Newsletter 26th November 2021
Article 31
Every child has the right to rest and leisure and to engage in play and recreational activities.
Thank you
Thank you to those parents who have responded so quickly and returned forms/money by the deadline date of Monday 22nd November for the Christmas events. We can no longer accept any more forms or money for the forthcoming events.
Friday 19th November –Children In Need – Thank you for supporting this worthy cause – we raised £369.20. This is fantastic news for a worthy charity!
Pen Licences
Another group of children have achieved their pen licences recently. Well done and congratulations to:
Dana S Year 5/6R
Jaiya U Year 5/6R
Goodbye
We say a final goodbye to Kim Bullock – our kitchen manager and Sue Gerrard – a member of the cleaning team – both long serving members of staff, who have left the school today. Kim has been working part time at Russell’s Hall Hospital and has now gained more hours and Sue is leaving to spend more time with her family. We would like to thank them both for their years of commitment to Blanford Mere Nursery and Primary school and their dedication. We will miss them both. We wish both of them all the best for the future!
Our new Kitchen Manager will be Lyndsey Jones who already has lots of experience working for Dolce. We look forward to her joining us.
Anti-bullying workshop – Bully 4 U
Year 3/4 have been fortunate to take part in a 'Loud Mouth' Anti-bullying workshop today. Children now understand a lot more about what bullying is, how to spot it and what to do if it happens to anyone.
The Bully-Buster presentation covered: verbal, physical, psychological, financial and cyber-bullying. It was a fun and energetic 'training' workshop with very clear messages for our children to take on board to help support their health, happiness and safety.
Children at Blanford Mere are already familiar with S.T.O.P. (Several Times On Purpose) and today, they learnt that 'Bully-Busters are heroes, not villains!' and 'Don't be a by-stander, be a friend!'
Further information can be found at www.loudmouth.co.uk
Rayarn: 'I liked the performance on anti-bullying and cyber-bullying and how to stop it.'
Annabel: 'They changed their clothes and role-played other people.'
William: 'I liked the flag it - block it - cool it - save it - zip it tips for on-line safety.'
Merryn: 'I like the verbal bullying part because it looked like real-life.'
Liam: 'The workshop and performance were really good because it gave us good tips to keep safe from bullying.'
Abdulsalam: 'The workshop was good because I learnt about anti-bullying.'
Lucy: 'I was given some good information about how to be safe on-line and not retaliate.'
https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/
What to do if your child develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID 19)
The main symptoms of Covid-19 are a new, continuous cough, or a high temperature, or a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia). If your child develops any of these symptoms, they should isolate immediately and arrange a test via www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.
In addition to the above main Covid-19 symptoms, if your child develops any of the following symptoms, it is also recommended they arrange a PCR test: loss of appetite, sore throat, extreme tiredness, sneezing, headache, diarrhoea, joint or muscle ache, vomiting, nausea, rash, runny nose or congestion. This is because these other symptoms have also been linked to Covid-19 infection. Individuals with any of these other symptoms (apart from diarrhoea and vomiting) can carry on attending school if they are well enough to do so. For more information please visit www.dudley.gov.uk/coronavirustesting
For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness
If your child does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from the nhs.uk website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms/. If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, or they are worsening you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://111.nhs.uk/ or by phoning 111.
Further Information
Further information is available at
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
A reminder that all children from years 1-6 should be bringing sanitiser and tissues to school daily.
Christmas Post Box
Due to the rising number of Covid cases in the borough and school, unfortunately this year, we will not be collecting in or distributing cards for children. We are trying our best to keep everybody safe. We hope that you will support this by not sending cards into school. Many thanks.
Staff Gifts from the children
We have had parents asking if staff are able to accept Christmas cards and gifts from the children. We will not be accepting Christmas cards in school this year for staff, however, if you would like to buy a gift for your child's teacher then please send this into school by Monday 13th December at the latest, with your child. Each teacher will have a box in their classroom where the gift will be quarantined for at least 48 hrs, until the staff member can take it home on Friday 17th December. There is no obligation or expectation for parents to buy gifts for staff.
Year Reception, Yr 1 and Yr 2 Theatre Visit reminders
We are really looking forward to our upcoming theatre visit to see ‘One Snowy Night’ at the MAC in Birmingham.
To confirm, the following classes will visit on the following dates;
Wednesday 1st December; Year 2
Friday 3rd December; Year 1
Tuesday 7th December: Reception
The performances will take place during the morning. The children should arrive at school for their usual time on their visit day. The coach will leave school after 9.15am and we shall return by 12.30pm. Your child will still have their hot school lunch – so please order via the School Grid service on the day of the visit.
Your child should wear their school uniform on the day of the theatre visit. They should be sent to school wearing a water proof coat, and with a labelled drinks bottle, containing water. We will provide your child with their usual fruit snack. If your child suffers from travel sickness, please ensure they take their medication before school as we are unable to administer this.
Children who are not going on the theatre visit should attend school as normal.
The children will be reading the ‘One Snowy Night’ story in class before their visit. They will also be watching a sneak-peek of the production. This will prepare the children for their visit and what to expect at the theatre.
After two years of reduced opportunities for educational visits, we are all really looking forward to what will be a fantastic morning.
Many thanks,
Mr Wade
Dates for the diary
W/C Monday 29th November 2021 – Year 2 Phonic checks administered
Wednesday 1st December 2021 – Year 2 – Mac Theatre trip – ‘One Snowy Night’
Thursday 2nd December 2021 – St Mary’s Church Carol Service rehearsal Yr 1 – Yr 6. Please send children from Year 3 – Year 6 with a piece of fruit. KS1 children have fruit provided. All children should bring a drink.
Thursday 2nd December 2021 – Film Night 3.15pm – 5.15pm – collect from your child’s usual gate (for those children who have paid).
Dismissal from Film Night. Children will be dismissed at 5.15pm from their usual gate. To avoid overcrowding at the entrances please stay away from the gates until it is your child’s class’s turn to be dismissed. It will be dark, parents will be wearing masks, so it may take a little more time than in the daylight – please be patient with us, as we want the children as swiftly and safely as possible and sent to the correct adult.
Friday 3rd December 2021 – Year One – Mac Theatre trip – ‘One Snowy Night’.
Tuesday 7th December 2021 – Year Reception – 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 ties, jumpers and cardigans. Please send children from Year 3 – Year 6 with a piece of fruit. KS1 children have fruit provided. All children should bring a drink.
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. Children in Years 1 to Year 6 should come to school in their uniform on this day.
Friday 10th December 2021 – Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day. Children to wear a Christmas Jumper with jeans, joggers, leggings, skirt etc and donate £1. If children do not wish to take part they can wear their uniform.
Tuesday 14th December 2021 – Christmas Lunch Day – please pre-order using
School Grid app
Wednesday 15th December 2021 - Santa’s Grotto (for those children who have paid)
Thursday 16th December 2021 – Nursery – Year 6 Party Day – children to wear their ‘party’ clothes – suitable working in school
TT Rockstar Dress up Day On Friday 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.
Friday 17th December 2021 – School closes for the Christmas Break.
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
