Keep up to date with all the news happening in the school at the moment. Articles are added during the week. Parents are encouraged to check regularly. Our weekly bulletin, emailed directly to parents, summarises content for the week.

• Are your children talking about Netflix show, Squid Game?

  Tue 19 Oct 2021 Clare Haines

  Take a look at the information below from National Online Safety.

  What is Squid Game?

  Netflix’s Squid Game is set to become the streaming service’s most successful show of all time, with huge numbers of viewers taking to social media to discuss each new episode. The South Korean thriller features some scenes of fairly brutal violence and is rated 15 by the BBFC. It follows a group of adults who compete to win innocent-looking playground games, but who are killed if they do not succeed at the tasks. 

  An unexpected success in terms of viewing figures, Squid Game’s popularity is beginning to spread across various online platforms. There has been a slew of content created – ranging from memes to apps – that convey the violence of the show, so it is important for parents, carers and educators to understand the basis of Squid Game and the potential risks to young people who might be exposed to it.

  What are the hazards for children?

  Squid Game’s 15 rating has not prevented clips and images from the show being uploaded onto social media sites such as TikTok, with the #SquidGame hashtag being viewed more than 22.8 billion times. There have been reports of children who have accounts on these platforms inadvertently viewing gory, explicit scenes from the programme, and parents and carers should be mindful of the prevalence of these uploads. 

  The popularity of the programme has also led to online challenges based on various scenes, which see people taking part in seemingly innocent children’s games. On the show, however, characters are executed if they fail in the game – and videos of people pretending to kill each other after competing in Squid Game-style contests are going viral on social media, where they are easily accessible to children.

  What is the Squid Game Challenge app?

  Squid Game Challenge (also known as K-Game Challenge) is an app for smartphones and tablets that has been released for Android and iOs, and the two systems differ significantly on their age ratings for the game. The iTunes Store rates the app as 12+ (advising of “mild/infrequent horror/fear themes”), while the PEGI rating for Android is just 3+, which means that very young children might be able to download and play the game even with parental controls activated on their device or through Google Play.

  The gameplay is frequently interrupted by pop-ups and ads (sometimes appearing while the user is rapidly tapping their screen while attempting to complete the challenge). This could easily lead to unwanted purchases or accidental visits to inappropriate sites beyond the app.

  What can trusted adults do?

  As a parent or carer, keep a watchful eye on the content that your children are viewing. Speak to them openly and chat about how they have been spending time on their devices; let them ask questions, too. Ensure that the parental controls are activated on your child’s device and that age-restricted child profiles are properly set up any on-demand services available through the family TV (such as Netflix, in this case) to prevent inappropriate content being streamed.

  If you see your child replicating the challenges from the show or hear them talking about scenes and characters from Squid Game, it would be a timely opportunity to discuss with them that the programme is not intended for children, that much of the content would be inappropriate for their age, and that the violence in the series is very realistic and often upsetting.

  Have you thought about joining National Online Safety?

  Sign up  and get instant access to hundreds of free information guides on the latest apps, games, devices, and online risks – including streaming services, age restrictions and how to set up parental controls on phones and tablets.  

• Lost Property

  Mon 18 Oct 2021

  Lost property will be outside the main hall (Wyndham Road entrance) from 19/10/21. Please come along and check for any lost uniform, lunchboxes etc. If any items are left at the end of the school term these will be recycled.  All labelled items go back to your child's classroom. 

  A reminder to label your child`s uniform  & any other property please.

  Thank you 

• Cancellation deadline for EMS instrumental tuition in the Spring term Friday 22nd October 2021 12pm.

  Fri 15 Oct 2021 Maria Neil-Smith

  According to our terms and conditions on our website, in order to cancel EMS instrumental lessons for the following term a cancellation form must be submitted before the cancellation deadline (Friday 22^nd October to cease lessons in Spring 2022). Click here for the form.

  If we do not receive a cancellation form by the deadline we will automatically enrol your child in lessons next term. Please fill in a separate form for each child. If you would like to sign up to learn an instrument please complete EMS Instrumental Tuition Booking form. Click here for the booking form.

  If your child is currently learning an instrument and wishes to change – you need to complete a cancellation form for their current tuition and complete a booking form for the instrument they wish to take up.

• Fielding compete at Featherstone Netball Competition

  Thu 14 Oct 2021 D Thomas

  On Thursday, Fielding entered 2 teams into this years Featherstone High 5 Netball Competition at Trailfinders Sports Club. There were 12 teams competing in the 'Performance' side of the competition all trying to be crowned this years champions.

   

  Our Fielding Blues were drawn against Little Ealing Bronze in the first game and started with a 7-0 win. They followed this up with a 2-0 win against St. Mark's Silver and 2-0 loss to Little Ealing Gold. Two wins and a loss was enough to see them progress to the quarter finals though.

   

  The Fielding Oranges started their morning with a 1-0 loss to Little Ealing Silver before drawing 1-1 with Dormers Wells Platinum. They then ended the group with a 3-0 loss to St. Mark's Platinum which meant they they were eliminated from the main competition but would continue in the Plate competition.

   

  Fielding Blues were drawn against Dormers Wells Platinum in the quarter finals and played a great game to win 2-0 and qualify for the semi finals. We met St. Mark's Platinum in the semi finals where we came up against our toughest team yet and lost 2-0. This meant we had 1 more chance to pick up a medal in the 3rd/4th playoff game against Little Ealing Gold. It wasn't to be though and we went on to lose 5-2. A 4th place finish against some of the best Ealing had to offer this year though wasn't bad.

   

  Fielding Oranges were up against Mount Carmel in the semi finals of the Plate and showed great resilience after their last loss to win 1-0 and qualify for the final of the Plate. It was Dormers Wells Gold in who we would play in the final and after another close game we won 1-0 to become Plate winners. An excellent display of resilience, self belief and reflection from the Fielding Oranges as they used early defeats to spur them on to victory in the Plate.

   

  A huge well done to all of our Year 6 Netballers today for representing the school so well!

  

• Boys football team beat Edward Betham in Peal Shield

  Thu 14 Oct 2021 Dan Thomas

  The Year 5 & 6 boys football team kicked off this years Peal Shield competition with a home game against Edward Betham on Monday afternoon. The boys hard work in training so far this year paid off as they got off to a winning start with a comfortable 4-0 victory. It's now back to the training field as we get ready for our next game against John Perryn Primary School with a date still to be confirmed.

• Collection event for Ealing food bank

  Thu 14 Oct 2021 Miss L Stabler

  Each year, Fielding pupils choose 3 charities to support which include: one local charity, one national and one global. This year the pupils have chosen to  support: Ealing Food, the RSPCA and World Wildlife Fund (WFF). For more information about how we choose charities, please see here.

  This term, we are supporting our local charity of Ealing food bank. We will be using our core Value of Empathy to consider the important work this charity does in our local area. On 22nd November, we will be doing a food and money collection. There will be the choice to either donate some food and non-food items or if you would rather, send some money in with pupils. Each month, Ealing food bank share a desired shopping list based on their current needs.

  Their current wish list is:

  • Vegetarian meals- anything long life
  • Breakfast cereal
  • Long life fruit juice and squash
  • UHT milk- whole or semi-skimmed, not skimmed please
  • Long grain rice- 500g or 1kg packets please
  • Tinned tomatoes and pasta sauce
  • Savoury biscuits and crackers
  • Tinned vegetables- anything green E.G peas, beans
  • Drinking chocolate
  • Ketchup and mayo
  • Peanut butter and jam
  • Laundry products (smaller sizes preferred)

  We will share an updated list closer to the time but they would be happy with any of these items. We will also be sending more details regarding drop off location for the donations.  Thank you

• Parent governor vacancies

  Wed 13 Oct 2021 Peter Dunmall

  The Governing Board is seeking nominations from parents to fill three vacancies of parent governor positions:

  • Rebecca Preston, resigned because pupils left the school summer 2021;
  • Sabine Dedeyan, resigned;
  • Yvette Cook, term of office ends in December.  

   

  Governors each focus on different areas of responsibility.

  An interest in, or experience of:

  • publishing, communication and/or media sectors with an interest in becoming the link governor for reading, writing and maths,
  • public sector, corporate decision making and strategic thinking with an interest in championing disadvantaged pupils, or
  • project management, premises or resource management with a willingness to oversee governors own training and development, are especially welcome.
  • areas of linked interest are inter-changable with professional knowledge and skills in other sectors. 

  However, this should not stop any parent from applying if you have the wish and commitment to be a governor. Parent governors are appointed for a period of 4 years. 

   

  Why become a governor?

  The Governing Board holds school leaders to account, providing support and challenge whilst setting the strategic direction of the school.  

   

  How much time will I need to give?

  All governors, including parent governors:

  • attend 4 full governing board meetings each year, held in the evening for about 2 hours;
  • become a member of our Resources or Pupils & Achievement committees which meet 6 times each year, typically alternating breakfast and evening meetings, each for about 2 hours;
  • visit the school during the day, ideally once or twice a term, to gain first-hand knowledge of the school, usually for 1-2 hours. While visiting, governors usually work with a school leader focusing on their area of responsibility;
  • undertake training courses to improve own skills and knowledge about school governance;
  • meetings are either face-to-face or video conference call.

   

  More information

  Find out more about the role of a school governors and the skills required:

  • National Governance Association, What do governors do? 
  • Governance skills
  • Arrange to talk to Peter Dunmall, Head teacher, for an informal chat.

  Every governor is not required to have competence in every skill.

   

  How to apply

  Parents can nominate themselves or another parent (if they are willing to be named):

  1. check you are eligible to nominate or be nominated as a Parent Governor, Election of Parent Governors;
  2. download, print and complete the Nomination Form;
  3. return the completed form to the school office by hand, pupil post or Royal Mail by Friday 5 November

  Ealing's rules mean that electronic nominations and/or emails cannot be accepted.

   

  If more than 3 nominations are received, then a ballot will be organised to select the new governors. The top 3 candidates by vote tally will take the vacancies with the third highest candidate taking up the vacancy in December. If there are only 3 nominations, then the December vacancy will be based on alphabetical order of the candidates' last name.

   

  Once appointed, all governors are subject to suitability and vetting checks, including providing an enhanced DBS certificate. 

• No play, scooters or bikes

  Wed 13 Oct 2021 Peter Dunmall

  At morning drop-off and after-school collection, there is no play on any playground equipment, the field, sand pits or forest area. Bikes and scooters must be walked and not riden.

   

  These simple rules are fair to all and keep everyone safe.

   

  The school site is busy with many parents and pupils walking to and from school. Children riding bikes or scooters creates too much of a bump or crash risk. Cycling or scootering to and from school is encouraged. Bikes and scooters must be walked as soon as they are on our site.

   

  Every pupil has a fair chance to use our playground equipment during the week. Sessions are timetabled so equipment and zones do not get too crowded.  A free-for-all approach before and after-school would create chaos. Nobody plays on equipment, uses the field, sand pit, or forest area before or after school.

   

  Childcare and specialist clubs before and after-school use these spaces.

• Supply chain and school meals

  Wed 13 Oct 2021 Peter Dunmall

  ISS, our school caterer, wish to reassure parents that their ability to continue to provide nutritious meals is not being impacted by well-publicised shortages of items that the UK is currently experiencing.

   

  In their statement to schools, ISS also explain that they have plans in place to ensure that a good supply of meals remains in place.

   

  Yesterday at school, Tuesday's menu of sausages were swapped for Friday's fish fingers - both popular meals for pupils from our menu - because the sausage order had not been delivered in time. Changes like this might happen from time to time. Meals for pupils with special diets were not affected.

• COVID-19. Cases update

  Mon 11 Oct 2021 Peter Dunmall

  Cases are rising in one class and levelling out in others:

  • Class 4S (Mr Bloomfield), 3 cases in the last 10 days;
  • Class 4H (Miss Whaley), no further reported cases over the weekend;
  • Class 5S (Miss Watson), no further reported cases over the weekend;
  • Class 6F (Miss Stabler), no further reported cases over the weekend, some pupils are returning to school where self-isolation ends.

   

  These classes shift to our 'amber' control measures where hand-washing, ventilation and cleaning of surfaces increases. Staff will continue to socially distance from one another and pupils. Staff may also take a LFD test more often and/or wear a mask in shared spaces. There are no other changes for pupils.

   

  We continue to talk to and take advice from public health experts.