampshire Infant or Primary School. For more information go to www.hants.gov/admissions

   

  We will be holding numerous Open Day sessions and invite parents and children to visit the school for a presentation with one of Senior Management Team and a tour of our school .

  

• Cycle to School Week - 25th - 29th September 2023

  Mon 18 Sep 2023

  We’re excited to launch 2023’s Cycle to School Week, taking place from Monday 25 - Friday 29 September.

   

  Do you want to save money, get healthier and protect the environment? As well as have lots of fun on the journey to school?

   

  Then get involved with Cycle to School Week!

   

  This year, Cycle to School Week will take place between Monday 25 – Friday 29 September 2023.

  With support from our friends at Sustrans, we are celebrating the fun and freedom of an eco-friendly cycle commute, and  encourage all families, pupils and teachers to get involved. 

   

  Make a pledge – and win!

   

  This year we are asking pupils, parents, schools and teachers to make a cycling pledge. Simply fill in the form on the link below, choose your pledge, and be entered into the prize draw to win a brand new Frog children’s bike!

   

  https://www.bikeability.org.uk/cycletoschoolweek/?utm_campaign=194679_Family%20Enews%20Cycle%20to%20School%20Week%202023&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Sustrans&dm_i=7CK6,467R,CMJBK,GJDH,1

   

  You could pledge to

  · Swap one car journey for cycling

  · Cycle to school everyday

  · Discover somewhere new to cycle

  · Go on a cycle ride with your family

   

  There are lots of opportunities to get involved, win prizes, and learn valuable skills for all ages.

  Cycling, walking or scooting to school is a great way to change things up and reduce your carbon footprint. 

   

  We've put together a list of 9 reasons why your family should ditch the car and enjoy a school run in the fresh air .

   

  1.  Build activity into the whole family’s routine

  2. It's a boost for mental health and wellbeing

  3. It's the best way to start the day

  4. It will help ease congestion outside the school gate

  5. It's good for the environment

  6. It increases children’s road safety awareness

  7. It lets you connect with the world around you

  8. You’ll save money

  9. Think of all the fresh air, freedom and fun you’ll have along the way

   

  There are more details on the link below:

   

  sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/get-active/2019/everyday-walking-and-cycling/9-reasons-to-cycle-scoot-or-walk-the-school-run/?utm_campaign=194679_Family%20Enews%20Cycle%20to%20School%20Week%202023&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Sustrans&dm_i=7CK6,467R,CMJBK,GJ3W,1

   

   

  

• Mental Health Support Team - Anxiety Workshop

  Thu 14 Sep 2023

  The Mental Health Support team will be running a Mental Health Workshop at School on Tuesday 3rd October from 9:00am to 10.00am approximately.

   

  If you would like to attend please fill out the Parent Mail Form sent today. This workshop is an adult only event.

   

  Please come along for tea and biscuits and to learn more about childhood anxiety.

  We look forward to seeing you.

   

  Mrs Abby Chambers

  Child and Family Support Worker

  

• Travel Wise Week - 16th - 22nd September 2023

  Wed 13 Sep 2023

  TravelWise Week is a world-wide, week-long Travel Challenge where Modeshift asks everyone to Travel Wisely!

   

  This is taking place between 16-22 September this year. We aim to promote active travel, public transport, and other cleaner and healthier transport choices which culminates in World Car Free Day  on Friday 22nd September when everyone is encouraged to find an alternative mode of travel for just one day.

   

  TravelWise Week is the perfect opportunity to swap your car for a more active form of travel such as: walking, scooting or cycling. If you need to drive, can you consider public transport?

   

  We will trying to raise awareness around the impacts of travel choices on an individual’s health and wellbeing, and on the environment throughout this week and would love it if you could try and participate as much as possible. We will be taking a daily log of pupils mode of travel in this period.

  We are planning to launch TravelWise Week during assembly and run different events each days, such as:

  · A scavenger hunt on the way to school

  · Talking and writing stories about children's journeys to school

   

  Further details to follow in next week’s Newsletter....

   

  All schools taking part have the opportunity to berecognised through Modeshift’s new and    exciting TravelWise Week Awards!

   

  

• Gardening Club - Thank you to Wickes Havant

  Fri 30 Jun 2023

  Earlier in the year the eco committee wrote to local companies asking for donations to help start up a gardening club.  John Rogers from Wickes in Havant responded and has worked with us to provide over £200 of equipment to help us build a vegetable garden.  Wickes have kindly donated sleepers, compost and topsoil, trowels, forks and a watering can.  John even came to help the gardening club to plant out our seeds and plants to start Fairfield's first vegetable garden.  We planted strawberries, tomatoes, beans, and pumpkins and can't wait to see everything start to grow.

   

  The gardening club and eco committee would like to say a huge thank you to Wickes for all their help and support.  

   

  

• Pre-Loved Uniform Sale - Friday 26th May

  Tue 23 May 2023

  Don't forget we are running a Pre-loved School Uniform Sale on Friday 26th May - Everyone is WELCOME

   

  This will run from 2.45 – 3.15pm at the Front of the School

   

  We have some great quality pre-loved uniform items; including school trousers, skirts, pinafores, polo shirts, PE shorts, tops, plimsolls and shoes.

   

  All Donations will be gratefully received, please bring small change - All Funds raised will go towards support for our school.

   

  REMINDER: LOST PROPERTY

   

  Lost Property is on display at the front of the school everyday this week, please check through for any mislaid items. Unclaimed items will be donated to the clothes bank at the end of this half term...

  

• Fairfield Forest School - Supporting this year's theme of 'Anxiety' for Mental Health Support Week.

  Thu 18 May 2023

  Finding time every day to connect with nature can help you to feel better when you are feeling stressed, worried or sad. In our Forest School sessions we make sure every week that we notice the birds, bugs and any changes in the environment

   

  Blowing bubbles is a great way to practise breathing to calm down when you are feeling anxious. You can also imagine your worries floating away inside the bubbles.

  In Forest School this week we made our own bubble wands using sticks and wool.

   

  Practising mindfulness (being in the present moment right now) can also help to focus the mind and cope with feelings of anxiety. An example of this is to take part in a sensory activity such as playdough, water or natural objects. Our Forest School group enjoyed exploring the clay, using their senses of touch, smell and sight, to make clay faces on the trees, pinch pots and a selection of other creations! We also did some cooking in the mud kitchen!

  

• Mental Health Awareness Week 15 - 21st May 2023

  Wed 17 May 2023

  Looking after your family's wellbeing is very important. Families all need some help from time to time due to life changes or events.

   

  As a parent or carer, you can take small steps to help your child's wellbeing as well as your own. You can do this by starting with the basics.

   

  Using the back to basics approach can empower you to take control of the 5 Ways to Wellbeing. Consider one area at a time. Think about your home environment and what small changes you can make together as a family. For more information, please follow this link:

   

  https://www.hants.gov.uk/.../childrenandfa.../back-to-basics

   

  Here is more information and links to useful websites for more help for children, young people and families:

   

  Kooth is a free, safe, anonymous online counselling and emotional wellbeing support service for 11-25-year-olds in Hampshire with no referral needed. Pupils can sign up this week and access community discussions, content, and moderated live forums all about anxiety and coping

   

  https://www.kooth.com/

   

  ChatHealth free messaging service for parents and carers and children and young people aged 5-19 to text a School Nurse in Hampshire

   

  https://www.hampshirehealthyfamilies.org.uk/chathealth

   

  SHOUT provides free, 24/7 mental health support by text. Text HANTS to 85258

   

  https://giveusashout.org/

   

  Self Harm Support Hub provides information and peer support for parents/carers supporting a child or young person who self-harms

   

  https://www.solentmind.org.uk/.../self-harm-support-hub/

   

  Find more local and national support on Mental Wellbeing Hampshire

   

  https://www.hants.gov.uk/.../pub.../mentalwellbeinghampshire