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

• How do I start getting free school meals?

  Fri 17 Sep 2021

  You may be entitled to free school meals, saving yourself money and helping to further enhance your child’s education by providing additional funding for the school.

   

  Whilst universal free school meals are currently offered to all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, the school may not receive the additional funding to which we are entitled.

   

  Your child can get free school meals if you receive one of the following benefits:

  • Income-based: income support / jobseeker’s allowance
  • Income-related: employment support allowance Support under Part VI of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999
  • The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
  • Children Tax Credit - provided parents are not entitled to Working Tax Credit & have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190
  • Working Tax Credit run-on
  • Universal credit - for those applying after 1 April 2018, household income must be less than £7,400 a year.

   

  Apply online at https://schools.lewisham.gov.uk/parentportal.

• Flu Vaccination

  Fri 17 Sep 2021

  The annual flu vaccination will be offered at Downderry on Wednesday 10th November. We are now inviting parents/guardians to register your consent for the flu vaccination via a secure on-line link that you can use to register consent for your child to be vaccinated at school. The process is quick and easy to use.

   

  Please click on this link to access the eConsent: http://qlink.uk/li8/100679

   

  Here’s a video on how the eConsent portal works https://vimeo.com/showcase/7321177

   

  Flu can be an unpleasant illness and can cause serious complications. Vaccinating your child will help to protect them from getting the flu, and prevent it spreading among more vulnerable family and friends. With COVID-19 in circulation it is more important than ever to reduce the number of people becoming ill with flu this winter to help protect them and the NHS.

   

  The vaccination is free and in most cases is a quick and simple spray up the nose offered to children from Reception up to Year 11. Even if your child had it last year, the type of flu can vary each winter, so it is recommended to have the flu vaccine again this year or they won’t be protected. The healthcare team and school will follow guidelines to ensure your child is safe from COVID-19 while getting the vaccine.

   

  Please contact the Lewisham School Health Immunisation Team at the Downham Health and Leisure Centre on 0203 049 1897 or lg.shsimmunisation@nhs.net if you require any further assistance.

   

• Covid Update: Keeping schools safe

  Fri 10 Sep 2021

  During recent weeks most COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted across the country and the vaccination programme has been rolled out. In schools this means that ‘bubbles’, social distancing and face coverings are no longer a requirement.

   

  We will of course still be taking actions to keep children and adults safe in school- making sure that everyone washes their hands regularly, enhanced cleaning and good ventilation.

   

  There are some arrangements which will still be in place to add extra protection. These include:

  • One way systems for keys stages 1 and 2
  • Hand sanitising upon entry into the classroom
  • Whole school assemblies are virtual

   

  For full details visit the "Letters" section of the school website.

• Meet the Teacher

  Thu 09 Sep 2021

  Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions we are unable to hold our Meet the Teacher in person. Please visit your class pages on the school website for a video introduction to your teachers and the year ahead.

• Football - Downderry Bow Out in Style

  Fri 11 Jun 2021

  Having represented Downderry since they were in Year 2, our year 6 boys’ team hung up their football shirts after playing for the last time in the Lewisham Cup. Having reached the semi-final in year 3, they were hoping to go one better this time round, but sadly, it was not to be.

   

  After being beaten narrowly by Stillness and defeating Prendegast, we needed to win our last match against St Mathews to progress to the next round. Alas, although we had dozens of chances, we found the St Mathews goalkeeper in inspired (and somewhat lucky) form and were not able to score the goals needed to progress to the next round.

   

  Although we were disappointed not to move forward in the competition, our team played really well and tried really hard. Our supporters (which included parents and staff) were brilliant and the games we played in were unbelievably eventful and exciting – even more exciting than the Champions’ League Final! As a consequence, it was a fine way for this particular team to say goodbye to football at Downderry. We are very proud of the efforts the players have made over the years, and have many fond memories of their time representing Downderry.​

  

• Sing2G7 Mega Zoom

  Fri 11 Jun 2021

  On Wednesday, Year 5 children took part in the Sing2G7 Mega Zoom. Downderry were joined by children from the seven nations of the G7 to sing “Gee Seven”,
  an inspirational song written by Sir Tim Rice and Peter Hobbs.

   

  The aim of the project is to enable children to raise their voices in song and be heard by world leaders at the G7 summit in Cornwall this week.

  

• Covid restrictions: Step 3

  Fri 14 May 2021

  The Prime Minister has announced that on Monday 17th May we will enter step 3 of the roadmap out of lockdown. At school we have planned for some minor adjustments in readiness for this stage, whilst maintaining Covid safe practices we have become increasingly familiar with and implemented over the last year.

   

  We will be extending our bubbles to phases at playtimes: Early Years, Key Stage 1, Lower Key Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4) and Upper Key Stage 2 (Years 5 & 6). This will enable dining arrangements to resume in the Dining Hall for most year groups. We will also be reintroducing music assemblies for phases in our Middle Hall, and reorganising the seating plans in classrooms to facilitate high quality teaching and learning.

   

  These adjustments will be carefully monitored and reviewed and we are hopeful to reintroduce other changes in the coming weeks, with your continued support. Please help us to achieve this by maintaining social distancing, observing the one way systems at the start and end of the school day and wearing a face covering (unless exempt) when entering the school site.

   

  As restrictions begin to lift, we know some families may be looking to take holidays during term time. As usual, parents should plan their holidays around school breaks and avoid seeking permission to take their children out of school on holiday. Any holiday taken during term time will not be authorised. The school term dates can be found in the “Parents” section of the school website.

• Zero Carbon Workshop

  Thu 13 May 2021

  This week some children from years 2 & 4 took part in our second RAFT workshop to help develop a plan to reduce the amount of carbon we produce as a school.

   

  The children discussed how we can reduce our carbon footprint by changing the way we travel to school, reducing the food we waste and the rubbish we throw away.

   

  “We really enjoyed the workshop but the waste dump was terrible and smelt disgusting!” -Year 2

   

  

• England does the Daily Mile

  Tue 27 Apr 2021
  Children and staff are invited and encouraged to come to school in their PE kit on Friday 30th April as Downderry takes part in 'England does the Daily Mile’. https://thedailymile.co.uk/england-does-the-daily-mile/

   

  In light of the events in the past year, children’s mental health, and its relation to physical activity, is more important than ever. Let’s help get the Downderry community moving, to celebrate the positive benefits that daily activity can have on our mental health.

  

• Swimming Lessons

  Fri 23 Apr 2021

  From next week, (week beginning Monday 26th April), ALL children in years 1-4 will have swimming lessons every week and no longer be alternating Girls and Boys weeks. Year 5 swimming lessons will continue to alternating Boys and Girls each week.

   

  Don't forget your kit!

   

  Swimming table:

  Monday:         Sycamore & Rowan

  Tuesday:        Beech & Ash

  Wednesday:   Elm & Oak

  Thursday:       Willow & Maple

  Friday:            Chestnut & Cherry