Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School
“We live our lives like Jesus”
Corpus Christi News
14th February 2025
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we come to the end of this term, we wish all our families a happy and restful half term. During school breaks, children may use smart devices more than usual. This week, we reminded the children about the rules of and ways to stay safe online and especially how to spot scams and then avoid being scammed! We also talked to the children about sharing their concerns with a trusted adult— please click on the link below for parent advice in how to protect your child from harm when they are accessing technology
www. saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/parents-and-carers
Half term, would be a great time to talk to your child/ren about the sites they like to visit and what they enjoy. Sometimes, games may seem fun and childlike but as a player progresses through levels, they can become more sinister and are inappropriate for children. Always check age limits and keep a check on what is being played. One game that is causing concern at the moment is Sprunki, which starts as a musical game but had many different modified versions which are not appropriate for any primary age child. Please do check apps and devices regularly.
Miss Clark
“By our actions, our words, our patient efforts to sow seeds of beauty and kindness wherever we find ourselves. We want to sing of hope and reawaken in every heart the joy and the courage to embrace life, to the Full.”
Pope Francis
Healthy Eating, Lunches and Snacks in School As we approach the mid-point of the year, I thought it would be helpful to gently remind parents of our school expectations around healthy eating, lunches and snacks. We are blessed that our children come from diverse home background, cultures and ethnicity and know that food is a really important part of any culture. We also recognise that some children are “fussy eaters” or have to avoid eating certain foods on health grounds and therefore these are guidelines about the food we would expect to see in school. They are here to help parents and ensure health and equality for all children.
Water— it is scientifically recognised that concentration, being ready to learn and behaviour
Snacks—children in Reception, Year 1 and 2 will be offered a piece of fruit every day. This is provided free.
NO sweets, chocolate, crisps or biscuits should be sent in as a break snack. Lunches— A nutritionally balanced school dinner is available for all children every day. Early Years and KS1 classes are entitled to a free school meal under the Universal Free School Meals Scheme.
Some KS2 children that are entitled to Free School Meals (available for pupils entitled to the Pupil Premium Grant or those who are on certain visas which means they have no recourse for public funding) may request a free school meal each day. Other KS2 children may have a school meal at a cost of £2.68 per day. Caterlink can ensure any child with an allergy or special dietary needs are safely catered for.
Packed lunches— whenever possible we would encourage a packed lunch to be balanced with a range of * At least one portion of fruit and or vegetable (this could include dried fruit) * Meat, fish or other source of non-dairy protein (e.g. lentils, chick peas, hummus) * A sandwich that includes a savoury filling (e.g. egg, tuna, cheese, cooked meat) * A starchy food such as bread, pasta, rice, noodles. * Dairy food such as cheese, yogurt, fromage frais. * A smoothie or yogurt drink * A bottle of water * A biscuit not coated in chocolate * Crisps (baked or other low fat options if possible) or other snack such as savoury crackers, breadsticks etc.
Packed Lunches should avoid: * Confectionery such as chocolate bars, chocolate coated biscuits and sweets. * Sausage rolls and pre-prepared snack pot type meals should only be included occasionally * No fizzy drinks * Nuts and nut products (e.g. peanut butter) should never be sent to school because of allergy concerns. Neither are children allowed to share food items for this same reason. Staff will not be “checking” lunch boxes.
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Head Lice Top Tips and Advice for Parents We all know how frustrating it is to find headlice and nits in our children’s hair and it is important that when a parent finds headlice they are treated. During half term please can all parents make a determined effort to treat headlice so we can get on top of it.
Are Head Lice and Nits the same thing? Head lice are the tiny grey or brown insects that are found in the hair. The lice are about the size of a small seed (e.g. sesame seed) and cling to the hair staying close to the scalp which they live off. These lice lay eggs which take from 7 to 10 days to hatch. Each new hatchling can take up to 10 days to be fully grown. Nits are the empty shells left after lice have hatched. It looks very much like dandruff but as it clings to the hair it makes it very difficult to brush out.
How can my child catch head lice? Head lice are spread by head-to-head contact where lice climb from the hair of an infected person to the hair of someone else. Head lice only affect humans and cannot be passed on to animals or be caught from them.
Have a look under a good light, such as a lamp or the natural sunlight by sitting at a window or going outdoors.
Wash the hair using ordinary shampoo and apply plenty of conditioner, before using a wide-toothed comb to straighten and untangle the hair (this makes it easier to easier to divide the hair into sections and fasten off the hair that is not being worked on.
Use a ‘nit’ comb to detect the presence of lice and nits, (you can pick one of these up from your local chemist). Using the comb, go through each section of the hair. Make sure the teeth of the comb slot into the hair at the roots, with the bevel-edge of the teeth lightly touching the scalp.
Draw the comb down to the ends of the hair with every stroke, and check the comb for lice. Clean the comb after each stroke by dipping the comb in a cup of water, or use a paper towel to remove eggs, lice and/or nits. Work methodically through the hair, section by section, so that the whole head is combed through. Look through each section of the hair for attached nits (lice eggs) and live lice.
Rinse out conditioner and repeat the combing procedure.
If using lice killing products it is important to remember that these are pesticides. If you choose to purchase an over-the counter treatment, follow the directions carefully. Consult your pharmacist or doctor if your child has allergies, asthma, epilepsy, pre-existing medical conditions or has lice or nits in their eye brows or eyelashes. Never use an over-the counter treatment on or near the eyes.
According to NICE Guidelines, (2016) there is no need to treat (wash at high temperature or fumigate) clothing or bedding that has been in contact with lice, as the lifespan of a head louse is very short (12–24 hours) once it is detached from a human head. However, washing pillows and stuffed toys could help in the prevention of your child getting head lice/nits again.
Repeat the procedure on days 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15, so that you clear young lice as they hatch, before they have time to reach maturity (and start laying new eggs). Even under the best of conditions, a few lice or nits may be missed. Use a comb to check the hair every day; it can take up to 14 days for one infestation to clear, and then check regularly afterwards. Seeing a nit or two the next day does not necessarily mean a reinfestation. However, be sure to remove them immediately. Please Remember: A regular check of your child’s hair will help to control head lice. If additional nits are discovered at least 3-5 per day, this may be a sign that live lice may still be on the head. Screen safely and regularly. |
Extended Family Voucher scheme The scheme is open to low-income families with children who do not qualify for benefits-related free school meals and therefore did not receive a voucher from their school this winter. Their total household earned income, in the month before applying, needs to be £1,800 or less. Eligible families will receive a £50 voucher for each eligible child. The scheme will remain open until Friday 28 February 2025. Due to limited funding, the Household To find out more about who is eligible to apply, and how to make your application for a payment,
Vacancies Are you looking for a change of role in 2025 or do you know anyone who is? Foundation Governors—we are looking to appoint 2 Foundation Governors. Our governors work as a team, in close co-operation with the headteacher and all the staff. Foundation governors share the responsibilities of all governors: · Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction; · Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and · Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent. In addition to this, foundation governors are appointed specifically to ensure: that the religious character of the school is preserved that the school is conducted in accordance with its trust deed that the religious education curriculum is in accordance with the Bishop’s policy for this The school would benefit from people with business, project management and health and safety skills/experience. Further information can be found on our website— https://www.corpuschristi.portsmouth.sch.uk/governors-2/ or from the Diocesan Website—https://www.casoportsmouth.org.uk/recruiting-governors-2/
Staff Leavers and Joiners This week, Mr Zee left us—we are truly grateful for all his hard work with looking after the school buildings, staff and children. He will be greatly missed and we wish him every good wishes for the future.
Mr Bekker will be joining us after half term as our Site Manager. We warmly welcome him to the school.
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BUMBLEBEES — RUPERT LADYBIRDS — JUVANIYA OWLS — PENELOPE HEDGEHOGS — VED BADGERS — KASI DOLPHINS — SHEKINAH ORCAS — EMILIA-RAE STARFISH — NICOLE KINGFISHERS — BETTY KESTRELS — LEVON STARLINGS — AGNUS
BUMBLEBEES — BEN LADYBIRDS — ADEMIDE OWLS — AMBER HEDGEHOGS — HANNAH BADGERS — PERCY DOLPHINS — LYDIA ORCAS — ANDREAS STARFISH — NIKOLA KINGFISHERS — MICHELLE KESTRELS — JESSICA STARLINGS — TUPPENCE
Desire, Donald, Skyla & Poppy (Hedgehogs) Sara & Ryan (Orcas) Sebastian, Aylin & Celestine (Starfish)
SILVER: Caris, Aidhan, Sera & Ariel (Hedgehogs) Aaliyah (Orcas)
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Attendance Well done to Starfish class for almost 100% attendance - amazing! Followed closely by Owls, Dolphins, Orcas, Kestrels and Kingfishers with over 98% attendance! |
Dates for your Diary Monday 17th February - Friday 21st February HALF TERM - school closed for all children Monday 24th February INSET Day - school closed for all children Monday 3rd March KS2 Aspirations Week Tuesday 4th March Book Fair arrives Monday 10th March World Book Day celebrations (non-school uniform) Thursday 20th March School Nurse Clinic (appointment only) Monday 24th March Dolphins & Yr 4 Orca’s Marwell Zoo Trip Wednesday 26th March Starfish & Yr 3 Orca’s Marwell Zoo Trip Monday 7th April - Monday 21st April SCHOOL HOLIDAYS - school closed for all children Thursday 1st May Yr R Staunton Farm Trip Monday 5th May BANK HOLIDAY - school closed for all children Friday 23rd May INSET Day - school closed for all children Monday 26th May - Friday 30th May HALF TERM - school closed for all children Tuesday 3rd June Owls & Yr1 Hedgehogs HMS Victory Trip Wednesday 4th June Badgers & Yr2 Hedgehogs HMS Victory Trip Friday 4th July INSET Day - school closed for all children Wednesday 23rd July - Tuesday 2nd September SUMMER HOLIDAYS - school closed for all children |
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Please see the link below regarding parent/carer Cyber workshops. This will be a range of webinars supporting parents and carers with both your own use of AI but also how you can support your child here. You can sign up here.
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FREE term-time SEND sessions for ages 11-16 at John Pounds: Saturday 15th February, 12-1pm Saturday 22nd February, 12-1pm Saturday 1st March, 12-1pm Saturday 8th March, 12-1pm Saturday 15th March, 12-1pm Saturday 22nd March, 12-1pm Book here: https://eequ.org/book/portsmouth-11-16-send-youth-gymnastics-with-viva-gymnastics-club-12685 FREE term-time SEND sessions for ages 11-16 at Skill Centre, Hilsea: Tuesday 11th February, 5-6pm Tuesday 25th February, 5-6pm Tuesday 4th March, 5-6pm Tuesday 11th March, 5-6pm Tuesday 18th March, 5-6pm Tuesday 25th March, 5-6pm Book here: https://eequ.org/book/hilsea-11-16-send-youth-gymnastics-with-viva-gymnastics-club-12672 FREE half-term SEND sessions for ages 11-16 at Skill Centre, Hilsea: Wednesday 19th February, 10am-12pm Book here: https://eequ.org/book/hilsea-11-16-send-youth-gymnastics-with-viva-gymnastics-club-12672 £5 per child SEND sessions for ages 4-10 at Skill Centre, Hilsea: Tuesday 25th February, 4pm-4.45pm Tuesday 4th March, 4pm-4.45pm Tuesday 11th March, 4pm-4.45pm Tuesday 18th March, 4pm-4.45pm Tuesday 25th March, 4pm-4.45pm
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In KS2 (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6) 
food groups. These may include:
Year 3/4 Healthy Schools week!
We had such a fun time during our healthy schools week. We took on the challenge of creating our own Top Trump cards based on the top places in Portsmouth that can boost our mental health. We used different devices and sources to explore the best places in Portsmouth and sorted them into the type of activity it was. We narrowed this down to 3 categories: Calmness, activeness and fun!
Feel free to play the game at home and maybe even pay a visit to these amazing places!
