Newsletter

Local Charity – Live Unlimited

This term we supported a local charity – Live Unlimited. Live Unlimited is a charity that provides opportunities and support to Barnet’s looked-after children and young care leavers, empowering them to live their best lives. On Wednesday we supported this charity and children came to school dressed in a mix of purple, green, blue and orange in return for a £1 donation to the charity on School Money.

An Inclusive and Diverse Community

We are proud to be an anti-racist school where diversity and all protected characteristics are respected, valued, and celebrated. Through our curriculum, the texts we use across the school and regular assemblies, we actively teach pupils about equality, respect, and the importance of embracing differences. Our community is built on kindness, inclusion, respect and equality, and we make it clear that racism or discrimination of any kind has no place here. When concerns arise, we address them promptly and thoughtfully to ensure every child feels safe and supported. We also ask parents and carers to work with us in upholding these values, helping us model at home the respect and understanding that allow all members of our school community to thrive.

The Infant Music Festival

Year 2 had a wonderful time at the Infant Music Festival. There were four schools participating together. The focus book this year was ‘Giraffes’ Can’t Dance’ set in Tanzania in Africa. This book is all about believing in yourself. The four songs that the children performed were a wonderful mix of a Scottish Reel to melodic pieces. The children made their own giraffes that they took with them to perform. At school, the children learnt to play the xylophones whilst reading sheet music. The children also danced to two of the songs and they learnt a lot about Africa. Year 2 and Miss Halil did a wonderful job!

Young Carers Coffee Morning

On Thursday 27th November we have a visitor from Young Carers who would love to share information about what a Young Carer is. The definition of a young Carer is VERY broad. Children can be Young Carers for a short-limited period of specific time e.g If a parent is suffering from an illness e.g cancer, if parents are separated. They can also be Young Carers for a longer period of time e.g If they have a sibling with special needs or disability. Any child that has a sibling or parent with an additional need would automatically qualify as a Young Carer. There are many more reasons why a child can be a Young Carer. Barnet Young Carers offers good support and fun activities for children. There are many children in Barnet who could be receiving support from Young Carers but families are not aware that they are entitled to the support OR what support is available. There is absolutely no stigma attached to being a Young Carer. We would encourage all of our families if they feel they might qualify to attend. If you are interested to find out more please do come along to the coffee morning on Thursday 27th November at 9am. Mrs Puzey and Mrs Thomas will also be there.

Parent workshop – Marking & Feedback

Marking and feedback is a crucial part of teaching and learning; it is how we assess pupils’ understanding, decide on next steps, address misconceptions and celebrate their successes. If you would like to understand Holly Park’s marking policy and to know more about the range of strategies and processes that we have in place to support pupils’ learning, then please come to a presentation Ms Sampson is giving on Monday 1st December at 9am.

Parent Governor Spaces

Following the end of a few parent’s 4-year terms of office as governors in November/December this year, we will have spaces for some new parent governors to join us. Being a part of the Governing Body would give you the opportunity to help to shape the strategy that underpins the Holly Park ethos in which your child is learning. Holly Park has an opportunity now for four parents who wish to join. Formal applications and a candidate statement will be needed in due course. However, if at this stage you would be interested to find out more about the role and the commitment needed please contact me (Mrs Pelham). I would like to offer you the opportunity to talk more about what the role entails. There is more information at the end of this newsletter. The deadline to apply is Friday 28th November at 12 noon. Application forms are available from me (Mrs Pelham).

PTA Jazzy Jumper Day

Jazzy Jumper Day will be Monday 1st December. In return for wearing a Jazzy Jumper, the PTA would be delighted if children could bring in Christmas Chocolates for the chocolate tombola.

PTA Christmas Fair

The Christmas Fair will be after school on Friday 5th December. Please save the date. If you are able to volunteer with the set up that afternoon

Christmas Lunch

Christmas lunch day will be on Wednesday 10th December. Children are allowed to wear their jazzy jumpers again on this day if they wish.

PTA Christmas shop

The PTA Christmas shop will be open on the mornings of 15th and 16th December. This is an opportunity for children to secretly buy gifts for parents or carers at school. Look out for more information about signing up to this from the PTA.

Attendance

Whole school attendance for the last week was 97% Well done to Year 4 Sycamore Class with the best attendance at 100%.

Dates

Friday 21st November INSET DAY
Tuesday 25th November Y4 Mulberry Class assembly
Monday 1st December Meeting for all parents: Addressing Misconceptions – Marking and Feedback
Monday 1st December Decorations Day
Friday 5th December Reading meeting for Reception parents at 9am
Tuesday 9th December Nativity Dress Rehearsal
Tuesday 9th December Nursery stay and play for new children 4-5pm
Wednesday 10th December Christmas Lunch
Thursday 11th December Y3 Nativity at 9.30am
Friday 12th December Y3 Nativity at 2.15pm
Monday 15th December Y3 and Y4 parties
Tuesday 16th December EYFS parties
Tuesday 16th December Y1 and Y2 parties
Wednesday 17th December Y5 and Y6 parties
Thursday 18th December Choir sing a long 2.30pm
Friday 19th December Term ends at 1.30pm

Governing Body for HOLLY PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL

Election for Parent Governors Vacancies currently exists for FOUR Parent Governors on the Governing Body for which an election is now being held. The Governing Body is seeking nominees who have time to attend meetings (early mornings and evenings), training courses (evenings) and visits in school time (usually in the mornings) It is very important that any interested candidates meet with Mrs Pelham to discuss the role – expectations and commitment – to ensure they are fully aware of what is involved. There is also a pack of information that should be collected and read before making an application. If you wish to seek nomination as an elected Parent Governor, please collect a nomination form from the Headteacher. This form should be completed, with the accompanying personal statement of no more than 150 words, and returned to the Headteacher no later than 12.00pm on Friday 28th November.

Outlined below is some general information on the role of a Parent Governor.

Governing Bodies play a vital role in the management of their schools, as well as being a crucial link between the school and the local community. Becoming a governor is your chance to bring the views and experience of a parent to bear directly on the education being offered in your child’s school. It is especially useful to have a variety of outlooks reflective of our multi-cultural society.

The Governing Body works closely with the Headteacher to achieve high standards for all your children, building on Barnet’s reputation for academic excellence and care for the individual child.

Being a governor is a responsible and sometimes time-consuming job. To help you make a decision, you need to speak to a current governor and the Headteacher. The following specific points may be helpful to you.

An election is held whenever a Parent Governor’s term of office expires or a vacancy occurs through resignation.

Ballots are only necessary when there are more nominations than places available. These are secret ballots for which voting papers are provided.

There are certain regulations, which disqualify candidates from becoming governors. These relate specifically to bankruptcy or criminal offence. A person is disqualified from becoming a parent governor if they are an elected member of the Local Authority (LA) or work at the school for more than 500 hours a year (at the time of their appointment).

In addition to Parent Governors, who are elected by other parents whose children attend the same school as their own, there are other categories of governor: • LA Governor – nominated by Barnet Council, appointed by the Governing Body; • Staff Governor – elected by teaching and non-teaching staff; • Co-opted Governor – appointed by elected members of the Governing Body; • Headteacher Governor(s).

Governors should get to know their schools on a first-hand basis; will make decisions corporately which will influence and shape children’s education; and, through their commitment, experience and skills, help schools to develop.

The kind of decisions that governors make will include the following: agreeing educational priorities with the Headteacher and the staff; deciding how the school budget should be allocated; sharing with the Headteacher and the staff responsibility for the school’s curriculum; approving school policies and appointing school staff.

Governors are expected to give up some time to the following: Attending meetings of the Governing Body at least once a term; reading papers in preparation for these meetings; taking part in committee meetings or appointments panels from time to time; attending school functions; attending training sessions; attending learning walks.

The LA has a comprehensive programme of support and development for governors.

Being a governor is an opportunity to have direct involvement in your child’s school; personal development and mental stimulation; the satisfaction of being part of a dedicated team; the opportunity to meet new people; interesting and rewarding work; fulfilment from helping young people.

If you are interested in becoming a governor you should meet the Headteacher and then complete the nomination form and find two other parents of children at your child’s school to propose and second your application. You should complete a nomination form and include a personal statement NOT EXCEEDING 150 words explaining why you wish to become a governor. This might include the following: why you think you are a suitable candidate; any interests which are relevant to your application; details of your job or any voluntary work you are involved in; any links with or current involvement in education and any other experience which you think is applicable. Please return your nomination form and personal statement in electronic format to the Headteacher (head@hollypark.barnetmail.net) by 12.00pm on Friday 28th November 2025 Yours sincerely Governor Services, LBB