Dear Parents/Carers,

Another busy fortnight in school with lots of exciting things going on.

This week has seen our Year 4 children partaking in Outdoor Learning and Creative Activites here at school and at Wick Court Farm.

The reports I have heard from Wick Court have highlighted what a wonderful experience the children have had. For many this will have been their first time away from home and I am so impressed with the courage, that I am told, they have shown. Meanwhile, in school the remaining Y4s have had a wonderful time engaging with a range of outdoor learning opportunities and art activities. 

Most excitingly, we have arranged for the Wick Court staff to bring the farm to Kingsholm in the near future giving all the opportunity to meet the animals and share in the experience!

I want to say a huge thank you to the staff that have supported the organisation, funding and manning of this trip in order to make it such a success.

Also, last week was the first opportunity for me to see one of our parental engagement activities in operation. Our 'Art celebration' had a great turn out and I know the children are always thrilled to have the opportunity to share the work they have been producing with you. Many thanks to everyone that was able to make it.

I want to keep you all updated with my evaluation of the school and the areas we will be focussing on to help ensure the school is the best it can be. It is still very much early days but already I can see that we have a hugely committed staff; an embedded inclusive culture and a wonderful group of children that are eager to learn. Moving forward we are reviewing policies, procedures and looking to further raise expectations and consistency across all areas of the school. As I get to grips with understanding more about the way the school operates and the contextual factors that are so important to shaping this, I will start to add to the long term school development plan and share this with you so that everyone can work together to improve the outcomes for our children.

Kind regards

Tony Larner

Mr Larner's Joke of the Week

I am friends with 25 letters of the alphabet.

I don't know why.

TikTok and Primary-Age Children: A Guide for Parents and Carers Helping families keep children safe and happy online

Social media and short-form video platforms are a big part of children’s digital world, often through older siblings, friends, or shared family devices. While many apps are designed for teenagers and adults, younger children can still come across their content. The aim of this guide is to help parents feel informed and confident about keeping primary-age children safe, supported, and emotionally secure online.

TikTok: What parents need to know:

TikTok is rated 13+, meaning children must be at least 13 years old to have their own account under TikTok’s terms and conditions. 

Primary-age children should not have their own TikTok accounts. 

Even without an account, younger children may still see TikTok videos:
- On an older sibling’s phone
- On a friend’s device
- As re-shared clips on platforms such as YouTube or Instagram

This content can still affect children and may need adult supervision and boundaries.

Why TikTok can be risky for primary-age children
TikTok is designed to be fast-paced and highly engaging, using endless scrolling and personalised recommendations. This can be difficult for younger children to manage independently.

Some of the main risks include:

Inappropriate content - Children may be exposed to strong language, sexualised dancing, or adult humour that is not suitable for their age. 

Scary or upsetting videos - Even brief clips can be confusing or distressing for younger children and may stick in their minds.

Contact from strangers - On some platforms, commenting and messaging can allow unknown people to interact with children, which poses safeguarding concerns.

Pressure to copy trends - Viral challenges can encourage children to imitate behaviours that may be unsafe, embarrassing, or unsuitable. 

Excessive screen time and sleep disruption - Short videos are designed to keep users watching. Too much screen time can impact sleep, attention, and wellbeing, especially for younger children. 

How parents can support their child
For primary-age children, experts recommend supervised use of devices, clear boundaries, and regular conversations about online experiences rather than unrestricted access. 

Helpful steps include:
- Keeping devices in shared family spaces
- Using age-appropriate apps and platforms
- Turning on parental controls and safe search settings
- Talking calmly and regularly about what your child sees online
- Encouraging plenty of offline play, reading, and family time

Trusted sources of further information
The following UK-based resources offer clear, practical advice for parents of primary-age children:

NSPCC – Social media and online safety
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/social-media/

NSPCC – Children and technology (age-by-age guidance) 
http://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/access-to-technology-for-different-ages/

Internet Matters – Online safety advice by age (6–10s)
https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/by-age/

TikTok Guardian’s Guide (for families with older children)
https://www.tiktok.com/safety/en/guardians-guide/ 

A final reassurance
Technology is part of modern family life, and every child and family is different. If you are ever unsure or concerned about something your child has seen online, talking to them and seeking trusted advice is always the right first step.

A reminder that if your child is unwell or they have an appointment ( medical /dental), please let the school office know either by phone 01452 530 777 or email the virtualoffice@kingsholm.gloucs.sch.uk rather than the class teacher.

If your child has been sick (vomit) or had diarrhoea they will need to be off school for 48 hours after their last bout of illness.

We would request that any medical appointments are made either first thing in the morning or late on in the afternoon to minimise any disruption to your child's learning.

If an appointment is during your child's lunch break, it may take some time to locate your child who could be in the dining hall or out on the playground.

Thank you for your support.

The children have decided to raise funds for the following charities which we think are excellent choices.

LOCAL - Glos Wildlife Trust  - Non Uniform day - Friday 6th February

NATIONAL - GUIDE DOGS for the Blind - Non Uniform day - Friday 15th May

GLOBAL - World Wildlife Fund - Non Uniform day - Friday 10th July

We will be holding 3 Non Uniform Days throughout next year where we will invite the children to come to school in their own clothes in return for a small donation to the charity. Each of the charities chosen are sending in people (When possible) and resources to help the children understand more about their work.

Kingsholm C of E Primary School and Nursery - Policies