October 2022 Half Term Newsletter
Article 3
All adults should do what is best for you. When adults make decisions, they should think about how their decisions will affect children.
What a half term it has been! It is not just that the weather has been beautifully autumnal; school has just been a brilliant place to be. We have loved every minute of it!
It has not just been about our wonderful teachers and our articulate, inquisitive, highly entertaining pupils: it has also been about having a sense of community again. It has been fantastic to welcome so many parents; family members and guests from the local area into school to celebrate together: Macmillan Coffee Morning, Grandparents in Year 1, Year 5/6MB assembly, Parents’ Evenings and visiting the library, to name a few. There is so much more to come in the next half of term too!
Macmillan Coffee Morning
Thank you, thank you, thank you! We had an absolutely fantastic response to our Macmillan Coffee Morning on Friday 30th September - raising a staggering £1095.43! Thank you to all those who made this possible—to those parents who donated so many cakes and to everyone who supported by attending the coffee morning or cake sale. We appreciated your support and I know the money will be well used by Macmillan. Thank you to Mr Baker and ‘singing club’ for providing the music and entertainment.
School Council/RRSA Elections 2022
Article 12: Every child has the right to have their say.
Following a tense week of speeches, posters and voting, I am pleased to announce the following successful candidates for this year's School Council and RRSA Champions.
Reception NP:
School Councillor - Isla Deputy - Oliver
RRSA Champion - Archie Deputy - Lillia
Reception LK:
School Councillor - Ruby Deputy - George
RRSA Champion - Manahal Deputy - Finnley
Year 1JB:
School Councillor - Leah Deputy - Shaniya
RRSA Champion - Orla Deputy - Alistair
Year 1MC:
School Councillor - George Deputy - Scarlett
RRSA Champion - Oliver Deputy - Megan
Year 2JC:
School Councillor - Kayla Deputy - Georgia
RRSA Champion - Isabella Deputy - Frankie
Year 2BW:
School Councillor - Ella-Rose Deputy - Evie
RRSA Champion - Jacob Deputy - Ashleigh
Year 3/4MJ:
School Councillor - Cole Deputy - Sophie
RRSA Champion - Luca Deputy - Ava
Year 3/4JC:
School Councillor - Samuel Deputy - Daniel
RRSA Champion - Maisie Deputy - Ruby
Year 3/4MC:
School Councillor - Rosie Deputy - Celina
RRSA Champion - Lucas Deputy - Eesha
Year 5/6MB:
School Councillor - Liam Deputy - Freya
RRSA Champion - Jaiya Deputy - Frankie
Year 5/6AR:
School Councillor - Heather Deputy - Aurora
RRSA Champion - Harry Deputy - Autumn
Year 5/6HO:
School Councillor - Oliver Deputy - Alexandra
RRSA Champion - Merryn Deputy - Lily-Mae
I am thoroughly looking forward to working with these children and finding out their ideas.
Thank you for your continued support as always, Mrs. Cartwright (School Council/RRSA Lead)
Congratulations!
Miss Jordan had a little girl in the early hour of Thursday 29th September. She weighed 7lb. They're both doing great, her name is Aurelia!
Miss Dorricott had a baby boy on Wednesday 19th October. He weighed 9lb 2oz. They are both well, his name is Teddy.
I'm sure you're all delighted, and wish them all the best for the future.
Peer Supporters
Everybody benefits from our peer support scheme:
- Schools benefit from an additional layer of support from trained peer supporters who promote a positive culture of mutual respect and harmony. Many schools report that their peer support scheme has reduced instances of bullying and conflict.
- The peer supporters benefit by learning valuable skills including active listening, empathy and communication skills. This can help them to build self-confidence, a sense of responsibility and be a positive role model to other children.
- The peers benefit from increased access to sources of help and advice outside of their friendship groups, often from older children who are the trained peer supporters, who they might not otherwise have contact with. Older children are seen as having recently ‘walked their walk’ and more likely to understand their concerns.
Congratulations to the following Year 6 children, who are now qualified Peer Supporters working in school:
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Danny-Lee |
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Seth |
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Olivia D |
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Gracie |
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Harrison |
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Jack J |
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Leonie |
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Sienna |
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Olivia |
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Isabel |
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Thomas |
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Krishna |
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Lily-Mae |
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Lily-May |
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Jack S |
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Leo |
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Jaiya |
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Elissa |
Blanford Mere Children's Rights Annual Conference 2022
Article 12 ~ Every child has the right to express their opinion.
On Friday 7th October, child representatives from Blanford Mere Primary School and The Glynne came together to share their thoughts and ideas on children's rights.
The afternoon began with guest speaker local MP, Mike Wood, followed by a 'Wants or Needs' activity. Mike spent a few minutes chatting to the children about the task and how they had made their decisions. Following light refreshments, the children worked together to complete a carousel of activities teaching them about duty bearers, rights respecting classrooms, the war crisis in Ukraine and testing their knowledge in an RRSA quiz.
Here's what some of the pupils had to say about the event:
'I thought this event was going to be good, but not this good!'
'It was a good afternoon. We enjoyed meeting new people and discussing how important the rights of a child are.'
'I have enjoyed learning about the different topics and it was interesting to hear different opinions.'
'I liked working with children from another school.'
'It was a pleasure to meet Mike Wood and hear all about his role in our community.'
Thank you for your continued support as always,
Mrs. Cartwright (PSHE/RSE/School Council/RRSA Lead)
Grandparents Year 1
In Year 1 we had an exciting afternoon as the children's Grandparents came to visit! We have been looking into the 1980s era and comparing life then to life now. The children's Grandparents shared a story with their grandchild, and all had a fabulous time. Thank you, Grandparents, for coming and sharing story-time with us.
Parents evening - Week beginning 10th October 2022
Thank you to those parents who attended Parents evening; it was great to have parents back in school and an opportunity for you to look at your child’s books. After talking with your child’s class teacher, I’m sure that you are fully informed of your child’s progress over the past half term and are clear about their targets to help them progress further. If you do have any concerns or comments regarding your child, please make a note in your child’s planner and staff will try to alleviate any concerns that you may have. Staff will also use this as their communication with home – so please check regularly. If you did not make an appointment to talk with your child’s teacher – please make a note in your child’s planner and they will call you at a convenient time. It is very important to us that home and school work together to support your child.
Year 5/6MB Class assembly
Thank you to Mr Baker and Yr 5/6MB for holding our first class assembly this term. The children performed and sang for parents and their families about WW2 – the children were amazing and we know that many parents enjoyed the live performance! Well done.
Monster Mash – Fun Night Yr 1– Year 6.
Thank you for supporting this event – it was a great way to finish the half term. The children had an amazing time; they fully embraced the theme and enjoyed a ghoulish time! The children looked great in their outfits!
Attendance Winners October
Well done to Yr 2JC class, who won the attendance award for October with an amazing 99.03% attendance! They can wear their own clothes to school on Friday 4th November!
Harvest Appeal
Thank you to all the families who supported the Harvest Appeal for Black Country Food Bank. So many families in the community will appreciate this.
Poppy Appeal 2022
We will be supporting the ‘Poppy Appeal again this year by selling poppy’s and other related goods such as bracelets, key rings, rulers, pencils etc (priced at either 50p, £1 or £1.50). Mrs Needle will bring the goods around to classes for the children to purchase.
Reminders
Hairstyles:
A reminder that it is not suitable for children to come to school with shaven heads, tramlines or coloured hair. Please remind your children of the rules. Children who have long hair must tie it up.
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. 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 2022 (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:
Important dates for Reception Intake 2023
- Online application available - 1 October 2022
- Return date for paper application forms - 15 January 2023 by 5pm*
- Return date for online applications - 15 January 2023 by midnight*
- Decision emails to parents - 17 April 2023 after 2pm
- Decision letters to parents - 17 April 2023 by 2nd class post
- Appeals to be heard - June/July 2023
* 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.
Parking around the school site
We know that we have mentioned this in other newsletters. We ask that parents are considerate of our neighbours and the local community by - not parking across driveways, not turning around on resident’s driveways or parking on the grass verges – blocking the public footpath. We would greatly appreciate your co-operation with this. We have advised residents to write down the make/model of the vehicle and registration number and ring 101 to report this issue to the Police to take action. To avoid this, we would be very grateful if you would support us with this issue.
Please click on the link below for the Highway Code Rules. Thank you!
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/waiting-and-parking-238-to-252
Forthcoming Dates
- Fri 21st Oct - Inset Day
- Mon 24th Oct - Fri 28th Oct Half Term Holiday
- Monday 31st October 2022. Back to school – All children from Years 1 -6 to wear winter uniform. White shirt/tie, jumper/cardigan, grey trousers/skirt/pinafore (NOT BLACK). Black/plain/not patterned or fashion boots or shoes and NOT trainers please.
- Mon 7th Nov – Flu vaccinations
- Tues 8th Nov – 3.25pm 0r 5.30pm Yr 6 Parent SATs Meeting – sign up on the school website – Forms tab
- W/C Mon 14th Nov – Anti-bullying week.
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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 14th November 2022.
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/Odd socks day
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Fri 18th Nov – Children in Need – more details to follow
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Fri 16th Dec -End of Term
Thank you
Mrs Crook has thoroughly enjoyed meeting the wonderful children, parents and staff this half term – she has felt extremely welcomed and looks forward to the many exciting learning opportunities over the forthcoming year!
We would both like to wish you a wonderful half term and a huge thanks for your continued support.
Best wishes
Mrs Crook and Miss Stanton
