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Find out what is happening with FODS over next couple of months...

This week, our Mental Health First Aiders got together to discuss a range of methods to help peers in the school deal with conflict. We started by unpicking what a conflict might be, where and when conflicts might occur, and who we may have conflicts with throughout our lives. We discussed what sorts of conflicts might occur whilst in school - for example, in the playground, lunch hall, corridors - arguments, falling outs, accidents, friendship issues and bullying all came up, and we read about and discussed a range of solutions for initially helping those involved in a conflict. Some strategies revised or learnt were: keeping your voice calm and not raising it, taking deep breaths and most importantly, using empathy to understand how others might be feeling, and equally importantly, articulating to others calmly how we are feeling in a challenging situation.

Later in this term, our MHFAs will be leading a similar session in their own classes, with the support of their class teacher, to really show their classmates and peers that they have the credentials to be excellent leaders and to support others with their mental health in conflict situations. Of course, it was clearly stated that if a resolution was not able to be found through their help, then an adult should be sought as soon as possible. But I am very proud of the level of maturity and enthusiasm our MHFAs have shown whilst talking about issues like these which we can all certainly relate to.

It was a buzzing atmosphere at the spelling bee today (pun intended!). The words were challenging, the competition was fierce, yet all the children did an incredible job. Well done to everyone who took part.

Our finalists were:

Y1: Rosie and Mohamed

Y2: Jadon and Ruthvik

Y3: Rosie, Nikhil and Theo

Y4: Sayan, Sanaya and Joshua

Y5: Raphael, Nuwi and Ishaani

Y6: Vivaan, Vihaan and Harshith

After round one, our finalists were whittled down to:

Mohamed, Ruthvik, Theo, Sayan, Raphael and Vivaan. 

AND, after the final final round....2024's Spelling Bee winner was, for the second year running, Vivaan from Year 6! Huge congratulations!

Thanks also to our prefects Evie, Emilia and Matheo for being superb judges on the day too, they really brought an air a excellence to the whole event.

To mark St George's Day, our kitchen staff treated us to what I'm sure is the most popular lunch of the year - breakfast for lunch.

On Wednesday we were fortunate enough to have Raheel, an Imam at the enormous Baitul Futuh Mosque in Morden, and also father to Hiba in Year 1, deliver some wonderfully informative and engaging assemblies on the theme of Ramadan which was observed by Muslims the world over during March and April. If you have ever been past the mosque in Morden, you will know that it really is a site to behold and certainly worth a visit. We will organise some year group visits for next academic year. Thank you so much again, Raheel!

This week in JLT, we have been discussing how to generate more excitement and interest around the outdoor play area design competition. We want children to be thinking about how to persuade JLT, SLT and FODS that their design idea should be the best inspiration for transforming what is currently the old unusable maze.

Things for children to think about to think about…

This could be a 3D drawing, a birds eye view diagram, it could include a written explanation - perhaps a quality piece of persuasive writing to go along with it, ot on its own… or simply a labeled picture! Think, what would be a fun, useful and enjoyable space for all children to make use of.

• What is your idea for best use of the space? 
• What features will it include?
• How could it be used?
• Suitable for Years 1-6? 
• Why will this be a unique part of the playground?
• The design ideally needs to include possible some sort of shaded area due to children over the years have commented on there being not enough shaded space in the playgrounds

JLT also confirmed that they will be visiting the Houses of Parliament on17th July for Parliament tour and workshop which should be absolutely fantastic.