Autumn Term 2023
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back to all our families for the remainder of our Autumn Term. The nights are darker, the weather is cooler but there are a lot of things to look forward to this term - please have a look at the 'Dates for your Diary' section further down for important events.
This week we have said a temporary goodbye to Mrs Knight - one of our Assistant Head Teachers - as she has taken maternity leave and I know you will join us in wishing her and her family all the very best.
To all those celebrating Diwali - this wonderful, light-filled festival - we wish you a Diwali that brings happiness, prosperity and joy to you and your loved ones.
Mrs Arnold
Remembrance
As part of our Remembrance activities in school, we have been selling poppies, children have had assemblies and we have observed the 2 minutes silence in school today. As well as this, our Year 6 Badgeholders have attended a Wreath Laying Ceremony at Barr Beacon War Memorial. A two-minute silence was observed, the Last Post was played and a wreath was laid on behalf of our children, parents, staff and governors by two of our children. This event was also attended by the Mayor of Walsall, representatives from the Mercian Volunteers, members of the Barr Beacon Trust and Local Councillors.
Thank you to all Badgeholders for your excellent behaviour and representing our school so proudly.
Winter Uniform
Moving into this half term, all children should now be wearing their winter school uniform.
Expectations for school uniform Winter – October (after half term) to April (Easter)
- Navy cardigan or jumper with logo
- Sky blue shirt or blouse with tie
- Plain grey skirt, pinafore or tailored trousers
- Navy, sky blue and gold striped tie (elasticated up to Year 3)
- Plain and flat black formal school shoes
- Plain black, white, navy or grey tights or socks.
Please remember that trainers are not permitted to be worn in school at any time.
For more information on our uniform including how we have tried to make sure it is available at a reasonable cost and that it provides the best value for money for parents/carers, please see our Uniform Policy on our website.
We have received a donation of some items from Newlife in Cannock who are supporting schools and parents with uniform - Brand new school uniforms offered to schools and organisations for families - newlifecharity. So if you are finding it difficult to provide a full set of uniform, please contact our School Office as we may be able to help.
Sports for Schools Athlete Event - 16.11.23
We are very excited to be welcoming top athlete Joe Roebuck to the school on Thursday, 16 November 2023. GB Olympic swimmer, Joe was ten times British Champion, double Commonwealth silver medallist, double European medallist and London 2012 Olympic semi-finalist. His events are the 100m and 200m Butterfly and the 200m and 400m Individual Medley.
Joe Roebuck will be leading a sponsored fitness circuit with all pupils, followed by a motivational assembly, and Q&A session. The aim of the event is to inspire our children to be more physically active, but just as importantly, encourage them to discover and pursue their passion in life. The event will also raise money to improve physical activity in the school, as well as supporting both athletes and para-athletes, so that they can continue to inspire the next generation.
Please make sure your child has their full PE kit in school that day!
Year 5 Visit to the Space Centre
Year 5 had a brilliant day at the Space Centre yesterday and the behaviour of our children was exemplary even though the journey home took longer than expected - they have been rewarded with some extra playtime today.
The children explored the history of time travel and the space race between the USA and Soviet Union. They saw a piece of rock taken from the moon during the Apollo 17 mission and learnt about how astronauts prepare for these missions. They also watched an immersive 3D video in the planetarium about astronaut life and learnt about the planets in the solar system.
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A great day was had by all and the staff came away very proud of the children and their enthusiasm for learning as well as their good manners and behaviour.
Keeping Your Children Safe Online - Chain Messages
We have been made aware of a recent spate of ‘Chain Messages’ that are currently circulating via WhatsApp groups. In these messages, there are some references to violence as well as threats made that if the person receiving does not forward the message, bad things will happen. As adults we know that these messages can be dismissed, however for a child this can be very scary.
We wanted to make you aware of this and would encourage you to check your child’s use of WhatsApp. As a school, we do not want to draw any more attention to these chain messages but we will remind all children that if they receive any scary or threatening messages, they should show an adult.
Please can we also remind parents that the minimum age of use for WhatsApp is 16 years.
Blue Peter Book Club
We know that reading is such an important part of the curriculum and we recognise that parents are supporting their children at home - thank you. You may be interested in your child joining the Blue Peter Book Club where they can choose books to read from a book list and share their thoughts and ideas. They can also apply for a Blue Peter Book Badge!
Anti-Bully Week - Odd socks Day!
Anti-Bullying Week takes place week next week. This year’s theme is ‘Make A Noise About Bullying’ and there will be Anti-Bullying assemblies delivered during the week.
On Monday 13th November, we will be celebrating ‘Odd Socks Day.’ This celebrates individuality and encourages children to express themselves. If children would like to participate, they need to wear a pair of odd socks on this date. Apart from the socks, full school uniform must be worn as usual so please remind children.
Pupils also have the opportunity to participate in an Anti-Bullying poster competition. Entries need to be returned to class teachers by Friday 17th November and will be judged by our Well-Being Champions.
Children in Need Day
We are pleased to inform you that as in previous years, we will again be supporting Children in Need. This year’s Children in Need Appeal takes place on Friday 17th November 2023. The theme is ‘Be Spotacular’ with a focus on activities and challenges for people to come together and fundraise, working to change young lives.
During our school assemblies, pupils will learn about the invaluable work that Children in Need do. We want pupils to understand that in the UK and across the world, there are children who are struggling and that in many ways, they are very lucky and may take things for granted sometimes. Pupils will also look at the lives of other children and learn about how their fundraising money makes a valuable difference to those in need.
In order to fundraise, we will be inviting children to take part in our Non-Uniform Day on Friday 17th November. We are asking children to bring in a £1.00 cash donation to participate in wearing their own clothes on this date. Children will be able to arrive and leave school in their own clothes. Please note: football shirts, other football-related items, onesies and midriff/cropped tops will not be permitted. Long hair must also be tied up, in line with school policy. Children will have break times as normal, so please ensure your child has suitable footwear and a coat.
All the money raised from our Non-Uniform Day will be donated to Children in Need on behalf of the children, parents, staff and governors of the school.
Community Events and Family Support
