A huge thank you for the messages of get well for Mr Pudifoot. He is very grateful for all of your kind words. We look forward to welcoming him back to school in due course.
We have enjoyed a fun and interesting term with a variety of activities having taken place. The new reception children have settled in really well and it is lovely to welcome new families to Blockley School. As well as the younger pupils we have also been able to welcome pupils into our school in older year groups and they are quickly making new friends and feeling part of our community.
Thank you for your attendance at parents/carers evening this month. It is a valuable opportunity for teachers to share information so that you can support your child’s learning at home.
We hope the children enjoy a well-earned break and we look forward to the beginning of the new school term on the 29th October.
Blockley School Golden Rules
- We are gentle
- We are kind and helpful
- We listen
- We are honest
- We work hard
- We look after property
As mentioned in the previous bulletin we all expect high standards of behaviour from the pupils in school and ask everyone to respect our Golden Rules.
The pupils are enjoying our whole school Golden Time on a Friday afternoon. Pupils are participating in a range of fun activities as a reward for their good behaviour. Activities include dancing, outside games, construction, drawing, mosaics, origami, yoga and painting.
For excellent lunch hall behaviour pupils have a chance to sit on the Golden Table once a week. This is gold in colour and pupils can request a ‘friend’ to join them. Sharon Miles (Class 1 teaching assistant) was specially chosen this week and had the honour of eating her cooked lunch as a Golden Table guest.
Bikeability
Well done to all the year 6 pupils who demonstrated their cycling skills to the road safety instructors around Blockley. Their bikes were checked to ensure that they were road worthy before the pupils’ competence was assessed. Those that chose to take part in the training passed with flying colours.
Harvest Service
Thank you for supporting our harvest service this year at Blockley church and for the donations of food to the food bank. This resource is a vital support for many in our community who struggle to make ends meet. All classes led a section of the service, Class 1 sang Cauliflowers Fluffy, Class 2 showed their art work, Class 3 shared their poetry, Class 4 did a harvest dance and Class 5 shared harvest maths.
Poetry Day
The whole school participated in National Poetry Day on 4th October. Pupils and staff were able to share their poetic talents and the result of the pupils’ hard work is on display around the school. Class 5 have written poetry that links in with their geographical work on volcanoes and tectonic plates.
Inspiring Literacy
Drama and dance were used to inspire pupils’ literacy work. A professional actor led workshops for each class. The younger children were able to study The Gingerbread Man while older classes looked at Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This was particularly appropriate for Class 4 as it is their current theme.
Cross County
The school has a long history of inspiring and producing cross country runners. Our annual house cross country event took place on a fine day in October where all children, regardless of their ability, took part in a cross country run around the school site. A fantastic level of effort was on display alongside a competitive spirit. For the older year groups this event was the qualifying session for the inter-school cross county event at Chipping Campden School. Four qualifying races were run, year 3/4 boys, year 3/4 girls, year 5/6 boys and year 5/6 girls with the top 10 pupils being invited to run at Chipping Campden School.
The race at Chipping Campden was a little muddier, as it followed a few days of rain, but pupils came back to school having enjoyed the morning and all ran well. We came a proud third, so well done team!
Race For Life
Thank you for all the efforts gathering sponsorship for our Race for Life event to raise money for Cancer Research. We are sorry that the event could not be held as originally planned, with family and friend participation, but despite our best efforts to rearrange the day the weather was against us. However Mr Jones arranged a fantastic work out for the pupils throughout the morning with everyone completing their 15 minutes. Well done for all the money raised. All money raised needs to be back into school by 29th October 2018.
Class 4 Educational Visit
Class 4 have a chocolate related topic this term, looking at the history, culture and literacy related to this. They paid a visit to Cadbury World where they learnt how the Mayan people lived and their relationship to chocolate. They were taught about the ancient city of Chichen Itza and discovered the Mayan myths and legends about human creation. There was a definite smell of chocolate as they walked back into school and hopefully some was shared at home!
Poppies
As part of the 100 year anniversary of WWI all pupils in school are making a poppy for remembrance. A variety of methods are being used to create these, linking in with curriculum work. Class 5 have been using chromatography to create their poppies, Class 1 used hand prints to formulate theirs and other craft ideas have been used throughout the school. These poppies will then be in church and pupils will have chance to see them in situ on 9th November.
RAF banners
Blockley Church is hosting a display of RAF banners in church and the pupils have been invited down to the church to view these and then discuss the topic in their classes.
FOS Disco
The last day of term can be celebrated by the children by attending the disco run by the Friends of the School. This is a great way to support the school by raising well needed funds and having fun at the same time.
Books
Our current reading books for KS2 have been in school for a significant length of time and are in need of updating. We are very grateful to the Friends of the School for supporting the purchase of a whole new reading plan for the older children. Teaching staff are very excited about the new range of books that will be on offer and we hope that they will inspire reading and literacy for the pupils.
Parent Helpers
Reading forms an important part of your child’s education and we encourage children to read at home either with parents/carers or independently, as much as possible. We also want to give pupils the opportunity to read to adults in school. We would welcome volunteer adults to come into school to hear pupils read. Any time you can give on a regular basis would be gratefully received. All volunteers in school have to undergo appropriate safeguarding checks but once this paperwork is complete you will be able to start.
Lockers
As we renew the books and storage for these we have been looking at the provision for pupil bags and coats. It is easy for these to be knocked onto the floor with the current cloakroom situation. We are therefore researching locker provision within school to ensure pupil belongings can be stored neatly and safely. Watch this space!
Hair
Unfortunately we do get outbreaks of headlice within school. Please be vigilant and check your child’s hair regularly and treat as necessary according to the NHS guidelines. To reduce the risk of headlice passing from head to head we do ask that all long hair is tied up while in school. Thank you.
Governors
We have a team of dedicated Governors. New to the Governing Body this year are Mr Sampson, Mrs Riberzani and Mrs Davies.
Training
Staff have been able to update their skills this term with more training due next term.
During the INSET day all staff were able to be inspired with a Maths Workshop that they attended along with teaching staff from other schools.
As Designated Safeguarding Lead Mrs White has completed her refresher safeguarding training and Mrs Furniss has attended a KS2 Science event.
Operation Christmas Child
If you are participating in our Christmas Shoebox Appeal, filling a shoe box with appropriate gifts, then please return these to school by 5th November 2018.
Knex Challenge
Class 4 are having a Knex Challenge workshop in school on 6th November. Those who come up with the best designs will have the opportunity to go on to participate in a competition against other schools.
Driving and parking
Please be always mindful of pedestrians when driving and parking your car. The car park does become very busy during pick up and drop off times but nobody wants an accident to occur so please take care.
Open Morning and New Parents Evening
Our Open Morning for all parents/carers of prospective new pupils will take place on 7th November 2018 from 10.30am until 12 noon. This will be followed by an Open Evening on 13th November at 6.30pm for all who are interested in reception children places for 2019.
Flu Immunisation Programme – NHS
This will take place in school on 12th November.
Menu change and packed lunch
Please be aware that we have a new menu for Term 2 that is on the website and will be sent out via ParentPay. We often have pupils in school that are allergic to nuts. We therefore ask that all packed lunches do not contain nuts to ensure the safety of all pupils. Many thanks for your help with this.
Spotacular
We will all be asked to wear spots to raise money for Children in Need on Friday 16th November. More details to follow.
Residential
Pupils and staff are looking forward to our residential visits to Viney Hill which are due to take place from 21st-23rd November for Year 4 and 28th – 30th November for Year 5 pupils.
Nativity
Reception and KS1 will deliver their annual nativity to parents on the afternoon of 11th December and the evening of 12th December. Tickets will be limited per family but more details regarding this will be sent out nearer the time.
Looking ahead to Christmas events
The children will be treated to a cinema experience on Monday 17th December.
Father Christmas will pay a visit on the 18th December.
The whole school will watch the pantomime ‘Aladdin’ on 19th December – thank you to FOS for funding this.
Classes will have Christmas parties.
The kitchen (and FOS helpers) will treat the staff and pupils to our Christmas Lunch on 20th December.