I am sending this newsletter out a day earlier than usual as I will be attending a course on Friday. I hope everyone is enjoying the World Cup so far. It has been fantastic to see so many pupils proudly wearing their football kits this week, and please do continue to encourage this.

England got off to a great start yesterday and, hopefully, that good form will continue throughout the tournament. I must also make a small confession: I told my six-year-old that the half-time whistle signalled the end of the match and that it was time for bed, which allowed me to enjoy the second half in a little more peace and quiet!

Creative Arts Week:

This week, pupils have enjoyed a fantastic Creative Arts Week, filled with opportunities to explore their creativity through music, art, dance and performance. Throughout the week, pupils have taken part in a range of exciting activities including E-Music workshops, drumming sessions, dance and movement activities, a live puppet show, a collaborative outdoor art project and a wonderful concert from the Carlton Brass Band.

A huge thank you goes to Sue for organising such a varied and engaging week of activities.

Upcoming PFA Event:

We would like to encourage all Year 9 to Year 13 parents and carers to attend our upcoming Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) Information Event.

This event will provide families with valuable information about the range of services, support available, and the processes involved in supporting young people as they move towards adulthood and begin planning their next steps beyond school. A number of external providers and agencies will be in attendance, offering advice and guidance and answering any questions you may have.

When: Thursday 25th June, 9:30am - 11:00am

Where: Fountaindale School, Mansfield, NG18 5BA

We hope as many families as possible will be able to join us for what promises to be an informative and helpful morning.

Sherwood Forest Food Bank Collection:

We are once again supporting Sherwood Forest Food Bank and would be incredibly grateful for any donations that families are able to provide. The food bank offers vital support to local people in need, and every contribution, no matter how small, makes a difference.

The food bank is currently requesting the following items:

• Baked beans
• Tinned soup
• Tinned peas and carrots
• Rice pudding
• UHT milk
• Toilet rolls
• Deodorant

There is also an ongoing need for toothpaste, body wash and sanitary products, which would be especially appreciated.

If you would like to donate, please send items into the school office by Monday 22nd June. Donations will be collected and organised with the support of our Rights Respecting School Council.

Thank you for your kindness and support.

Colour Run - Tuesday 21st July:

As part of our end-of-year celebrations, we are excited to be organising a Colour Run for our pupils on Tuesday 21st July.

The event will take place along our Woodland Walk and promises to be a fun and memorable way to celebrate the end of another successful school year. Pupils are encouraged to wear older white clothing and bring a change of clothes, as they are likely to get colourful during the event!

We would love for parents and carers to join us and be part of the fun. The Colour Run will take place during the afternoon, and we will confirm exact timings and provide further information over the next couple of weeks.

A huge thank you to the Friends of Fountaindale Group, who are kindly supporting us in putting on this event.

Medical and Other Appointments:

Please can proof of medical or other appointments be sent directly to the school office, and if possible copy the class teacher in also. This helps us to ensure that attendance records are updated accurately and promptly.

Appointment information can be sent via Seesaw to Aby or Donna or emailed directly to the school office at fountaindaleschool@nexusmat.org.

Nexus Sports Day:

On Thursday, a number of our pupils attended the Nexus Sports Day at the Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

The pupils had a fantastic day taking part in a wide range of sporting activities and challenges, demonstrating excellent enthusiasm, teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the event. It was wonderful to see everyone getting involved and enjoying the opportunities on offer.

A special thank you to Julie for organising the day and helping to make it such a success

Swimming Sessions at Fountaindale:

We are pleased to share that our swimming pool will soon be used by EMSA Nurture, a specialist SEN swimming group led by Joe Ward.

EMSA Nurture will be running sessions independently of the school between 5:00pm and 7:00pm on three evenings each week. As these sessions take place outside of school hours, they will have no impact on the swimming provision available to our pupils during the school day.

Swimming continues to be an important part of our curriculum, and we remain committed to providing as many opportunities as possible for pupils to access and enjoy swimming. Currently, Nadine delivers swimming sessions three days per week, and we will shortly be advertising for an additional swimming teacher. We hope this will enable us to offer swimming opportunities across all five school days and make full use of this fantastic facility.

If you are interested in your child attending the EMSA Nurture sessions at Fountaindale, please contact Joe Ward directly via the EMSA Nurture Facebook page for further information.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564836647078

We are delighted to see our pool being used to support even more children and young people within the local SEND community.

Sports Day and Summer Fayre:

Reminder regarding our upcoming Sports Days and Summer Fayres. Please see the information below for dates and details of these events. We would also be very grateful for any donations to support our Summer Fayres. Any contributions, no matter how small, will help us make these events enjoyable and successful for all of our pupils and families. Thank you in advance for your continued support.

• Wednesday 1st July (12:30pm arrival) for Butterflies, Robins, Foxes, Rabbits and Hedgehogs
• Thursday 2nd July (12:30pm arrival) for Moles, Woodpeckers, Post-16 Owls and Squirrels.

Community Fundraising Event - Strength in Angus Fun Day:

We have been asked to share information about an upcoming community fundraising event being organised by a local family charity initiative, Strength in Angus.

Although the organisers do not have a direct connection with our school, they are local residents who have been working tirelessly to support families affected by baby loss and to raise funds for services at Kings Mill Hospital.

Over the past 16 months, they have raised more than £20,000, which has funded a range of items including three cold cots, a memorial bench and tree, a chair for the mortuary, a television and TV unit, crockery for Ward 14, and many other resources to support bereaved families.

The organisers have an upcoming Fun Day and have asked us to share details with our families. The event poster can be found below.

For anyone who would like to find out more about their work, donations, and fundraising activities, further information can be found on their Facebook page: In Loving Memory of Angus Charlie Evans.

Weekly Safeguarding Update - Stay Safe Around Water:

Recent local and national incidents highlight the very real dangers of open water. Whether at rivers, lakes, canals or the coast, cold water and hidden hazards can be life-threatening.

The key risks to be aware of are:

• Cold water shock - even in warm weather, UK water is cold enough to cause gasping, panic and loss of control
• Hidden hazards - strong currents, deep water, underwater obstacles and steep banks
• Unpredictable conditions - water levels and flow can change quickly
• Slips and falls - wet edges and unstable ground increase the risk of falling in

Simple advice to share:

• Avoid entering open water
• Stay well back from the edge, especially around rivers, canals and reservoirs
• Don't take risks - especially for social media

Key reminders for parents:

• Talk to children about water safety
• Supervise closely near water
• Be aware of the risks
• Know where they are and what they're doing

If someone is in trouble:

• Call 999 immediately and ask for the fire and rescue service
• Do not go in after them
• Call for help
• Try to reach or throw something they can hold

Have a good weekend!

Headteacher

bnorman@nexusmat.org