CHPS Weekly Noticeboard

• IMPORTANT Heatwave Update for Friday 26th June: Firstly, we would like to thank you for all your kind messages and notes of support. These have really meant a lot to the team and given everyone a real lift during what has been a very tough week. Due to the ongoing heatwave Red Alert, while both campuses remain open, provision will be adjusted to prioritise safety and well-being over the normal curriculum.

Key Actions for Parents:

• Keep Children Home if Possible: We strongly advise families to consider keeping children at home on Friday if they can make alternative arrangements (especially for the Rooksdown campus, which is still experiencing severe indoor temperatures)

• Early Collection Option: For children attending school, an early collection time is available at 12:00 midday, before temperatures peak

• Cancel Meals on Scopay: If your child is not attending tomorrow, please cancel any meal orders on ScoPay before midnight tonight

• Check Meal Selection on Scopay: If your child is coming into school and having a school lunch, please check your meal order as this has been changed to Cheese (V) or ham (M) picnic 

• Absence Notification: If you have the Arbor parent app, you can now log absences by going to the three line menu, choosing absence and then log absence at the top of the screen. This will then be sent directly to admin. You will only be able to do this on the day of the absence. Doing this will help with managing the situation, we are currently working through over 500 absence emails. If you are unable to do this, please leave a voicemail on Tel: 01256 473777 following the instructions, or drop us an email stating your name and your child's class. You do not need to do this if you have already notified us about Friday's absence, as we have captured these on the system already, and you will just add to our administrative workload.

Campus & Transition Updates:

•  Year 6 & School Transition Days (CANCELLED): We have been informed by several secondary schools—including Cranbourne, Brighton Hill, Bluecoat and Everest - that they have cancelled their Year 6 transition days scheduled for tomorrow. These are expected to be rearranged for Friday, 3rd July.

• Internal Move-Up Day (POSTPONED): In light of the secondary school transition day cancellations, we will no longer hold our school move-up day tomorrow. To keep things aligned, this will also be rescheduled to the morning of Friday, 3rd July.

School Adjustments:

• Normal lessons are paused; classes and year groups may be mixed due to anticipated staff shortages.

• Staff are actively supporting pupils as the extreme heat is impacting concentration, behaviour, and emotional regulation.

If you have no alternative childcare, the school remains open to support you. Thank you for your continued understanding and cooperation during this challenging week. We look forward to seeing all the children back in on Monday, when temperatures should be much more manageable.

• Year 5/6 School Productions: Booking for our Year5/6 Summer Productions are now LIVE! The following link https://www.castlehillprimary.net/events will take you to our school events page, where you can choose the day and time you would like to book. Please note that only two tickets are available per child in the initial booking window. Please do not try to book more than two tickets at this stage, as additional tickets will be removed. On Friday 26th, any remaining tickets will then become available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Rooksdown Campus: 

Tuesday 30th June 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Tuesday 30th June 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Thursday 2nd July 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Greenbank Campus:

Tuesday 30th June 1.30pm - 3:00pm
Tuesday 30th June 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Wednesday 1st July  6:00pm - 8:00pm

• Whole School - Ordering Class Photos: We are pleased to announce our class photographs are now available to purchase via Arbor. The deadline is 3:00pm on Friday 3rd July in order to be able to complete the process before the end of term. We have been able to hold our 2025 prices so 10x8 photos are £6 and 8x6 photos are £4. For help with purchasing please view our help guide here. For any other queries please contact the Admin Team for assistance. Note: If your child is in Greenbank Year5 RS/HC class then there are two possible photos to purchase this year due to staff working schedules. You will be able to choose which image you wish to purchase on the Arbor School Shop.

• Whole School - Potential Summer Club: We are exploring the feasibility of running a holiday club for a few weeks over the Summer holiday (week commencing 27th July, 3rd August, 10th August, and 17th August). The club will feature a rotation of activities, including crafts, games, and indoor and outdoor play. This will be run from our Rooksdown Campus, primarily by school staff. The club will be available for a full day, from 8:00 to 17:00. Initially, it will be open only to pupils at Castle Hill Primary (both sites). The cost will be £30 per day. For those who require and are eligible for HAF funding, there are various options throughout Basingstoke, as advertised on the Noticeboard. Children will need to bring a packed lunch; other small snacks and drinks will be provided. If this is something that you think you would be interested in, please complete the form using this link -Summer Club Google Form 

• Whole School - World Cup Football message update: Dear Parents and carers, thank you for the positive feedback we have received. Please note: The school will be open as usual, with all staff on site at the usual time, for all children who arrive at 8:35am. The breakfast clubs at both sites will be open as normal. This is a parent option, and we leave the choice with parents. We have put this in place so that families can enjoy the World Cup and the children can still get enough sleep to enjoy their learning too. 

For children watching any England match at 9pm or later, parents may bring their child to school at 9:30am the next day. 

• • 1. • GB - Children to arrive at 9:30am and go straight to the reception where they will be registered by a member of staff

       • RD - Children to arrive at 9:30am and go to the Park Gate where they will be registered by a member of staff and delivered to classrooms

We understand that many families will want to support their home country matches. These families also have the option of bringing their child in at 9:30am the day after the match. 

• • 1. • GB - Children to arrive at 9:30am and go straight to the reception where they will be registered by a member of staff

       • RD - Children to enter the school through the main pedestrian gate and come to reception where they will be registered by a member of staff

We hope that this small flexibility is welcomed and appreciated - Miss Willmouth & Mr Martin.

• Arbor are making it easier for parents to pay by card. Whether you are topping up an account, purchasing an item from the school shop, or paying for a trip, you can now enter and save your card details and pay with Apple or Google Pay on your desktop. To learn more, visit - Improvements to card payments in Arbor

• Scooters - Please could we ask that no children ride their scooters or bikes on school grounds during drop-offs and pick-ups. Thank you.  

• School vacancies - If you would like to join our incredible team, please find all vacancy details here 

• School Crossing Patrol Officer - We are recruiting an SCPO for Winklebury Way. For more information regarding the vacancy, please visit: Job Vacancy

• Summer Reading Challenge is a FREE holiday activity for children. It's all about reading for fun, aiming to improve children's reading skills and confidence. The Challenge runs every year throughout the summer holidays, and all children aged 4-11 are welcome to take part. Children can read anything they like (really - anything!) and collect free rewards for their reading. You can sign-up at your local library or online - https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/about-the-challenge

• Active School are hoping to run an afterschool gymnastics club at the Greenbank campus from September. To get this club up and running please complete the interest form found here - Gymnastics Interest Form

• As the weather gets warmer and more people spend time around pools, lakes, rivers, and beaches, it is important to keep water safety top of mind. Always supervise children closely around water, ensure everyone wears appropriate flotation devices when needed, and never swim alone. Be aware of local water conditions, follow posted safety signs, and avoid swimming in unfamiliar or unsafe areas. By taking simple precautions and staying alert, we can all help prevent accidents and enjoy water activities safely throughout the season.  

https://vimeo.com/863949936. 

Always follow the Water Safety Code - 

• • • • • STOP & THINK: Look for the dangers. Always read the signs and understand what they mean

        • STAY TOGETHER: Never go near water on your own. Always have an adult with you

        • FLOAT: If you fall in, float or swim on your back and stay calm. Throw something that floats to someone who has fallen in

        • CALL 999 or 112: In an emergency, call 999 or 112 (for the coastguard)