Please click here to find information on the Silly Squad reading challenge.
Road Safety Education - Week 3 Task (Child Passenger Safety)
This week the focus is on passenger safety and you can conduct this task without even starting the car! There is also a follow up activity supplied by Department for Infrastructure ‘Safe and Accessible Travel’ (FS/ KS1 tasks and KS2 tasks) which can be printed out and completed by your child if you wish. However, these are not intended to take the place of the task itself but rather to reinforce the learning.
1. First thing is first – check the height of your child. The law states that all children up to 135cm (approximately 4ft 5in) in height AND under 12 years of age, must use a suitable child restraint – that is, one that is suitable for your child’s height or weight.
2. Next, look for a sticker or label on the child car seats that are used for each child and it will show which of the two European standards for child restraint systems it has been manufactured to - Regulation 44 and Regulation 129 (or i-Size). Seats manufactured to either standard will have a label showing a capital ‘E’ in a circle - as shown in the picture:
- Regulation 44 child car seats are based on weight with an age recommendation.
3. Assuming the child car seat is still appropriate for the child it is being used for (given the above), now it’s time to check the seat is being used properly. Every year too many children are killed or seriously injured – often because they are not properly restrained when travelling in a car. So make sure you understand the law and give your child the best possible protection. Many seat experts believe that it's better and safer to keep your child in the lowest group seat for as long as possible. This means staying in their current stage seat until the maximum weight or height limit is reached. Because children grow and develop at different rates it is important to keep a watch on your child’s height and weight to make sure that they don’t move up a stage too early or too late. You must only use a child restraint if your car’s seat belt has a diagonal strap, unless the child restraint is:
- specifically designed for use with a lap seat belt only;
- fitted using ISOFIX anchor points.
Checklist
follow the manufacturer's instructions (refer to the diagrams on the side of the seat or better still using the instruction manual provided at the time of purchase);
where using an adult belt to secure the restraint - make sure it passes through all the right slots;
make sure that the child restraint is tight in the adult seat;
make certain that the adult seat belt buckle is not bent over or resting on the child restraint frame;
never fit a rear-facing restraint with an active airbag in front of it;
check the vehicle handbook and follow the advice about children and airbags - where fitted;
deactivate any front airbags before fitting a rear-facing (baby) restraint in a front seat;
never modify the restraint or adult seat belt to make it fit;
never fit a child restraint in side-facing seats;
where the seat belt is being used to restrain the child (booster seats/booster cushions), ensure the diagonal belt is not resting on the child’s throat (there may be an adjuster so that the seat belt rests on the shoulder)
Some general safety points:
every trip - allow time to get the child comfortably strapped in;
where possible, ensure children sit in the back seat;
make sure everyone is in their seat and properly restrained (that includes adults!) before moving off;
remind children not to distract the driver by shouting or fighting (!) during the journey;
assist young children to get out of the car;
insist on children exiting car on the pavement (or grass verge). If they are not sitting at that side, they could move across the back seat when the vehicle stops;
For further information on seat belts and child car seats (restraints): https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/child-car-seats-restraints-and-seatbelts
For information from manufacturers and retailers on whether a particular child car seat will fit in your vehicle and how you should install it: https://www.childcarseats.org.uk/choosing-using/child-car-seat-fitting-and-compatibility/
To view the road safety calendars issued to schools: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/road-safety-teaching-aid-calendars
Remember – seat belts (and child car restraints) save lives!
As you will have noticed the weather has been very dry with not much rain for some time now- great for outdoor learning but unfortunately this has placed increased pressure on the levels of our reservoirs and our water supplies. We are asking for the public’s help to reduce the amount of water we waste everyday as all the little things can make a huge difference and we would love you to share some of the tips and freebies with your pupils at home.
1) Simply turning off the tap when brushing your teeth can save 24 litres a day and we have free 2 minute toothy timers available by visiting https://www.savewatersavemoney.co.uk/northernireland/free-water-saving-products to help keep smiles bright and reduce water waste.
2) Watering the plants is important in dry weather but by mixing gel crystals in with the compost in pots and hanging baskets we can reduce the amount of water needed to keep them growing. To get you free pack of gel crystals visit https://www.savewatersavemoney.co.uk/northernireland/free-water-saving-products
3) Lower your litres and take the 4 minute shower challenge with a free shower timer from https://www.savewatersavemoney.co.uk/northernireland/free-water-saving-products
4) Make your own mini waterbutt at home to collect rainwater for watering the plants in the garden. Share your creations with us to win 1 of 10 large waterbutts for your school. Send us your mini waterbutt pictures to education@niwater.comby Friday 26th June to be in with a chance of this great prize.
Road Safety Education - Week 2 Task (Pedestrian Safety 4-7 year olds)
This week the focus is on pedestrian safety and you can conduct this whilst out on your daily exercise or visit to the shops. There are also 2 follow up activities (see attached) supplied by Department for Infrastructure ‘Safe and Accessible Travel’ which can be printed out and completed by your child if you wish. However, these are not intended to take the place of the task itself but rather to reinforce the learning.
The task concentrates on safe pedestrian practice and we hope that it will help your child develop positive habits as they learn from doing and following your example. Please talk to your child/children about and practise the following safe pedestrian habits:
· Holding hands with an adult or holding on to a buggy (shopping trolley if in a supermarket carpark);
· Walking on the footpath (on the inside of the footpath with the adult closest to the roadside);
· The simple message of STOP, LOOK and LISTEN:
o STOP behind the kerb;
o LOOK and LISTEN for traffic before crossing the road;
o LOOK and LISTEN for traffic while you cross the road.
If practical, walk the normal route to/from school and decide upon the safest places to cross the road. Then, when school resumes, use this route each time you walk your child to/from school. Focus on:
· Use of any pedestrian crossings in place (including where the Crossing Patrol normally stands);
· Good sight lines in any direction that traffic may come from;
· Any potential dangers along the route (e.g. cars reversing out of driveways, road works);
A new booklet has been developed for parents of 0-7 year olds: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/parents-guide-road-safety-0-7-years
For further information on pedestrian safety: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/be-safe-pedestrian
To view the road safety calendars issued to schools: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/road-safety-teaching-aid-calendars
Enjoy going for walks with your child and remember - STOP, LOOK and LISTEN!
Road Safety Education - Week 2 Task (Pedestrian Safety 8-11 year olds)
This week the focus is on pedestrian safety and you can conduct this whilst out on your daily exercise or visit to the shops. There are also 2 follow up activities (see attached) supplied by Department for Infrastructure ‘Safe and Accessible Travel’ which can be printed out and completed by your child if you wish. However, these are not intended to take the place of the task itself but rather to reinforce the learning.
The task concentrates on safe pedestrian practice and we hope that it will help your child develop positive habits as they learn from doing and following your example. Please talk to your child/children about and practise the following safe pedestrian habits:
· The Green Cross Code – children are generally considered to be ready to judge speed and distance of traffic from the age of eight years. Knowing and being able to use the Green Cross Code is an essential life skill for all children:
o First find a safe place to cross;
o Stop with your toes behind the kerb (or grass verge on a country road);
o Look and listen in all directions for any traffic;
o If any traffic is coming, let it pass;
o When the road is clear, walk straight across the road;
o Keep looking and listening for traffic as you cross.
· Walking on the footpath (on the inside of the footpath with the adult closest to the roadside);
If practical, walk the normal route to/from school and decide upon the safest places to cross the road. Then, when school resumes, use this route each time you walk your child to/from school (or if your child walks without a parent then encourage them to use the same crossing points if at all possible). Focus on:
· Use of any pedestrian crossings in place (including where the Crossing Patrol normally stands);
· Good sight lines in any direction that traffic may come from;
· Any potential dangers along the route (e.g. cars reversing out of driveways, road works)
For further information on pedestrian safety: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/be-safe-pedestrian
To view the road safety calendars issued to schools: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/road-safety-teaching-aid-calendars
Enjoy going for walks with your child and remember to use the GREEN CROSS CODE!
Dear Parent,
During the month of June, there will be a weekly task designed for you to work alongside and complete with your child/children in relation to a key road safety issue:
Road Safety Education - Week 1 Task (Child Cycle Safety)
This week the focus is on cycle helmets – please ensure your child wears a cycle helmet every time they are riding their bicycle and that it is properly fitted and adjusted to reduce the impact of a fall or collision at slow speed. The attached document has been supplied by Department for Infrastructure ‘Safe and Accessible Travel’ as a guide for you and your child to use.
For further information on cycle safety: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/cycling-safety
To view the road safety calendars issued to schools: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/road-safety-teaching-aid-calendars
Unfortunately this year due to the unprecedented circumstances we find ourselves in with Covid-19, our staff will not have the opportunity to visit rural primary schools in the run up to the summer holidays to deliver our farm safety messages. However we still wish to promote our farm safety poster competition which we have been running successfully now for a number of years as we feel this is also an excellent way of getting our important safety messages out to farming families. This year we need your help and support more than ever to run our competition.
We are inviting Primary School pupils (Foundation, Key Stage 1 & Key Stage 2) and pupils from Special Schools to take the opportunity to enter our poster competition which will commence on 1st June 2020 and run for 12 weeks. To do so each child should draw or paint a picture and the design of this picture should be based on the key dangers on the farm from one of the following four categories –
Dangers from slurry
Dangers from farm animals
Dangers from tractors & other farm machinery
Dangers from falls & falling objects
Each week we will invite entries from one of the above categories. The theme for each week will be announced every Monday on HSENI’s Facebook page and on our website www.hseni.gov.uk. Competition Terms & Conditions can also be viewed on our website.
Entries should be submitted portrait style on either A3 or A4 sized plain paper. To ensure entry to the competition is as simple as possible this year, we would ask that a photograph or scan of the completed picture is e-mailed to safestart@hseni.gov.uk.
A cover note on the e-mail should state the child’s name, primary school attended and contact telephone number for a parent/guardian or responsible adult.
We will select a winner each week for the 12 weeks of the competition and winners will be notified the following week. .
Prizes for each of the 12 winners will be a £30 One4all gift card.
It is important that after a picture is submitted by e-mail, the original hard copy is retained as we will require the 12 overall winners selected to provide this for printing purposes. Please note, failure to provide a hard copy will result in the prize not being awarded.
In previous years HSENI has produced a calendar made up of the winning entries to the competition and the calendar has been distributed to over 42,000 rural homes throughout Northern Ireland, HSENI hopes if possible to produce a calendar for 2021 from the winning entries to this year’s competition.
For more information on “child safety on farms” go our website www.hseni.gov.uk/articles/be-aware-kids-child-safety-farms-campaign or you can e-mail safestart@hseni.gov.uk
Just a reminder that all pupils have the option to download Office 365, including Microsoft Word and Powerpoint, on up to five devices for free, with their C2k username. There is a link to a help sheet on our school website, under Parents and scroll down to near the bottom. Please contact Mrs Howe (rhowe432@c2kni.net) if your need a reminder of your child’s c2k username.
Following the recent launch of the Department of Education’s app on the Safer Schoolsplatform, provided by iNEQE Safeguarding Group on a trial basis during this COVID-19crisis, they have now also launched a children & young people’s version of this app. Click here for details.
The fourth online safety pack is now available. Each pack has different resources and are available here.
Running until May 19th, children aged between 7 - 12 years are asked to send stories, poems, songs and comics on the theme of lighthouses.
Lighthouses are hugely inspirational and symbolise safety, guidance, help and hope - very important in these times.
Now that lighthouses are automated, the people who work there and provide tours are called storykeepers. We are inviting children to become Young Storykeepers. Watch our video here.
Writers can create a story, a poem, a song, a play or a comic.
The story must involve a lighthouse, a buoy - or even a helper ship.
Your pupils might invent stories about the birds and animals that might live beside or even inhabit a lighthouse, or create a sea story rescue.
The lighthouse might be beside the sea - or on another planet!
Maybe the story is about the light itself – what kind of light is it? Who does it help? The possibilities are really endless.
All stories will be included in a digital magazine to be launched as part of Cruinniú na nÓg on June 13th and featured on the websites of Great Lighthouses of Ireland and Fighting Words.
A number of stories will be selected to be animated by the Fighting Words volunteer team of illustrators and animators.
For more information - Become a Young Storykeeper
Visit a lighthouse!
All children who submit a story will receive a family ticket to visit any one of the Great Lighthouses of Ireland Visitor Attractions, to be used when they re-open in accordance with Government guidelines.
Ulster University researchers are seeking parental views of children from primary, post-primary and special schools across Northern Ireland on their experience ofsupporting their children’s learning during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
You can find the survey and more information here
Young Enterprise NI, in partnership with Moy Park Ltd has announced an exciting online venture for all pupils from the age of 8 to 12 years old.
The Moy Park Challenge, is an online competition which will help pupils to develop skills such as creativity, thinking, problem solving, decision-making and using ICT as well as compete for the chance to win up to £50 as a prize!
Pupils are set the task of being a new Project Manager at Moy Park Ltd and their first job is to come up with a new and exciting chicken product or meal idea that will encourage people in Northern Ireland to eat more chicken! - as we all need to think about eating healthily and chicken is one of the best sources of protein. They have 2 parts to the task:
Create a colourful and detailed ‘A4 poster’ advertising their chicken product ensuring they include a logo & slogan
Tell us about their idea and how they would encourage more people to eat chicken EITHER in a word document of no more than 200 words OR by a short video clip of no more than 60 seconds.
You can find more details at www.yeni.co.uk/moyparkchallenge
The top 3 ideas will win up to £50 of vouchers and their creation will be shared across all our Social Media channels!
All entries are to be submitted by email to Cathy Morrison by 22nd May 2020 at cathy.morrison@yeni.co.uk. Winners will be announced online on Friday 29th May 2020.
I received this from the Navan Centre and Fort, Armagh. It may be of interest to some of our children.
Ongoing weekly series of educational videos focusing on topics we would normally be delivering to schools via our Education programme are now being offered by video. Every week, we introduce a video of the topic on a Tuesday, followed by the associated quiz on a Thursday. This week’s topic is The Egyptians, other weeks have included World War II, the Victorians, the Vikings and the Celts. These are published on our Facebook pagewww.facebook.com/navancentrefort and may be of interest to some of your pupils, during these times.
One of our two May bank holidays, the early one, known as May Day, was moved by the Government to coincide with the 75th anniversary of VE Day, or Victory Day in Europe. VE Day marks the the day in 1945 when the Nazis surrendered to the Allies in the Second World War, which ended the Second World War in Europe.
However, like all other mass gatherings and general activities involving leaving our homes, all public VE Day events have now been cancelled - so all commemorations will have to be kept indoors.
UK Parliament have produced new videos and resource packs for primary pupils which are suitable for use at home.
https://learning.parliament.uk/resources/uk-parliament-and-world-war-ii-video-primary/
https://twitter.com/UKParlEducation/status/1252575800781688832
Or some other resources you could try are:
Listen to the Horrible Histories VE day song
You may wish to view some of the links on Friday when school would have been closed.
Two Minute Tales, BBC Northern Ireland’s short story competition for 5 – 16 year olds is now open for submissions. You can find out more details here along with some creative writing tips and previous entries for some ideas. Why not have a go and your story may be published!
The third #OnlineSafetyAtHome pack is now available with new activities for parents and carers to use at home! Access them here.
We’re delighted that many of our pupils have been enjoying Reading Eggs and Reading Eggspress during this extended time away from school. I’ve included a link on the Covid-19 page of our website with an overview sheet they have published that signposts parents to many of the ‘forgotten’ features within the program, e.g. the library of reading books at each child’s unique level, spelling lessons and story writing sections.
To support different forms of learning, ineqe, Safeguarding have prepared a short animation, a story book and an activity that supports parents to tackle misinformation and help children understand Coronavirus. The aim of these resources is to be informative and reduce heightened levels of anxieties about the ongoing pandemic.
Childline has created a new webpage with information for children and young people about coronavirus. The page includes information about: what coronavirus is; where children and young people can find help if they are worried; coping if they are staying at home; and what to do if they are feeling unwell.
The NSPCC has created an online hub providing advice and support for parents and carers during the coronavirus outbreak. Content includes: information on keeping children safe from abuse; tips and advice to help parents working from home; and ways to talk to a child who is anxious or worried about coronavirus.
ThinkUKnow have produced a page intended to provide parents and carers with support and resources to help them learn about online safety at home with their child. Each fortnight, they will be releasing new home activity packs with simple 15 minute activities parents can do with their child to support their online safety at a time when they will spending more time online at home.
To help support students and parents to keep reading there are thousands of enhanced digital books through myON and articles from myON News now available here for free. These books are linked to the Accelerated Reading scheme. When you have found the book you are interested in, if you click the ‘I’ or ‘Details’ tab at the top you can see the ATOS level. This is the book level your child will have been familiar with for choosing books in school. This also gives you how many points each book is worth.