Dear Parents/Carers,
As we enjoy our final week in school for 2019-2020 we look back on a busy term and look forward to a fresh start in September. Thank you for all of your support for this year. We are pleased that Mr Pudifoot has recovered from his operation and has been able to resume his role as full time Head Teacher. We thank Mrs White for her leadership during the year and value the pastoral support that she continues to provide. September will bring exciting new learning opportunities so we look forward to welcoming you back and wish those moving on future success.
September 2019
We have welcomed our new reception pupils and their parents into school this term. It is lovely to see siblings in school and new faces. Parents and carers were able to spend an evening in school to understand how we welcome pupils into school in Reception and pupils attended two taster afternoons. All pupils were able to familiarise themselves with the classroom and staff in preparation for September. Teaching staff visited new pupils individually to further understand their needs in time for the new start.
Lifespace Caravan
All classes were able to visit the Lifespace Caravan or tent. The tent was new to our school this year and provided a calm and interesting space for the pupils to learn. The sessions use effective strategies to help teach children how to keep themselves healthy and safe. Governors were able to view the sessions to see interactive and engaging lessons first hand.
Summer Disco
Thank you to FOS for organising a summer disco for the pupils. This is a lovely opportunity for the pupils to socialise outside of school. Please look out for future, similar events and support the school in this way. FOS provides a great deal of funding to the school which is invaluable especially with current funding levels.
Longborough Opera Workshop
Class 5 pupils were able to gain an understanding of Opera through an Anna Bolena workshop where they were able to get to know the story and characters in this production that was staged during Longborough Opera Festival .
Sports Day
Despite the threat of rain from the day before the sun appeared and a fantastic, family fun, Sports Day was held on the school field. Thank you to Mr Jones for organising the day. It was wonderful to be able to share a day of pupil achievement with family members and enjoy a shared picnic. There was a definite holiday atmosphere despite there being four weeks of term to go!
Both Sports Day on the field and Sports Day at the Prince of Wales Stadium (whole school attending the Sports Stadium in Cheltenham for our Sports Day) will be fixtures in the future.
Year 6 Leavers
The end of the year always brings mixed feelings as we say goodbye to valued members of our school community. However it is wonderful to see the young people that they have grown into and their future potential. All have worked very hard this year to achieve their best and we wish them all the best with their future learning.
Transition and farewell events have taken place this term. This included an event at the Vicarage in the village with a picnic and games when moving on was discussed.
The Year 6 group went on residential to Hooke Court in Dorset last week and spent two nights and three days participating in outdoor activities and looking at coastal defences. All came back with a healthy glow and lasting memories.
As is traditional in Blockley the Year 6 pupils enjoyed their Leavers Meal this week, choosing a menu of burger in a bun or mozzarella cheese sticks with herby diced potatoes and sweetcorn or salad followed by double chocolate brownie. This seemed to be popular with the whole school!
The final goodbye was the Leavers Assembly where the Year 6 pupils entertained parents, pupils and teachers alike with songs, sketches and memories.
Key Stage 2 Performance – Pirates of the Curry Bean
What an amazing two nights of entertainment. Well done to all involved. A great deal of hard work went in to producing a roof raising performance of Pirates of the Curry Bean. A great deal of talent was evident and fun was had by all. Thank you to all the staff involved, in particular Mrs Furniss.
KS2 SATs
We were pleased to be able to share the pupil results with you in your child’s report. Pupils made fantastic progress and the results were very pleasing with 83% the pupils achieving the expected standards in reading, writing and grammar, punctuation & spelling and 74% achieving the standards in maths. This is all credit to the very hard work that the children in year 6 put in – well done everyone.
Staff
We say a fond farewell to Miss Alcock this term as she is moving out of the area and welcome Mr Parsons to Class 2. Many of you will have been able to meet Mr Parsons during ‘moving on’ morning earlier this week. We wish Miss Alcock all the best in her new job.
Mrs Robins was with us to cover Miss Overton-Short’s maternity leave. Miss Overton-Short has returned to work and we are saying goodbye and thank you to Mrs Robins who is leaving some amazing artwork, completed by Class 4, as a wonderful memory of her time here.
Miss Overton-Short returns as a part time teacher and will be teaching in Class 1 in addition to supporting teaching in other classrooms. We welcome Miss Stewart into Class 4 who has already met many parents and carers and has spent time this week getting to know the pupils.
Head Boy and Head Girl
Alice and Harrison have been selected by the staff as our new Head Boy and Head Girl. They were informed during the Leavers Assembly and we are sure that they will be great ambassadors.
End of Term 2018-2019
Term finishes at 2pm on Friday 19th July. Please collect your children promptly at 2pm as there is no After School Care.
Parent Support Advisor
Please be aware that Tracey Baker, our parent support advisor works term time only and will therefore not be available during the summer holiday.
Summer safety
For safety advice during the summer break please visit the child accident prevention trust www.capt.org.uk/News/focus-on-summer-safety or the NSPCC website https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/
Uniform
We are proud of our school and want our pupils to reflect this. Our uniform is designed to help pupils to feel part of the school and ensure that they are sensibly dressed for learning. It also ensures that there is not competition to adhere to new fashion trends, thus ensuring equality and economy for parents/carers.
We require all pupils to come to school dressed to learn in Blockley School uniform. The details of this can be found on our website. Shoes should be sensible in black or blue and cover the toes. Trainers and boots are not permitted. We look forward to all pupils returning to school in September dressed smartly and ready to learn.
Transporting your child to school
We understand that many pupils live some distance from school and have to be transported by car. It can be very congested at drop off and pick up times and accidents can easily happen. Please be mindful of others, in cars, on foot and those who live nearby, particularly ensuring that residents driveways and house access remain clear at all times. Thank you.
September Forms
Data Collection forms will be sent out in September. Please ensure that these are returned at the earliest opportunity. To keep your children safe it is vital that we hold accurate medical and emergency contact details for them. If your circumstances or contact information alters at any time during the school year please let the office know.
November Residential
As in previous years the Year 4 and Year 5 pupils will be able to visit Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre, nestling between the River Severn and River Wye in the beautiful Royal Forest of Dean, during Term 2. They will be able to discover the great outdoors through adventurous and challenging activities in a supportive and nurturing environment. We are looking forward to going with the Year 4 group from 20th – 22nd November and the Year 5 group from 27th – 29th November.
Operation Christmas Child
We will once again be supporting Operation Christmas Child Shoebox appeal this year. This is a chance to help children around the world to experience joy at Christmas. Leaflets will be given out in the new academic year but the summer holiday may provide opportunity to purchase appropriate items. Please visit their website for more details www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/
Bikeability
Bikeability is the national cycle training programme supported and funded by the Department for Transport. The course builds the skills and confidence of children who can already ride a bike.
The Year 6 pupils will have the opportunity to be trained to ride their bike safely on the roads in September. Letters regarding this will be issued to parents/carers. More information can be found on the Bikeability website www.bikeability.org.uk . Pupils will need to have a roadworthy bike and to be able to ride without stabilisers. Bikes will need to be brought into school daily from 23rd September (for up to one week).
Music Lessons
We have peripatetic music teachers visiting school. If your KS2 child may be interested in learning an instrument please contact the school office in September.
Term 1 September 2019
We hope you all have a wonderful summer and keep safe during the break. We look forward to welcoming all pupils back into school at 8.40am on Wednesday 4th September 2019.