Grayswood School Pop-Up Restaurant - Thanks To All Involved

The end of November saw the school’s third Grayswood Primary School pop-up restaurant. 

A brilliant evening of seasonal, local food and wire pairings was enjoyed by 45 parents, all cooked by parent and chef, Dan Britten. The hall was transformed into a gorgeous restaurant setting by the crack team! The night raised £4,000 in total. An amazing amount by everyone involved.

School Governor Vacancy

We currently have a vacancy for a foundation governor with experience and a background in finance.

If you are interested in joining us, please contact the school to find out more.

Money Management – Debt advice and support

The recent cost of living crisis, increases in energy and food prices, and mortgage interest rates are contributing to financial hardship for many households. Having financial worries and pressures or being in debt can have a big impact on your mental health; and poor mental health can make earning and managing money harder. It can start to feel like a vicious cycle.

If you're struggling financially, help is available at both a national and local level. There is support for those on low income and for those experiencing a change in financial circumstances.

If you are struggling with food then we have access to local Food Banks via a referral system so please contact our Home School Link Worker, Sarah De Marcos in confidence at:  Email: hslw@grayswood.surrey.sch.uk.  Sarah can also access other forms of support for you and your child.

Local and national organisations that can offer tailored support include:

Healthy Surrey has a range of information and can signpost to various different support organisations. Visit their webpage here:

https://www.healthysurrey.org.uk/mental-wellbeing/self-help/a-z-and-useful-links/debt-money

Stars of the Week

14th November: Jago, whole of Woodpeckers class, Arabelle, Fergus, Viva, Zachary D, Samuel, Coco, Amelie, Clara, Leo D, Xander, Oliver B

21st November: William B, Agatha, Charlie, Bella T, Wilfred, Luca, Adelaide, Elkie, OJ, Louis, Tils

28th November: Joey, Hannah, Jacob, Martha, Gregory, Nancy G, William B, Annabelle M, Noah W, Orla, Cora

School Value Awards

14th November: Tabby

28th November: Freddie P, Ella

Special Educational Needs and Inclusion

My role as Inclusion Coordinator includes that of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo), but I also have responsibility for ensuring that the needs of all vulnerable groups of children in our school are recognised and supported.

Last Thursday, I attended a workshop that was run by Action for Carers Surrey. We have already identified that there are more than 20 children in our school who have caring responsibilities which is in line with the national picture. Previously, Action for Carers Surrey would only provide support for young carers for a maximum of 2 years, and we were encouraged to think carefully about when would be the best time to make a referral so that the child would benefit the most. Children with additional needs were not accepted for support. 

These regulations have since changed and any child with caring responsibilities can be referred to Action for Carers Surrey, regardless of whether they have needs themselves, and can continue to get support for as long as their caring responsibilities remain.

What is a Young Carer?

A young carer is a child or young person aged 5 – 18 who provides regular care and support to a family member who is ill, disabled, or has mental health challenges. This could involve helping with daily tasks like personal care, cooking, administering medication, or offering emotional support to a parent or sibling.

Young carers often take on these responsibilities in addition to their schoolwork and other activities and, while their caregiving is done out of love and necessity, it can sometimes lead to feelings of stress, isolation and exhaustion.

How Action for Carers Surrey Can Help

Action for Carers Surrey is a local charity dedicated to supporting children who are caring for someone in their family. Their aim is to help reduce the pressure on young carers, offering practical and emotional support so that they can continue to thrive both at school and at home.

The services they provide include:

One-to-One Support: Young carers can speak to trained professionals in confidence, discussing any challenges they face and receiving guidance on how to balance their responsibilities.

Social and Leisure Activities: Surrey Young Carers runs regular group activities and events, offering young carers the chance to relax, have fun, and meet other children in similar situations.

Training and Resources: They offer training to help young carers manage their caregiving tasks more effectively, while also learning to take care of their own well-being.

Family Support: Action for Carers Surrey provides advice and practical support to families, ensuring that everyone in the household is supported.

How Can You Access Support?

If you believe that your child might be a young carer or if you have any concerns about the pressures they are facing, you can refer them to Action for Carers Surrey directly. The referral process is simple, and the team will conduct a free, confidential assessment to determine the best way they can support your child.

For more information or to make a referral, please contact Surrey Young Carers https://www.actionforcarers.org.uk/who-we-help/young-carers-under-18/ 

It would also be helpful if you could let the school know if you think that your child has caring responsibilities so that we can be sensitive to their needs and support them appropriately at school. If you would like help to complete a referral, please do get in touch with Sarah De Marcos, our Home School Link Worker, hslw@grayswood.surrey.sch.uk. 

Just to remind parents/carers of our attendance policy. 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.

Free donations for Grayswood

With Black Friday and Christmas just around the corner, why not shop via Easyfundraising and help raise free donations for our school? 

Over 8,000 retailers (Boots, John Lewis, Argos, M&S booking.com etc etc) are ready to donate including everyday essentials like food shopping!

Here’s the impact : if just half a class shopped at Tesco through Easyfundraising once a week, we’d raise £0.50 per shop—that’s £360 per year per class! Across all classes, that adds up to an incredible £2,520 annually—and that’s from just one retailer! Similar donations are available from Sainsbury's and Waitrose and many other retailers! Please sign up here: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/support-a-good-cause/step-1/?char=11999&invite=MTR3ES&referral-campaign=c2s&utm_campaign=web-referral

Thanks in advance for your support.