Welcome Back!
Headteacher Newsletter - Autumn 2020
Contents
1. Welcome Back!
2. Back to school and it's great!
3. Risk Assessment
4. Early Help Offer
5. Communications
6. Visitors
7. Reminders
8. Playground Conversations
9. Requests
10. Safeguarding
1. Welcome Back!
Welcome back everyone!
I am delighted to confirm that our average attendance thus far (since pupils returned to school on Thursday 3rd September) is 98.1% and I would like to thank you all for placing your trust and confidence in the school. Now, we haven't got everything spot on, however, we continue to endeavour to navigate and adapt to a very new and challenging landscape. It has been a difficult time for everyone; the staff have had to adapt and take onboard measures they've never had to before and all with less than 2 days to prepare! I, therefore, ask for your understanding with any system changes and day-to-day adaptations. Please bear with us.
Our Risk Assessment is still very much a focal point of the day-to-day functioning of Bardwell. This 'live' document has formed the basis for ensuring everyone feels safe, supported and able to strive forwards; please do continue to check in on the document and any changes that may have happened since you last looked.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Mr Francksen
2. Back to school and it's great
Welcome to all new starters and their families - settling in!
Our new Enrichment Leader, Mr Hurkett, shares a story with Rowan Class
Rowan Class enjoy their new outdoor provision. Exciting times!
Hazel Class get back to learning the fundamentals
Forest Schools is back!!!
Bikeability has started for Oak already!
We have some super cyclists now on the streets of Bardwell - both Y5 and Y6 pupils completed Bikeability this week and the trainers, Andy and Kris, were very complimentary about the pupils' willingness to listen, learn and improve their skills. Kris said their behaviour was 'spot-on'. Well done to all that took part, it makes us so proud when we hear visitors to the school praising our pupils.
Vacancy!
We are looking for one or more people to become a Midday Supervisor at Bardwell School. This involves supervising at lunch service and during outdoor play and learning (OPAL); to include helping the pupils, administering first aid and clearing/tidying the lunch area. You will be paid at Grade 1, £9.25 per hour and would be needed to work from midday to 1pm during term time.
This is a great opportunity for you to become more involved with the school and you will receive full training. There may also be opportunities to become involved with breakfast club and in accompanying school trips. A DBS check is required for this role. If interested, please complete the form emailed on 4th September and return it to the office; then we'll arrange an informal interview with the Head. Hard copies are available from the office.
4. Early Help Club Offer
We are keen to begin offering breakfast and after-school clubs as we are fully aware that childcare (both before and after school) can be an issue.
Due to, essentially, functioning as a school bubble, we will be offering clubs from Monday 14th September. We are also delighted to announce that this year all our club provisions will be FREE of charge. Our maximum number for a club, at the moment, is 16 pupils.
Please see the Club Timetable below. If you would like to book a club, please visit your Arbor account to sign up.
Communications Flow chart
We know that when parents have a concern that relates to their child at school, whether it's pastoral, curriculum or staffing in nature, they often feel the best way forward is to ask to see the head. In our experience many of these concerns can often be most quickly resolved by talking first to the most appropriate person. The communication flow chart below outlines who this will be. We hope this helps support better communications between us all. Click on the file below to read the flowchart.
Class 'Dojo' Communications
In light of the Communications Flow chart, we will also be using Class Dojo this year as a means to communicate and share curriculum learning with you.
Class Dojo is closely aligned to our behaviour policy, therefore, we will be using it to create a positive culture in relation to the Bardwell Behaviours. Children will be able to earn a 'Dojo' for demonstrating any of the school's 6 behaviours: inquisitive, courageous, resilient, kind communicator, aspirational and reflective. These will then also count towards the school's house point system.
In addition to 'Dojos', teachers and pupils will also be able to share their learning by adding photos and videos to their own portfolios. We think this is great because it is about giving children a voice.
Finally, Class Dojo also has the feature where informative communications can take place between yourselves and your child(ren)'s teacher.
We will shortly be sending you out a code, therefore, please accept and join the community of Class Dojo.
6. Visitors
A reminder...at the moment our risk assessment asks that you phone/email the school as opposed to visiting in person. We may be able to offer booked appointments in the future, however, due to limited meeting space, at the moment we are trying to limit school visitors.
Water bottles
It is incredibly important that your child(ren) brings in a water bottle every day, filled with water ONLY (no juice or squash) and labelled clearly with the child's name. This will enable your child(ren) to stay hydrated and to locate their bottle in order to reduce droplet transmission.
Named clothing
Please remember to name your child(ren)'s clothing; we currently have a lot of unnamed items of clothing coming in to school. If your child is doing PE/Forest Schools, they need to come dressed in their kit all day.
No Resources Needed!
Please be aware, due to COVID-19, children should be bringing in minimal resources ONLY in their book bag e.g. books and necessary school supplies; not toys, sweets or any personal items. Each child has been provided with a pencil case, therefore, they do not need to bring in any stationery.
8. Playground Conversations (overheard)...
Y6 pupil: "I love Year 6, my cousin told me it was the best year at primary school and he was right."
Y1 pupil: "But Year 1 is absolutely brilliant."
Y6 pupil: "Year 1 is good, but just you wait, school keeps getting better and better every year."
Forest Schools Feedback...
Staff Member: "Why is Forest Schools so good?"
Year 6 pupil: "Because being outside and doing stuff like den building is so relaxing and it helps you let off all the energy you have inside and think about other things. Then when you go into class it is much easier to focus and concentrate on things, as you don't feel so fidgety."
9. Requests
Drones and fish
Mrs Boyd would like to ask any anglers out there if they could donate a whole fish to the class. She is also looking for someone who can legally record drone footage of the school from above and share it with her. Please contact the office or Mrs Boyd if you can help?
New top tips videos for parents and carers
The 6 Apps all parents should know about
Short videos for parents and carers: delivering online safety at home
TikTok: what parents need to know
