Lead Encourage Aspire Respect Nurture
Dear Parents/Carers,
As we reach the end of Term 1 we are pleased to see how pupils have embraced the value of the term and demonstrated generosity in their behaviour as part of the mutual respect that British citizens should show to one another. Pupils have received awards relating to generosity with their knowledge and helping others, generosity with their friendships and involving others, and generosity by putting others before themselves. We have high aspirations of all of the pupils in school and we all lead and encourage pupils to show respect to others in a nurturing environment. Hence our school strapline of LEARN – Lead, Encourage, Aspire, Respect, Nurture. To achieve success pupils need to feel happy in their learning environment and we welcome the opportunity that parents evening brings to have the chance to discuss your children’s successes with you directly and for you to share information about your children.
We are proud of our pupils good behaviour and the fact that this is demonstrated when we have school visits. In term 2 we are looking forward to different off-site events from sporting fixtures to residential visits and a whole school visit to the pantomime. We are sure that pupils will continue to feel proud of representing their school and we hope to receive positive feedback as we have in the past. Positive behaviour enables pupils to concentrate on their learning and is reflected in the results from the end of last academic year. Some areas to highlight include:
- 73% pupils reached a Good Level of Development at EYFS;
- 80% pupils passed Year 1 phonics;
- End Key Stage 1 SAT’s at or above Age Related Expectations: Reading 70%, Writing 65%, Mathematics 70%;
- End Key Stage 2 SAT’s at or above Age Related Expectations: Reading 83%, Writing 83% Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling 83% and Mathematics 74%. For each of these curriculum areas the school had a high number of pupils achieving Greater Depth Standard – Reading 35%, Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling 26% and Mathematics 13%
Bikeability
Well done to all those who took part in Bikeability training. Pupils in Year 6 brought their bikes into school and had to undertake various training sessions and assessments both on and off the road in order to be deemed sufficiently safe on the road to pass their level 2 test.
Harvest Festival
We enjoyed our harvest festival service in church with all classes contributing to the service from singing Cauliflowers Fluffy to art work, poems and prayers. Thank you for all the donations of non-perishable food items for the Food Bank. School donations, combined with the church harvest collection, totalled a massive 135.58kg. They asked to pass on the following message:
‘Your support means that we are able to continue to provide vital food and supplies to people in crisis over the coming months.
The change in the seasons is a time when food banks see a demand in their services. The Harvest period is the perfect opportunity for us to stock up on a range of items, ensuring that we can continue to provide food parcels to people struggling during these busier months.
The majority of our clients are low-income working families. All of them are deeply grateful that others would help them in their time of need. Many of them ask us to pass on thanks to all those who have helped to enable this provision. On their behalf, and on behalf of all the Foodbank volunteers, may I express thanks for your support.’
Modern Foreign Languages Day
We all enjoyed a foreign flavour to the day at the end of September with French as the theme. Pupils were able to experience elements of a different culture and language as well as some tasty French food.
Open Morning
We were able to welcome existing parents/carers and potential new families to the school at the beginning of October. It was lovely to be able to show Blockley School to others and for people to see at first hand the teaching and learning environment.
National Poetry Day
All pupils were able to participate in National Poetry Day in their classrooms with poems relating to the theme of Truth. Class 5 completed some very clever reverse poetry which is displayed on the wall outside their classroom. Pupils were also given the opportunity to enter a poetry competition.
House Cross County
Well done to everyone for running our cross-country course and competing for house points. A great deal of effort was demonstrated by those taking part. Those that came in the top ranks have been put forward to the cross-country event at Chipping Campden Secondary School after the holiday.
Training
Staff have attended training events at the start of term to ensure that they are up to date with the latest developments in the curriculum and teaching techniques. This included maths and history events as well as safeguarding training and first aid.
Shoebox appeal
We are pleased to be able to support Operation Christmas Child this year through the charity Samaritan’s Purse. If you are able to fill a shoebox with appropriate gifts and useful items they will be very gratefully received by a child elsewhere in the world. Your child will have been given an information leaflet but we do have further copies in the office if it has been mislaid or if you want to send more than one shoe box. The boxes need to be returned to school after the holiday and by Friday 8th November at the latest.
Knex Challenge
Class 4 were able to participate in the Knex challenge this year with two female pupils having overall success and being able to move onto the next stage in the competition. Well done!
Race for Life
The weather was not in our favour on Race for Life day so unfortunately, we could not include family members in our event. Nevertheless, pupils all participated in Race for Life activities in the hall as witnessed by our local Race for Life representative who visited the school. Remember that sponsorship money needs to be returned to school after the holiday.
Spooky Disco
The Friends of the School are putting on a disco for the pupils on Friday evening (25th October). Please remember to purchase your tickets at the school office. They are serving hot dogs to each pupil so let the office know of any dietary requirements or allergies when you purchase your ticket.
Term 2
Term 1 ends on 25th October and Term 2 begins on Monday 4th November. The value of the term will be compassion. We will be letting the pupils know that compassion is about ‘standing in someone else’s shoes’ when they are having a hard time. In other words, trying to understand how they might be feeling and doing our best to try to help.
Closed School Procedure
If the school has to close for any reason this will be published on Gloucestershire School Closure website:
https://closures.gloucestershire.gov.uk/
We also plan to list this on our own school website https://blockleyprimaryschool.co.uk/ and send a message out via ParentPay.
Food in School
We encourage healthy eating in school so if you wish to send your child to school with a snack at break time ensure this is a healthy option such as a piece of fruit or plain biscuit not crisps, sweets or chocolate bars. We also have pupils in school with allergies so no nuts or seeds in school.
School Dog
Our school therapy dog continues to visit school every week. Many children enjoy dropping in to say hello to Margot when she visits. Please let the office know if your child is unable to come into contact with dogs.
September 2020 intake
If your child is due to start school in September 2020 then please attend the information evening on Wednesday 6th November 6.30pm. If you are aware of other families that do not currently have pupils in the school but have a child due to start school in Reception 2020 then please let them know about this meeting.
Individual pupil photos
We have new school photographers this year – Timelock Photography. They are due to come into school on Friday 8th November to take individual photos of each pupil. These will be available to purchase in time for Christmas.
NHS Flu Immunisation
The NHS are due to carry out their Flu Immunisation in school on 13th November. Please complete a form to let them know of your wishes regarding vaccinating your child. There are options on the form for accepting and declining the free vaccination. Please ask in the office for an information leaflet or look on the NHS website for further details.
Residential
Year 4 – 20th November – 22nd November
Year 5 – 27th November – 29th November
We are all looking forward to the residential visit to Viney Hill later on in the term. Pupils will have the opportunity to build their confidence away from home and challenge themselves in a safe environment. Activities to look forward to include: archery, tunnels, crate stacking, climbing wall, camp fire, night hike, bush craft and navigation. If your child is due to attend the residential please remember that the balance is due by 1st November.
ParentPay
The school cannot subsidise parents/carers in relation to school lunches, before-school care and after-school care. We therefore ask that ParentPay accounts are kept in credit to ensure that school funds are not directed away from the education of the pupils. If you are due to use these facilities please pay in advance whenever possible. Mrs Meads loads school dinners and attendance for before and after school care onto the system on a Monday morning. In addition, there are currently a number of payment items due in Term 2 including the pantomime and residential visit. Please log on during half term to clear these balances. Be aware that although some payments are voluntary educational visits will not be able to go ahead if sufficient funds aren’t received.
Nativity
We are looking forward to seeing the reception pupils and KS1 pupils perform their nativity on 10th December 1.30pm and 11th December 6.30pm.
Term 2 ends
Term 2 ends at 2pm on Friday 20th December 2019.
The school holiday is a great opportunity for pupils to have life experience that develops their life skills and understanding of the wider world, something that they can use to inform their work in the classroom. From walks in the local countryside looking at nature and geographical features to help shop for food and planning what to eat. All can help support their academic learning so we wish you all a happy and relaxing break and look forward to seeing pupils on 4th November.