Caring Curious Courageous

Enabling all children to learn and grow

Dear families,

What a hot week it's been! I want to start by saying a huge well done to all of our children, who have coped brilliantly with the heat and continued to work hard despite the soaring temperatures. They never fail to impress me with the way they strive to be their personal best every day, and this week has been another wonderful example of that. Their resilience, positive attitudes and determination have made me incredibly proud.

Thank you, too, to all our families for your support this week. We really appreciate your understanding with the measures we put in place, including the option of early collection where needed. A big thank you also goes to our fantastic staff, who have worked tirelessly to keep everyone safe, happy and learning.

I'd also like to thank you for your understanding following the postponement of our Festival of Sports events. We know how disappointing this was, but the children's safety had to come first. Please see below for the rearranged dates.

Meanwhile, there's a wonderful atmosphere around school as Year 6's rehearsals for The Lion King gather pace. Hearing the songs drifting through my office window has been one of the highlights of my week, and I can't wait to see the finished performance.

As we move towards the end of term, we are beginning to prepare the children for their move to new classes. Transition is an important part of the summer term, and we work hard to make it a positive experience for every child. Please see the information below about our transition arrangements.

Have a lovely weekend and, as always, thank you for your continued support.

Frances Bracegirdle

Headteacher - headteacher@vineyard.richmond.sch.uk

Goodbyes and Hellos

We have come to that time of year when we say goodbye to a few members of staff and say hello to new ones. We want to say a huge thank you to the staff who are leaving us, and we wish them well in their next endeavours. We also extend a warm welcome to our new members of staff, and we are excited for them to join us in September! 

Please click here for more information on our leaving and joining staff.

Festivals of Sport

Y5&6 Festival of Sport Wednesday 1 July 1:30-3:00

Y3&4 Festival of Sport Friday 3 July 9.15-10:45

YR&1&2 Festival of Sport Monday 6 July 9:15 - 10:45

Keeping our school safe

The school gates open 5minutes before the start of each festival and remain open for 20minutes.

We really need to discourage latecomers. Please help us by arriving within the 20minute window. Each latecomer will need to be escorted by a member of staff

No entry to the school building. Under no circumstances should any adult go into the school. If you need assistance seek out a member of site team or a member of Vineyard staff who will arrange an escort.

Remember we are a no nuts school

Vineyard Leavers - do you have a Vineyard Leaver that would like to come and help with the carousel stations (ensuring the equipment is safe and orderly after each go). Email sport@vineyard.richmond.sch.uk and let me know which date and session.

All year groups: THURSDAY 16 JULY - Colour Run (no spectator event) Wear PE kit and athletic trainers, and for the best results, wear a light-coloured t-shirt that you are happy to turn multicoloured!

Any child running but not wanting powder thrown towards them can avoid this by running around the boundary of the stations.

Is your child ready?

Navy PE kit

Athletic trainers

Suncream applied

Cap

Water bottle

Light coloured/white t-shirt for the colour run on Friday. T-shirts can be brought in all week and left, named, with the class teacher.

Queries should go to sport@vineyard.richmond.sch.uk.uk

Music Curriculum News
We are extremely excited to welcome parents and carers of Year 4 and 5 later this term for their music performances.

Year 4 Ukulele Performance – 7th July – 9am
Year 5 Djembe Performance – 9th July 9am

Our Year 5 musicians have enjoyed creating their own compilations on the Djembe this week. They have been working in small groups to write, arrange and create their own unique ideas. It is wonderful to see how focused they are on creating great music!

Year 6 have been learning about swing rhythm and applying their knowledge on a drum kit. They certainly have a natural grove for this style!

Safety Concern from AfC - Water Beads

Water beads present a serious safety risk, particularly to children under 5. These small, brightly coloured beads can be easily swallowed or inhaled. Once exposed to liquid, they may expand up to 400 times their original size, which can cause life-threatening choking or bowel blockages. These injuries are often difficult to detect initially and may require major surgery.

Following recent action by the Office for Product Safety and Standards to remove unsafe products from circulation, we strongly urge all settings to:

• Avoid use with children under 5: Water beads should not be used in environments with children in this age group.
• Implement strict safety protocols: If used with older children, strict adult supervision is essential. Ensure all beads are carefully contained, cleared away immediately after use, and stored securely out of reach.
• Respond quickly to incidents: If a child is suspected to have swallowed or inhaled a water bead, seek immediate medical attention, even if symptoms are not immediately apparent.

For further guidance, please review the resources provided by the Child Accident Prevention Trust:

• Keep water beads away from young children
• Safety Poster (PDF)

The Times Competition Winner!

Congratulations to Maria in Year 6, who was recently announced as the runner-up of a writing prize launched by Michael Morpurgo in The Times.

Supplied with nothing more than a creepy opening sentence, Maria triumphed with her entry and has won a selection of books as her prize. 

The sentence was: There is a lost house on the moor above Zennor Churchtown where no one comes and no one goes.

Maria, a fan of the horror genre, completed her 500-word story in style. Like the best of horror stories, she included a cliffhanger ending. Well done, Maria!

Please read – if you dare – an excerpt from Maria’s story: 

So one night, when the sky hangs low and pitch-black over the moor, I set out towards the house, telling myself I only mean to look, even as something in me already knows I will not turn back. I stare through the twisted railings and in front of them, in the gloom, are dark, crumbling stones, thorny bushes and knee-high grass. Beyond, looms the ghostly shadow of the house. Though I have seen it many times, seeing it so close sends an icy shiver down my spine. I step back a bit, looking for a way in; I know I shouldn’t have even considered coming here, but the house is alluring in a way I can’t seem to resist, and now that I’m here, I know I can’t turn back. 

Important changes to Free School Meals (FSM) that will come into effect from September 2026

We require families in our school community, who are receiving universal credit, to complete this form (9 questions, 4 minutes to complete, you will need your National Insurance number).

Registering can provide additional funding for the school, which benefits pupils through enhanced educational support, resources, and enrichment opportunities.