Keep up to date with the latest news headlines at Downderry...

• Early Years - Beep Beep day

  Fri 26 Apr 2024

   

  Early Years have been learning all about road safety this week. We celebrated Beep Beep day on Thursday by dressing up in traffic light colours and taking to the streets with our signs and posters telling road users that 20 is plenty! 

  

• Downham 100 Logo competition

  Fri 26 Apr 2024

   

  This week special guests, Dr Tattersfield, Councillor Oana Olaru, Andrew Junaid and Mia Winters came into school to present prizes winners of the Downham 100 Logo competition. Congratulations to category winners: Tahlia (4-6years), Ryan (7-9), and Adesewa (10-11 years), and to the Honourable mention winners: Ayla (Year1) and Islah (Year 5). 

   

  The overall winning entry was designed by Ayda in Palm class. Ayda will work with a graphic designer to transform her logo into a digital format, to be used to promote the events that are being planned to celebrate Downham’s 100th anniversary in 2025.

  

• Science Selfie Competition

  Fri 26 Apr 2024

   

  We are launching our ‘Science Selfie Competition’. Science is everywhere! Look for Science in the world around you and take a selfie! This could be cooking or gardening activities, setting up and completing a science experiment or exploring nature.

   

  Send your selfie to scienceselfie@downderryprimaryschool.com, ensure your child’s name & class are the subject of the email. We will share Science Selfies on our school website and in displays around the school. Please let us know if you do not want your picture to be used on our website or in our school displays.

   

  There will be a prize for the most inspiring Science Selfie from Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Entries need to be received by Friday 24th May. We look forward to seeing your Science Selfies!

• TCS London Mini-Marathon

  Mon 22 Apr 2024

   

  On Saturday, 80 children and their parents from Downderry headed into central London to complete the TCS London Mini-Marathon. Despite it being a little colder and windier than ideal, a wonderful day was had by all running either the 2.6km or 1-mile route starting from Horse Guards Parade and finishing on The Mall after a glorious run past Buckingham Palace. Some took the chance to show off their competitive prowess and put their Daily Mile practice into good use while others enjoyed a more leisurely pace, seeing the sights and lapping up the fantastic support from observers on the side lines.

   

  Congratulations to all who took part! Also, a special thanks to those staff who gave up their Saturday to support the children at the event! We look forward to completing this event again next year - hopefully with even more Downderry representatives taking part!

   

  Children in years 1 & 2 who have been raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital and Antenatal Results & Choices have together raised over £1800 for the charities. Well Done!

  

• STEM Week

  Fri 15 Mar 2024

  This week we have been celebrating STEM week alongside British Science week. The theme was ‘Time’ and it was fantastic to see pupils having fun and learning great skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

   

  Pupils had a very exciting visit from Professor Sulphur Nitrate to celebrate STEM week. He

  created fire, fizz explosions and popping rockets. We certainly finished STEM week

  off with a BANG!

  

• Early Years Spare Clothes Plea

  Thu 14 Mar 2024

  Early Years are in need of spare clothes, if you have any clothes your children have grown out of, ages 3-5 years, please could we have them. 

   

  We are in particular need of underwear and trousers. Any spare shoes/wellies would also be very helpful, sizes 9-12. Please either drop them to a member of the Early Years team, or to the office. Thank you! 

• Easter STEM Tech Camp

  Wed 06 Mar 2024

  Next Thing Education are excited to announce an Easter STEM Tech Camp on 2nd – 5th April at St Mark’s C of E Primary School, BR2 0QR & 8th – 12th April at Trinity C of E Primary School, BR2 8LD from 9 am to 4 pm each day.

   

  The aim is to inspire, engage and empower the next generation of creators, coders, and inventors. An action-packed Activity Schedule with something for every child to extend their learning in a fun and unique way using the latest and greatest tech.

   

  Activities include:

  • 🤖 ROCKING ROBOTICS - Meet our robots and learn visual coding and programming skills that make them come to life!
  • 🚀 INGENIOUS INVENTIONS- Create electronic wonders, while exploring the world of circuits and invention with so many possibilities to explore.
  • 🎨 3D CREATIONS - Unlock your inner Tech Artist and create mesmerising three-dimensional creations
  • 🎥 MEDIA MADNESS - Enthusiastic directors, actors, and content creators will delve into the captivating realms of photography and filmmaking.
  • 🌟MINECRAFT & LEGO ENGINEERING - build incredible structures and learn circuitry creation complex Redstone contraptions. Bring creations to life with Lego sensors motors, building fun for everyone.
  • 🥽 VR or Lasertag – As our Tech fun activity for the week will be swimming with dolphins or team building in a lasertag quest.

   

  All staff are DBS Checked and Qualified to run the best sessions in the safest environment. For more information check out our flyer (on the "Letters" page), visit our website below or watch our video to see what to expect at camp https://youtu.be/VWqFyudd9oU

   

  Our camps cater to ages 5-11. Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out and book online today or by the 15th March using code EARLYEASTER10 to receive 10% off, simply visit: https://www.nextthing.education/product/st-marks-church-of-england-primary-school-easter-camp/ OR https://www.nextthing.education/product/trinity-c-of-e-primary-school-easter-camp/

   

  There are a limited number of HAF places available for eligible children on Free School Meals to attend the camp funded by the council. If you are eligible, please click on our HAF page to book.

   

  

• Being a Parent

  Fri 01 Mar 2024

  Downderry Children’s Centre is running a course to help parents and carers learn practical communication skills to bring up confident and happy children. The course aims to help improve parents' wellbeing and parenting techniques.

  Every Wednesday, 10:00am-12:00pm, from 1st May for 8 weeks.

   

  The course is free, however places are limited. If in need of childcare to attend, please speak to a member of staff.

   

  Click here for booking form.

• Downham 100 Logo Competition - Extended Closing Date

  Fri 23 Feb 2024

  Downham Logo Competition To celebrate Downham’s 100th Birthday, Sevenfields NHS & Phoenix Community Housing are looking for an artist to design their logo.

   

  To help you design your logo think about:

  • What you love most about Downham
  • Your favourite place
  • Your favourite memory

   

  To enter, ask an adult to take a picture of your logo and email it, with your name, to

  selicb.downham100years@nhs.net

  Extended closing date: Monday 11th March, 11:59pm.

   

  This competition is open to all children aged 4-11 years old. The winner will receive a certificate, £20 book voucher and the winning logo will be the star of all of the posters celebrating 100 years of Downham!

   

  https://www.sevenfieldspcn.nhs.uk/childrens-logo-competition-downham-100-years/

   

• Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)

  Fri 02 Feb 2024

  With Measles cases rising in London, Lewisham’s Public Health team is monitoring the situation and working closely with healthcare partners to raise awareness and to ensure those who need the vaccination get it. The key message from council and healthcare partners is that two doses of the MMR vaccine provide the best protection against measles, mumps and rubella. If a child has missed one or both doses, their parent or carer should contact their GP practice to book an appointment or visit the NHS website for more information. Walk-in clinics are being arranged and details of these will be publicised in the newsletter and on the school website once received.