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

• Food Bank Appeal

  Fri 20 Nov 2020

  Due to the lockdown period our food bank is more popular than ever before but is running short of our essential items. We are in need of donations of any tinned food, packets of pasta or rice, breakfast cereals, toiletries and cleaning products. Donations can be made to the school office or directly to the Children's Centre.

   

  We have started a Just Giving page to allow us to buy fresh items such as milk, cheese, eggs, fruit and vegetables to add to our stock, Click here to go to the page.

• Lewisham Parents & Carers Forum

  Fri 20 Nov 2020

  Lewisham Parent and Carer’s Forum is a voluntary group of parents and carers of children and young people (0-25) with special/additional needs and disabilities (SEND) living in the London Borough of Lewisham. They provide an opportunity for parents and carers to express their views and input into the planning and delivery of SEND services.

   

  The November newsletter from the Lewisham Parent & Carers Forum is available to download from the "Letters" section of the school website or Click Here.

• EP Connect

  Fri 20 Nov 2020

  EP Connect is the easy access phone-line service for parents and carers to get support from the Lewisham Educational Psychology Team.

   

  Discuss any concerns you have about education, learning at home, and emotional wellbeing:

  Call 07377 913538 or 07377 976518

  Monday: 2:00pm - 5:00pm

  Thursday: 9:30am – 12:30pm

  

• Achievement

  Fri 13 Nov 2020

  In October Mrs Fawcett completed the 26.2 miles of the Virtual London Marathon and received her finisher’s medal this week.

   

  Downderry pupils in Key Stage 1 & 2, also took part in the Virtual Mini London Marathon. Children completed 2.6 miles during their PE lessons and weekly mile course. This week, every pupil who took part was rewarded with their medal from the organisers of the London Marathon. Well done to all those who took part!

   

  Do you have any achievements you would like to share? Please share them with us at, admin@downderry.lewisham.sch.uk and we will endeavour to include them in our weekly newsletter.

  

• Remembrance

  Fri 13 Nov 2020

  The children and staff at Downderry commemorated Remembrance Day with a special assembly and a one minute silence. We were honoured to have Pete, an ex-serviceman, introduce our silence by playing the ‘Last Post’. The children showed a huge amount of respect and understanding throughout the day.

   

  A small number of pupils went to the cenotaph on 11/11 to lay a wreath on behalf of the school- lest we forget. We were delighted to be joined by Mr. Lowe, an engineer in the Armed forces, who made our service even more special.

   

  Downderry are privileged to be involved in a special collaborative Remembrance video orchestrated by Bonus Pastor, featuring our Head Pupils reading two prayers. Visit the “Community’ section of our website to view the video.

   

  Thank you for supporting this year’s Poppy Appeal. Slap bands were certainly a clear favourite with our children.

  

• Black History

  Fri 23 Oct 2020

  The children have had a great week celebrating and learning about the Windrush Generation as part of our Black History Month focus. Each year group delved into the life and the inspiring contribution of Floella Benjamin; we explored Windrush through her book 'Coming to England'. We ended the week with a yummy Caribbean lunch and tea party!

   

  Year 1 had a visit this week from an NHS worker, who during lockdown, took up the hobby of painting. She has created some amazing pieces of artwork and has inspired the children. They were able to create their own ‘African Tribal Child’ as part of their learning for Black History Month. Have a look at some of their fantastic work.

  

• Beckenham Place Park - Free activity for half term!

  Fri 23 Oct 2020

  Beckenham Place Park created a fantastic resource for local families to engage with the park and the outdoors. It’s free, fun, educational and easy for anyone to engage with. You can also win great prizes!

   

  Find out more at www.tdlp.co.uk/bppstorymaps where you can download the activity map. You can also pick up a printed map at the park outside the Homestead café.

• 2020 Parent Governor Nominations

  Tue 13 Oct 2020

  The names of the parents who are standing as candidates in the 2020 parent governor election are:

   

  Abiramy Saravanabavan

  Chiara Santoro

  Chon Tu

  Irene Fava

  Jessica Burne

  Nathalie Kouassi

  Satwinder Maheroo

  Sherrell Grant

  Paulo Roggrio de Oliveira

   

  Details about each candidate are on the “Meet the Governors” page of our school website.

   

  Voting will take place between Monday 2nd - Thursday 5th November, at 8:30am – 9:00am & 2:45pm – 3:00pm. To vote in person, (1 vote per parent) collect your ballot paper from:

   

  Nursery parents                                  Children Centre

  Reception & Key Stage 1 parents       Key Stage 1 gate

  Key Stage 2 parents                            Key stage 2 gate

   

  Postal ballots must arrive no later than 3:00pm Thursday 5th November. Envelopes should be addressed to “The Returning Officer, c/o Downderry Primary School, Downderry Road, Downham, Bromley, Kent, BR1 5QL” and marked with a “P”.

• EP Connect

  Tue 06 Oct 2020
  Lewisham Educational Psychology Team are available to discuss any concerns you may have about your child’s learning or their emotional wellbeing.  Please see the flyer for details of how to make contact with them.

  

• Letter for parents about COVID-19 symptoms

  Thu 24 Sep 2020

  Public Health England have produced a letter for schools to distribute to parents which explains when a person requires a coronavirus test and what the symptoms of coronavirus are.   The intention of the letter is to help prevent children being taken out of school unnecessarily and answer some of the questions parents may have around testing.   You can view the letter here.