We have had an incredibly busy week at Penshurst this week.  

Year 4 had a super time making pizzas (and an even better time eating them!). Pop over to our X (previously Twitter) posts to see what else we have been up to. @PenshurstSchool 

On Tuesday, our Girls Football Team took part in a tournament. Most of the 10 girls who competed had never played an actual game prior to this and conducted themselves brilliantly. Despite their incredibly hard work, we didn't win the tournament and were up against some tough competition. However, we did manage to finish in 6th place! Some fantastic solo runs and a couple of great goals from Clara (Y6) gave us a fighting chance. 

Our pupils had their annual flu vaccines and the medical team administering them would like me to pass on how awesome your children were – to the point where even EYFS and Year 1 pupils were able to give their address, month of birth and parents names. What superstars we have! 

Next week, please remember that we have Progress Evenings on Monday and Wednesday. 

I would like to give you advanced warning that after half term, Pupil of the Week will move to a Friday afternoon. We feel that this would be a wonderful way for the pupils to end their week, and less of an inconvenience for parents if they could simply take their children home afterwards. Thank you for your continued understanding and support of this wonderful celebration.  

Here is a recent article about the risks of children vaping that we thought would be useful for you to take a moment to read.

Some of the children are referring to "hit the blinker" referring to taking a hit for the longest amount of time that the battery will allow (before it blinks). 

Other children are purchasing vapes from the Tik Tok shop that look like marker pens, these have high levels of concentrated nicotine which cause a 'high' when inhaled.  

Children 'so addicted to vapes they can't last lesson without one' - as mother of teenager who died issues warning | UK News | Sky News 

Children 'so addicted to vapes they can't last lesson without one' - as mother of teenager who died issues warning  Headteacher Tony McCabe had the vape sensors fitted in the toilets at St Joseph's High School in Horwich, Bolton. He says a ban will go a long way to helping the problem - but students say it will push vaping underground.  news.sky.com

No Electric Scooters on site  

A polite reminder to advise that electric scooters are not allowed on the school site.  

Here is some guidance from the police website: 

Advice on e-scooter usage | Police.uk (www.police.uk) 

What is an e-scooter? 

Electrical scooters (also known as e-scooters) come under the category of “powered transporters”; this covers a range of personal transport devices which are powered by a motor. 

E-scooters are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988. Which means the rules that apply to motor vehicles, also apply to e-scooters including the need to have a licence, insurance and tax. 

It's not currently possible to get insurance for privately owned e-scooters, which means it's illegal to use them on the road or in public spaces. If you're using a private e-scooter you risk the vehicle being seized under S.165 Road Traffic Act 1988 for no insurance.  

If you cause serious harm to another person whilst riding an e-scooter the incident will be investigated in the same way it would if you were riding a motorcycle or driving a car. 

Have a wonderful (supposedly sunny) weekend and we look forward to seeing you next week. 

Mrs Preston

Head of School