Keep up to date with news from across both sites and upcoming events with our monthly newsletter.
1. Welcome
A very warm welcome to all those who are joining us this term. We are delighted to open our doors to many new pupils, especially in the early years.
2. Celebrating diversity
October is Black History Month across the UK, and, in continuation of previous years, we will recognise this by holding special assemblies and taking opportunities within the curriculum to celebrate the culture, history and achievements that Black African and Caribbean people have brought to the United Kingdom e.g. the KS2 pupils participated in the Black Heroes of Mathematics Festival in live Zoom sessions where children got to meet famous mathematicians and engage in maths activities.
The local authority actively promotes this month too: Black History Month | London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (lbbd.gov.uk)
Here are some links to other resources suitable for pupils: Black History Month 2025 resources - BBC Teach Celebrating Black History Month with your children | Words for Life
3. Celebrating effort, good behaviour and hard work
At Valence, we place a high value on developing children’s sense of worth and self-esteem. We love to celebrate both effort and achievement in academic and social settings. We have an approach where we support pupils to Go for Gold based on the following school rules:
- Listen to and co-operate with each other.
- Follow adults’ instructions.
- Treat everyone with politeness, kindness, courtesy and respect.
- Work to the best of our ability.
- Move safely and calmly around school.
- Respect our school environment.
4. Home – school communication
We are using Class Dojo for communicating with parents & carers. Your child’s class teacher will invite you to join the class forum. If you have trouble connecting, please talk to the school office.
5. Keep safe
Please ensure that the class teacher is fully aware of the adults whom you have designated to collect your child. If there is a change, please call the office asap. Also, the playground is a busy space, so please always keep a close eye on the whereabouts of your child. In the mornings, please escort the younger children to the doors where staff are present.
6. School reminders
- No dogs in the playgrounds, even if they are being carried.
- We have a car-free zone at St. George’s every morning and afternoon, so please walk to school.
- No scooters or bikes to be ridden in the playground.
- The trim trails are out-of-bounds before and after school.
7. Labels
It will help greatly if everyone labels key items, especially water bottles, fleeces, jumpers and coats. A lot of time is spent hunting down mislaid items - many of which are identical!
8. Parent - Teacher meetings
These meetings will take place in the week beginning Monday 20 October. We will be opening up the booking of appointment system soon. This will be an opportunity to meet the class teacher in person and discuss how your child has settled down in the first term.
9. Come and help us
If you would like to volunteer at school, please give your name to the offices. It may be that you can help in class with cooking, art, design or creative skills. Or, if you would like to hear pupils read, this is a great help to those children who need a little extra adult time. Grandparents welcome too!
10. Yes, please!
Not sure what to do with good quality school uniform that you no longer need? Well, we can use it. The Roosts on each site run sessions where parents can come and collect quality uniform. If you have spare fleeces or school jumpers, please bring them to the offices.
11. Welcome & reading meetings
It was great to see so many parents at the meetings in September. If you missed them, the information is available here on the website. Valence Primary School - Welcome Meetings 2025
Mr November Headteacher
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You can download our newsletter as a PDF below.
