SWAFFIELD NEWS
A TERMLY NEWSLETTER FOR PUPILS, PARENTS AND FRIENDS
ISSUE NO. 104
Spring Term 2011
Because……Every Child Matters
We have recently updated the procedure we follow
when children have an injury to the head or face.
For incidents where a child has a visible bruise, mark or
we will make every attempt to inform the parent by telephone. We
swelling
will do this
even if the child is not upset or concerned and appears to have no ill effects from the
injury.
The child will also bring home a note, which explains what occurred and contains
monitoring information for parents from NHS Direct. The class teacher will be informed and
he/she will monitor the child for the rest of the day.
For incidents where children have no visible mark and appear unaffected by the injury a
note will be completed for the child to take home. The class teacher will be informed of
the injury and will monitor the child for the rest of the day.
In either case the teacher will ask for a qualified first aid person to see the child if he/she
is concerned or any other symptoms develop. We will then contact parents and may
suggest that the child is taken to hospital.
Currently, we have 3 qualified first aiders who attended a three
day training course. Two more members of staff will be attending
the full training course before the end of this academic
year. We also have seven members of staff working in either the Nursery or Reception
classes, who attended the Paediatric First Aid course for babies and children. They will
make recommendations based on this training.
It is essential that the school is kept up to date with any changes in children’s medical
history, including food allergies and medication that is only taken at home.
We also need you to tell us when you change your mobile telephone number, your work
telephone number and your home telephone number.
We assure you that your child’s health and safety at school is always a priority.
Contents
First Aid Policy & Procedure
Eco Club Mural
Takeover Day
Website News
Travel Plan News
Swaffian News
Thank You
Information for Parents – Influenza Factsheet
New Parent Governors
Trinity Hospice
Dates for your Diary
Term Dates
Eco Club Mural
In Autumn 2009, ECO club was given the go-ahead to produce some sustainable artwork for our new raised
flower beds.
We decided a bottle-top mural would be perfect: colourful, interesting, a challenge and would get the whole
school community involved in recycling bottle tops.
The original designs were judged by Mrs Lilley and
we ended up taking ideas from many different ones.
Ms Blunden then sketched all the different elements
on to a master design and then worked with the ECO
From this ………
club to transfer the design onto wood.
Using lots of tile adhesive, energy and brain power,
week after week our mural blossomed.
Last week the finished mural was hung above the
raised beds in the back playground with the help of
Mr Davies and some volunteers- thank you to all
those who gave up their time.
We still need to fill some gaps where bottle tops have popped off, but are so proud of what we have
achieved and our contribution to a sustainable environment.
Many thanks to
Miss Hopkinson,
Mrs Boag, Gloria,
Miss Bates, Faye
(Molly’s mum,)
and Ms Blunden.
To this ….....
Takeover Day
On Friday 12th November three children from Year 6, Jodie Clancy, Mubariz Ahmad and Elizabeth Esin, went
to the Town Hall to take part in Takeover Day
Takeover Day is a national event offering children
and young people across the country the chance
to work alongside adults and get involved in
decision making in a wide range of organisations.
The three children met John Johnson, the
Assistant Director of Children’s Services in
Wandsworth and took part in the decision
making process at a Healthy Schools meeting,
held at the Town Hall. They also got to visit the
council chambers and even to sit in the Mayor’s
chair!
All the adults at the event were really impressed with how confident and articulate our children were and
their recommendations are now going to form part of Wandsworth’s new policy for Healthy Schools.
What’s New on our Website…..
We have updated the photos to reflect the wonderful teaching and learning
activities which we provide in a typical day.
We have also added a countdown to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This
is very exciting and by clicking on the title ‘Countdown to 2012 Olympic
Games’ you will be taken to the official Get Set educational website. There is
no need to register or log in – you and your children can access the site and
there are some great games under the RESOURCES TAB.
This is what it looks like…….
…….Why not have a go NOW?
Visit the school’s website at:-
www.swaffield.wandsworth.sch.uk
Travel Plan News
At Swaffield to promote a healthier lifestyle and to reduce the impact of vehicle emissions on the
environment we encourage children
and
adults to walk and cycle as often as
possible.
Of course we want everyone to do
this as
safely as possible so last term 9 pupils
from
Year 5 took up the offer to attend the
Level 1
Cycle Training Course provided by
Technical Services at Wandsworth
Council.
We are please to announce that
Shahmeen Shaikh, Dill Shepherd, Orla
Lamb,
Michael Ockenden, Naveen and Nithin
Nithiyananthan, Finlay Hall and Jamie
Love
Revitt passed the course.
Many adults and children do not cycle
because
they are concerned about theft.
Transport for London recommend the following tips which we hope will get even more of us cycling
regularly: Security mark your bike using an ACPO approved marking scheme. Make sure the security mark is
clearly visible. Buy a good lock and try to make sure that you secure the frame and wheels to the post. Face
the lock towards the ground, but not resting on it so that it is more difficult to pick the lock. Insure your
bike, either by adding to your home contents insurance or separately if you have a valuable bike. Park your
bike where is can be seen. Take removable items with you for example lights, pump
Also last term Swaffield pupils embraced the challenge to design a Be Safe Be Seen poster and wear their
brightest, most luminous clothing to school.
Our children really are the brightest in the Borough
Travel Plan News continued
Our Junior Road Safety Officers, Lubna, Shaun and Mustaf
been hard at work conducting a survey and taking
photographs outside the school gates.
They have noted the number of parents/carers parking on
zigzag lines at drop off time in the morning.
have
the
It is extremely dangerous and illegal to park on the zigzag lines. Unmarked vehicles with hidden cameras
patrol the area and will send a fixed penalty fine to offenders. Please don’t be one of them!!!
Hands Up Survey Results January 2011
Preferred Mode of
Travel to School
Walk
Scooter
Bike
Car
Bus
Tube
Train
Skateboard
Run
Motorbike / Electric
Scooter
Number of Children
from Reception to
Year 6
105
52
133
29
10
7
7
15
4
7
Number of Adults
working in Classrooms
14
11
2
1
1
As you can see most of our pupils and staff would prefer to use sustainable modes of travel.
With our new scooter training club now running we are sure that we will see those numbers going up even
further.
Swaffian News
We are always delighted to hear from our former pupils.
Jade Desai, who turned 17 in January is now Head Student at Ashcroft Academy. Well done Jade this is fantastic news.
Graveney School has informed us of that Barnaby Richardson has joined the Police Force Training Academy and that
Jack Watling is attending the University of Manchester, studying Medicinal Chemistry.
Lindsay Tobin, age 22, already has a 2.1 Degree in Religion, Philosophy and Ethics from Kings College London and is
now studying for a Masters Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Her sister Hayley, age 18, is studying Theology
at Hull University. Rosa Hopkins, also age 18, is studying Politics at Sheffield University.
This message was left on our website:
Going down memory lane and decided to look up my old school! Wow!!! what a great site and the school has certainly
changed somewhat since my day! I was at the school from 1964 to 1970……I think although memory does not serve
wonderfully these days but about that time. My headmaster was the great Mr Cadwallader and to this day I can
remember him well. A kind but firm man and once took me to the hospital to have stitches in my leg after falling off a
wall on my way back to school after being at home for my lunch. I was told not to climb on the wall by my mum but of
course did it anyway and fell off taking a large chunk out of my knee!! I was afraid to go back home but went straight
away to Mr Cadwallader’s office to show him. He was such a sweet man and said that he thought I needed stitches
and if I didn’t get them then I would not be able to be a model if I wanted when I grew up. After a trip to hospital and
three stitches later he took me home and obviously had been in contact with my folks to let them know what was
going on. I was never a lover of school but remember my days there fondly, Mrs Green the dinner lady in her pink
overall who put plasters on my knees so many times I must have kept plaster companies going all on my own! Many
years after I had left school I bumped into her in a shop and she said ‘hello Jackie how are you love? Bless her heart
with so many children that she must have known did she really remember them all by name or just me because of my
knees? I was in Mr Bishops class and he was a lovely teacher but again quite firm and the naughty boys would get the
pleasure of his rather large plimsolls on the bottom. He would pop their head in between his knees and they would get
one on each cheek! They were big man sized plimsolls too! The naughty girls would get a piece of chalk accurately
aimed at their ear with a sharp flick!! and before anyone thinks otherwise I was never naughty of course! I had a friend
though who was a regular sufferer of the chalk treatment. Not so now I know but at the time it was the deterrent that
somehow kept us all in line and I don’t think anyone came to any real suffering because of it but I am glad it is no
longer practiced in schools today. Both my boys are now grown men but if any teacher had laid a hand on them I
would have been up to the school with my boxing gloves on to be sure! I am so pleased to see the school flourish still
and has not been transformed into something unrecognisable from what it once was. This old school looks like it has
been kept up to modern standards it seems but still keeping the atmosphere of such an historic building that taught so
many since it opened all those years ago. Long may this school continue its journey and well done to the staff for
making it so. Well done all of you past and present.
Jackie Messenger (nee Sheen)
Influenza factsheet – Information for Parents
What is influenza?
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Influenza or 'flu' is a viral infection that mainly affects the nose, throat and the lungs.
There are two main types of flu that cause infection; influenza A and influenza B. Influenza A is
usually a more severe infection than influenza B and although influenza B tends to occur most often
in children it can affect any age.
Flu symptoms include the abrupt onset of fever, shivering, headache, cough, sore throat, aching
muscles and joints. There is a wide range of illness ranging from minor symptoms through to
pneumonia. Flu symptoms are different from a cold as a cold is often limited to a runny nose,
sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation. The symptoms usually occur gradually and do not cause a
fever or body aches.
Usually what people call "gastric flu" is a gastrointestinal infection with another virus – usually
norovirus or rotavirus.
Who catches influenza?
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Anyone can catch flu; the highest rates of infection are usually in school age children.
Most influenza infections occur during the winter months.
The amount of illness occurring each year varies, depending on the particular strain that is circulating.
Some influenza viruses cause more severe illness than others. Hence in some winters people may be
more unwell with flu than in other years.
World wide epidemics (pandemics) of influenza occur from time to time and the impact of these can
vary enormously. The most recent pandemic caused by H1N1 (2009) in 2009 was relatively mild,
however, the most infamous pandemic was the Spanish flu of 1918-19 which killed over 40 million
people world wide (more people than were killed in the 1st World War). How do you catch influenza?
Definitions
Influenza is
mostly caught
by breathing in
air containing
Pandemic: An epidemic on a world wide scale.
the virus when
an infected
person coughs/sneezes or by touching a surface where the virus has landed and then touching your mouth
or nose.
How infectious is influenza?
Epidemic: Outbreak of a disease in which more cases than expected appear suddenly

Influenza is infectious and can spread rapidly from person to person.
Some strains of virus are more infectious than others, or cause more severe illness.
What is influenza like?

Influenza is worse than an ordinary cold. It usually starts suddenly with a high fever over 38.0°C
which can last for 3-4 days. A dry cough, headaches and chills are common as are general muscle
aches and pains. A stuffy nose, sneezing and a sore throat can also be present. The fever tends to
decrease after the second day when a stuffy nose and a sore throat become more noticeable. Some
children may also feel sick (nausea), or have diarrhoea. Tiredness can last 2-3 weeks.
How serious is influenza?
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Most people recover completely from influenza in a matter of days or a week. For others, for example
older people, pregnant women, those with other illnesses (such as chest or heart disease, or
diabetes) and newborn babies, influenza can be a serious illness.
Serious illness from influenza can be caused either by the virus itself causing a severe viral
pneumonia, to a secondary bacterial infection causing bronchitis and pneumonia or to a worsening of
any underlying chronic medical condition such as heart disease.
Can you prevent influenza?
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Vaccine is available to protect against flu. Each year a new vaccine has to be produced to protect
against the flu viruses expected to be in circulation that winter and to boost the immune response.
The vaccine is very safe and side effects are uncommon and usually mild.
The vaccine is given in the autumn before the flu season begins. It is not recommended for everyone,
but it is advisable for those likely to be more seriously affected by influenza. This includes:
People of any age with chronic heart, lung, metabolic disorders (including severe asthma and
diabetes), kidney problems or a lowered immune system due to treatment or disease.
Pregnant women.
Everyone aged 65 years and over
Those in long stay residential care accommodation where influenza, once introduced, may spread
rapidly.
It is recommended that immunisations be offered to health and social care workers involved in the
direct care of and/or support to patients and also anyone caring for a person in the at risk groups.
Children and fit adults under the age of 65 years who are not in one of the groups mentioned above
are not offered the vaccine as part of the national programme.
How can you reduce the risk of influenza transmission in schools?
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Keep children and staff that are ill away from school – they should remain off until they are symptom
free.
Wash hands frequently with soap and water and dry thoroughly
Avoid touching surfaces (such as door handles) and then the face
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and dispose of used/dirty
tissues in a bin – “Catch it, Bin it, Kill it”
How soon should a child be back at school after influenza?
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Influenza is most infectious when symptoms start until about 3-5 days later. There are no
recommended times of exclusion for an infected child: a child should return once they are well
enough.
How can you treat someone with influenza?
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Most people with the flu need no special treatment. Influenza is caused by a virus so antibiotics do
not help unless there is a complication. Occasionally a special 'antiviral' medicine is given to people in
the at risk groups or whose illness is getting worse.
Someone who is ill with flu should keep warm, rest and drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Paracetamol can be given to reduce the fever; aspirin must NOT be given to children under 16 years
of age as it has been associated with the development of a severe neurological disorder called
Reye's syndrome.
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It is best to stay at home while feeling ill with influenza as this reduces the chance of spreading the
infection to others.
New Parent Governors
We are pleased to announce that Mrs Marlo Kinnear, mother of JJ in Class F, Mrs Zahida
Rana, mother of Suhaib in Class 1F and Mr Ed Perrett, father of Emma Perrett in Class D
are now Parent Governors at Swaffield.
Welcome aboard, we are looking forward to working with you.
Safeguarding Statement
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in our care
and expect all staff, volunteers, visitors, parents, carers and children to share this
commitment.
Policy Statement
The Governors have a duty to review and agree on the school’s various policies.
Full details of these are available on request.
Learning For Everyone
Swaffield is excited to announce that it would like to launch
some useful and educational activity programmes for parents.
If you would be interested in learning new skills such as ICT or
languages, getting advice about parenting, or just engaging in
some fun social activities, then join the distribution list to be kept informed and consulted
on the latest news and updates. If you are interested please send an email to
matthew.woods@burntwood.wandsworth.sch.uk
Alternatively you can leave your name and contact telephone number at the school office
and they will forward this on.
Attendance Update
Every school day really does count. Children achieving between 95% and 100% have the
best chance of success.
Please remember that you have a duty to inform the school on the first day of any
absence. If you are unable to do this you must send in a written explanation for the
absence.
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285 children (73%) received Early Bird certificates in December 2010 for arriving at school on time every day
for a week.
131 children (33%) received certificates for 98%, 99% or 100% during the autumn term
232 children (59%) have achieved an attendance percentage of 95% or more.
We do not expect children to come to school if they have a high temperature or are very
clearly unwell. Please speak to Mrs Burridge in the school officer if you have any concerns.
Dates for Your Diary
Monday 7th March 2011 -
Year 6 Residential School Trip to PGL in Surrey
Tuesday 8th March 2011
Anti Graffiti show for Years 4, 5 and 6
Wednesday 9th March 2011
Governors Meeting with Parents on Governors Report
Wednesday 9th March 2011
Daffodil Judging
Friday 18th March 2011
Year 5 Visit Junior Citizenship 9.00 – 11.45AM
Friday 18th March 2011
Red Nose Day Disco 5 – 7.00PM – PTA Event
Monday 21st March 2011 Friday 25th Match 2011
Early Bird Week – Punctuality Event
Tuesday 22nd March 2011
PTA Meeting at 9.00AM Parents Room
Wednesday 30th March 2011
Parents Evening
Thursday 31st March 2011
Parents Evening
Friday 1st April 2011
Mothers Day Card and Cake Sale - PTA Event
Monday 4th April 2011
Year 1 Visit the London Transport Museum
Friday 8th April 2011
Last Day of Spring Term
Tuesday 26th April 2011
Pupils return to school
Thursday 28th April 2011
Royal Wedding Cake Sale – PTA Event
Friday 29th April 2011
Royal Wedding – Bank Holiday - School Closed
Monday 2nd May 2011
Bank Holiday – School Closed
Tuesday 3rd May 2011
Pupils return to school
Thursday 5th May 2011
Year 5 Visit Thames Explorer
Friday 27th May 2011
Last day of Spring Term
Monday 6th June 2011
INSET Day, School Closed to Pupils
Tuesday 7th June 2011
First Day of Summer Term
Thursday 9th June 2011
Year 6 Drug Education Workshop
Thursday 9th June 2011 Friday 10th June 2011
Year 5 Residential Trip to Walton Firs Activity Centre
Cobham