Weekly Newsletter
Friday 1st March 2024
Updates & info
Open classrooms Monday 4 March You are welcome to come along before the end of the day on Monday (from 2:45pm) and see your child(ren) in their classroom with their work to share. Next half term we will be having our parent-teacher consultations to share progress and next steps for children: this is a chance to pop in and see what is happening in classes on an everyday basis.
Safeguarding concern: JusTalk We have been made aware of some children using the JusTalk app for video calls, calls and messaging. This app is not secure for children to use: there is a risk of contact by strangers through the app, who have been able to share inappropriate and distressing content. Please check your child's phone if they are using this app: if you see anything that is a concern this should be reported directly to the Police using this link https://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/partners/partner-services/community-partner-intelligence/community-partnership-intelligence/
Even if you do not see anything that worries you, we would recommend deleting the app.
Year 5 families: Y6 residential October 2024 Please remember to check on Parentpay and pay the deposit if you wish your child to attend. Once the deposit is paid we will confirm numbers with the centre and they may not be able to make last minute changes. If you would like to talk to someone about the visit or the payments, please contact us.
World Book Day Thursday 7 March This will be a circus themed day, with all classes working on a key book. Children can come to school in a circus-themed outfit (as imaginative as you like!) or their school uniform. If you would like to make a donation, we will have some buckets/bowls around school.
Contacting school Please can we remind you that all messages about absence, medicine, appointments & changes to after school picks ups must come through the school office either by phone 01757 704308 or email admin@bp.starmat.uk. Messages through Dojo don't work if a member of staff is absent, and also staff do not have their phones with them in the classrooms while they are working with the children so they can't always pick them up.
Term dates 2023-24 & 2024-25 The term dates for this year and next year are on the school website at https://brayton-cofe-primary-school.secure-primarysite.net/term-dates/
From the Parish Council We are hoping to arrange a Village Litter pick shortly, but in the meantime I wonder if you would like to advertise the ‘Litter Lotto’ that she has sent me details of (below)
Litter Lotto is a free downloadable app, available on apple & android. The idea is to take pictures of litter via the app, rather than dropping it, and this photo can earn you Litter Lotto coins. You can then spend these coins entering draws to win up a grand and various vouchers/prizes.
https://mcusercontent.com/f8a83aab5baaa8184879c76ff/images/7b07b228-3fb8-90ba-0be0-d0e54d755e2e.png
From North Yorkshire Council I write to advise you that the Council has today commenced a consultation on proposed changes to the Council’s Home to School Travel Policy.
The necessary information can be found here on the Council’s website: https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/your-council/consultations-and-engagement/current-consultations/home-school-travel-policy-consultation , together with an online survey form for your responses to the consultation and details of engagement events that will be held during the course of the consultation period.
The consultation closing date is Friday 12 April.
Jewellery No necklaces, bracelets, rings or other jewellery should be worn to school. If your child has earrings, these must be removed for PE sessions, or earrings can be left at home on PE days. Earrings for school should be small stud types so they don't get caught and cause any injuries.
Free School Meals
Free school meals: save up to £450 a year With so much in the news about the cost of living and now energy prices going up, you can check whether your child could be eligible for a free school meal, whatever school year they are in. All the information is on the NYCC website at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/free-school-meals Some of this information may be out of date, especially around eligibility, so please get in touch if you are unsure.
If you would like any advice or support with this, please contact the school office. We treat these matters with complete confidentiality and are always happy to help if needed.
Allyson Buckton (Headteacher) & Mel Walmsley (Deputy Headteacher)
Whole School Attendance
Attendance took a dip last week to below national figures. We understand that children get tired at the end of the week and this can easily come across as feeling unwell, or needing more sleep, but they really need to be in school for their educational, social and emotional development.
Please remember, we will always contact you if your child is unwell during the day, so please make sure they are here as much as possible. With your help we made massive improvements in attendance over last year and this is now better across school than it has been in a very long time!
We would also remind you that, according to the new guidance for schools, ANY leave for holidays should be unauthorised: there is no longer the 'up to 5 days/10 sessions' which can be authorised at the Headteacher's discretion. Last year we put forward 38 requests for Fixed Penalty Notices to be issued, which the Local Authority have advised us that they have actioned.
DIARY DATES
Monday 4 March - Open classrooms 2:45-3:15pm
Thursday 7 March - World Book Day
Thursday 21 March - School closes for Easter
Friday 22 March - STAR MAT training day (school closed to children)
Monday 8 April - School opens
Monday 6 May - May Day Bank Holiday
Thursday 23 May - School closes for half term
Friday 24 May - Training day (school closed to children)
Monday 3 June - School opens
Friday 19 July - School closes for summer
Monday 22 July - Training day (school closed to children)
Happy Birthdays!
Many many many many happy returns for all the birthdays this week...
Brody P
Jan S
George R
Alfie Y
Oliver P
Sienna B
Eli S
This week's superstars!
Stars - Mya C
Moon - Ella B
Mercury - Henry P
Venus - Ada P-H
Galaxy - Reuben H
Earth - Luca G
Mars - Tilly T
Saturn - Arabella H
Jupiter - Ada-Rose E
Neptune - Noah S
Meteor - Emily W
Asteroid - Aniela N
Pluto - Agnes H
Nebular - Amelia S
Constellation - Carmen M