Bumper double issue!
Head Teacher Newsletter 24th May 2022
Another jammed packed couple of weeks of SATs tests, swimming lessons, church, school and class photos, police visits, Jubilee celebrations, quad bikes, volleyball and singing. That’s all on top of our daily diet of Maths and English as well as investigating Our Wonderful World in Geography and fitting in Science, Music, Forest adventures and PE! No wonder everyone is so tired by Friday!
We were all very impressed with the courageous and mature way that our Year 6 pupils negotiated their SATs tests recently. They all worked incredibly hard and should be very proud of their resilience. We look forward to receiving their results and will pass these to parents along with their end of year reports in July. We are very much enjoying seeing them in their leavers' hoodies.
I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all the very best for a restful and relaxing half term break and I hope to see you on Sunday 5th June at Cars on the Green. Children will be performing at 1pm so please meet me at school at midday for a rehearsal.
At this time of year we assess children's reading. I am pleased to say that these children have made exceptional progress since February, so well done for practising: Stanley, Maxwell, Eloise, Isla, Constance, Scarlett, Amelia W, Noah H, Henley, Cooper, Oscar, Zara, Pippa, Lucas, Betsy, Ethan, Henry G, Oliver, Henry P and Rubi.
Mrs Boyd
Deputy Head
Diary reminders
Please make a note on your family calendar.
- Thursday 26th May - PTA will be selling Cars on the Green raffle tickets after school;
- Friday 27th May - discretionary schools' Jubilee Bank holiday, no staff or pupils in school;
- Saturday 28th May to Sunday 5th June - May Half Term Holiday;
- Friday 3rd June to Sunday 5th June - Bardwell Church Flower Festival: children's art on display;
- Sunday 5th June - Bardwell Cars on the Village Green event: children will be performing at this event, please let us know if you are attending;
- Thursday 9th June - Qwick Cricket competition, specific Y5 & Y6 pupils only, see email for link to response form;
- Tuesday 14th June - Sports Day, parents/carers invited to attend in the afternoon. If you can, please dress your child in a T-shirt in their house colour (see Arbor);
- Wednesday 15th June - 3.30pm meeting for families of children starting at Bardwell in September - response form
- Wednesday 15th June - Gooddies deadline for uniform orders for pre-summer holiday delivery into school;
- Tuesday 21st June - reserve date for Sports Day
Please note that we will NOT run After School Club on the afternoon of the school's Sports Day.
- Saturday 18th June - Bardwell Village Fete on the playing field (PTA fundraiser);
- 28th and 29th June - SET Ixworth transition days (specific Y6 pupils only);
- Wednesday 29th June - Oak Class WCET Concert, Ashlar House;
- Tuesday 5th July - September YR starters, afternoon in school - response form
- Tuesday 12th July - September YR starters, morning and lunch in school - response form
- 13th and 14th July - Thurston Community College transition days (specific Y6 pupils only);
- Thursday 21st July - last day of term
- Friday 22nd July to Wednesday 31st August - Summer Holiday
- Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd September - PD Days, no children in school
- Monday 5th September - children return to school.
Platinum Jubilee
We had a wonderful day when the Torch Relay visited Bardwell and the turnout of onlookers along School Lane was brilliant. It was a truly memorable day for all of the children, celebrating our Queen's amazing achievement, with lots of activities and a special Church service.
Thank you to parents and carers for all of the red, white and blue clothing and some spectacular Jubilee Crowns. A big thank you also to our very own Queen Pippa, and to Harry and Dinkie, the torch bearers!
The Crown competition was judged by an independent adjudicator, Aaron the volleyball instructor, and the winner is.... Thomas!
Our pupil Press Officers have been tasked with writing a report which we'll include next time.
Charlie makes a call
Mrs Allman thinks that he would make a very good office assistant!
These corgis and crowns will be part of the displays in Church at the Flower Festival during the Jubilee weekend.
Photography and filming reminder
We recognise that it can be difficult to obtain images/footage of only your child, however it is extremely important that images of other children are not shared on your social media.
Quad bike
Volleyball enrichment
Hazel Class would like your recycling please!
Please save us your recycling!
Hazel class pupils require clean, dry items from your recycling bin for DT.
We are looking for:
- Cardboard packaging
- Cardboard tubes (from kitchen roll or gift wrapping)
- Plastic bottles
- Egg boxes
- Plastic milk bottles
- Cans
- Newspaper and anything else you think may be useful.
Please make sure all items are clean, dry and not crushed before sending them in to school.
PTA Sale Trail update
Well done to all involved and a huge thanks to those of you that supported it.
The PTA will sell Cars on the Green Raffle Tickets (last opportunity to buy before the event!) on Thursday 26th May after school.
What does a Police Community Support Officer do?
PCSO Rachel Darvill has been visiting our classes recently. She was very impressed with our pupils saying, "They were amazing and very engaged." Rachel talked to the children about the role of the police and what community support officers do.
Change to lunch menu on Thursday 26th May
This is a one-off change as Ixworth Primary (where our lunches are prepared) are having their Jubilee celebrations on that day.
Reading for Pleasure - newsletters 12 and 13
Here are this week’s recommended reads from me, with the theme Space Travel.
For the half term week, please have a look at this Queen Elizabeth II themed set of recommendations.
Parents of children starting school in September might be interested in Suffolk Libraries’ new Get Ready for School Leaflets, available from your local library.
Miss Mansfield, Literacy Co-ordinator
Year 2 going into Year 3
They hope this will help to boost our pupil premium income, as they know many parents/carers forget to apply for FSM at the beginning of Key Stage 2 due to having received Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM).
You can make an application for free school meals online at: www.suffolk.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals.
Uniform ordering dates - reminder
Don’t miss the summer deadline dates for Gooddies, order by 15th June 2022 for delivery into school before the end of term – we will email you when your order is here.
If you order after 15th June and before 15th July you can select ‘deliver to home’ (NB: additional charge) to have your order delivered during the summer holiday. Note that this is not an express option.
ANY ORDERS PLACED AFTER 15th JULY MAY NOT BE DELIVERED INTO SCHOOL UNTIL APPROX. MID-SEPTEMBER.
Please speak to the office staff if you have any queries.
Cars on the Green
After School Club
- Monday - Forest Fun with Mr Hurkett
- Tuesday - Football with Mr Hurkett
- Wednesday - Summer Sports (e.g. athletics, rounders) with Gipping Valley & Thurston Sports Partnership.
Children will be ready for pick up at the end of After School Club (ASC) by 16.55 each afternoon and will be waiting for you in the hall or on the front playground at that time.
If you need to pick up your child(ren) before ASC finishes, please ring the main front doorbell and await a response. If no one answers the door, the ASC group is likely to be on the back field or in the Forest, so please make your way around to the rear of the school via Skinners Lane, not via the Early Years play area.
Oak Class parents & carers
Absence reporting - a reminder
We'd like to remind all parents and carers that you should phone, not email, into school in the event of your child's absence. If you have to leave a voicemail, please give details of the reason for the absence ('feeling unwell' is not sufficient).
From the Tilian Attendance Policy:
"The School must be notified by the parent/carer of the absent pupil on the first day of absence AND on every day of absence thereafter*, before the register is closed. If a telephone call is not received, the school will contact parents/carers directly.
In cases of recurring absences through illness, a medical certificate will be required.
If an explanation is not received, or it is unsatisfactory, absence will be marked as unauthorised.
*unless the absence is for a period of isolation after being sick, i.e. 48hrs, or the absence is required by a doctor."
Bardwell Church - May
Sunday 28th - Tea Party, 15.00
Every Wednesday in term time - Bardwell School's Collective Worship - 10.05am, followed by coffee for parents/carers.
Beautiful Burial Ground - training session
All bookings need to be made via this Eventbrite link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/332633605067 or by email with me. There is also an answerphone option on the poster for those who don’t do online at all but those messages may take longer to get to me as I am largely burial ground and not office based!
There is a maximum limit of 12 on the session to enable everyone to be able to see, hear and have time with the tutor.
This is a free session; anyone is welcome to book on and we will make it as accessible as possible. Please encourage anyone with access needs, who wishes to take part, to get in touch so I can ensure they are accommodated.
Half term activities - for FSM families
All enquiries please email:
The May Half Term holidays are just around the corner and Abbeycroft Leisure and Explore Outdoor have been working with West Suffolk and Babergh and Mid Suffolk Council and our funding partners to offer lots of exciting FREE events and activities open to children and families entitled to Free School Meals!
We have programmes running during the Half Term holidays between Sunday 29th May-Wednesday 1st June* and we are encouraging families to book onto as many of these events as possible! Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Please see the details below on how too book. *Location dependant.
Family Park Cooking Days (At least one child must be aged 5-16 years)
A full day out for the family in a local green space or country park
Outdoor cooking master class
Families take home a 5 day ingredients box for the whole family
Great Cornard/Sudbury – Stowmarket – Woolpit
Bury St Edmunds – Newmarket – Haverhill - Brandon
HOW TO BOOK:
To book parents must email HAF@acleisure.com with the name of their school and the sessions they want to book.
Adventure Days (Children must be aged between 8-12 years)
A full day of adventure
Lunch and snacks included
Great Cornard/Sudbury
Bury St Edmunds – Newmarket – Haverhill – Brandon
HOW TO BOOK:
To book parents must email HAF@acleisure.com with the name of their school and the sessions they want to book.
Feel free to contact us with any questions,
All enquiries please email:
Baby & Toddler Group
The group continues to meet in the School Hall on Thursdays from 1.30pm, so we'd love it if you came along with your pre-school age child.
If you have a child starting at Bardwell School in September, it's a good way of getting them used to the school environment.
Healthy Snacks
Younger children (YR to Y2) have fruit or vegetables provided by the School Fruit & Veg Scheme.
Allergy Awareness
We are an allergy aware school and would like to remind all families that there may be pupils in school with a peanut allergy. If a child with a peanut allergy comes into contact with peanuts, or with a pupil who has eaten peanuts, then this could lead to an anaphylactic reaction. Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction to a trigger such as an allergy.
Because of this the school cannot accept products containing peanuts to be provided in lunch boxes or for eating at other times.
Bardwell Fete
If you are able to help out in any way, please contact Penny via the office staff.
Thank you.
Further information for families seeking financial help
Will Wright at West Suffolk Council has advised that, for families that are not in receipt of free school meals, but that are in financial hardship:
A) Have you also spoken to the Citizen Advice service in West Suffolk about any financial hardship funds available?
Citizens Advice West Suffolk | Free, confidential, independent advice (suffolkwestcab.org.uk)
Or
B) Suffolk Advice and Support Service
Suffolk Advice and Support Service Helpline (SASS) 0800 068 3131 | Community Directory
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In addition, you may be able to apply for funding from the Bardwell Charities.
Covid vaccinations - government information
For all 5 to 11 and 12 to 15 year old vaccinations, please signpost parents to where they can book COVID-19 vaccination appointments online for an appointment at a vaccination centre or pharmacy, or find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site, to get vaccinated without needing an appointment. Parents should also have received a letter from the NHS with more information about how to get their child vaccinated.
For Y2 going into Y3 pupils - Royal Ballet invitation
Dear Families,
The Royal Ballet School is holding FREE after school dance classes throughout the Autumn Term as part of their national programme, Primary Steps. Primary Steps classes offer a fun, inclusive and creative introduction to ballet taught by The Royal Ballet School’s Primary Steps teachers.
Classes are free to attend and applications are open to all Year 3 children attending Primary school in Bury St Edmunds. There will be 28 places available, with the aim of achieving a class that is split equally between girls and boys. Following on from these sessions, some children may be invited to join our after-school Primary Steps classes, providing weekly classes until the end of Year 6. To find out more about the Primary Steps programme take a look at our website.
CLASS DETAILS
Location: King Edward VI School, IP33 3BH
Time: Thursdays 16.00-17.15
Term Dates: 15 September- 15 December (Half Term 27 October)
To register your child’s interest in joining the classes please complete the enrolment form linked here.
Applications close on 4 July. Following this, applications will go into a ballot and will be selected at random, we will be in touch to confirm if your child has received a place in the class.
If you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Primary Steps Team at primarysteps@royalballetschool.org.uk
Best wishes,
The Primary Steps Team
May Half Term - GVTSSP sport camp
Sports Camp: 30 May-1 June 2022
Mon 30 May: AM Ipswich Town Football OR Target Games / PM Ipswich Town Football or Summer sports or Parkour
Tue 31 May: AM Gymnastics / Pm -Dance OR Parkour
Wed 1 June: Am Nerf and Laser Tag OR BMX / PM Nerf and Laser Tag OR BMX
AGES: 5 – 12
Venue: Beyton, Thurston Sixth (IP30 9AA)
£10 per workshop
Go to www.gvtssp.org for more information or see this flyer.
May half term - Walsham Tennis
Walsham Sports Club have asked us to circulate information about their half term Tennis Club.
Please see this flyer for more information.
Bardwell Cricket Club - May half term & Back to Cricket sessions
New this year …… Holiday Cricket Camps
Come and meet our new international level 3 coach Paballo.
5-9 year olds – Tuesday 31st May 10am-12pm
£10 per camp per person. Please bring refreshments with you
10-15 year olds – Wednesday 1st June 10am-2pm
£20 per camp per person. Please bring refreshments with you
One for the parents, new this year – Back to Cricket sessions
Mondays 6pm-7.30pm
Have you not had a chance to play cricket since school? These sessions are for you then or even if you just fancy giving the sport a try. Come along and have a go. Don’t worry about kit, we have it ready for you. You just need yourselves and come dressed ready to have some fun.
For more information on any of the above, please contact juniors@bardwellcricketclub.com
Free School Meals - could you be eligible?
Your child may be eligible for free school meals throughout primary school. This could save you approximately £437 per year.
To check or apply online, visit: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/children-families-and-learning/schools/school-meals-uniforms-and-trips/apply-for-free-school-meals/
Check if you're eligible
Your child will get free school meals if you receive any of the following:
Income Support
Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit but no element of Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenues & Customs) that does not exceed £16,190
If you are supported under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Working Tax Credit during the four-week period immediately after your employment finishes or after you start to work fewer hours per week
Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400 (£616.67 per month), as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods).
To check if your child is eligible, apply online for an immediate response or call 01473 260989.
We encourage you to apply, because the school receives additional funding (Pupil Premium) for all children on income-related Free School Meals.
Safeguarding, Online Safety & Wellbeing
Safeguarding children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
World's first online safety bill
About Us
Email: bardwell@tilian.org.uk
Website: https://www.bardwell.org.uk/
Location: School Lane, Bardwell, Bury Saint Edmunds IP31 1AD, UK
Phone: 01359 250854
Twitter: @BardwellPrimary