Article 4
The government has a responsibility to make sure your rights are protected. They must help your family to protect your rights and create an environment where you can grow and reach your potential.
Welcome back, we hope that you had an enjoyable half term break and that the children are refreshed ready for another busy half term.
Good news!
We are delighted to let you know that Mr Wade’s baby has arrived. Evelyn Sophia Wade was born on Wednesday 27th October 2021, weighing 7 pounds and 6 ounces. All of the family are doing really well and enjoying this special time together.
We know how excited Mr Wade’s class were to hear the news.
Harvest Appeal – Black Country Foodbank
We have received a lovely email from the Foodbank thanking you all so much for contributing to the Harvest Appeal and donating items to them. You will see from the certificate that we collected and donated 211kgs of food and 23kgs of non-food, an amazing amount!
Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
All schools take their Safeguarding responsibilities towards the children in their care very seriously. Our Safeguarding and Child Protection policy is updated and reviewed at the start of each academic year. Staff training ensures that all staff in school are fully aware of the latest guidance too.
Governors have discussed and approved this year’s policy - please see the website to read the policy (‘information’, then ‘statutory information’ tab). Our Designated Safeguarding Leaders are Mrs Miller and Miss Stanton.
National School Meals Week - Tucker Trial Passport Competition!!
It's National School Meals Week w/c 8th November 2021 and to celebrate, Dolce are offering 1 lucky pupil a chance to win an iPad!
In the spirit of ‘I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here’, children can collect gold stars for the days they stay for a Dolce school lunch during the week beginning 8th November 2021. Any child that has completed the full five stars (had 5 meals that week) will be entered into a prize draw.
How it Works
- The kitchen team will distribute the Tucker Trial Passports to the children as they are served on Monday
- The star will be signed each day that a child takes a meal
- Once a card has all 5 stars this will be entered into a “hat” at school and the winning card will be sent to Dolce to be entered into the main prize to determine the overall winner.
For more information on National School Meals Week, please visit:
https://thegreatschoollunch.co.uk/
Covid – keeping everyone safe
As you are aware, numbers of positive cases in the local area are still rising. We are doing our best to minimise the risks for children, and parents. We also need to look after staff wellbeing too. Children from year 1- year 6 should still be bringing into school sanitiser and tissues daily.
We have an increasing number of ‘forgotten’ items being brought to the school office each morning to be taken through to children – can we please ask parents to make sure that children bring all the items that they need with them into school as they arrive at the gate.
The school site is a non-smoking site. Although we appreciate that the public footpaths are outside the school grounds, we have had several parents contacting school to express their concern about adults smoking at the gate as they arrive to drop off and collect their children. We would really appreciate your consideration about smoking away from children and adults accessing the school entrances/exits – can you please make other family members who bring/collect children from school aware of this request?
TTRS Competition!
We have signed our school up for the TTRS 'England Rocks' competition which is part of UK Maths Week next week. Please can you encourage your child to have a go!
What is England Rocks?
England Rocks is a free to enter times tables competition exclusive to schools in England. The competition will support pupils in learning the times tables while having fun!
During the competition, which runs from 7.30am to 7.30pm each day from November 8th to November 11th, every correct answer that a pupil gives, in any game type, will contribute to their class and school score. This year, to support player wellbeing even further, we've introduced a daily 60-minute limit per player. Once a player goes beyond 60 minutes between 7.30am and 7.30pm on a given day, they will still earn coins but will no longer earn points towards the competition. Those 60 minutes do not need to be played in one block - they can be spread throughout the competition hours.
TTRS will be giving away Amazon vouchers to the top 3 highest-average-scoring primary-age classes in England (i.e. classes of Reception to year 6 pupils).
Thank you for your support,
Mr Baker
Remembrance Day
On Thursday 11th November we will remember those who fought for us and those that lost their lives in the war. We will hold a minute’s silence. Thank you to everyone that has already supported this year’s Poppy Appeal – poppies and other related goods such as bracelets, key rings, rulers, pencils etc (priced at either 50p or £1) are still on sale in school. Mrs Needle brings the goods around to classes for the children to purchase.
We will let you know how much was raised when we have been notified.
Children who are members of local Brownies, Rainbows and Cubs etc. can wear their uniform in school on 11th November.
Forthcoming dates
Friday 5th November 2021 Reception children Only – Julia Donaldson day – children to dress as their favourite character
Friday 12th November 2021 – Bully4U workshop Year 3/4
Monday 15th November – Friday 19th November – Anti – Bullying week. Nursery – Year 6
Odd Socks Day What is it?
Most importantly, Odd Socks Day is designed to be fun! It’s an opportunity for children to express themselves and celebrate their individuality and what makes us all unique!
There is no pressure on the children to wear the latest fashion or for parents to buy expensive costumes. All they have to do to take part is wear odd socks to school, it couldn’t be simpler! Odd Socks day will take place on the first day of Anti Bullying Week each year to help raise awareness around anti-bullying. This will be on Monday 15th November 2021.
I am sure that you have read in our planners the definition of bullying. We refer to this in school with the children as STOP - Several Times On Purpose.
For more information you can visit the following websites:
https://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/anti-bullying-week/odd-socks-day
Thinkuknow
Childline
Anti-bullying Alliance
https://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/
Friday 19th November 2021 –Children In Need. Wear own clothes and donate £1. Nursery – Year 6
W/C Monday 29th November 2021 – Year 2 Phonic checks administered
Wednesday 1st December 2021 – Year Rec – Mac Theatre trip – ‘One Snowy Night’
Thursday 2nd December 2021 – St Mary’s Church carol service rehearsal Yr 1 – Yr 6
Friday 3rd December 2021 – Year One – Mac Theatre trip – ‘One Snowy Night’
Tuesday 7th December 2021 – Year Two – Mac Theatre trip – ‘One Snowy Night’
Wednesday 8th December 2021 – St Mary’s Church Carol Service Yr 1 – Yr 6
All children to wear winter uniform – including jumpers and cardigans.
Thursday 9th December 2021 – Nursery and Reception Christmas workshop and sing-along. Children to wear traditional Christmas costumes e.g. donkey, Mary, joseph, Star, tree, angel etc.
Tuesday 14th December 2021 – Christmas Lunch Day – please pre-order using
School Grid app
Friday 17th December 2021 – School closes for the Christmas Break.
TT Rockstar Dress up Day
On Thursday 17th December, there will be a ‘TT Rock Star Dress Up Day’. When children can answer questions up to x12 in the 'studio' game and achieve Rock Star status, Rock Legend status, or Rock Hero status for the 1st time, they will be able to dress up. Any child who remains on Rock Hero status will always be able to dress up on TTRS days – check your child’s planner to see if they are able to.
Please encourage your children to go on TT Rock Stars. TT Rock Stars helps children improve their times tables when used regularly – it is recommended that children use it for at least 3 minutes per day. All children who are able to dress up will have a sticker in their planner.
There is no download needed and it works on PC and Mac, but there are free APPs available for Android, Apple and Amazon phones and tablets.
Please remember to use Mathletics too, as homework will continue to be set weekly on this. Thank you for your support.
Tuesday 4th January 2022– School reopens for the spring term.
Thank you for your continued support.
Mrs Miller and Miss Stanton
Headteacher and Deputy Head
