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News Round- Up
Dear Parents and Carers
You will remember from the last Newsletter that I am super aware of the concerns regarding the alleyway and the impact this is having on our children. Cars driving speedily up and down, lorries delivering building materials, and inappropriate parking are causing issues not only for the school but the local community. This issue was discussed at the recent governing body meeting and a plan of action is being developed to combat and challenge those involved, including making representations to authorising bodies.
In the meantime, we would ask for your support in raising your concerns. We would really appreciate as many parents as possible making contact with Thames Water to raise concerns.
- You can contact Thames Water to make your complaint by calling 0800 0093960 (customer service) and using Ref Number 1020010441 stating that the issue is under the name of Viv Ross, Haringey Local Councillor.
- You can also email Viv Ross on viv.ross@haringey.gov.uk and he will be happy to hear from you. Your email will add significant weight to a developing dialogue around how we can work together to ensure the safety of our children.
- You are also advised to raise a concern with the Haringey Planning Department (postcode of the property N10 3HF) stating health & Safety concerns and contravening of the Construction Management Plan. https://eforms.secure.haringey.gov.uk/ufs/PE_COMPLAINTS.eb?ebd=0&ebp=10&ebz=1_1633091294493
We are also identifying activities to raise the children’s awareness of staying safe and considering activities whereby the children can safely get involved in lobbying those in charge!
The governing body are looking to provide a proforma letter for use by parents, carers, staff and local residents to support this campaign and will continue to challenge the organisational arrangements with the residents and companies involved at the current building site. We are confident that as a community we can influence change and thank you in anticipation of your support.
I have really enjoyed the reintroduction of our school tours for prospective parents which began last week. It has been so nice to show people around our wonderful school in real life. School Tours can be booked via the school website. We are maintaining safe restrictions and encourage visitors to sign in (track and trace) and wear a mask whilst in the building. I have limited the opportunity to go in to classrooms for obvious reasons. It has provided us the opportunity to celebrate our school, its philosophy and our new values.
Finally, I am really excited by the prospect of being able to provide spaces for 4 refugee children as part of our work with Haringey Council. These families have experienced devastating change in the last few weeks, and we are delighted to be able to provide four children from two families with a safe, welcoming and supportive learning environment. Governors agreed that we would temporarily go over our pupil admission number of 30 to take a 31st child in some of our classes and our teachers are fully supportive of this decision. I am sure that as these children arrive at Tetherdown next week you will be supportive of their situation and help them to feel welcomed.
Governors and staff are considering ways of extending our support to these families and will be looking at ways to collect meaningful donations to support children’s well-being and learning. This may well be an opportunity to support the Class Reps in managing the collection of clothing, toys, books, personal items such as toiletries and more. We will certainly keep you informed. I have a great feeling that the children will have a truly memorable time with us.
Kind regards
Tony Woodward
Headteacher
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 | 01 Oct 2021 The Parent Staff Association (PSA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) rescheduled for Wednesday, 13th October 2021 at 8pm. |
 | 27 Sep 2021 A fantastic achievement! - £10,000 raised at the September Fair! |
 | 21 Sep 2021 There was fun for everyone, including amazing burgers, samosas, a bouncy castle slide, shoot at the goalie, nearly new stall, books, toys and more! |
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Oral Stories from Ancient Benin Workshop
On Tuesday 21st September, we started our Benin Learning with stories from Africa.
We heard many stories of the royalty, and Queen Mother Idia and the importance of women were in the Ancient Benin Society. We were also so fascinated by how important animals, and stories about the mudfish, crocodiles and leopards.
Written by: Alberto and Isabella Y5C
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Edo Myths
Last Tuesday, we had a most pleasant visit from a women named ‘Grace’. All the students from Chameleons and Komodo enjoyed the intriguing visit immensely. Grace worked in the British museum for a rather long period of time, so during the time she visited Tetherdown school, she showed us images of artifacts that were from the British museum in London. The artifacts were the most delicately engraved brass creatures. One of the animals was a leopard, which was significant in the Edo culture of ancient Benin as it showed power.
Grace explained a story about how ancient Benin became known as the ‘Edo’ region. The story was about the young son of a disliked Oba, his father, sadly, was savagely murdered. That, as you can imagine most certainly, deeply sadden the boy, so the boy fled into the tropical forest searching for a home that he didn’t have. He lived in the forest for a long time and became great friends with the animals around him.
On a average ordinary day, preferably 17 years after he first entered the forest suddenly all the animals around stated bowing ‘This is a sign!’ he thought ‘This means I am supposed to be Oba!’ he cried. Excitedly, he ran back to the place and claimed his right to the throne. Suddenly, a secretly devious advisor smiled when he saw the young man, he knew that if the young man died, he would become the Oba. So, he gave a false smile and said, ‘I will poison him and then claim the throne!’. While he said this a servant named ‘Edo’ heard the evil advisor and he told the young man immediately, the young man thanked him and returned to the forest again. He came back palace a year later, after the evil advisor had died then he claimed his right to the throne and became Oba and named the Region of ancient Benin ‘Edo’ after the loyal servant.
The experience was wonderful, and we wish we could here more of these captivating myths!
Written by: Isabella and Maya Y5K
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Y5 Africa Day!
On Tuesday 28th September, Y5 took part in Africa day. This was where they got do lots of fun African related activities and workshops. The first thing they did was adinkra printing. The adinkra cloth originated from Ghana when their king, king Adinkra, died in battle. They wore the beautiful cloth to his funeral and therefore named it after him. A gentleman named Kwame came into school to teach us about what the symbols meant and how to do the printing. It was a very interactive and fun activity with each student producing a t-shirt unique to them. The children printed interesting, colourful T- shirts and all enjoyed themselves greatly. Overall, the activity was a huge success and all of the children are excited to wear their new adinkra T-shirts!
Written by: Nia and Ella Y5K
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Adinkra Printing
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African Drumming
 After our wonderful morning printing our adinkra t-shirts, we listened to Kwame playing an instrument that we have never heard before. The African music made us feel as if we really in Africa! The gentleman told us that the drums were made with bull, cow and goat skin. We each had our own drum and we were taught the special way Africans hold the drums to make the best sounds. Kwame taught us how to play different rhythms on the drums. We also learnt how to play and sing ‘Wakka Wakka’, which was brilliant fun! At the end of the time with the drums, we all got the opportunity to play as a 4 together at the front of the class. In the end, we all truly did have an amazing time. Kwame said that it was a pleasure to teach us and told us that Africa is a place like no other.
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Overall, Year 5 had a fantastic time celebrating Africa day, learning many new songs such as ‘Funga Alafia’ which means ‘Hello, welcome’ , as well as creating sensational sunset art pieces.
Written by: Alex and Freddie Y5K
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Treasure Hunt Trail
Last summer the School handed out copies of Haringey's pirate themed "Treasure Hunt Trail" to Year 2. On the weekend of 19 July families of Tetherdown pupils could be seen racing around Muswell Hill completing clues and collecting stamps from the local businesses participating in the Council's initiative to encourage us to shop local. Haringey has just announced the lucky winners - one of the winners of a hamper of local goodies was Amelia (now Year 3), with help from her older sister Isabel (Year 6).
Congratulations to all the treasure hunters out there!
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Scholastic Book Fair
We are lucky to have another book fair beginning on Monday 15th to Friday 19th November.... and just before Christmas!
All year groups will be allocated a time in school to look at the books. We will have specific days for parents of different year groups to go to the book fair.
Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th November - Lower Playground
Years Reception, Year 1 and Year 2
After school until 4pm
Wednesday to Friday 17th-19th November - Upper Playground
Years 3 - 6
After school until 4pm
More details to follow but save the date!
Look forward to seeing you there soon!
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SEND Haringey Local Offer Support and Services
We have been contacted by Haringey to ask our local community to provide feedback on their new Local Offer Website for SEND. To participate please read on.
Select the link below to take you to the proposed new Local Offer Website. Note this link will come up with 'Access Denied' - please scroll to the bottom of the page where you will be asked for your username and password, which are listed below.
https://www.haringey.gov.uk/local-offer-landing-page-mock
Enter Username: haringey
Enter Password: readonly
If you could please complete this feedback form with your comments: https://forms.office.com/r/N5yDi9hUq7
The closing date for feedback is COP Thursday 21st October
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Parent and Staff Association Annual General Meeting RESCHEDULED
The Parent Staff Association (PSA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) has had to be rescheduled as there were not enough attendees for quorum (the minimum required quorum for the AGM is 21 people).
The new date is Wednesday, 13th October 2021 at 8pm (Zoom details to follow).
Holding an AGM is a legal requirement. It is during this meeting that the new Friends of Tetherdown committee is elected.
It is crucial that more people attend the postponed AGM.
Why? because without a quorum, the FoT can't formally make any decisions, which among other things, means that:
- The FoT are unable to vote to fund any donation requests made by the school.
- The FoT cannot hold the planned Halloween Walk on 17th October in Highgate Wood, because their insurance policy (required by Highgate Wood) is invalid if we organise and execute events without a properly constituted Committee.
We need you there to make important decisions - primarily to vote on the composition of the new PSA Committee.
So, please, please login to the next one (which will helpfully also be held at a slightly later hour - 8pm to avoid bath & bedtime conflicts...??)
Thank you in advance for your support, and see you on October 13th at 8pm!!!
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September Fair
The numbers are in! This year's postponed Summer Fair, raised £10,000, which is wonderful! Thank you again for supporting the event.
Please note, normally we include the Raffle, 50:50 Lottery and Auction in the fair. However, when the Summer Fair had to be postponed, we did these three fundraisers in July instead. Together they raised £5,376. So if you add these two figures together, we raised over £15,000!
Lost Items: If you are missing a plate after your donation to the Cake Stall, please message Paula Haddad on Classlist.
Fare Share Boards
Thank you everyone who signed up to have a Fare Share board up outside their house. You've helped raise £1,000 for Tetherdown!
PE Kit Sale
Friday’s PE Kit Sale made £290 for the school. Thank you everyone who bought and donated kit.
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2021-2022 Friends of Tetherdown Fundraising Calendar
Please add these dates to your calendar, you can also find these dates on the school website calendar.
October
- Every Friday - textile bank collection
- Monday 11th - deadline for Creative Card Fundraiser
- Sunday 17th - Halloween Sponsored Walk and 50:50 Lottery tickets go on sale
November
- Every Friday - textile bank collection
- Sunday 7th - 50:50 Lottery draw
- Saturday 13th - Quiz Night (for adults)
December
- Every Friday - textile bank collection
- Winter festive option (to be confirmed)
- Friday 17th - Krispy Kreme sale
We look forward to seeing you at our Halloween Sponsored Walk!
Friends of Tetherdown
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LOOKING AHEAD AND REMINDERS
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Symptoms of COVID
Please can we ask you to familiarise yourself with the process if your child has any symptom of COVID. If you child has a new or continuous cough or fever or loss of smell or taste, i.e. any of the recognised COVID symptoms as identified by Public Health England, please keep them at home and report the absence. Ring 111 or your GP and follow their advice. Please inform the office of the advice provided to you. If you are advised to take your child for a PCR test, please inform the school office of the result.
Please note Public Health England have stated that Lateral Flow Device tests and Rapid Antigen tests are not to be used for children under the age of 12 as they are not accurate. Children under the age of 12 must be booked for a PCR test if they have symptoms.
All information can be found on our website, and we have created a COVID-19 FAQ.
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Tetherdown School Communications to Parents
We have a brand-new website please ensure your explore our website regularly so not to miss any important communications. This should be your 'FIRST PORT OF CALL' for information.
The Parents page is dedicated to you! - here you will be able to find answers and links to everyday questions and queries you may have as well as further useful information and support - to name a few...
- Calendar - check this regularly
- Term dates
- Key Letters
- School Day & Wraparound Care
- Health & Welfare
Please do not hesitate to contact the school office if you have explored the website, and you cannot find what you are looking for.
Parent Communication to Tetherdown
Please remember when emailing the admin mailbox to ensure you put your child's full name and class. There are over 400 pupils on roll and as you can imagine finding any child with only their first name can be tricky!
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Unhealthy Treats
We are a healthy school and as such we kindly ask that children do not bring in sweets or cakes/biscuits to hand out to their friends on their birthday. A class book donation is always much appreciated. We will share your book-gift with the class and insert a special book plate to mark the occasion of your child's birthday.
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REMINDERS
Reporting Absences and pick up
If your child is absent for the day, please call the main office before 9am and select option 1. Leave a clear message with your child’s full name and class and a reason for the absence. Pick up information needs to be communicated before 2:45 pm via the office email admin@tetherdownschool.org stating your child’s name and class and who is collecting them.
Please do not email teachers as they are unable to check emails during the teaching day.
Children Leaving
If you are planning on leaving Tetherdown it is important that you inform the school as soon as possible. Please fill in the destination form which can found on our School Forms & Links page.
Forgotten Items
The school does not accept forgotten items. We aim to promote independence and responsibility in our children. This includes snacks and packed lunches, water bottles, PE kits, instruments etc. We can accept medical and reading glasses. If a child has forgotten their lunch one will be provided and will be charged via your ParentPay account.
Medicines in School
As a reminder that medicine cannot be given to your child to bring into school. The school can administer prescribed medicine only (the parents form on our website must be filled in). Any over the counter medicine must be administered by a parent / nominated carer. Please refer to our Health & Welfare pages for further details.
Official Appointments
You do not need to fill in the absence request form for medical appointments, or official appointments, but proof must be provided which must be sent to the office. Please remember to include your child's name and class in all correspondence.
ParentPay – Set Up Text and Email Alerts
To ensure that you do not miss any important information from Tetherdown please set up ALERTS on your accounts. Details of how to do this can be found on our Payment & Bookings System pages.
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DIARY DATES TO THE 15TH OCTOBER | |
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