10 November
- For this Week
- Fire Drill Protocol Update (Bradbury Visits)
- Staff Workshop – Supporting Self‑Regulation in Early Years
- ESF Updates
- Wellbeing
- Cybersecurity
- Acceptance of Advantages Policy Update
- Working at ESF Policy Update (No Alcohol)
- Update on Neuroaffirming Language
- Staff Calendar
Morning everyone,
- EA PRD this week
- Tuesday: Fire Drill at 9:10 a.m. / 1:20 p.m. | Lunch PD for all staff
- Thursday:
- Monkey & Dolphin – Pamela Peck Excursion
- Frog & Panda – Tellytubby Land Visit
- Admissions Play Visits (AM)
A reminder that our next fire drill is planned for Tuesday, 11 November. Please review our Evacuation Procedures ahead of time. The drill will take place at 9:10 a.m. and 1:20 p.m., and we will evacuate to the playground and line up by class.
We’ve further updated our Evacuation Procedures to include guidance for when visiting Bradbury School (our neighbouring primary school).
If an evacuation is called while you are there:
- Always bring your class list/register when accompanying a class to Bradbury.
- Stay calm and follow Bradbury staff instructions.
- Proceed with your group to the Big Blue Playground.
- Hillside classes should assemble along the fence facing the slides.
- Keep Hillside children together in your designated area.
- Once assembled, conduct a headcount and mark attendance using your class list/register.
- Immediately inform the Principal or Vice Principal of your group’s status (e.g. all present / missing child).
The auditors are strict about the six-month requirement, so our next drill is already pencilled in for Tuesday, 5 May, to meet EDB guidelines.
As part of our professional learning focus on self‑regulation, we’ll be holding a practical workshop during this week’s Lunch PD session.
Workshop: Supporting Self‑Regulation in Early Years – Practical Strategies for Stress Relief, Focus and Calm
Facilitator: Laura, Founder, Divine Light Yoga and Wildflower Well‑Being Website I Instagram
Session Overview:
This interactive session introduces the science of self‑regulation and stress relief, helping teachers understand what’s happening in the brain and nervous system when children (and adults) feel overwhelmed. Educators will learn how to quickly identify dysregulation and explore age‑appropriate, creative strategies to help children calm their bodies, focus their minds, and settle more easily throughout the school day.
Learning Objectives:
- Recognise signs of dysregulation – what it looks and feels like for young children, and how to respond early and effectively.
- Understand the brain–body connection – what happens in the nervous system during stress, and how to respond from a place of calm.
- Learn five evidence‑based self‑regulation techniques – how and why they work, and how to teach them step‑by‑step in an early years setting.
- Integrate stress‑relief strategies – identifying which to use (and which to avoid) during routines such as arrivals, transitions, and emotionally charged moments.
- Reduce classroom disruptions and enhance focus by embedding regulation tools into daily practice.
This aligns beautifully with our Observable Impact focus on self‑regulation and wellbeing. We hope you will find it helpful!
There were several important updates and discussions at the recent Principals' Meeting. I’ve summarised the key messages below:
ESF remains committed to supporting staff wellbeing. Since COVID, the number of colleagues accessing the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) has risen significantly and remains high.
While the immediate stress of the pandemic has eased, new global pressures — political instability, rising costs of living, and ongoing health concerns — continue to impact wellbeing.
Just as we value physical first aid, it’s equally important that we are equipped to support Mental Health First Aid.
The St John’s team introduced safeTALK, a suicide alertness training programme, which ESFC will soon offer to staff as part of professional development. Please keep an eye out for these opportunities.
A gentle reminder that confidential support is always available through our EAP — please reach out if needed.
Cybersecurity remains a top priority across ESF. Ongoing phishing email exercises will run throughout the year.
- If you click on a phishing link the first time, you’ll be redirected to a secure page for short online training.
- A second click will result in a follow-up coaching session on cybersecurity.
- A third click will lead to mandatory cybersecurity training at ESFC.
Please stay alert when checking emails — when in doubt, don’t click! And report any suspicious emails to IT (Jeff).
ESF will share a central communication with parents shortly regarding updates to this policy.
"ESF celebrates diversity and respects the cultural and religious significance of gift-giving across various festive occasions. In upholding these traditions, we firmly affirm that participation must be a matter of individual choice, free from any form of pressure or obligation. Therefore, individual voluntary gestures of appreciation for colleagues are permitted but organised solicitation or requiring mandatory contributions for gifts among staff are strictly prohibited.
This same principle of voluntary choice extends to our parent community who may wish to express individual appreciation for a teacher. Staff may only accept individual voluntary gestures of appreciation from parents.”
“ESF is committed to providing a safe, professional, and focused educational environment. To uphold this commitment, a strict no-alcohol at work policy is in effect for all staff members. The ESF no alcohol at work policy extends to any ESF social event that is partially or fully subsidised by ESF.The possession, consumption, or being under the influence of alcohol by any staff member is strictly prohibited at all times:
- On all ESF premises.
- During all ESF activities, including school trips, field trips, professional development, and conferences.
- At all ESF partially or fully subsidised events.
- While responsible for the care, supervision, or instruction of students.
Any breach of this policy will be considered a serious matter and may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment.Staff should be mindful of the fact that being under the influence of alcohol is not a defence or mitigation for inappropriate behaviour. Staff have a responsibility to conduct themselves with due regard for the dignity of others at all times whether in or outside of work. Staff will be held fully accountable for their conduct in both their private and professional life where such behaviour may negatively impact ESF, colleagues, or the working environment. This may include disciplinary action up to and including dismissal as necessary.”
For staff-initiated, self-funded events outside of work, this is fine — please simply remain mindful of maintaining professional standards and conduct.
ESF’s language and culture around inclusion continue to evolve, reflecting a deeper understanding of neurodiversity and disability.
- 2021 Focus: Moving away from “SEN” toward “Learning Diversity”, emphasising inclusivity and respect in terminology (the “what we say”).
- 2025 Focus: Expanding to include neurodiversity and disability, grounded in an affirming identity and the social model of inclusion (the “why and how”).
Key Shifts:
- From learning diversity → neurodiversity and disability
- From passive review → active cultural transformation
- Practical guidance via updated language tables
- Introduction of parent and student versions of the guide
Please refer to the attached Guide for Staff for practical examples and updates.
Upcoming Dates
Please check our internal calendar below. We might forget to remind everyone of odd dates. We will continue to add events as soon as they're confirmed.
Here's the full 2025/26 Calendar.
Thank you!
