1. Heaven and Earth

2. Rowan's Adventures...

3. Hazel's Exploits...

4. Oak's Endeavours...

5. Outdoor Learning This Week

6. Wraparound provision/Breakfast & After School Clubs back and in full swing

7. Round The World Challenge

8. Monday Mile

9. Thank you from the bees!

10. Y6 Hoodies

11. Woodland Trust Tree Planting

12. The Big Ask - National Survey Of Children

13. The return of Bardwell Toddler Group?

14. Scholastic Travelling Book Fair

15. Re-introduction of confirmatory PCR testing for positive lateral flow device tests at assisted testing sites in schools and colleges

16. Safeguarding & Wellbeing

Good morning all,

It's been an outdoor-filled experiential week that has enabled the children to further develop their affinity for nature. The weather has, of course, aided us greatly. However, do not fear...the rain, wind, snow, and even cold conditions don't hold back the children of Bardwell and our unrelenting approach to outdoor learning.

I appreciate there have been some significant announcements this week...very late in the day, too. However, I would like to assure you that my plan is to update, you all, at the very beginning of next week with regard to our plans for Oak Class and the subsequent co-leadership of the school. I would also like to assure you that Oak Class will 'absolutely' not experience less of provision. Their interests and provision are of the utmost importance and I am currently speaking with Mr. Morris, Mrs. Box, and Mrs. Webber with regard to how they can support the appointment of a qualified teacher for the remainder of the term. I intend on this being an imminent appointment, therefore, please bear with me.

In fact, Mr. Hurkett, Mrs. Allman and I are already planning for a bespoke Bardwell Residential Bonanza...admittedly, whilst residential school stays are still not permitted, we are concocting a plan for a 2-3 day Bardwell residential - camping on site is definitely an option if this is something others feel would be welcomed. And, last but certainly not least, I have been speaking with Y6 about what they would like to do and I am pleased to say I already have a list as long as my arm - we'll definitely make this happen!

Have a wonderful weekend - it certainly looks like it's going to be a cracker!

Mr. Francksen

Executive Headteacher

The potato crop is in, the beetroot seeds have been sown and we are all hopeful of high yields (We’ve been learning that ‘ie’ can sometimes say ‘ee’ in phonics this week, so we know all about yield!). Our 6th paragraph has been written in our Queen’s Hat story; minibeasts have been hunted out and we have started creating our own imaginary flowers for science - now that we have dissected daffodils and know exactly which parts they contain. In maths, we’ve mastered counting in 2s and have now begun counting in 5’s. All in all another jam-packed week of learning.

This week we planned our own science experiment to investigate which materials were waterproof. I was extremely impressed with how well the children worked together and modified their method after trialing it out. We have now started a new narrative in literacy titled ‘Flood’. This is a wonderful picture book that offers lots of opportunities for the class to use their imagination and prediction skills.

We have been thinking big, in Oak class this week, as we have been starting our new topic "To infinity and beyond". In science, the class has been thinking about the big questions about space that they would like answered. They came up with some really interesting ones, such as some questions about the nature of space and time! We have been working on our new book "The Explorer" by Catherine Rundell and researching some real explorers of South America. As part of E-safety, the class found out about spam emails and phishing scams. They even had a go at creating their own too-good-to-be-true email offers.

Now we have learned the art of making fires, the next step was to cook on them. On the menu this week were egg rolls...

What a great first week back enjoying the wrap-around care and the beautiful environment at Bardwell Primary School. Remember, they're FREE so don't miss out on this excellent opportunity!

We are currently full on Mondays through to Thursdays, however, there are some spaces on Fridays.

Please remember to let the office know if your child’s place is no longer needed on any After School Club session, as we have a waiting list and would like to offer the space to another pupil when we can.

Mr. Hurkett has given out all the medals to children and their families who took part in the Round the World Challenge. A massive well done to everyone!

You may remember that back in November we used our Monday Mile to do a virtual pilgrimage to Walsingham. We completed the 46 miles very quickly, so then wondered how long it would take us to get to Lourdes, a Christian pilgrimage site in France - a distance of 725 miles.

This week’s Monday Mile has clocked up a total of 26 miles with two pupils - Josh and Ted - completing a full mile or more.

A very big thank you to Ethan’s dad for donating 3 amazing insect habitats to the school. These are amazing; they will fit in perfectly with our beautiful outdoor learning ecosystem. WOW!

Parents/carers of Y6 pupils have had an email this week regarding the size and colour choice for this year’s Leavers’ hoodie; please ensure you complete the Google Form, below, with your choices by Monday morning. Miss Egmore will then set up a payment request in your Arbor account.

Parents, carers, and younger siblings will be invited to join the classes as they plant trees around the school’s site over the next couple of weeks. Look out for details of your child’s class planting session.

Please sign in with office staff before joining the group and dress for the weather - bring a spade if you have one. Access into the school building will be permitted for the use of toilets only and a face covering will be needed if you are able to wear one.

The new Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, has this week launched The Big Ask – the largest ever consultation with children aged 4 to 17 in England. It aims to find out children’s concerns and aspirations about the future so that we can put children at the heart of our country’s recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Parents, care leavers, and those working with children are also invited to complete the adult survey to share their views about the future for children and young people today, and what they think is holding young people back.

The results from this survey will help the Children’s Commissioner identify the barriers preventing children from reaching their potential, put forward solutions, and set ambitious goals for the country to achieve.

Please see the links below to complete the surveys.

The village Baby & Toddler Group (organized by local parents/carers) was hosted by the school for a number of years until the first lockdown in March 2020. We would very much like to encourage its reinstatement as a Forest School (outdoor) group and we have been contacted by a couple of families with pre-school age children who would like to join in. Mrs. Boyd would like to invite participants to join her and her class on a Friday afternoon at 1.30 pm out in the forest. Access to the Green Room (formerly known as the portacabin) will be possible for parents/carers to prepare snacks and drinks and to use the loo.

These sessions would be suitable for anyone local with a baby or pre-school child including those that are due to start in our Reception year in September.

If you are interested, please complete the form, below, so we know whether the time/date/format is suitable. You are very welcome to share this form with friends and family who may be interested.

Thank you!

The Book Fair will be here all next week - see letter for details.

At the end of March, NHS Test and Trace reintroduced confirmatory PCR testing for positive lateral flow device (LFD) tests conducted at all assisted testing sites, including schools or colleges. This means that all staff, pupils, and students who get a positive LFD test, whether at home or supervised at their school or college, should get a confirmatory PCR. The PCR test should be booked immediately either online or by calling 119 and should be undertaken within 2 days of the positive LFD result.

Staff, students, and pupils who had a positive LFD test result, and their close contacts and other members of their household, should self-isolate immediately in line with NHS Test and Trace Guidance and while awaiting the PCR result. If the PCR test is negative, it overrides the LFD test, and the staff, pupil, or student can return to school or college, and their close contacts can also end their self-isolation.