Dear Parents/Carers,
The cold weather is upon us as we look forward to the Christmas activities planned in school. Looking back over the past term the pupils have worked hard and been able to participate in a number of curriculum enhancing experiences. Our value of compassion has been demonstrated throughout the term as pupils work together to support each other and develop a strong sense of school community where we can all feel encouraged and able to learn.
We began the month with our Open Morning on the 1st November where parents/carers had the opportunity to see the school in action while the pupils were in lessons. It was lovely to welcome new families and thanks to all the pupils who were very welcoming and polite to the visitors.
We are grateful to all the parents who are supporting their children at home and school by ensuring they come to school on time, with the correct uniform and PE kit and are able to encourage reading, spellings and learning of times tables.
With Christmas around the corner, this is a very exciting time within school, with trips planned and Christmas events to take part in.
Operation Christmas Child:
We had an amazing response for our Shoebox appeal. A total of 42 boxes were sent from Blockley School through the scheme ‘Operation Christmas Child’ run by Samaritans Purse. They will be welcomed by a child elsewhere in the world who may be less fortunate than us. Thank you for your generosity, enabling the pupils to demonstrate compassion for others.
Remembrance Service and Blockley Bells:
The whole school had the opportunity to remember those lost in conflicts around the world during a school remembrance service at Blockley Church. As well as acknowledging past events the pupils were also able to look to the future and view the refurbished church bells, alongside two new additions. When back in the bell tower they will form one of the largest peals in the North Cotswolds.
Sunday Remembrance service:
Thank you to all those pupils who came to the Remembrance Service at Blockley Church and represented the school on a chilly day. Harry and Ellie provided the Young Voice during the service at the memorial and the following pupils laid wooden crosses to remember those who gave their lives for the county; Dominic, Alice, Poppy, Gracie, Joseph, Talullah, Alanah, Toby and Christopher.
Rags to Riches:
Thank you to the Friends of the School who organised a ‘Rags to Riches’ event to raise money for the school. Many bags were collected which resulting in £129.60 being raised for Friends of the School. A great way to dispose of unwanted items!
Choir:
On Tuesday 14th November five girls from the KS2 choir spent an hour after school entertaining the residents of Orchard Bank. They sang Christmas songs for 20 minutes and the residents then joined in singing with the girls. They were an absolute pleasure to take and a credit to the school!
Space Masterclass:
A group of Year 6 pupils had the opportunity for some extended Science work when they attended Chipping Campden School for a Space Masterclass. These events are run in conjunction with the Ogden Trust and use the new Science facilities at the secondary school.
Children in Need:
Spots galore were visable for Children in Need. Thank you for your support, we raised £163.82 for the charity.
Residential:
The Year 5 pupils, followed by Year 4 pupils, enjoyed a three day, two night experience away from home at Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre. The centre in the Forest of Dean gave the pupils the chance to experience life away from home in a safe environment with adventurous and challenging experiences. Pupils were able to work together as a team in a variety of activities. Staff commented on how well the pupils worked together to achieve the tasks, helping each other and offering encouraging advice. It was an action packed few days and all were sound asleep quickly at the end of the day! Hot hearty meals were consumed with relish after a day of fresh air; building bridges, tunnelling, hiking in the dark, making camp fires, completing a low rope course and doing rocket science among other activities. Watch this space for the Year 6 summer residential.
Flu Vaccinations:
NHS staff came into school on Monday 27th November to administer Flu Vaccinations where consent was given by Parents/Carers. If your child missed out on this opportunity and you would like them to have the vaccination, catch up clinics are available throughout the county.
Knex:
The pupils in Class 4 have enjoyed a day creating playground themed Knex creations. The pair that worked best together and made the most inventive model will go forward to the next level in the competition. This year the winners in school are Alice and Rhiannan. Well done and Good Luck.
Harry Potter:
Class 4 and 5 have a theme of Harry Potter for this year. The theme has inspired their learning from Maths and Literacy to Art and Science. Fantastic writing of potions and stories intermingled with magical experiments and clay creatures have all been inspired by the book. To further bring the theme to life they have visited Harry Potter World and arrived back with lots of material to feed into their work.
Emergency Closure:
If the school needs to close for any reason information regarding the closure will be placed on the closed school website: http://ww3.gloucestershire.gov.uk/closedschools/
Where possible this will also be displayed on the school website, a note sent via ParentPay and local radio stations informed.
Car Parking:
With many Parents/Carers needing to drive their children to school the car park can be very congested at certain times of the day especially when events are also taking place in the hall. We all need to drive and park carefully to ensure the safety of everyone, especially young children who may not be so traffic aware. Please also drive carefully along Park Road to get to school and be mindful of pedestrians crossing the road, who often have to cross between parked cars. Thank you.
Afterschool Care:
Afterschool Care is available for all pupils until 5.30pm. Crafts, games and activities are on offer alongside a healthy snack. We ask please, that all pupils are booked into afterschool care by filling in the form at the office or telephoning school. Emails may not be picked up in time as staff may be in meetings or on training courses. Where possible, book your child in by 1.30pm to help with catering.
Absence:
All schools have a duty to ensure that all pupils in its care have acceptable and regular attendance. It is important that your child attends so that they do not miss out on vital parts of their education. If your child is unable to attend school due to illness please ensure that you telephone school to report your child as absent. This needs to be done before 10am in the morning.
Trips Payments:
As part of the broad and balanced education offered within school we offer a range of school trips and events. Often these are partly funded by the Friends of the School but, in order for the trips to go ahead, we often need to ask for voluntary contributions from Parents/Carers. Unfortunately if the school does not receive enough money in this way for a particular school trip it may have to be cancelled.
School Councillors:
The pupils in each class have held elections to vote for who should represent their class in school council sessions. The School Council then take the class ideas forward to meeting where suggestions are made by the pupils regarding school life. In the past fundraising activities have been organised by the school council and suggestions made for new playground markings.
This year the councillors are as follows:
Class 5: Ebony, Max S
Class 4: Rosie, Jacob
Class 3: Lily , Daniel
Class 2: Lilie, Nancy
Class 1: Grace, Mylo
Forest school:
We are very happy to introduce Forest School to Blockley School. The Class 1 children have begun weekly sessions on a Thursday afternoon. So far we have covered exploration, bug hunting and knots and lashings. We
are currently using potato peelers to whittle our own marshmallow sticks in preparation for our first Forest School fire in two weeks time. It is hoped that we will be able to offer Forest School to older children through after school clubs in the summer term.
Thanks:
Thanks to the pupils who gave up their time to bell ring during Parents Evening and remind everyone it was time for the next appointment.
Thank you also to the pupils who represented the school during New Reception Parents Evening and showed potential new parents around the school.
Staff Goodbye:
Thanks to David for all of his work in school from lunch time supervision to school cleaning. His lunchtime supervisor position will be filled in January with a new member of staff. Sarah has taken on the cleaning role after school in addition to her lunchtime duties. We welcome her to this new role.
Chair of Governors:
Hilary Thornburgh is the Chair of Governors and Charlotte Crutchlow is the Vice-Chair for this academic year.
FOS AGM:
Following the FOS AGM our thanks go to those on the committee who have stepped down and have worked so hard over the years supporting the school. The committee has welcomed new members and the new Chair of FOS is Clare Turner.
Christmas Fair:
We look forward to welcoming Parents/Carers to the Christmas Fair. Stalls will be run by each class and the pupils will have had an opportunity to visit the fair during the school day (please send your child to school with some change in a named purse if you wish them to purchase items). Parents and Carers are welcome to browse the Fair in St George’s Hall from 3.10pm onwards.
Looking ahead:
The pupils are looking forward to seeing Sleeping Beauty at the pantomime on Wednesday 6th December. Following this, on Thursday, a fun day of sport is planned entitled ‘Sports Hall Athletics’ so please ensure PE kit is in school.
The KS1 pupils are busy practising their nativity ‘A Midwife Crisis’ and are looking forward to performing it to family and friends. Ticket numbers are limited per family due to hall regulations so please look out for the ticket ordering forms. The performances will take place on Tuesday 12th December (afternoon) and Wednesday 13th December (6.30pm). The KS2 pupils will have had chance to see the performance in school time earlier in the week.
Father Christmas is booked to visit school on Wednesday 13th December and children will be able to visit him in his grotto during the school day.
On Thursday 14th December (9.30am) the school Christmas Service will take place in Blockley Church. Parent/Carers are welcome to join us.
School Christmas lunch will take place on Friday 15th December for all pupils and staff. Please ensure your child has ordered their meal in advance and that KS2 pupils pay for this on ParentPay. Pupils are encouraged to wear Christmas jumpers on this day with normal school uniform.
Reports will be issued to parents at the end of term.
On Monday 18th December the pupils will enjoy a film in St George’s Hall put on by the Blockley Picture Playhouse.
Our term ends on Tuesday 19th December at 2pm. Please note the earlier time.
Happy Christmas in advance and have a wonderful Christmas break.
School Begins for pupils on Thursday 4th January 2018.
Blockley School Staff.
Church News
We look forward to welcoming you to our Christmas Services. All services listed are at St Peters and St Pauls Church Blockley unless otherwise stated. The Christingle Service on Sunday is a wonderful service to bring children to and start the festive season.
Church Dates
3rd December 4pm Christingle
16th December 11am Blue Christmas for those who have been bereaved
17th December 6pm Carol Service
19th December 7pm Paxford Carol Service
24th December 4pm Crib Service
25th December 9.30am Christmas Day Communion