Article 19
Every child has the right to protection from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect and bad treatment.
Attendance winners
Attendance winners for May were Year 5/6AR with 97.74% well done! They can wear their own clothes to school on Friday 7th June.
KS2 SATs
Well done to Year 6 who had a tough week of SATs tests in May. They have been sent off to be marked and we will send the results home, separate to the reports, when they are returned to school!
KS1 SATs
Well done to Year 2 for completing their SATs assessments. All children have fully participated and tried their best with completing the tests. Year 2 results are teacher assessed and will also be sent out with reports in July.
Sports Day
It was with regret that we had to make the decision to cancel Rec - Yr 6 Sports Day today - Thursday 23rd May. We know that this was disappointing for parents, children, and staff; the safety of the children is paramount. The event has been rescheduled for Thursday 6th June 2024. The timings will be the same as were previously planned - weather dependant.
Staffing Update
At the end of this academic year, we will be saying goodbye to Miss Barclay. Miss Barclay is relocating and unfortunately will not be able to travel to our school every day.
Miss Barclay has worked at Blanford Mere for 5 years. In this time, she has been instrumental in the development of Music and RE as well as supporting our children with their learning in all areas of learning and most notably in early reading and phonics.
Whilst we are sad to see Miss Barclay leave our school family, we wish her look as she embarks on a new adventure in a new part of the country. Good luck Miss Barclay and thank you.
General Election Thursday 4th July 2024
We have just been notified that the school will be used as a Polling Station on Thursday 4th July 2024 for the General Election. School will be closed to all pupils on this day. Reports will now be sent home on Wednesday 3rd July.
Polite reminder
Please support our high standards and expectations regarding school uniform. Children should wear grey (not black), shorts, trousers, skirt or pinafore and red polo shirt or a red and white checked dress – summer uniform. Shoes should be black, not black trainers, as many children are wearing. We would prefer children to keep their fashion trainers to wear at home. Hair should be tied back, no jewellery except for stud earrings, these should be removed on PE days. This forms part of our behaviour policy. Thank you in advance for supporting us with this.
Free school Meals – particularly children in Year 2
When our current Year 2 cohort move to Year 3 in September, they will no longer be entitled to Universal Infant Free School Meals. Free School Meals will then only apply to children where their parent’s income satisfies the following conditions at the time of applying:
If you get any of the following support payments your child may be entitled to receive free school meals:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit Run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit (you must have less than £616.67 a month net earned income (after tax - and not including any benefits)
- Children who receive a qualifying benefit in their own right are also allowed to receive free school meals.
- Children under the compulsory school age who are in full time education may also be entitled to receive free school meals.
If you meet the above criteria, then please complete the online form below. You will be notified by Dudley Council if you are successful, they will also inform the school.
Parents can apply online via http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/your-council/council-tax-and-benefits/benefits/free-school-meals/.
Safeguarding
We all have a responsibility for the welfare of our children. If something concerns you about the welfare of a child within school then please contact the class teacher in the first instance who will refer to the Schools Designated Safeguarding Leads within school. If you have concerns which are not school based you can: Call the children's services referral and advice service on 0300 555 0050 during office hours (9am - 5pm). Out of office hours contact the Emergency Duty Team on 0300 555 8574 or in an emergency call 999. Alternatively you can call ChildLine on 0800 1111 or email them by visiting https://www.childline.org.uk/
Dates for the diary
Friday 24th May - School closed to children – INSET day
Monday 3rd June – Children return to school at the usual time
W/C Monday 3rd June – Yr 4 Multiplication Times table Check.
Friday 7th June. Year 6 Loudmouth performance. ‘Helping Hands’
W/C Monday 10th June – Year 1 Phonic Screen Check and Year 2 re-check (if needed)
Wednesday 18th June am – Year 3/4 Maths Championship final. Pm Year 5/6 Maths Championship final. Parents have already consented.
Thursday 20th June – Year Rec – Yr 1 Parent transition meeting – 3.30pm – more details to follow.
Monday 24th June – Nursery Sports Day – 9.15am
Thursday 27th June. New to Reception Meeting. 3.30pm. Notified in the offer letter sent.
Wednesday 3rd July Reports out to Parents 3.15pm (not Year 6 SATs results)
Thursday 4th July – General Election. School closed to pupils.
Monday 8th July – Transition Day in new classes. Meet the teachers.
Wednesday 10th July – Parents evening, for those that may want to discuss an element of your child’s report.
Thursday 11th July – Year 6 Leavers Assembly – 9.30am. 2 x adults invited.
Friday 12th July – TTRS Dress up day. See planner nearer the time.
Friday 19th July – Break Up for summer.
Have a fantastic half term break and a well deserved rest.
Mrs Crook and Miss Stanton
Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher
