October 2023
Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been a busy and exciting month back in school and wonderful to see the children so engaged in their learning.
Thank you for your quick response and support in coming to collect your child/ren last Wednesday (during the drainage issue). It is always a last resort when we have to close the school but due to health and safety the decision had to be made to ensure everyone was kept safe. The blockage has been cleared successfully, it was caused by excessive amounts of toilet paper being put down toilets and also not flushing. I am in discussion to see if systems need updating but will also remind the children about using the toilets appropriately.
Please note the new dates, reminders or changes to dates below:
Come and join us for a 'Cuppa and a Catch up' at Jupiter with DFS (Dacorum Family Services) on Wednesday 11th October at 8.45am in the school lodge.
Anglo-Saxon workshop in school for all Year 4 pupils on Monday 16th October
Our PTA and School staff will be holding pupil Halloween Discos on Monday 16th October. Details of tickets will be sent to you in a separate email
WW2 theme day in school for all Year 6 pupils on Wednesday 18th October
'When I grow up' dress up day and showcase to parents at 9am on Thursday 19th October
SCHOOL CLOSED on Friday 20th October - Staff Inset training day
Highfield Community Centre is holding a Halloween Party on Saturday 28th October at 5pm.
Change of date for Christmas dinner. This has been moved to 19th December. This will also be Christmas Jumper day.
Please also look at the new Enrichment Calendar for further dates of curriculum linked events and on the diary dates below.
Karen Armstrong
Headteacher, Jupiter Primary School
Getting help and support
Dacorum Family Services are offering lots of brilliant advice and support. We have also invited them to come to Jupiter Primary for a parent drop in. We look forward to seeing many of you there:
'Cuppa & a Catch up' on Wednesday 11th October 8.45am - 9.45am at The Lodge, will give parents and carers the opportunity to talk together and with the DFS family workers to find support on a range of topics. These could include:
issues with routine at home
getting your child/ren dressed and ready for school
meltdowns, your child not wanting to go to school
'Cuppa & a Catch up' will allow everyone to have a chat with a friendly face and a chance to offload.
Please come along to the lodge in the car park, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and find out about the support DFS could offer you.
MINDFULNESS - supporting mental health
We are delighted that Lucy Mortimer, our mindfulness coach will be supporting children at Jupiter once a week again this year. Lucy will be delivering mindful sessions to classes, holding a mindful lunch club and working with some children in small groups or in 1:1 sessions. If you would like to read more about Lucy then please click on the link below to view the section on our school website.
https://www.jupiter.herts.sch.uk/475/well-being-and-mental-health
We are also planning on delivering some parent/ carer workshops with Lucy this year so please look out for these events.
Class Blogs
Every week your child’s year group blog will give you a brief overview of the week, what learning is taking place, the sharing of celebrations and any events/activities which your child has taken part in.
You can access the blogs through the school website or click on the links below.
Driving and Parking
Please drive slowly, especially outside the school.
Try to park and walk if you can.
Please ensure you use the pedestrian footpaths and do not walk across the car park
The car park is for use by staff and those with disabled badges
The gates to the car park will be closed from 8.30 to 8.45 to ensure all children can come to school safely.
Parents/ carers should park safely outside of school and be aware of other road users and local neighbours
Please DO NOT park and block the entrance gates or residents driveways.
At Jupiter Primary we are in conversations with the local council to see if improved road safety measures can be placed on Jupiter Drive.
We are also looking to introduce more road safety workshops for our pupils.
More information to follow this year.
Class blogs
Dates for your diary
The dates below are provisional and may be subject to change. There will be additional dates added in September to include specific events and year group activities.
Mon 2nd Oct: Kingfishers Assembly
Tues 10th Oct: Parents’ Evening 15.30 – 18.30
Wed 11th Oct: Parents’ Evening 16.00 – 19.00
Mon 16th Oct: Otter’s Class Assembly
Thur 19th Oct: Children break up for half term
Fri 20th Oct: INSET DAY
Mon 30th Oct: Children return to school
Mon 6th Nov: Woodpeckers Assembly
Wed 8th Nov: Open morning for new prospective parents. 9.15am in the Hall with Mrs Armstrong and to include a 9.30am Reception class tour
Mon 13th November: Odd Sock day
Wed 15th Nov: Open morning for new prospective parents. 9.15am in the Hall with Mrs Armstrong and to include a 9.30am Reception class tour
Thursday 16th Nov: Phonic talk for parents at either 2.30pm or 3.15pm
Fri 17th Nov: Children in Need Mufti day
Mon 27th Nov: Pine Marten’s Class Assembly
Tues 21st Nov: Photographer in – individual AND sibling photos
Fri 1st Dec: Occasional Day – school closed
Thur 7th Dec: Christmas Fair (times tbc)
Mon 11th Dec: 9.00am Reception Nativity dress rehearsal to school pupils only
Tues 12th Dec: 9.00am Reception Nativity performance to parents/carers
Wed 13th Dec: Christmas Dinner and Christmas Jumper day
Thurs 14th Dec: 2pm Reception Nativity performance to parents/carers
Tuesday 19th December: Carols on the Muga come and listen to us singing some carols from 2.30pm to 3.00pm
Wed 20th Dec: Break up for Christmas 1pm EY & KS1 /1.15pm KS2
Mon 8th Jan: Children return to school