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Our value for this half term: Respect
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Welcome to the Grayswood CE Primary School Newsletter, looking back at what we've been up to in October.
Even with a week's break for half-term, we've been incredibly busy with visits, trips and assemblies. We hope you enjoy our round-up!
Don't forget to check out the calendar of events for November at the end of the newsletter with lots of important dates to note.
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Sports Crew Training
"As the new Year 6 Sports Crew, we went for some specialist training at Broadwater Secondary School. We were shown how to teach some fun sports games to our schoolmates, and also given challenges, such as holding a sports festival for our school.
At the training day we enjoyed group activities with children from other primary schools.
At the end, we received our bronze level badges, and we look forward to gaining our silver and gold badges when we have completed all the various challenges."
Written by Felix and Isaac, Year 6
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Grayswood Coffee & Chat
"A few weeks ago, the Year 6 Ambassadors were lucky enough to be invited to the regular Coffee & Chat event at the Village Club. We went to meet some of our neighbours in our local community.
We had so much fun talking to everyone we met there! We even managed to invite a friendly neighbour to come and give the school a presentation on local historical art."
Written by Cora and Audrey, Year 6
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Harvest Service
Congratulations to our Woodpeckers class who led the most wonderful Harvest Service in All Saints' Church.
They told us the story 'The Feeding of the 5000' when Jesus took some fish and a loaf of bread and turned it into enough to feed a crowd of people.
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The Woodpeckers team are so proud of the class - they spoke their lines beautifully and acted the story with enthusiasm.
A big thank you to everyone who donated food to the Haslemere foodbank. We had another great selection this year going to a wonderful local cause.
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Year 3 Stone Age Day
"Our Kingfishers class were lucky enough to have travelled back in time to the Stone Age for a truly unforgettable workshop. The classroom was buzzing with excitement as the children became archaeologists, investigating bones, designed cave paintings like prehistoric artists, and crafted their own Stone Age tools. It was a hands-on learning experience that brought history to life, and we couldn’t be prouder of how beautifully the children behaved, they were curious, respectful, and completely immersed in the moment."
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Prayer Space
On Tuesday 14th October, the entire school took part in our first Prayer Space of the year. Each class had an allocated time slot in the church to explore the prayer activities. There were 5 stations, allowing the children to pause, reflect and think. One of the stations encouraged the children to think about the positive things happening in the news, rather than the negative as we often hear more about the bad than the good.
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Another was to think of our dreams for the world - like Martin Luther King Jr said 'I have dream'...it was wonderful hearing and reading what dreams the children have for the future of our world! Another was simply to sit and pray to God telling him our thoughts and feelings.
We were really lucky to have volunteers from the church community helping lead each station, which ensured the children got the most out of each activity. A big thank you to those who helped!
Our next Prayer Space will take place in the Summer term.
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What was life like in Tudor times?
Wow! What an assembly by our Swifts class, showing a hall full of their schoolmates and parents all about life in Tudor times. We were so proud of the children, not only for their performance on the day, but for all their hard work and dedication to the project in the run-up to it. Going by the rousing applause at the end, I think it’s safe to assume the audience enjoyed it as much as we did. A big thank you to the parents for their support with lines and costumes.
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Focus on Wellbeing
"Hello, we are the Year 6 Wellbeing Ambassadors. Our job is to help with people's wellbeing at school, with things such as friendship worries, or needing a calm and quiet space.
We hold a Wellbeing Club every Monday. We have mindful colouring, fun/calm games, fiidget toys, books, and also offer some quiet reflection time.
We wear sashes in the playground, so children can easily identify us if they need someone. We also have the Worry Box to put your worries into. We hope to be of help!"
Written by Izzy and Isla, Year 6
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Diwali Dance Workshop
The whole school celebrated Diwali with a joyful dance workshop earlier in October. The children retold the story of Rama and Sita and the Festival of Light through movement and expression. It was wonderful to see them step into the spotlight and bring the story to life with such energy and enthusiasm, a beautiful celebration of light, hope, and storytelling!
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Supporting Your Child’s Regulation at Home with Sensory Circuits
At school, we sometimes use sensory circuits to help children regulate their emotions, focus their attention, and prepare their bodies and minds for learning. These simple, structured activities can also be used at home to support your child’s emotional wellbeing and self-regulation.
What Are Sensory Circuits?
Sensory circuits are short, engaging routines made up of physical activities that stimulate different sensory systems. They typically include three parts:
- Alerting Activities – to wake up the body and brain.
- Organising Activities – to help with coordination and focus.
- Calming Activities – to settle and soothe.
These circuits are especially helpful for children who may struggle with transitions, attention, or emotional regulation.
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How Can You Use Sensory Circuits at Home?
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These will help your child feel grounded and calm, ready for learning, homework, or bedtime.
Why Do Sensory Circuits Help?
Children’s brains and bodies are constantly processing sensory information. When this system becomes overwhelmed or under-stimulated, it can affect behaviour, mood, and learning. Sensory circuits help to “reset” the system, giving children the input they need to feel regulated and in control.
Tips for Success
- Make it fun – Let your child choose some activities.
- Be consistent – Try using the circuit at the same time each day (e.g., before school or after dinner).
- Watch and adapt – Every child is different. If an activity seems too stimulating or not engaging, feel free to swap it out.
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Stars of the Week
3rd October: Harper B, Jack M, Freddie P (Yr 2), Audrey F, Jasper, Mae, Etty, vinnie, Arthur, Liberty, Isaac, Mabel M, Kyra
10th October: Iris, Thomas C, Frances, Albie, Tobias B, Ella, Gabriel, Tillie N-T, Fleur, Freddie R, Jack K, Tillie M
17th October: Oliver, Ralph, Gigi, Harry B, Florence S, Thomas C-Y, Isobella, Jamie, Olivia F, Harry C, Lucy, Audrey W
School Value Awards
3rd October: Ashlyn, Edward C
17th October: Wilfred, Kyra
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House Points
The house point totals for this term so far are:
Lovelace - 1556
Darwin - 1537
Hawking - 1469
Burns - 1248
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Good attendance is not just valuable, it's essential. Good attendance promotes good outcomes for pupils and provides them with the very best opportunity to reach their potential.
We regularly track the attendance for each child and communicate with parents where any concerns may be emerging. The government class attendance below 90% is as 'persistently absent' and under 50% 'severely absent'.
The percentage attendance figures for each class as a whole in October are:
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1st. Robins - 97.5%
2nd. Woodpeckers - 97.2%
Swallows - 97.2%
Swifts - 97.2%
5th. Kites - 96.9%
6th. Kingfishers - 96.8%
7th. Wrens - 95.3%
Well done Robins on topping the leader board AGAIN this month!
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Just to remind parents/carers of our attendance policy which came into action in September 2024. If you take your child/children out of school without authority for 5 or more days (which do not have to be consecutive), then the following will apply:
1. If you have not incurred a penalty notice relating to this child/children in a rolling 3 year period since 19 August 2024, then the penalty notice will be charged at the rate of £160.00, per parent/carer per child, if paid within 28 days. This will be reduced to £80.00 if paid within 21 days of receipt of the notice. Failure to pay the Penalty Notice will result in Surrey County Council considering legal proceedings against you in the Magistrates Court.
2. If you have incurred a penalty notice relating to this child/children since 19 August 2024, the rolling 3 year period will be activated from the date of the first penalty notice and the second penalty notice will be charged at the flat rate of £160.00, per parent/carer per child, if paid within 28 days. There will be no reduction for payment within 21 days. Failure to pay the Penalty Notice will result in Surrey County Council considering legal proceedings against you in the Magistrates Court.
3. If you have incurred 2 penalty notices relating to this child/children in the rolling 3 year period since the first penalty notice was issued, then you will NOT receive a third penalty notice – Surrey County Council will have no option but to consider a prosecution, per parent/carer per child, in the Magistrates Court under s 444 Education Act 1996.
Surrey County Council is not responsible for authorising pupil absence and therefore cannot withdraw any Penalty Notice requests without the written permission of the Headteacher.
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Earn commission for Grayswood School when buying your name labels!
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Food Banks
As a school we are able to refer families who may need a little extra support to the local food banks in Haslemere (Haslemere Methodist Church) or Godalming (if you live in or around Witley).
Even if it's just a one-off visit you need to help you during a difficult time for you and your family.
If you would like to know more please email our Home School Link Worker, Sarah De Marcos (in confidence) at:
hslw@grayswood.surrey.sch.uk
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Hosting a party?
A reminder that you can hire our school hall for your parties, events or clubs. It's available after school, at weekends and during the school holidays.
To find out more please contact our School Business Manager, on sbm@grayswood.surrey.sch.uk
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