In Memory of Ben Constantine:

It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of former Fountaindale pupil, Ben Constantine, on 13th May 2026. Ben's funeral was held on Thursday 4th June, providing an opportunity for family, friends and all those whose lives he touched to come together and celebrate his life.

On Monday, we welcomed Ben's parents, Sharon and Geoff, into school for a coffee and an opportunity to share memories of Ben's time at Fountaindale. We presented them with a memory book containing personal messages from colleagues, alongside a selection of photographs capturing some of Ben's many experiences and achievements during his years with us.

It was a privilege to spend time with Sharon and Geoff and to learn more about Ben's life beyond school. What came across so strongly was their unwavering belief that Ben should have access to the same opportunities and experiences as his older brothers. Their commitment to inclusion, adventure and making memories together was truly inspiring.

As you will see from some of the photographs, Ben embraced life to the fullest. Whether skiing, surfing or abseiling, he approached every opportunity with enthusiasm and determination. His experiences are a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusivity and of ensuring that every child has the chance to participate, achieve and create lasting memories.

Ben and his family have left a lasting impression on all who knew them, demonstrating what can be achieved when barriers are challenged and opportunities are embraced. We are proud to have been a part of Ben's journey and will remember him fondly. Our thoughts remain with Sharon, Geoff and all of Ben's family and friends.

Interview with a Rockstar:

This week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jacob from Owls Class to learn all about his recent visits to Portland College. Jacob, who is 10 years old, has been attending Portland College every Thursday alongside his teacher, Michelle, to take part in their band. The group includes a singer, guitarist, pianist, and Jacob proudly takes on the role of drummer. Jacob told me how much he enjoys being part of the band and looks forward to attending each week. Although he felt quite nervous during his first visit, he has quickly settled in and now feels confident and comfortable as part of the group.

What makes Jacob’s story even more special is that he has only recently discovered his love of music since joining Fountaindale a few months ago. Outside of school, Jacob enjoys gaming, but music has become an exciting new passion for him. He is so enthusiastic about drumming that he is already hoping for a drum kit at home so he can practise even more - sorry Mum and Dad, I hear they can be quite loud! It has been wonderful to hear about Jacob’s new hobby and the success he is experiencing through this opportunity.

Well done, Jacob - we are all very proud of you, and I thought this was a lovely story to share with everyone.

Celebrating the World Cup at School:

As part of our celebrations, children are invited to wear a football shirt to school on the day that their home nation is playing. This is a great opportunity for pupils to show their support and enjoy the excitement of the tournament together. If your child does not have a football shirt, they are welcome to wear clothing in their nation's colours instead.

Pride Month:

As part of our celebrations for Pride Month, we will be holding our annual Pride Celebration Day in school on Friday 26th June.

To mark the occasion, each class will be representing a different colour from the Pride flag. Information about the colour your child's class will be representing will be shared via Seesaw by your class teacher.

Children are invited to come to school wearing clothing in their class colour if they wish. Please do not feel any pressure to purchase anything new for the day.

If your child does not have anything suitable to wear, there is no need to worry. We will be making pom-poms, hats and other decorations in class colours, as well as decorating the classroom, so that everyone can take part in the celebrations.

Nexus Trust 10 Year Celebration:

We are excited to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of Nexus Multi Academy Trust this July. Following discussions with our Rights Respecting School Council, we have planned a range of special activities for pupils to enjoy throughout the week:

• Tuesday 7th July - Alex Cadabra will be visiting school to perform two magic shows for the children.
• Thursday 9th July - Blankford Productions will provide an immersive sensory theatre experience.
• Thursday 10th July - We will conclude our celebrations with a whole-school street party in the afternoon.

We look forward to a fantastic week of celebrations and creating special memories for all our pupils.

Weekly Safeguarding Update - Encouraging Children to Share Their Feelings:

At Fountaindale, we use the Zones of Regulation to help children understand and communicate their feelings. You will see these displayed in every classroom and around school, giving children a shared language to express how they are feeling.

The zones are:

• Blue: tired, sad, unwell
• Green: calm, happy, ready to learn
• Yellow: worried, excited, frustrated
• Red: angry, overwhelmed

Children can express their zone in lots of different ways - some may say it, some may point, use symbols, or use their own communication method. All ways of communicating are supported and valued.

This approach helps children recognise their emotions and begin to develop strategies to regulate how they are feeling in a safe and supportive way.

This is something you could also try at home by asking, “What zone are you in today?” and supporting your child to share in whichever way works best for them.

Have a great week!

Ben Norman

Headteacher

 bnorman@nexusmat.org