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Chestnut, Willow and Ivy!
15th September 2023
Autumn Term - issue 2
We have new class names!
It's become a tradition at Bardwell to let the children choose their own class names at the beginning of a new year. Armed with our tree survey, each class sets off to identify the trees within our grounds to see if they have a connection with a particular species. After much hugging, climbing, serious debate and this year, advice from an Elf King (?!?), we proudly present; Chestnut Class (Y5/6) Willow Class (Y2,3,4) and Ivy Class (YR/Y1) We will shortly be reopening our Dojo class pages so that you can see what's happening within each classroom. Look out for logins in your child's book bag.
The Bardwell Angels
Mich B x
Attendance
Last year our overall school attendance was exceptional - at 96.4% we were in the top 5% of schools nationally. Let's see if we can do even better this year!
We monitor attendance all the time and will be in touch with individual families as per Section 6 of the Tilian Attendance Policy
SCC guidance
Minibus access to main gate
- the minibus has to drop off and pick up children at the gate entrance to meet a member of staff for handover
- in the morning they drop off between 8.30-8.35am and leave promptly at 8.35am
- in the afternoon, they may wait along School Lane, then pick up promptly at 3.30pm.
The taxi takes priority for access at the gate during these times, so we ask that all other families are aware of this and time their entrance to / exit from school accordingly.
The school premises open at 8.35am to all pupils. Last week we have opened the gate earlier to allow newer families to become accustomed to the pick up and drop off routine. From now on, the main gate will be closed until 8.35am to allow for the taxi handover.
Bardwell Charities - financial aid
We have been asked by one of the trustees of the Bardwell Charities fund to encourage our families to apply for financial support. They've said,
"There is money available whether for trips, music lessons, uniform or other need.
Please DO encourage parents/carers to apply."
You might, for example, wish to request some help with the Y5/Y6 residential, or with summer holiday programme activities. All you need to do is write a short email explaining:
- that you are resident in and/or have a pupil educated in Bardwell
- what the need is and why it is important for your family/child.
Send your email to bardwellcharities@btinternet.com
If you would like any help with your request, please ask Mrs Allman who is happy to help and will keep all information you share with her confidential.
To find out more, please visit our webpage at:
Parent/carer workshops
The Psychology in Schools team (part of Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust) are providing a suite of workshops with a variety of topics including, supporting young people with anxiety, low mood and self-harm to name a few.
Supporting Young People With Anxiety - Oct to Dec workshops.
Supporting Young People's Mental Health - Sept to Dec workshops
The Wellbeing Under 18’s team then have a series of follow on sessions for parents focussed on supporting building confidence and managing anxiety. The Psychology in Schools team are also offering a series of workshops focussing on neurodiversity.
These sessions are free to attend.
Class Parents for PTA
This will help our wonderful PTA committee in organising and delivering fundraising events for our school. If you would like to nominate yourself, please let the class teacher know.
Chestnut Class' new IT Lab and Base Camp - thank you PTA
Willow Class' beautiful new rug - thank you PTA
Bardwell PTA update
What a wonderful day the carnival was - so much fun was had by all. The PTA raised over £150 with the raffle, refreshments and stall. Thank you to all those that helped on the day- your help is always greatly appreciated. The children ran a variety of entrepreneurial stalls - all working so hard and they made a fantastic £130! Well Done Bardwell!
Watch this space…… PTA EVENTS……Watch this space…… PTA EVENTS……Watch this space...
Watch out for our Afternoon Tea - Come along for scones with Jam and Cream, and grab yourself a tea or a coffee and find out what the PTA does as Bardwell! Look out for the poster - Monday 25th September from 2:30 pm in the School Hall. Please let the office know if you wish to attend so we can cater for correct numbers.
Bags2School- look for the bag and information in your child’s book bag- recycle your old unwanted clothes and raise money for the school. Please bring in Your bag from the week beginning 25th September and by the latest 9 am on Thursday 28th September.
Uniform Swap Shop - We have had some Age 9-10 purple Bardwell school jumpers kindly donated by one of our leavers from last year. This means we can now trial our ‘Swap Shop’. If you have a smaller sized school jumper still in good condition and would like to swap for this size - please bring it along on a Monday from 3:00-3:15 in the school hall, this will be on a first come, first served basis as we have a very limited number of jumpers available to swap.
The PTA work hard to raise funds for to enhance the children’s learning. We contribute towards school trips, improvements in the classroom environment and special one-off purchases. Look at this photo of our new rug in Willow classroom and the new ICT suite.
The PTA are looking for class representatives to help at events and pass information on to classes. Please come and talk to a member of the PTA if you would like to do this.
Thank you for supporting Bardwell school PTA.
Dates for your diary:
Afternoon tea - Monday 25th September 2:30 pm
Bags2School - please bring in Your bag by Thursday 28th September 9am
Bags 2 School
Are you having a clear out? Bardwell School Are collecting second hand good quality clothing that can be re-used and collected by Bags2School.
They collect adult and children's clothing, paired shoes, hats, belts, handbags, soft toys, bedding, curtains and Towels.
They DO NOT accept Duvets, Pillows or Cushions, or school or work uniforms.
Please bring your bag (any type) of secondhand clothing to Bardwell School between Monday 25th - Thursday 28th ( by 9 am each day)
Thank you for supporting Bardwell School PTA
Wednesday 27th September - individual and sibling photographs
Afterwards, we will circulate details of how to buy your photographic items.
Amelia in Paris
If your child takes part in an activity out of school that you'd like to share, please send photos to the main school email bardwell@tilian.org.uk with a short explanation.
Wasps in the holly hedge
Each year, at around this time, wasps start to forage for food in the hedges around school. They are currently active in the holly/ivy hedge at the front of the school so please be aware of this if you park in that area.
There is no nest, so our pest control contractor is unable to remove them. When the weather gets cold, they will disappear.
Looking neater
The children of Ivy Class are so pleased with the network of mown paths in the Daisy Meadow leading to 'hidden' play areas. Here are some of the Reception pupils in the freshly mown meadow.
Taster sessions for next year's Reception pupils
These will be outdoor sessions where parents/carers and children join the YR class for an hour to find out what Bardwell School is like.
Friday 20th October, 1.30-2.30pm
Thursday 2nd November, 1.30-2.30pm
To book, please phone or email the school.
Healthwatch Suffolk survey - asthma care
Dear parents, carers and guardians,
We are writing to pass on a message from Healthwatch Suffolk (your local health and social care champion) because it is working with the NHS in Suffolk to shape and improve asthma care for children and young people. If you have a child with asthma, this is an important opportunity for you to share ideas about the support that currently works well for you, your child, and your family. You can also help the NHS to learn more about what could be improved about local services, and how children and young people could be better supported to manage their asthma.
How you can take part
Please take a few moments to complete the short survey (hosted by Healthwatch Essex) on https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/HealthwatchAsthmaCareCYP/. It is for parents and carers of children with asthma, but it can also be completed by young people with asthma aged 11 and above.
The survey is anonymous and will not ask for your name or contact details, or for the name of your child. Help to complete the survey is available from Healthwatch Suffolk on freephone 0800 448 8234 (you will not be charged for the call). Please take part if you can.
This is an important opportunity to shape, influence and improve support for children and families across the county. The survey will close at the end of September 2023. Finding help and support for children’s asthma care For more information about the project, please visit https://healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk/cypasthma/.
Suffolk Owl Sanctuary - we're in with a chance of a prize!
Excitingly, we are in their top 10:
Sproughton CofE Primary
Stutton CofE Primary School
Nacton CE Primary School
Trimley St Martin Primary School
Rushmere Hall Primary School
Great Finborough CEVC Primary School
Bardwell Primary School
Hoxne St Edmunds Primary School
Broke Hall Community Primary School
Bacton Primary School
If you still have your voucher and you use it before 18th September (this weekend), we might even win!
Emergency contacts
Active School Uniform - colourful polo shirts
Bardwell is an inclusive school where children are treated with equality and their individuality celebrated. Our school’s active uniform plays a key role in promoting pride, self-confidence, and a feeling of belonging. We strongly believe that this contributes to the children's well being, removing the additional pressures of deciding what to wear and the added stress of meeting the expectations of peers. In an ever increasing world of social pressure for young people, our uniform removes the points of difference between students and provides a greater focus on school based activities and learning. Therefore, in the interests of equality;
● Active uniforms should be worn at all times
● Spare clothes should be our active uniform NOT home clothes
● Hairstyles must not attract undue attention
● No make-up
● Piercings and jewellery should be discreet and safe to wear, e.g. single studs in ears.
Your child can wear any one of the six Cog colours (red, royal blue, navy blue, green, yellow, purple) as their polo shirt, OR a white one. These are the only acceptable colours for the polo shirt. Please note that the polo shirts do NOT need to have the Bardwell logo on but the sweatshirts MUST.
Colourful polo shirts are available in the school uniform ranges of all the major supermarkets. Logo'd polo shirts (white) and sweatshirts (all colours) are available only from our uniform supplier, Gooddies.
As always, children are also welcome to wear gingham dresses, in any of the six Cog colours, during any term.
Thank you,
Mrs Boyd
Hats and sunscreen
As the sunny, hot weather continues, please ensure your child has a hat or cap in school to wear during OPAL. We would also advise that you apply a high factor 'once a day' sunscreen at home each morning before school. We are unable to apply sunscreen to children during the day.
Allergy and asthma plans
Medication is held by the class teacher and expiry dates can be checked with them.
Please remember that we need this information to help keep your child well in school.
Mrs Allman
Diary Dates & a look ahead
4th - 5th October - Bikeability cycle training for Y5. Please ensure your child can access and ride a roadworthy bike and has a helmet, further details will be sent out soon.
Wednesday 27th September - individual and sibling photographs. Please ensure your child is wearing their logo'd sweatshirt.
22nd-24th May 2024 - Y5/Y6 residential, PGL Bawdsey Manor. Balance payments now live on Arbor.
Our Term Dates for the next academic year are now available - these are also on the school calendar on the website and on Parents & Carers>Term Dates page. Please ask the office staff if you would like a paper copy.
In the next issue we hope to circulate a list of event dates for most of the academic year so please look out for that.
Bikeability - October 2023 - Y5
Children will need a roadworthy, age suitable bike and a helmet. The organisers state:
Please note the course is designed to improve cycle control and your child should be encouraged to practice beforehand in a safe environment, especially signalling. We do not teach your child to ride a bike, we teach them how to ride safely.
To give the riders the best chance at achieving the outcomes of the course, please help them to practice riding smoothly, stopping using brakes (not feet!), and get them to ride whilst taking one hand off the handlebars. These things will greatly enhance their ability to ride at the required level. If you child has any issues that mean they cannot use both brakes, or would interfere with their riding ability, please let us know in advance of the course. There are often suggestions that we can make to assist, including the potential for the bicycle to be modified.
If you would like your child to participate, but do not have a suitable size bike or helmet, please ask Mrs Box or Mrs Allman who can find out if anyone can loan one to you.
Online Safety Newsletter - September 2023
This month's issue covers photo sharing and Threads amongst other topics. More details inside the September 2023 Knowsley Online Safety Newsletter (Word format; pdf format) for Bardwell School.
School's Out October Half Term Activities
[Circulating on behalf of the provider]
We hope you had a great Summer Holiday and a wonderful start to the academic year. School’s Out Activities are back in 2023, once again providing your school families with exciting, trusted and reliable school holiday childcare for kids aged 4- 16 yrs across Suffolk and Essex.
Before that we kick off with October Half Term Camps: Mon 23rd - Fri 27th October 2023 in nearby towns of Ipswich, Woodbridge and Colchester, Bury St Edmunds and Shenfield, Brentwood. With Halloween themes, activities and engaging ways to entertain children over the half term break, we can’t wait to welcome returning children along with newcomers who previously haven’t visited our camps.
Is My Child Too Ill for School? - NHS advice
We are very keen to have children attending school if they are well enough. Please have a look at this NHS advice if you are unsure.
If your child is ill, you must phone into the school before 9am, giving a reason for the absence ('unwell' is not sufficient), leave a voicemail if you need to. Please do not email in for absence.
We recommend that you are familiar with the Tilian Attendance Policy.
Allergy Awareness
We are an allergy aware school and would like to remind all families that there may be pupils in school with a peanut allergy. If a child with a peanut allergy comes into contact with peanuts, or with a pupil who has eaten peanuts, then this could lead to an anaphylactic reaction. Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction to a trigger such as an allergy.
Because of this the school cannot accept products containing peanuts to be provided in lunch boxes or for eating at other times.
SCC information for Cost of Living Support
Suffolk County Council has asked us to share with families their updated 'Cost Of Living Support' information.
Free School Meals - could you be eligible?
Your child may be eligible for free school meals throughout primary school. This could save you approximately £484 per year.
To check or apply online, visit: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/children-families-and-learning/schools/school-meals-uniforms-and-trips/apply-for-free-school-meals/
Check if you're eligible
Your child will get free school meals if you receive any of the following:
Income Support
Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit but no element of Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenues & Customs) that does not exceed £16,190
If you are supported under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Working Tax Credit during the four-week period immediately after your employment finishes or after you start to work fewer hours per week
Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400 (£616.67 per month), as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods).
To check if your child is eligible, apply online for an immediate response or call 01473 260989.
We encourage you to apply, because the school receives additional funding (Pupil Premium) for all children on income-related Free School Meals.
About Us
Email: bardwell@tilian.org.uk
Website: https://www.bardwell.org.uk/
Location: School Lane, Bardwell, Bury Saint Edmunds IP31 1AD, UK
Phone: 01359 250854
Twitter: @BardwellPrimary