Congratulations to the five Year 6 pupils chosen to attend the national PIXL celebrations in London this week.  The guest speaker was the Olympic Rower, James Cracknell.  The children were chosen for their progress, attainment and outstanding attitude to learning....it was a hard choice to make with such a fabulous Year 6.  Thank you to Mrs Spackman and Miss Connellan who accompanied the children.

Please take a look at the amazing opportunities available for summer safari activities through the Thanet Coast Project.

http://nekmpa.org.uk/whats-on/2016-events-and-activities/ 

The following link is for Thanet water safety information

http://nekmpa.org.uk/projects-and-issues/water-safety-in-thanet/

https://www.net-aware.org.uk/networks/whatsapp/

We have become aware of some inappropriate comments between children using WhatsAPP messaging out of school.  WhatsApp's own guidance is that it is only suitable for age 16+ which is illustrated by the upset caused to much younger children using it.  There are many benefits to social media but it must be used appropriately.  Please see Mr Clayson if you would like any advice.

After the half term break, the youngest members of our school community, in pre-school, came back to a completely new outside learning environment.  You can see from the photographs how much they are enjoying it already!

Thank you to everyone who came to see the amazing Maypole dancing this week.  There were so many smiling faces from children, staff and guests!  Another fantastic example of the wonderful breadth of curriculum opportunities planned for your children. 

We were thrilled to receive this email from Dan Smith, Hartsdown PE Teaching Assistant and coach at Margate Youth Football Team regarding Harry Rowland, Year 6.  We are immensely proud of Harry's amazing leadership qualities.

Where do I start!

Harry is simply fantastic. He is not only the captain of our team, he is the true heart and soul of what the team is about, our ethos and how we conduct ourselves. He is 11 years old and has 13 teams mates that adore him, respect him and take on everything he has to say. He leads warm up on match days, he has learnt a great deal about leadership and himself during this time and as a bonus is a superb footballer.

Off the field he is a character. He has the natural ability to make people laugh, he has a heart of solid gold. When the team has lost or had tough times, he has put his arm round players and supported everyone. Examples of this are the Herne Bay tournament, we lost on penalties  and the team was gutted, he, without my input, got him team together and spoke to them, I have no idea what he says to the boys, but whatever it is, it works. The level of respect everyone in the team, parents, players and coaches, is one of the many reasons why he is my captain and leader.

On Sunday 22nd May we took the team to play a tournament at Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea FC. What a day! Harry himself lead the team all day, he took them for a warm up on the biggest stage, in front of around a thousand people, including scouts from Chelsea. Even when he is on the side line as a sub, he is still encouraging the boys, giving them belief. Off the field at this tournament he showed three things that most 11 year olds struggle to show, humility, respect and professionalism. He truly represents our team in the perfect way.

I could go on and on.

He is a true credit to his fantastic family, myself as his coach and to you as a school. You should all be as proud of him as I am.

School staff and friends of the school will be completing the Heart of London Bridge's Walk on the 26th June.  Fundraising will support the CRY charity and staff will be walking in memory of Oliver Thompson.  It would be great if parents could make a donation no matter how small to support this amazing charity.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Cliftonville-Primary-School-Staff1

The Kent Teacher of the Year Awards – designed to showcase those going above the line of duty to provide children with the best quality education – were staged at Maidstone’s historic Leeds Castle on Thursday, May 19 in which fifty one finalists from across Kent, Medway and Bexley were commended for their service.  I am thrilled and so proud to report that Mrs Adams was awarded overall winner for Kent in the literacy teacher of the year.  She was nominated by her colleagues for her work in leading Talk4Writing which has had such a positive impact on outcomes for the children across the school.

Donation for Margate lifeboat and educating children on sea safety

Margate RNLI has received a donation from Cliftonville Primary School following a visit to the station by their pupils which is to be followed by a talk on sea safety from local RNLI lifeguards.

It was a big day out for pupils of the whole of year one when ninety in total were shown around the lifeboat station and allowed on board the all-weather lifeboat. The RNLI’s Respect the Water campaign includes educating people of all ages of the dangers associated with enjoying the sea and shoreline and the local RNLI lifeguards are now also planning a visit to the school to tell them of their work and highlight the potential dangers.

Peter Barker, volunteer lifeboat press officer, Margate lifeboat station said: “We welcome visitors of all ages to the station and these occasions are particularly rewarding when we have the opportunity to educate young people on the potential dangers while enjoying the beauty of our sea and shoreline.”

Photo: Two of our children on behalf of Cliftonville Primary School present a donation cheque to the lifeboat crew during one their training evenings. (RNLI Margate)

We have had some concerns raised about children posting inappropriate messages to each other on Instagram.  The age guidance is 13+ so the children shouldn't be using it.  Please read the information in the link below.  If you need any additional guidance please speak to Mr Clayson.

https://www.net-aware.org.uk/networks/instagram/