Article 29

Education must develop every child’s personality, talents and abilities to the full. It must encourage the child’s respect for human rights, as well as respect for their parents, their own and other cultures, and the environment.

Welcome Back!

We would like to warmly welcome Mrs Woodley back to school. Mrs Woodley has battled bravely over the last 12 months with cancer, and we are delighted to say that she is now cancer free and is pleased to be back doing what she loves, delivering high quality, exciting lessons across key stage 2. We have really enjoyed having Mrs Woodley back in school and the children are really benefiting from her expertise, particularly in Science and Maths.

Macmillan Coffee Morning - Thank you!

We would like to thank all of you and the children for donating cakes today for our Macmillan Coffee Morning.  This was extremely well supported.  We will let you how much was raised when we have totalled the money!

Attendance winners

Attendance winners for September were class Yr 1 MC with a huge 98.28% - well done!  They can come to school in their own clothes as a treat, on Monday 2nd October!

Digi Awards

On Friday 15th September, we celebrated and showcased Blanford Mere's digital talent and skills with our Digi Awards Ceremony.  A huge thank you to all children who entered the competition.  The children were asked to submit entries in the categories of Digital Art and Photography, Coding and Animation/Short film.  We were amazed at the standard of the entries received.  We really do have some Digital Superstars of the Future here...  All the shortlisted nominees were invited along to the ceremony and after show party, along with parents/carers.  The winners also received a Digi Award Trophy.  Special congratulations to the winners:

Digital Art/Photography Winner - Eleanor B

Coding - KS1 Winner - Eason L

Coding - KS2 Winner - Daniel L

Animation Winner - Haroop S

Digital Superstar Award (for excellent entries in all categories) - Kayla B

Princess Trust Charity

Orla decided she wanted to donate her hair to be made into a wig for poorly children, she wanted to do this as her cousin is a children’s nurse at Birmingham children’s hospital and works on the cancer ward giving treatment to terminally Ill children. We’re so proud of her for doing such a thoughtful thing and she wants to share with you all the photos. Well done Orla!

Well done!

A huge congratulations to Harvey in Year 2. Harvey competes in motorbike competitions and was very excited to tell the class that he won his last endurance race. Harvey's race lasted a full hour! A big well done to Harvey for such a wonderful achievement. He has his final competitive race for this season coming up shortly and we wish him all the best. We're all cheering you on!

Year 5/6 Greek Workshop

Year 5/6 had a visit from Alexander, the Greek Warrior, on Monday 25th September. As the children entered the hall, a hush descended over them at the impressive sight of the Warrior resplendent in his full armour.  Throughout the day, the children took part in Battle Formations and Tactics including an Athens v Sparta battle, they learnt to form the Phalanx Formation and understand why this formation was so important in Greece dominating in battles with the Romans and they had the opportunity to manage a City-state (fortunately a simulation as it ended badly for their cities!).  The children also had an opportunity to play authentic Greek games using clay counters and handmade boards. Alexander also provided enough papyrus paper for each child to sample writing using the Greek alphabet using ink and reed pens.  This papyrus paper is authentic and from Egypt enabling the children to write exactly as the Ancient Greeks did over 2000 years ago.

5/6HO

Evie-Rose: "I enjoyed learning how to use the spears and have a fight with our enemy. It was a draw because we won battle each and the last one was a draw."

Harry D: "I liked meeting Alexander, the Greek Warrior.  Using the spears and shields was great fun. The Phalanx formation meant we didn't die in battle."

5/6MB

Sam: "My favourite part of the day was practising the battle formation. I learnt that you had to hold the spear in your right hand and the shield in your left hand."

Willow: "I really enjoyed the Ancient Greek Day - especially the games. We found out that Ancient Greeks used papyrus and we even wrote on real papyrus using real reeds as pens."

5/6AR

Rayarn : " My favourite part of the Greek day was writing in Greek because I like the different letters."

Lucy R: "I had fun writing Greek sentences using ink. We also had a talk about Ancient Greeks and we played Greek board games."

Year 3/4 Blist’s Hill

On Monday 25th September, Y34 were excited to be able to visit Blist's Hill Victorian Town in Ironbridge.

Each class was able to 'travel back in time' and find out what it was like to attend a Victorian school. All the children loved this experience, but all agreed that the style of teaching and learning left them feeling a little scared of the austere teacher. Everybody agreed that they prefer schools nowadays!

Each class was able to visit a range of shops and homes in the Victorian town. They were amazed by the goods on sale in the chemist's shop and a little shocked to see what was in the butcher's shop. 

Staff working at the site were delighted with our children's behaviour and complimented them on the range of questions that were asked. 

Well done Year 34. You were a pleasure to take on this visit.

Mrs Cope, Mrs Cameron, Mrs Dorricott, Mrs Davis 

Pupil Voice 

3/4DD 

David – Blist’s Hill was a fun and exciting trip. I learned lots about the Victorians especially what was sold in the shops. 

Celina – Blist’s Hill was a very fun experience. I really liked going into the different buildings and comparing them to the buildings nowadays. 

3/4JC

Sienna - I really enjoyed Blist's Hill.  We got to see inside different shops, like a chemist.  My favourite part was the Victorian school.  It was funny when the teacher took her hat off and stopped pretending to be scary and strict.

Balraj - The trip was fun. I found out that Victorian schools were horrid and strict, and the chairs were hard. We also went into a foundry, and I found out that it took a long time to forge metal.

3/4MC

Daisy-Rose 

I liked the Victorian school the best. I also like how we got to see the steam engine. 

Enzo 

My favourite was when we went to the classroom. I liked it when the teacher shouted - they don't it like these days. 

Leo C

The best bit of the trip was the part when we went in the shops. We saw the old soap and the strange animals in the butchers shop. I liked the school as well.

Frankie R

The best bit about the trip was when we went into the school. I liked it because I love to dress up and it's given me some inspiration for my play.

European Day of Languages

On Tuesday, children in KS2 celebrated European Day of Languages by taking part in sessions which allowed them to experience the history, traditions and culture of some European countries.

In year 3/4, the children took part in a Flamenco dancing Spanish workshop, a Da Vinci inspired Italian art class and a French Café experience where they were were given the opportunity to taste snails, brie and baguettes!

In Year 5/6, the children focused on Spanish culture and took part in food tasting (chorizo, olives, patatas bravas and tortilla), Flamenco dancing and Picasso inspired art. They also had a visit from Madame Harris from Summerhill (Senorita Harris for one day only!) to help them learn some Spanish.

The children had a fantastic day and there was a real buzz of excitement around school (and a strong smell of garlic!)

The children had this to say:

Autumn – 3/4JC – I liked trying the different French foods and I also really liked doing the Spanish dancing. It’s really made me want to go to France because I loved the brie and the baguette (but not the snails!).

Amelia – 3/4JC – I liked the French café. I enjoyed eating the snails and trying different things.

Kian -3/4DD - I really liked trying the snails because they were very chewy. I enjoyed sketching the skull in the style of Leonardo De Vinci.

Georgia – 3/4DD - I was so excited when I came through the classroom door because the classroom had been transformed into a French Bistro. We tried French food and I was brave enough to eat a snail, but I won't be trying them again!

Leo – 3/4MC – I liked the Flamenco dancing and I ate a snail and liked it! We watched some funny videos in different languages – like Baby Shark in Italian. I loved the day and would really like to do it again.

Joseph – 5/6MB - I liked the Spanish art. We drew cubist portraits in the style of Picasso.

Sienna – 5/6MC - I loved trying the Spanish food!

Joseph W – 5/6R – I liked European Language Day because we tried Spanish food and learned about a Spanish artist as well as some Spanish dancers.

Lily – 5/6R – It was a good experience for fun and learning. I really enjoyed learning a bit of Spanish.

Forthcoming events

Harvest Monday 2nd October 2023 until Friday 20^th October 2023

In the weeks leading up to half term, we will be celebrating Harvest.

This year we have decided again to help the Black Country Foodbank who collect items to feed families in crisis in our community. Black Country Foodbank helps vulnerable individuals and families in crisis through the provision of 3 days emergency food supplies while a longer-term solution is developed. The services we provide have an enormous impact on the people who use them, giving them an important breathing space at a time of great need.

The Foodbank would like to collect a range of items so that they don’t have an abundance of some items and a shortfall of others. So, we are going to ask each class to donate particular items, so that we should manage to collect a selection across the school. We will be launching the appeal in classroom assemblies next week, but thought you may like advance warning so that perhaps you can add an extra item into your shopping. Please make sure that the foods are “in date”, i.e. within their ‘best before’ dates as the Foodbank can’t give away food that is past its best—before date and we don’t want to waste any donations.

In these uncertain times, many parents are turning to Food banks for help.  I know that they will greatly appreciate your donations.

If you feel able to support this appeal, then please send the item asked from your child’s class on the list below, from Monday 2^nd October 2023 until Friday 20th October 2023

Nursery – Any items from the lists below.

Parents Consultations – Reception to Year 6 - Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th October 2023. Reception – Year 6

We are holding our Parents Meetings this term on Wednesday 18^th and Thursday 19^th October 2023 for Reception -Year 6.

For this parents evening, all appointments should be made online. It is really important that you are logged into the ‘SchoolLife’ app or can access the website via a ‘tablet’ or ‘desktop/laptop’ computer.

(Nurs Porter) Thursday 19^th October 2023 am

(Nurs Steadman) Friday 20^th October 2023 am

Nursery appointments will take place on Thursday 19th October 2023 (Nursery Porter) and Friday 20^th October 2023 (Nursery Steadman) during the morning.

All appointments will be ‘active and live’ to book from Saturday 30^th September 2023 until Sunday 15th October 2023 Nursery – Yr 6.

Each class teacher will have appointment lists indicating the times that they are available. Please note that these will vary slightly for each teacher. This is a valuable opportunity for you to talk with your son or daughter’s class teacher.

Appointments allow a maximum of 9 minutes for each set of parents. If you need additional discussion time you may need to make a further appointment on another day.

When signing up there is an opportunity to write an ‘optional comment’, you may want to add a note if there is something specific to discuss. If the selected dates are not convenient, please put a note in your child’s planner and the member of staff will arrange a mutually convenient time to speak to you.

We would be grateful if parents did not ring the office to make appointments - we simply do not have the capacity to make appointments on behalf of parents.

Monster Mash Fun – Thursday 26th October 2023

We would like to invite your child to a ‘Monster Mash Disco’ on Thursday 26^th October 2023, Year One to Year 6 only, from 4.30pm to 6.00pm.

We will be having a Monster/ghouls/witch/wizard/ghost/pumpkin etc. themed fancy dress evening. Children can have their faces made up but ask that children do not bring accessories with their costumes please.  Children can also come in their own clothes, if they prefer.

There will be a DJ, as well as dancing and party games; a drink and a treat will be provided too.

The cost of the event to include the DJ, provide treats and prizes for the children will be £4.50. This should be paid online via School Money.  Tickets will then be issued to your child.  Children should arrive at the ‘main entrance’ and be collected from their usual exit gates at 6.00pm prompt.  Please be patient, as the process may take a little longer in the dark. If you have more than one child, please collect the eldest sibling first, as they leave more swiftly than younger children.  All children should be collected we will not allow children to walk home unattended.

We hope that you will support this fun event, this is a nice end to the children’s first half term!

If you would like to support this event, please pay online via School Money. Children will be issued with a ticket that they will need to show on entry to the event.

Tickets will be on sale from Monday 2^nd October until Tuesday 24^th October only. You will not be able to purchase tickets at the event. If you have further questions, please write in your child's planner.  Tickets will then be issued nearer the Monster Mash – ready to bring to event on Thursday 26^th October.

Secondary Transfer

Many of our Year 6 children and their parents are busy trying to decide on a local secondary school to help them complete their application forms.  As we know because of Coronavirus many schools are offering virtual tours.  Please contact the local secondary school or check their website for more information.

Can I remind parents that, if you live in Dudley Borough, the closing date for applications this year is 31st October 2023 at 5pm (during the half term holiday). It is really important that this deadline is met; failure to do so will jeopardise your preferences for your child.  Please click on the link below for more information.

https://www.dudley.gov.uk/residents/learning-and-school/school-information/school-admissions/

Primary Reception Intake

In Dudley children start primary school the September after their 4th birthday. The law states all children must start school by the beginning of the term after their 5th birthday.  

Please click on the link below for more information on how to apply:

https://www.dudley.gov.uk/residents/learning-and-school/school-information/school-admissions/primary-reception-intake/

Important dates for Reception Intake 2023

• Online application available - 1 October 2023
• Return date for paper application forms - 15 January 2024 by 5pm*
• Return date for online applications - 15 January 2024 by midnight*
• Decision emails to parents - 16 April 2024 after 2pm
• Decision letters to parents - 16 April 2024 by 2nd class post
• Appeals to be heard - June/July 2024

* Failure to return your form/apply by this date may affect the outcome of your application.

Attendance at a nursery attached to a primary school will not guarantee admission to that particular primary school or give any advantage to the pupil in the admissions process.

Dates for the diary               

Monday 2^nd October – Harvest –

Wednesday 18^th and Thursday 19^th October – Rec – Yr 6 Parents evening.  More details to follow.

Thursday 19^th and Friday 20^th October – Nursery Parent Consultations

Tuesday 24^th October – Blanford Babies – The Hub – 9am-10am

Thursday 26^th October – Fun night -Monster Mash.  4.30pm-6.00pm.  More details to follow.

Friday 27^th October – INSET day

Monday 30^th October – Friday 3^rd November – Half term

Monday 6^th November – Children return to school at the usual time.

Friday 10^th November – Remembrance Day in school.  Children who attend Cubs, Rainbows, Beavers, Brownies, etc can come dressed in their uniform.

Tuesday 14^th November – 3.30pm and 5.15pm.  Year 6 Parent SATs meeting.  More details to follow.

Friday 17^th November – Children In Need.  Children to wear own clothes and donate £1 via School Money.

Tuesday 28^th November – Blanford Babies – The Hub – 9am-10am

Thursday 30^th November – Film Night. 3.15pm-5.15pm.  More details to follow.

Thursday 7^th December – Year 1 - Year 6 Christmas Church Service.  More details to follow.

Friday 8^th December – Christmas Breakfast – Year 1 – Year 6 only.  More details to follow.

Friday 8th December - NSPCC Christmas Jumper Day

Thursday 14^th December – Nursery/Reception Christmas Workshop and Singalong. More

details to follow.

Tuesday 19^th December – Blanford Babies – The Hub – 9am-10am

Tuesday 19^th December – Christmas Lunch

Wednesday 20^th December – Santa’s Grotto.  More details to follow.

Friday 22^nd December – School closes for Christmas Break.

Monday 8^th January 2024 – Children return to school at the usual time.

Enjoy your weekend!

Mrs Crook and Miss Stanton