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You have the right to an identity – an official record of who you are. No one should take this away from you
Attendance Winners
April winners were Rec LK with 100%. Amazing achievement!
Well done!
On Saturday 4th May, Tobias, Harry S and Oliver S completed a sponsored walk for their Cubs and Beavers group 2nd Kingswinford. Tobias and Harry walked 5 miles and Oliver walked 2 miles. Between them they have raised over £150.00!! They have got a few extra ‘house points’ for their walking achievement. They walked to Kinver camp and had a wonderful night camping!! Well done! Super effort.
West End Stars!
Well done to Jessica S and Jenson J, who appeared at His Majesty’s Theatre in London in a performance of ‘Across The Line'. They auditioned and were successful in performing live on stage in front of a packed theatre. We wish them both the best of luck for future auditions.
Swimming
The past four weeks have been very busy for the children in KS2 with swimming. This has been such a success in improving children’s confidence and swimming ability. We have had a 98% success rate in Year 6! Wow!. The pool company – ‘Splash Swim School’ have been exceptional, totally professional and motivating for the children to want to succeed and build their confidence in the water. The children will also received their water safety training this week to make them aware of any dangers when being around water. We are extremely proud of the children’s achievements, and determination with achieving their 25m – which is the National Curriculum requirement by the end of KS2. Thank you to all of you for sending their kits in and washing their towels daily! A huge thank you to Olly and Will – they were really fantastic with the children and built the children’s confidence in the water.
Warm Weather
On hot days (fingers crossed it continues), could you ensure children bring a hat, a labelled water bottle and you apply sunscreen before they come to school, please.
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/.
We also have some vouchers that we will be able to send you, as a thank you once your request has been accepted.
80th Anniversary D Day
Early on the 6th June 1944 off the coast of German-occupied France lay an armada of more than 7,000 naval vessels. Above them in the skies that day would pass thousands of aircraft on more than 4,000 sorties, bombing targets and dropping or landing 24,000 airborne personnel behind enemy lines. Their mission: to capture key bridges, neutralise coastal batteries and secure vital roads ahead of the main landings.
Shortly after dawn, and under cover of massive naval bombardment, the first waves of assaulting infantry made for five designated beaches, codenamed Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha and Utah, along a 50 stretch of Normandy coastline. In many places the defenders were waiting and exacted a horrific toll on the allies as they came ashore. But backed by years of meticulous planning and with great determination, they fought on. They ultimately breached Hitler’s famed ‘Atlantic Wall’ and gained a foothold in ‘Fortress Europe’.
By the end of that first day, over 130,000 personnel representing 13 nations had come ashore, united in the aim of liberating western Europe. That success came at a terrible cost. All told, the allies suffered 10,000 casualties, in the skies, seas and on the beaches of Normandy on 6th June alone; with 4,400 making the ultimate sacrifice. But D-Day was only the beginning. For the nest three months of ‘Operation Overlord’ the fighting would rage in the towns, villages and the infamous hedgerows of Northern France, as the allies forced the Germans through, and eventual beyond Normandy. It was a fight for liberation that would involve more than two million allied personnel, 10 percent of whom would become casualties, with 72,000 making the ultimate sacrifice.
Hard fought, and costly, the Battle of Normandy was a decisive victory which paved the way to end the Second World war in Europe.
To celebrate this occasion Kingswinford Royal British Legion will be holding a service to remember them all.
The Service will take place on Thursday 6th June 2024 outside the Headquarters of Kingswinford Royal British Legion, commencing at 11.00am.
During the service a poem written by one of the Chelsea Pensioners will be read by a student from Summerhill School.
There will be Wreaths laid in memory of those servicemen of Kingswinford and Wall Heath who lost their lives.
You are cordially invited, should you so wish to attend this service.
If you require any further information please contact me on 07753 414929.
Bob Townsend
Branch Chairman/Poppy Appeal Organiser
Dates for the diary:
Monday 13th – Thursday 16th May – KS2 SATs week. Please ensure that children arrive to school on time.
Thursday 16th May – Census Day. Dinosaur Lunch.
School Census Day is an important part of the school calendar, as it has a huge impact on the amount of money that is given to Blanford Mere Nursery and Primary School by the Government. The more children eating school hot dinners, the more money the school will be given. Please help us by encouraging your child to eat a school hot lunch on THURSDAY 16th MAY 2024 -particularly our Reception and KS1 children and KS2 children; this will help increase our budget this year. To encourage your child to eat school lunch on this day we are offering choices of the children’s favourite meals. Please see the attached menu, a sandwich option will be available. We really do hope that you will support us in getting as much money as possible for our school and your children.
Friday 17th May – TTRS dress up day. Check your child’s planner – nearer the date.
Monday 20th May – Year 5. Loudmouth Performance ‘My Mate Fancies You’
Tuesday 21st May – Blanford Babies 9am - Hub
Thursday 23rd May – Rec – Yr 6 Sports Day (weather permitting) More details to follow. KS2 am – Rec-KS1 – PM . Alternative date if weather awful – Thursday 6th June.
W/B 20th May – Year 2 Optional SATs tests. We will be taking part in the KS1 tests this year.
DFE: ‘Although schools will not report the results of their assessments, the guidance from the DfE says that the tests are being provided as “support in the measurement of pupil achievement” and to “help identify where their pupils need additional support”.’
Wednesday 22nd May – National Number Day. the UK’s only day dedicated to everyday maths. It’s a day that celebrates the importance of numbers for children and adults alike, building brighter futures through confidence with numbers and inspiring everyone to improve their numeracy skills.
We’re encouraging children and staff to come in dressed up in the theme of Number Heroes. From well-known mathematicians or inventors, to transforming into our favourite shapes or maths tools, or simply wearing an item of clothing with numbers on it – however you choose to interpret the theme, it’ll be a great way to celebrate all things numbers and maths. There will be no cost if children would like to dress up.
The charity National Numeracy has teamed up with celebrities and experts to create fun and engaging activities that will get children feeling good about numbers so together, we can dance, bake and rap our way to number confidence!
We have lots of free, fun activities planned for your children to take part in at school, as well as resources they can use at home. National Numeracy Day Live on 22 May: We’ll be starting the day in style by taking part in a nationwide livestreamed event from 9:30am.
There will be 30 minutes of space-themed number fun, with celebrities and CBeebies Numberblocks! Number Heroes Competition: We’ll be sparking imagination and conversations about using numbers and maths in our future dream jobs or hobbies by creating our entries for the Number Heroes Competition. The lucky winners will receive a £50 voucher for themselves, as well as a £1,000 prize bundle for their school.
One of the best ways to support children to feel positive about numbers is to feel confident yourself. National Numeracy has lots of free resources to help adults, so you can support your children with numbers and maths, and boost your own numeracy skills too! https://www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/numeracyday?utm_source=signupsupport
You can access a range of free resources for adults on the National Numeracy Day website. Together, we can get the whole nation feeling good about numbers!
Thank you for your support,
Mr Baker
W/C Monday 13th May KS2 SATs Tests – May 2024 Information
As many of you are fully aware, this week is the national Year 6 end of Key Stage 2 SATS test week. All of the Year 6 children have worked exceptionally well across the year and are very well placed to take these tests. We would like to thank all parents and carers for your support across the year. This week is incredibly important, so we wanted to share a final reminder of the key information below:
Daily Test Schedule
Monday 13th May 2024: English grammar, punctuation and spelling papers 1 and 2
Tuesday 14th May 2024: English reading
Wednesday 15th May 2024: Mathematics papers 1 and 2
Thursday 16th May 2024: Mathematics paper 3
We recognise that there is the potential for this to be a stressful week, which may lead to increased worries for some of our pupils. Please be reassured that the mental health and wellbeing for all Year 6 pupils is our main priority and we will be planning a range of enjoyable activities and lessons for the afternoons.
To support your child at home, please ensure they follow a sensible, gadget free bedtime routine, eat healthily and spend time doing things they love. We would also appreciate your child arriving on time to school at 8.45am
Once again, we appreciate all of your support. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s class teacher direct in the first instance.
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 – weather permitting
Tuesday 25th June – Blanford Babies 9am - Hub
Thursday 27th June. New to Reception Meeting. 3.30pm. Notified in the offer letter sent.
Thursday 4th July – Reports out to Parents 3.15pm (not Year 6 SATs results)
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 wonderful week.
Mrs Crook and Miss Stanton
Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher
