Email: batheaston_pri@bathnes.gov.uk
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primary s
10th March, 2010
Dear Parents/Carers
5x5x5=creativity
5x5x5=creativity is a
research project working with groups of 5 schools, artists and cultural centres
to support children’s creative development. Artist Edwina Bridgeman is working
with all the children in the school soon alongside colleagues from Bath
Festivals. KS2 children will work with Ed next week (15-19 March) and KS1
children in after Easter (30 April-7 May).
We are taking Classes
4,5,6 and 7 to visit Ed’s exhibition at the Victoria Art Gallery next Monday,
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings 10-11.30am (15,16,18,19 March) as part of
5x5x5=creativity. Ed will introduce the children to the exhibition and we will
work in sketchbooks to develop their ideas. Ed will be working with each class
of children back in school in the afternoon.
We would love to invite you to come along as a parent documenter at any stage
during the week, but especially on the trip! On one of the days Andy Kemp,
international film maker and 5x5x5 artist will be filming for our DVD! Please
let me know if you are free.
We will have an exhibition in progress for KS2 next Friday 19 March from 3pm in
the Creative Space.
Best wishes
Penny
FFI see
www5x5x5creativity.org.
.................................................................................................................................
Monday – Class
5
Tuesday - Class 6 The coach will pick up
from school at 9.30
Thursday –
Class 7 and will drop
the children off at school in
Friday – Class
4
time for lunch
at 12.00pm.
Newsletter – 8th March 2010
IN THIS
NEWSLETTER:
Important
information about Term Dates; Building Project News; Shakespeare; School of
Creativity News; Other news, including outbreak of Chickenpox
Dear Parents,
At last it feels like spring may be on the way! As usual, it is a busy and productive time at
school with lots of news and thanks to share.
INSET
Days: We do appreciate that parents need as much notice as possible about the
dates of INSET days. This year, we have
had to wait to confirm dates so that we could coincide with the plans to move
the class resources and empty the condemned buildings. So the remaining INSET days this year are:
* Thursday 1 April, (as
already advertised);
The
last day of Term 6 will be TUESDAY, 20th JULY at 3.15pm.
The
start of Term 1 (Academic Year 2010/11)
will be MONDAY 6th SEPTEMBER.
Building Project News: Everyone here is
feeling very excited and positive about the new buildings but we are also
working hard, with BANES Major Projects Team,
to ensure disruption to normal school life and the locality is minimised
as much as is possible. As you know, the
plans have been registered and we are waiting to find out what the Planning
Department concludes about the hall and classroom designs, as well as deciding how
the contractors should access this very difficult site. The following information is a summary of the
current position:
- There will be
two separate access options for the Planners to investigate and they may
conclude that either is possible or just the one option. We are very grateful that creative
planning by the B&NES Project Team means that we will not have to face
the practical problems of construction vehicles having to share
- We are at the
very beginning of discussions about the interior designs for the new
building, which is very exciting and inspiring! Next, we shall be consulting with the
children and then will display the designs for parents.
- Once the
building work is complete we have the extra, and unexpected, wonderful
opportunity to develop our school grounds.
The soil from beneath the current hall and old classrooms will be moved
to the old allotment area, (right of the Lapa), and will help create a new
outdoor space for the children which is bigger than the current school
site. We are full of thoughts about
planting trees; creating glades; keeping more goats; another outdoor
classroom and many more ideas!
There are no plans to build permanent school buildings on the site
but I am sure you can imagine how a larger outdoor learning space, which
we have the unique opportunity to develop, will enhance the already rich school
environment. I know that several
parents have already expressed an interest in becoming involved in
planning how to develop the space – currently known as Mike’s Meadow – and
I will be in touch soon.
5. There is a Neighbours’ Meeting for
anyone who would like to know more about the proposed alternative access plans
via
Shakespeare at ‘the egg’: A huge WELL DONE
to all of our Class 6 children who worked so hard together to perform the first
half of “Romeo and Juliet” at the egg theatre last week. I felt very privileged to be part of an
enthusiastic audience which watched our Year 5 children intelligently and
sensitively perform this play in the original Shakespearian English. Congratulations too, to the Year 6 class from
Ø We are starting to create part of the curriculum with
the children (co-construct), which is giving us all the opportunity to improve
and update our Values Curriculum (Empathy; Race; Disability; Gender; Poverty & Privilege and Age). With
the children we have focused on the area of ‘Gender’ this term, alongside a
planned emphasis on communication skills.
Ø We are beginning to look at how we create and maintain
display spaces around the school and investigating ways in which the children
can be better involved and have greater responsibility.
Ø Our INSET day, at the beginning of this term, was
planned to give the adults at school the time to reflect on what we mean by
creativity. We had an inspiring and
challenging day at ‘the egg’, listening to Andrea Sully, Learning Research &
Development Adviser, at North Somerset Council, and taking part in
workshops like dance, music and creative play.
Ø The following Thursday was Enrichment Day for the whole
school, and some of the creative practitioners who had led workshops with us
came in to do the same activities with the children. The theme for the day was ‘Gender’ and a wide
variety of workshops were on offer for everyone, including ‘Strong Enough for
Gym’, ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ and ‘Maths
and the Movies’. We are very grateful to
all the parents and staff whose hard work made the day so memorable for us
all. A particular thanks to the team of
dedicated parents and staff who documented learning in all workshops, and then
spent a busy afternoon collating all the evidence. A special thanks to Penny, 5x5x5 and egg
staff for making these two days possible.
Ø Edwina Bridgeman, our wonderful 5x5x5=creativity
artist, is beginning a new residency at school for KS2 next week. We are hoping to organise for all the
juniors to visit Edwina’s exhibition at the
Ø Nikki, Claire, Penny and I were asked to lead a
workshop on Family Engagement in school at the CCE Conference for Schools in
Ø As part of the documentation of what we are doing, and
for our Birmingham Conference, we have had a short film made of our INSET day
and the Enrichment Day. Once we have
edited it a little more, we shall be inviting you all to a drop-in ‘premiere’
so that you see adults and children working hard and enjoying themselves!
Ø Class 7 will be joined by a poet, Chrissy Gittings,
this Thursday through the Bath Festivals Trust and sponsored by Mr. B’s
Bookshop, and they will spend the best part of the day creating poetry with her,
again round the theme of gender.
These
are the ‘headlines’ of what is happening with our ‘
Other News in Brief:
- Please do
help us by ensuring your toddlers and pre-schoolers understand that they
are not allowed to scoot or cycle in the bottom playground at the
beginning or end of the school day.
We will continue to remind the school-aged children of this
important rule for everyone’s safety.
- Thank you to
everyone for your support for our Cake Sales. Two more very successful sales mean that
the classes can purchase some new resources and/or subsidise the cost of a
school trip. Well done to Class 4
who raised £158.44 and Class 7 who
raised £115.03!
- General
fundraising this year will be focussed on helping to replace the out-of-date
Interactive Whiteboards and projectors in some of the classes. We will, of course, be directing any
available funds from the school budget towards this ‘refreshment cycle’,
but with your kind support for fundraising we can replace more in a
shorter time scale. With the
completion of the new buildings the whole school will benefit from
investment in ICT as part of the PCP scheme, and this will bring us new
possibilities. However, we do have
some hardware that urgently needs replacing – we were one of the first
schools to have Interactive Whiteboards in each classroom and so now they
are coming to the end of their lives!
- Thank you to
the Year 4 children who have volunteered to work in the library as
Librarians, but we are also in urgent need of some adults to support the
children and help out on a regular basis.
It could be for 10 minutes a day once you have dropped your child
off to class in the morning or a longer session once a week, for instance. If you think you can help at all then
George, Class 2’s teacher, would be thrilled to hear from you.
- As a secure
way of dealing with your payments/letters etc., and to help the smooth
running of the office, we would be most grateful if parents would make
full use of the letterbox beside the reception window. This leads to a locked box which is
frequently checked, providing a safer method of posting important items
than leaving them on the desk, and also avoids frequent
interruptions. Thank you.
- Thanks to all
who continue to park considerately at the beginning and end of the school
day; your help with this is much appreciated by the school and its
neighbours.
- Please note
that there is an outbreak of chickenpox in Class 1, and there also appears
to be a sickness bug doing the rounds.
We would ask that children not be returned to school within 48
hours of sickness to help avoid spreading this to others, and we will also
be re-iterating the importance of handwashing to the children.
Dear Neighbour,
quick link
to “Planning”; “View Planning Applications”,
“Specific Applications”; Enter Application Reference
No: 09/04919/REG03
where there will be the opportunity to leave a comment
or objection. Batheaston Parish Council
will be considering the plans on 9th March at 2.00pm in the Reg
Rhymes Pavilion, and they will be available at B&NES Planning Services,
Trimbridge House, Trim Street, Bath (01225 394041) to view in person.
Our priorities will be to minimise disruption for the
children’s education and also for the local community during the construction
period, within the constraints posed by the restricted school site. The
alternative access to the site has only recently been developed, and we would like
to invite you to a Neighbourhood Meeting to discuss these arrangements (e.g.
construction site; lorry movement etc.).
This meeting will take place on:
In
Class 1 at the school
We do hope you will be able to take advantage of this
opportunity to hear how the management of this project is being planned with
consideration for our neighbours in mind.
If you are unable to attend and wish to contact the Project Management Team,
please email: hayley_james@bathnes.gov.uk.
For the attention of Class 2 an 3 parents:
Dear Class
2 and 3 parents,
To
conclude our ‘At the Seaside’ topic we are delighted to tell you that classes
two and three have organised a trip together to Weston Super Mare. The trip
will be on Friday 26th March, the last Friday
before the Easter holiday.
George
& Claire
23rd February, 2010
Dear Parents, We thought you would like a
reminder about the important E-SAFETY
MEETING FOR PARENTS being held tonight (Tuesday, 23rd
February) at St. Mark’s School Hall at 7.30pm. We would urge you to attend this meeting to
find out how children may be using the internet and how parents can help to
keep them safe.
Parent volunteers are very welcome to join us for our
exciting Enrichment Day, when children will be choosing from a variety of
stimulating workshops being run by specialists in different creative activities
such as:
Please do contact the school if you are able to
support a group of children or act as a documenter (taking notes/quotes/photos)
on this day - enjoy watching the children’s involvement in these fantastic
opportunities which are a central part of our new project work supported and
funded by our
then quick link to: ‘PLANNING’
then: ‘VIEW
PLANNING APPLICATIONS’
then: ‘SPECIFIC
APPLICATIONS’
Enter Application Reference
No: 09/04919/REG03
Enrichment Day –
Thursday 25th February
STAYING SAFE ON-LINE
“Do you know
where your children are tonight?”
Come to a meeting
that will inform you about:
· Helping to keep your
children safe online
· Knowing the types of things
they do when on-line
· Solutions for safeguarding children
and young people
The meeting will
be held in the Main Hall at
St. Mark’s Secondary School on Tuesday 23rd
February from 7.00pm to 8.00pm
***
Message for Class 6 Parents re. the egg –
Please return reply slip on
hard copy given to children on Friday 5/2/10, or call the office with your permission
Dear Class 6 Parents
We
are sure that all those who know
Dear parents,
Your child will be coming home today with a Transport Questionnaire,
which we would be extremely grateful if you could complete and return to us by Friday 22nd January. This information is being requested and
collated by B&NES to help plan to minimise any disruption during the school
building project. They are very keen for
a 100% response to this home/school transport survey, to ensure the best
possible plans can be put in place.
I would like to take the opportunity to say how impressed we were with
the Eco-Team, who helped to plan and implement such successful events
throughout the week.
***
Dear parents,
As you know we try to give as much notice as possible of INSET days, and
so we are letting you know now that the school will be closed on THURSDAY 1st April, meaning
that the last day of Term 4 will be WEDNESDAY,
31st March at 3.15pm (if your child stays to Wednesday
Workshops, which WILL be running that day).
Just to remind you, Monday 22nd February is also an INSET day
and the school will be closed.
Please also note that you are invited to a
Your child will be coming home today with a Transport Questionnaire,
which we would be extremely grateful if you could complete and return to us by Friday 22nd January. This information is being requested and
collated by B&NES to help plan to minimise any disruption during the school
building project. They are very keen for
a 100% response to this home/school transport survey, to ensure the best
possible plans can be put in place.
Our new building plans have now been submitted for planning permission,
and once these have been registered they will be available to everyone on line;
meanwhile you may wish to see the press
release on the Local News page of the BBC website: www.bbc.co.uk under ‘
Thank you to everyone who supported our highly successful and enjoyable
Eco-Week, which culminated in the wonderful Dress as a Fruit or Vegetable
Friday! We all agreed that the money
raised on Friday would be donated to the Haitian relief fund, and we will be
raising funds for our food composter at a later date.
I would like to take the opportunity to say how impressed we were with
the Eco-Team, who helped to plan and implement such successful events
throughout the week.
Best wishes,
Sarah
* * *
15/01/10
Dear Parents,
I hope this is the last time I will be
bothering you all with snow related information!! Looks like this period of
severe weather is now coming to an end.
We wanted to say a special thank you to
all the generous parents who helped shovel snow and ice yesterday. It
made a significant difference to the safety of the school site and all the
lanes and paths. Thank you to staff, too, who were also all busy clearing
the snow.
The Bath Chronicle was so impressed to
hear that parents were so supportive and pro-active that they sent a
photographer and reporter to school yesterday. They got a few details
wrong but I was really pleased to be able to say a public thank you to all the
volunteers!
Best wishes,
Sarah
* * *
E-Safety Meeting for Parents tonight (11th
January) CANCELLED
Please also note that due to delivery difficulties last week, this week's
schools meals menus may be subject to change, although there will continue to
be two options, one of which will be vegetarian.
We anticipate that the school will remain open over the coming week unless
there is a severe deterioration in the weather. Please keep listening to
local radio, or check the B&NES website on:
www.bathnes.gov.
Thank you.
* * *
SEVERE WEATHER WARNING……
*If you are not registered with Parentmail yet, or are in any doubt,
please listen to local radio stations e.g. HEART and BATH FM.
then click
on “SCHOOLS – Closures” to
see the
message about Batheaston.
NEW INSET DATE: Please note that the school will be closed for staff training on
MONDAY, 22nd FEBRUARY, 2010
***
ECO-WEEK!
January 11th
– 15th, 2010
Dear Parents/Carers,
We are writing to you to inform you of the ECO-WEEK, which will be taking place
throughout next week and will
involve whole-school and
class based activities. Here is
our timetable:-
|
Monday 11th |
THEME: WATER |
|
Tuesday 12th |
THEME:
ENERGY |
|
Wednesday 13th |
THEME:
WASTE |
|
Thursday 14th |
THEME:
FOOD MILES |
|
Friday |
FUNDRAISING |
Lucy, Evie and The Eco-Team
***
INTERNET SAFETY INFORMATION EVENING
FOR PARENTS!
MONDAY, 11TH JANUARY, 2010
from 7.00 – 8.30pm
at
* Do you want to know more about how
your children can use the internet?
* Do you want to find out more about
Networking sites like Bebo and Facebook?
* Do you want to help prevent your
children from inadvertently accessing inappropriate material on the web?
We have joined together with other local schools to
arrange an information-sharing event run by the South West Grid for Learning and
the local Police, to help parents and provide them with methods and approaches
to protect children while using the internet.
Come along and find out more about this important subject.
Please put this date in your diary. We will be sending out a further letter next
term with a reply slip to give us an idea of the numbers of parents planning to
attend.
***
Newsletter – 15th December 2009
Parentmail; Fundraising thanks you’s; Website;
Eco-Week;
Free Computers for KS2; Parking; Staffing; E-safety Evening
for Parents 11/01/10
- Thank
you to Louise Ashley and her team of helpers for organising the incredibly
successful Jumble Sale which raised over £482 for school funds. We really appreciate this donation as,
added to the money raised at the Christmas Fair and some
- We
had a thoroughly enjoyable Children in Need day and were thrilled to raise
£227. Through your kind donations
after the recent performances, we have also been able to share £400
between
- Our
Christmas Fair was also a successful and fun afternoon which raised
£780. Thank you to all the staff
and parent helpers who supported the children in the creation of such a
variety of lovely products.
E-Safety Meeting for Parents: Local primary schools have joined together to
run an information evening with South West Grid for Learning, to help parents
support their children’s safe use of the internet. More details about this important event will
follow, but the proposed date is Monday,
January 11th at
Sarah
Christmas
Events!
Dear
Parents,
Thursday 3rd
December - 6.30pm
Class 1 Nativity and Whole
school Carol concert in the Church
Just
to confirm, as this is a
Monday 7th
December - 10am
Wizard of Oz dress
rehearsal for playgroup and pre-school children
Monday 7th
December - 6.30pm
Wizard of Oz production
Class 2-7 in the Church
Wizard of Oz production
Class 2-7 in the Church
Best
wishes,
Claire
and all the staff
A HUGE THANK YOU TO LOUISE TOWNSEND AND HER TEAM OF HELPERS FOR THEIR
FANTASTIC JUMBLE SALE, WHICH RAISED AN AMAZING
£482
FOR SCHOOL FUNDS. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED
THIS HUGELY SUCCESSFUL EVENT!
Your kind donations for Children in Need made a wonderful total of
£227.50
The children looked fantastic in their costumes and thoroughly enjoyed their day!
CHRISTMAS FAIR FRIDAY 27TH NOVEMBER FROM 1.30PM
Dear Parents,
Our exciting Christmas events are just around the corner and we thought you might appreciate some further details of how you can enjoy and contribute at this busy time.
Friday 27th November - Christmas Fair Stalls open at 1.30pm.
FATHER AND MOTHER CHRISTMAS: This is such a very popular attraction and although we work hard to avoid long waits, it is inevitable that some families don’t see our special visitors until later in the afternoon. For parents who are new to the school, there is a system where you can buy tickets for Santa’s Grotto in the bottom playground in advance from 1.15pm onwards (from 12.45pm for Class 1 parents) at £1 each. We will display in the playground the number we are up to (akin to the Asda deli counter!) so that, while you are waiting, you can look around the stalls or wait in Class 4, where there will be a video showing and festive face painting.
CLASS 1 AND PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN: Like for the last couple of years, we will have a system where for the 45 minutes before the fair starts (from 12.45pm to 1.30pm) Class 1 parents can bring their children (together with their pre-school or older brothers and sisters) to see Father and Mother Christmas. Hopefully, this additional 45 minutes will reduce the waiting time for everybody later in the afternoon.
CHILDREN’S CRAFTS FOR SALE: The Christmas Fair is partly about celebrating this time of year and marking the beginning of the Christmas activities, but it is also an important fundraiser for the school. This year, we are planning to put the money raised towards new digital cameras and video cameras for the classes. Schools often ask for donations towards materials involved in special technology activities (we used to ask for £2.50 per term) but now we try to combine these sorts of activities with the Christmas crafts the children make and then sell. Hopefully, these crafts can make lovely gifts for Christmas all the more valuable for having been made by the children themselves. We also recognise, however, that this time of year can be very expensive, so, if you have any difficulty in paying for your child’s craft, please speak with your child’s teacher.
COLLECTING YOUR CHILDREN: If you are coming to the beginning of the Christmas Fair, please collect your children from their classes at 1.30pm. As usual, everyone on the staff will be working to run the stalls and so it is very important that you supervise your children. The children of parents who are unable to go to the fair will go to Classes 6 and 7, where there will be activities for them to do. Members of staff will then take groups of the children around all the stalls and activities. If you arrive part way through the afternoon, please collect your child(ren) from Class 6 and 7 (Jo and Claire’s classrooms in the buildings behind the hall). We realise that it can be hard to keep your children with you, but children playing unsupervised in the playground could lead to accidents, so please help us to avoid this. Thank you. A map showing the layout of the stalls will be available when you arrive. The raffle will be drawn in the hall at around 3.00pm.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
There are lots of ways in which you can help us to make the Christmas Fair as smooth and successful as possible. If everyone could contribute in one of these ways, it would make a huge difference to the funds we raise and the fun we will have.
1. Helping hands on a stall: If you are available to help for part or all of the afternoon, please let Caroline, Sheena or Claire know.
2. Bake a cake (or ten!): One of the most popular stall is always the cake stall but without your donations, it would be impossible to run. Last year we were eaten out of house and home! If you can bake something for us and send it in on the day of the fair, we would be really grateful.
3. Donations to die for: Do you have any items you could donate for the raffle hamper? These could be dropped off in the office with Sue or Nicky. There is also a mug tombola, so if you have any old mugs which you could fill with an item, then Nikki in Class 1 would be most grateful to receive them!
MONDAY 30TH NOVEMBER - ADVENT ASSEMBLY
Alison has kindly invited all of the children to an Advent Assembly at 10am at St John’s church. It will last about 40 minutes and explain to the children the special meaning behind this time of year. You are more than welcome to join us at the church.
THURSDAY 3RD DECEMBER - 6.30PM CLASS 1 NATIVITY AND WHOLE SCHOOL CAROL CONCERT IN THE CHURCH
This year, the Class 1 nativity will take place separately to the whole school production. It will be combined with a whole school carol concert, featuring our new choir and all of the classes singing festive favourites. All children will be required back at school by 6.10pm and we would like them to wear school colours for this performance. Class 1 children change at the church and will need to be there by 6.00pm where Nikki and the team will greet them. There are no tickets required for this event, however, the first few rows of seats will be understandably reserved for Class 1 parents. Class 1 children can be collected from the church after the performance. All other children will return to school with their teacher and be collected from their classrooms.
Monday 7th December, in the Church:
- 10am Wizard of Oz dress rehearsal for playgroup and pre-school children
- 6.30pm Wizard of Oz production Class 2-7<
Tuesday 8th December, in the Church:
- 3.00pm Wizard of Oz production Class 2-7
Our wonderful Christmas production of the Wizard of Oz will be performed three times. We ask that pre-school children attend the dress rehearsal on Monday morning. On Monday night children in classes 2 to 6 will need to be back at school by 5.45pm. Class 7 will need to be back by 5.30pm. Letters about costumes will follow in the next few days. Class 1 are not required to come back to school on Monday evening although if they wish to see the performance they are more than welcome. All children will return to school with their teacher and be collected from their classrooms after the performance.
For the Tuesday afternoon performance children will be taken to the church directly from school. There are no tickets required for this event, however, the first few rows of seats will be understandably reserved for Class 7 parents. Class one children can be collected early that day to attend this performance or can collected as usual at 3.15pm.
Tuesday 15th December - pm Class Christmas parties and discos
(A further note to follow but no changes to normal school time)
Thursday 17th December - Christmas Lunch
(Details available from the office about this delicious way for your children to celebrate Christmas!)
Friday 18th December - End of Term 2
Monday 4th January - Start of Term 3
This time of year always feels so frenetic and busy, but it is also our favourite time of the year. It is such a privilege to live through Christmas in a primary school and we thank you for all of your support with these many events and look forward to seeing you at many of them over the coming weeks.
Best wishes,
Claire and all the staff
NEWSLETTER 1, Term 2
10th November, 2009
SEVERE NUT ALLERGIES: Please could all parents, particularly those in Class 2, be aware that we now have several children with severe NUT ALLERGIES. We would be most grateful if nuts or products containing nuts could be avoided at school if at all possible, to reduce the risk of these vulnerable children coming into contact with them and suffering a reaction. Thank you.
A MESSAGE FROM BATHEASTON LEISURE ASSOCIATION: “As a volunteer organisation, the Batheaston Leisure Association is always keen to welcome new members to share the workload and keep it in touch with the community. This particularly applies to parents of children who use the playground and sports facilities and people keen to see competitive football in the village once again. Anyone interested please come along to the AGM or contact Rob Mimmack on 859708 or robert.mimmack@sky.com. The Annual General Meeting will take place at 7.30 pm on Wednesday November 18th at the Rhymes Pavilion in Coalpit Road. So why not go along and find out what is happening with the football pitch and children's playground, and perhaps have your say!”
THANK YOU! A huge thank you to Patrick and Lucy Woodroffe, who have thrilled us all by donating a stunning electronic piano! This will really enhance the music provision at Batheaston, and is especially welcome at the start of Sian’s new choir. We do hope the children will all take advantage of this, together with the lessons available on piano, recorder, violin, guitar, ukulele and of course, Roger’s fantastic Steel Pans!
BAILBROOK LANE: We thought you might like to know that there is due to be monitoring of the use of Bailbrook Lane and police will be enforcing the ‘No Access’ restriction on its use as a ‘rat run’. It is possible that fines may be imposed.
NO DOGS TO BE TIED NEAR GATE, PLEASE: We would be really grateful if parents could avoid tying dogs up near the school gates. Unfortunately there has already been one incident with a child, and we know that many others do find it intimidating (even if YOU know your dog is gentle, young children don’t always feel the same way!) We do understand it can be difficult to drop children off and supervise a dog, but we are sure you appreciate that the safety of the children must come first. Thank you.
CONGRATULATIONS TO NOAH HICKMAN-RIDING: Many of you may have seen and/or heard Noah (Class 7) on TV and radio, cutting the ribbon at the opening of the new Southgate Centre in Bath. We are so proud of Noah, who was the overall winner of the BIBs Firework Poster Competition, and as one of his many prizes was lucky enough to be nominated to open the shopping centre. Well done, Noah!
BUILDING PROJECT: We do hope you have all had a chance to look at the latest designs which are due to go to planning soon, and which have incorporated a lot of the suggestions and ideas made by you and the children. We are all really excited at how these plans are progressing, and will be keeping you informed about exciting innovations such as the ‘brown’ roof (like a green roof, but also providing habitats for local birds, insects etc.) Please keep watching the A-Frames.
ILLNESS/SWINE FLU: We would be most grateful if parents could report their child’s illness to us promptly by calling 858555 and letting us know the symptoms they are suffering from. As well as recording their absence, this will also help us to monitor any cases of swine flu over the winter months, so that we can keep parents informed.
PARENTMAIL: Thanks to all those parents who returned their Parentmail Contact Forms – if you forgot, do please ask for a form in the office, as it would be wonderful to have 100% of parents signing up, if possible. We are planning to start using this email system at the beginning of Term 3 (January 4th 2010), so don’t forget to periodically check the email account you provided us with for messages (texting will only be used for emergencies).
JUMBLE SALE – Saturday, 14th November from 2.00 to 3.30pm . A huge thank you to the Fundraising Team who are organising this term’s jumble sale next Saturday. Your donations of clothes, books, toys, cakes and raffle prizes are all much appreciated. Thank you!
CHRISTMAS FAIR – Friday, 27th November - 1:30pm Stalls open (12:45pm – Grotto open for Class 1 and Pre-school children). We do hope you are all planning to attend the Christmas Fair on Friday 27th November. Mother and Father Christmas are looking forward to meeting the children; tea, cakes and mulled wine will be available, and you will be able to buy the lovely gifts the children have made. A separate note will be going out next week with further details. Your DONATIONS of items for the wonderful Chrismas hamper that Nicky Benjamin makes up would be most welcome – please drop them into the office at any time, and don’t forget to buy your raffle tickets for a chance to win! Donations of cakes and biscuits are also very much appreciated, and can be brought in on that Friday morning. Thank you for your support! We look forward to seeing you there.
DATES:
| Anti-Bullying Week | Monday 16 November |
| Christmas Fair! | Friday 27 November - 1.30pm Stalls open; (12:45pm – Grotto open for Class 1 and Pre-school children) |
| Class 7 Cake Sale | Friday 20 November |
| Advent Assembly in Church | Monday 30 November 10.00am – all welcome! |
| Class 1 Nativity & Carols in Church | Thursday 3 December, 6.30pm |
| End of Term Performance | Monday 7 December, 6.30pm Classes 2-7 in Wizard of Oz |
| End of Term Performance | Tuesday 8 December, 3.30pm Classes 2-7 in Wizard of Oz |
| Class 5 Cake Sale | Friday 11 December |
| Christmas Lunch | Thursday 17 December |
| End of Term 2: | Friday 18 December |
| TERM 3, Start: | Monday 4 January, 2010 |
| Class 4 Cake Sale | Friday 12 February |
| Finish: | Friday 12 February |
| TERM 4, Start: | Monday 22 February |
| Class 1 Cake Sale | Friday 13 March |
| Class 3 Cake Sale | Friday 1 April |
| Finish: | Thursday 1 April |
| TERM 5, Start: | Monday 19 April |
| Bank Holiday: | Monday 3 May |
| Class 2 Cake Sale | Friday 28 May |
| Finish: | Friday 28 May |
| TERM 6, Start: | Monday 7 June |
| Class 6 Cake Sale | Friday 19 June |
| Finish: | Thursday 22 July |
| TERM 1, Start: | Thursday 2 September |
UPDATE ON BUILDING DESIGNS! Everybody Welcome!
Come and see how our exciting building plans have progressed! The updated design will be on display in the Creative Space from Thursday 15th October until Tuesday 21st October, from 3.30 to 4.30pm daily, prior to the plans going to the Planning Department. Once again, you will have the opportunity to write your comments in the Building Project Suggestions book for consideration
.Additionally, Sarah and Claire will make themselves available in the Creative Space from 2.00 to 4.00pm on Thursday 15th October, so do take advantage of this opportunity to pop in then, and see how the school might look in 2011!
N.B. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT SCHOOL FINISHES AT 1.00pm on WEDNESDAY, 21st OCTOBER!
We thought you would all like to see this message from Paul Collard of CCE (Creativity Culture & Education), following his and Sarah Burn’s visit last Friday. Thank you to all the children, staff and parents who met with them and helped to give such a good impression!
“Many thanks to you for hosting such a great visit. Yours is clearly an exceptional school, providing an extraordinarily fulfilling and stimulating environment for children, staff and parents. The quality of conversation was high, the enthusiasm and engagement of the children wonderful, and the focus and ability of all who work with you a joy.
We very much look forward to working with you as a School of Creativity.
Best regards, Paul“
Batheaston CEVC Primary School Newsletter
11th September, 2009
PLEASE READ! In this newsletter:
Uniform; CCE Visit; Building Project; Dinner Money; Politeness Week;
Admissions for 2010; Creativity Fair; Dates
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the new school year! We hope you all had some lovely family times together and we’re so pleased to see the children back and ready for the new term. Everyone is settling in beautifully with a special mention for our new Class 1 children who have done an amazing job of starting school with confidence and enthusiasm. I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all the staff who have worked so hard during the holidays, to ensure that the school is welcoming, attractive and ready for the children to begin their work and play.
School colours: Thank you for supporting the school’s policy which asks that children come to school dressed in clothes which are navy and/or red and appropriate for an active curriculum they all enjoy. The children look very smart and it does help with the feeling that we belong together in our school community. You can order school uniform with our logo from our supplier Michael Hope either online (www.michaelhope.co.uk) or by picking up a form from the office, and you can also find excellent value items from the bigger supermarkets. For example, I managed to pick up a really perfect plain navy zipped sweatshirt for £4 in Sainsbury for this bit of the year before the children need a fleece.
Welcome to the Director and Schools Programme Manager, from the CCE (Creativity, Culture and Education) visiting on Friday 18 September: We shared with you the exciting news, in July, that we have been selected at a School of Creativity, one of only 26 schools nationally. This is what we said:
“We are delighted by this news and feel very privileged to have been selected as a School of Creativity. At Batheaston, we have a long established culture of creative teaching and learning for children and adults which encourages high aspirations and motivation. Now, thanks to this support from the CCE, we will be able to sustain the happy and productive partnerships we already have and develop new links within the community too. The children will benefit enormously from all the further opportunities to develop life long learning skills and enjoy challenging new experiences." The CCE Press release states: “The school will gain £20,000 per year for two years plus its own dedicated education consultant to help develop and promote revolutionary creative learning programmes. The whole school community will benefit from the new School of Creativity status as Creative Partnerships is proven to raise educational standards and develop in pupils the skills that employers say they need such as the ability to question, make connections, innovate, problem solve and reflect critically. The programme fosters innovative long-term partnerships between schools and creative professionals, including artists, performers, architects, multimedia developers and scientists. These partnerships inspire young people, teachers and creative professionals to challenge how they work and experiment with new ideas.” We are delighted to host a visit from Paul Collard and Sarah Burns, next week. They are flying in from Newcastle to spend the day with us after they heard lots of complimentary feedback from the judges about the school and the work of 5x5x5=creativity, (www.5x5x5creativity.org.uk). Pictures of Edwina working with Class 1 can be seen on the Class 1 page of our website (www.batheastonprimary.co.uk).
Building project - replacement hall and classroom block: For a very long time to we have been working towards being able to provide first-class accommodation to replace the current hall and top block of classrooms. While very excited about the project, we are obviously keenly aware that the priority during the building works is the safety and well-being of the children and the maintenance of a calm learning environment. From the beginning, we have been involved in detailed planning for this ‘decant’, and are extremely grateful to the P.C.C and Diocese for their offer of use of the Church Hall and Field. The details are currently being confirmed, however we thought you would like to be reassured at an early stage that the plan is for the Y5 & Y6 children to be taught there in high-quality, purpose-designed portable classrooms with toilet block and ICT connection. Use of the Church Hall will mean we can continue to provide for the children’s everyday needs, e.g. Assembly, PE, and dining space. As all the detailed plans develop, we intend to keep you closely informed – please watch the A-frame in the playground for updates.
Dinner money: Just a reminder that these now cost £1.90 – still excellent value for Mary’s delicious, healthy lunches, which often include ingredients grown by the children themselves! We REALLY appreciate your co-operation in settling your dinner money payments in advance - to help you, the calculations are as follows:
1 lunch per week = £1.90
2 “ “ = £3.80
3 “ “ = £5.70
4 “ “ = £7.60
5 “ “ = £9.50
From Thursday, 03/09/09 to Wednesday, 21/10/09 (Term 1): 37 lunches = £70.30
Politeness week: We are all looking forward to Politeness Week, starting on Monday, 14th September. Staff and children will be focusing on why it is important to develop good manners and politeness, and there are many activities planned to provide children with practical strategies to reinforce how much other people appreciate this thoughtfulness. The week will culminate in a sharing assembly for the children which will give us the opportunity to celebrate their raised awareness of the importance of always behaving politely.
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS A CHILD DUE TO START SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER 2010, PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO APPLY FOR A PLACE (EVEN IF THEY ALREADY HAVE SIBLINGS AT SCHOOL) BY 23 OCTOBER BY VISITING THE WEBSITE - www.bathnes.gov.uk.
Creativity Fair – Saturday 19th September. We hope you have all managed to return your Workshop Forms due in today. A huge thank you to Penny and the team of parent volunteers for all the hard work in organising such exciting and varied opportunities for the children next Saturday – it’s always a highly successful and enjoyable event.
Class Welcome Meeting: Thank you to all the parents who have come to the Class Welcome Meetings this week. Can we take this opportunity to remind you that the other meetings are at 3.30pm as follows, and we hope to see you there!
Friday 11th September Class 4
Monday 14th September Class 5
Thursday 17th September Class 6
Friday 18th September Class 3
Batheaston CEVC Primary School
Swine Flu Update...
You may have heard that there are some cases of Swine Flu in Bath, and we have now been advised that there is a case within a family here at Batheaston. The family has been given preventative anti-viral drugs and are currently quarantined, however it is important to note that the children were NOT symptomatic while at school, and therefore the virus is unlikely to have been passed on here. As you know, we always like to keep you informed, and so thought this was a good opportunity to give you the latest available update on this issue. We have sought advice and information from the Health Protection Unit (HPA) and from B&NES council, and this is as follows:
• We do urge parents not to be unduly concerned, as no specific action is necessary at this point. Your help in keeping all the children calm and un-worried about this news will be invaluable.
• In the vast majority of cases, swine flu is a mild illness and those affected make a full and quick recovery – we have been told it can feel like seasonal flu or a heavy cold.
• On the expert advice of the HPA, the school is remaining open and is operating as normal.
• Unless you or your child(ren) have flu-like symptoms and/or are being tested for swine flu, there is no need to stop your normal everyday activities, such as coming to school.
• The single most effective action that people can take to protect themselves and others from infection is correct respiratory and hand hygiene practice. This will have a major role to play in slowing the spread of any strain of influenza. So please encourage your children to use and dispose of tissues carefully, and wash their hands thoroughly – we will continue to reiterate this at school.
• Parents and pupils showing specific flu-like symptoms are advised to phone a doctor for advice, keep your child at home, and to please call us and let us know.
• It is very important that the school has up-to-date emergency contact numbers on file in case we need to get in touch with you – please ensure we have your latest mobile numbers, etc.
• Symptoms to be aware of include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, and coughing, while runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea have also been reported.
• For more information on swine flu and how to prevent it, visit www.nhs.uk, or call the Swine Flu Information Line on 08001 513513.
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