Keep up to date with our news...

• Online gaming or gambling issues

  Sun 01 Mar 2020

  In the last few years, the line between online gaming and gambling has become increasingly
  blurred. Some activities that players get involved in are so like games of chance that it is hard
  to see them as anything other than gambling.

   

  Over the last few months I have had a number of parents talk to me about the games that their child/ren are playing and the issues around gambling. I have found a number of information sheets that may help /guide you with these current and ever increasing issues.

   

  Internet safety Page

   

   

   

   

• Modern Britain Week

  Thu 20 Feb 2020

  In school this week we will be celebrating Modern Britain.

   

  We want to celebrate the rich cultures of the diverse communities we have in this country. We will be basing our work on exploring what diversity means, building up an understanding and mutual respect of different cultures and beliefs and the positive impact it has on our country.

   

  The children will gain a greater understanding of core British values:  
   Democracy. 
   The rule of law. 
   Individual liberty. 
   Mutual respect. 
   Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.

   

  To support this very important week we will have a number of visitors in to talk to the whole school about their life in Modern Britain. They include:

  Chondon and a chef from Thrishnas talking about their life in Upton-upon Severn and doing some cooking for us.

  Dayamay talking about Buddhism and his life in Malvern.

  Umar Hussain talking about Islam and his life in this county.

  Harriett Baldwin MP talking about her role as an MP for West Worcestershire, British Values and democracy in this country.

  Plus more...

   

  It is going to be a very exciting week!!

   

   

  To keep up-to-date with all that is going on, please see the newly created Modern Britain page.

• Safer Internet Day 2020

  Sun 09 Feb 2020

  On Tuesday 11th February it is Safer Internet Day. 

   

  Safer Internet Day is celebrated globally in February each year in over one hundred countries to promote the safe and positive use of digital technology for children and young people and inspire a national conversation. Coordinated in the UK by the UK Safer Internet Centre the celebration sees hundreds of organisations get involved to help promote the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people. The day offers the opportunity to highlight positive uses of technology and to explore the role we all play in helping to create a better and safer online community. It calls upon young people, parents, carers, teachers, social workers, law enforcement, companies, policymakers, and wider, to join together in helping to create a better internet.

   

  This year the theme is 'Together for a better internet - online identity' and as an Academy we will also be putting our own spin on this with a focus on 'Digital Footprints'.

  This year we are exploring whether young people feel free to be themselves online. We will explore how young people manage their online identity, and how the internet shapes how they think of themselves and others. We will look at whether the internet allows young people to experiment and express themselves, or if they feel limited in who they can be online. 

   

  Through our work as an academy, we also know that one of the biggest issues facing pupils today is their inappropriate use of social media. We will be stressing the importance of using social media correctly and highlighting the long term impacts  - a negative comment or silly photo today could have an impact on their jobs in the future!

   

  For more information please go to our internet safety page or www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/2020

   

  We will also be working alongside Kempsey, Welland and Hanley High this week with some joint  Safer Internet day activities. 

   

  It has also come to our attention recently that a large number of pupils are using their digital technologies in their bedroom. Please remember that research shows that this is the worst place for pupils to have technology. They take more risks and keep more things secret! Keep it down stairs or in a communal room.

   

  For more information on anything to do with internet safety please come and speak to us.

• Computer Club cancelled on Friday 14th February

  Fri 07 Feb 2020
  Please note that Computer Club is cancelled for next Friday 14th February due to School Disco straight after school.  Thank you.

• Radio 2's story-writing competition

  Mon 27 Jan 2020

  500 Words 2020

   

  The UK's largest story writing competition for kids is back for its tenth year.

   

  BBC 2 is once again running its short story writing competition this year.

   

  500 Words is the UK’s most successful short story-writing competition for children between the ages of 5 and 13.

  It was launched back in 2011, after Chris Evans had a dream. He dreamt of getting children excited about reading and writing. All children: no matter what their ability, experience, or background.

  2019 attracted over 110, 000 entries children to the short story competition, and since it launched, the competition has received over 912,986 short stories.

   

  It’s super simple. All entrants must pen an original story, no more than 500 words in length, and submit it online. It can be about ANYTHING you want – space-ships, grannies, insects, time travel. The list is endless!

   

  Stories are judged anonymously, without regard to grammar, punctuation or spelling. The competition culminates in a broadcast extravaganza of live music and sensational story-telling every summer, at a special venue. Past venues have included The Globe and The Tower of London and Windsor Castle. 2019 saw a magnificent extravaganza come live from Windsor Castle. From the 112,986 entries - that’s 56.5 million words, with the six winning wordsmiths announced on-air by celebrity narrators including David Walliams and Helen McCrory. There was also fantastic music from Busted, Tom Walker and Matilda the Musical.

   

  500 Words were also delighted to welcome back real-life royalty to the competition: Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall, who returned as our Honorary Judge, where she read and debated the top 50 stories of the competition with our amazing author panel: Malorie Blackman, Charlie Higson, Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Francesca Simon.

  In the words of the HRH Duchess of Cornwall “Keep saying a big fat YES to adventure”.

   

  BBC 2 500 Word Story Website

• Doogal and Fergus Fundraiser hits the headlines

  Sat 25 Jan 2020

  Animal Dress up Day
  It was so lovely seeing everyone dressed up as an animal today in support of Doogal and Fergus’ fund raising efforts for the chimpanzee sanctuary in Liberia. I am delighted to say that they raised £29.51 with the raffle and £138.02 bringing the grand total to an amazing £167.53. Well done Doogal and Fergus, we are very proud of you.

   

  Malvern Gazette

  Congratulations to Doogal and Fergus for hitting the headlines of the Malvern Gazette. Their enthusiasm, passion and dedication to the 'Chimp Rescue' has been noticed by the local paper and they have made it into this weeks news. Please take a look and continue to support them with this wonderful charity project.

   

  Malvern Gazette Chimp Rescue News Report

   

  School Website Chimp Rescue Page

   

  Just Giving Page

   

   

• Plastics in the Environment

  Tue 21 Jan 2020
  On Tuesday we had a very interesting talk from Sally Lewin. Sally was a pupil at Hanley Swan over 5 years ago and she visited school today to talk about her role as a WWF Young Ambassador (one of only eight in the UK). One of her projects is to help decrease plastics in the sea, she passionately talked about the issues and how we can combat this increasing problem. A huge thank you to Sally and keep up the good work.

  

• School is open as normal today

  Fri 15 Nov 2019
  15.11.19 - School is open as normal today. Non uniform / wear something spotty in return for a donation for Children in Need. 

• Internet Safety Update

  Tue 12 Nov 2019

  As we are all well aware, Internet Safety is extremely important and is one of the biggest concerns in today’s everyday life. It is everyone’s responsibility to keep our children safe and to do our best to keep up to date with changing technology. To support parents with this, we are updating the Internet Safety page on the website with more information and advice. Please take a look and if you find anything else related to Internet Safety that could be shared with parents please email a link to school and we can add it to the page.

   

  The Internet Safety page can be found under the ‘Parents’ tab, ‘Links for Parents’ and then Internet Safety.

  https://www.hanleyswanprimaryschool.co.uk/internet-safety/

• Maweni Primary Visit

  Mon 04 Nov 2019

  Since our recent visit to Maweni we have updated the Maweni page with more photos, information and film clips. Please take a look.

  The page can be found under the ‘Community’ heading.

   

  Our friendship with Maweni Primary is very special. The relationship between the staff in both schools is incredible. Together we learn so much. On Monday 18th November at 3:20pm Mr Bundy and Mrs Drinkwater will be hosting a talk about the link. They will be updating everyone on the support that we provide academically and financially. Talking about some of the new things that they saw and did in Maweni and giving a brief run through on many of the ways that we can learn from Tanzania to help combat climate change and environmental issues. 

   

  Live, learn, laugh and love, these are 4 words that sum up our whole experience here in Maweni. 

   

  We are living each day to the full. Visiting the classrooms, checking out the success of the projects, eating traditional African food grown and prepared with our amazing Maweni friends and creating magical memories. 

   

  We are learning so much from the staff and children at Maweni. Sharing educational ideas and resources, developing a better understanding of our cultures and helping each other on how our pupils can become better global citizens. 

   

  We are laughing all the time. Laughing with pupils about how we do things or our attempt to speak Swahili. Laughing with Maweni staff about differences in how we live our lives and simple jokes and actions. 

   

  We love them and they love us. The friendship between the two schools is unmeasurable. The love we share is untenable. They have nothing and yet they give us so much. We have distributed all of the lovely gifts that you donated and the children and staff have expressed huge gratitude for stationery that will support their learning and help them access a better education.

   

   This year we have taught a science lesson and made and played with bubbles. The children and staff of Maweni have never seen or played with bubbles before, so you can imagine the fun, laughter, learning and smiles that every child (and teacher) had. 

   

  The projects are going from strength to strength and this year we have used some of our fundraising money to boost the numbers of chickens. We have also bought new exercise books for every pupil, paper, card and basic teaching resources. They are all very thankfuul. 

   

  Thank you everyone that supports our friendship with Maweni. It is a very strong partnership that makes a massive difference to every child and adult involved.