Who Built The Ark?
November 2023 Autumn Term Issue 5
'The seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart.'
Enjoy a safe, dry and restful weekend,
Mrs B
‘Deeply rooted in our community, growing together we reach for the sky.’
Reflecting on last term's Harvest Generosity
Dinkie
Eloise's design is chosen as our new Kind Communicator symbol
A little of last term's learning...
Our Eco champions show compassion and care for our wildlife
Meet The Team
If you haven't seen the portraits yet...
PTA UPDATE…PTA UPDATE…PTA UPDATE…PTA UPDATE…PTA UPDATE…
What a cake sale wash out! But our amazing Year 6 helpers saved the day!... A huge thank you to Constance and Amelia for staffing the stall and keeping people smiling with a cake on a funny end to term. We raised over £15.00.
Tea Towels and Bags - We now have our final numbers in for our Tea Towels and bags and look forward to receiving our art proofs shortly. Thank You for all your orders! They should arrive in early December.
Scholastic's Travelling Book Fair will be visiting the school from 24th November. Children can browse and buy books with a percentage of all sales then donated to the school for book purchases for our library.
It's an ideal time to stock up on Christmas presents!
The PTA will be hosting and running this event - please help out if you can.
Donations for Christmas raffle prizes - Beginning of December
Tea Towels and Bag distribution - Mid December
A reminder of Emotional Wellbeing and Childhood Neurodiversity Parent and Carer Workshops | For information | All schools
Change of clothes including underwear/socks
Please ensure this includes underwear including socks and pants.
Area SEND inspection for Suffolk Local Area Partnership
Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are visiting your area to inspect the local arrangements for children and young people with special education needs and disabilities (SEND).
The inspectors want to know about the help and support that children and young people with SEND get. You can tell us by filling in a survey below. Your answers are confidential.
Children and young people
If you are a young person with SEND please fill in this survey.
Take the children and young people survey
Parents and carers
If you are a parent or carer of a child or young person with SEND please complete this survey. If you have more than one child with SEND you can use the same link to complete a separate survey for each child.
Take the parent and carer survey
Take the parent and carer survey (Easy Read version)
The surveys will close at 9am on 7 November 2023.
Y5/Y6 residential
Please contact Mrs Allman if you have any concerns about making your payments in time.
After School Club - healthy snacks
Check your laundry!
Many thanks.
Diary Dates
The dates below have been set for the full academic year but are subject to change. Please keep an eye on the newsletter and your email for any date/time changes and for additional events.
Autumn Term (event, year group(s), day, date, time)
Meet The Teacher (parent/carer consultations), All, 31st October to 3rd November, please check Class Dojo for details.
Prospective starters YR 2024 additional session, Pre-school, Thursday, 09/11/23, 1.30-2.30pm
PTA Scholastic Book Fair, All, After school 24th-30th November, details to follow.
Flu immunisations, all, Friday, 01/12/23, details to follow.
Christingle Service in Church, All, Thursday, 07/12/23, 1.15pm
Nativity - NEW DATES - December 18th and 19th.
Spring Term (event, year group(s), day, date, time)
SCC deadline to apply for a 2024 primary school place, Pre-school, Monday, 15/01/24,
National offer day (secondary), Y6, Friday, 01/03/24,
Easter Service in Church, All, Thursday, 28/03/24, 1.15pm
National offer day (primary), Pre-school, Tuesday, 16/04/24,
Residential Y5/Y6 (returning on Friday), Y5/Y6, Wednesday, 22/05/24,
Swimming lessons, Y2-Y6, Day to be confirmed - children will need hat, goggles, swimming costume
Summer Term (event, year group(s), day, date, time)
SET Ixworth Y6 into Y7 Meet the Tutor evening, Y6, Thursday, 13/06/24, 4pm to 7pm
Sports Day , All, Friday, 14/06/24, 1.30pm
Sports Day reserve date (if weather is poor), All, Friday, 21/06/24, 1.30pm
Transition day 1 of 2 SET Ixworth, Y6, Tuesday, 25/6/24,
Transition day 2 of 2 SET Ixworth, Y6, Wednesday, 26/6/24,
Transition Day TCC Day 1 of 2 (and Parents' Evening), Y6, Wednesday, 10/07/24,
Transition Day TCC Day 2 of 2 (and Parents' Evening), Y6, Thursday, 11/07/24,
Leavers' Trip, Y6, Tuesday, 16/07/24,
Leavers' Service at Church , All, Thursday, 18/07/24, 1.15pm
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.
Clubs
Monday - Cooking
Tuesday - Computing
Wednesday - Board Games & Trading Cards
Thursday - Drama & Music
There are always opportunities at ASC for physical play, art and games. Children will be encouraged to take part in the themed activity but can always choose to spend their time on alternative activities if they wish.
This will allow us to free up the space for another pupil.
Don't forget to provide a healthy snack for your child to have at ASC.
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.
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:
Update from the School Nursing team
New Animation Video
An introduction to the school nursing service, the support we provide and how to get in contact. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmrr9zFT6tk
ChatHealth
Young people- If you are aged between 11 and 19, you can confidentially text ChatHealth to ask for help about a range of issues or make an appointment with a school nurse. You can also find out how to access other local services including emotional support or sexual health services.
Parents-If you are a parent or carer of a young person, you can use ChatHealth to seek help, advice or support about a range of issues which maybe affecting you or your child.
Text a School Nurse on 07507 333356. Texts are charged at your standard network rate. The service is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 4:30pm, excluding bank holidays.
Website
Visit the newly updated School Nursing website where you will find lots of information, resources and videos www.suffolk.gov.uk/schoolnursing or via the QR code.
Suffolk School Nursing Service
Health Business Centre
Allington Clinic, 427 Woodbridge Rd, Ipswich, IP4 4ER
Directorate of Health, Wellbeing and Children’s Services
Suffolk County Council
Tel: 0345 607 8866 Email: childrenshealth@suffolk.gov.uk
Easy Fundraising
We’ve registered Bardwell Primary School - Bury St Edmunds with #easyfundraising, which means over 7,000 brands will now donate to us for FREE every time you use #easyfundraising to shop with them. These donations will help SO MUCH, so please sign up to support us – it’s completely FREE and doesn’t take long.
Easy fundraising are currently running their BIG October giveaway, they are giving PTA’s £2 for every person who downloads their app and signs in as a supporter. This is a great way to start off this year's fundraising!
We usually receive a cheque every month for around £25 thanks to your purchases online!
Thank you for supporting Bardwell School PTA
Parking near school
You may also park near the Church porch from where there is a footpath that comes out to School Lane next to the Windmill.
Please ensure that if you park along School Lane you do not block any driveways and avoid the residents' parking spaces at 25-43 School Lane (marked red below, parking in the green spaces is fine).
Communications with school
Emergency contacts
Please also remember to update any other changes, e.g. a new doctor's surgery or a change in contact number for a guardian.
What's On in Bardwell Church - November
Sunday 5th - Communion, 10am
Saturday 11th - Messy Church, 2.30-4.00pm
Sunday 12th - Remembrance Service, 10.50am
Wednesday 15th - Coffee Morning, 10.30am-midday
Sunday 19th - Morning Worship, 10am
Bardwell Church is open every day from 9am to 5pm for private prayer or reflection.
Music Hub information - jazz orchestra and brass band
Suffolk County Music Service has asked us to share details of their Youth Brass Band and Junior Jazz orchestra.
These groups have a season of 12 full rehearsal days over the course of the year and will get the chance to work with our professional tutors and special guest musicians on high level Big Band and Brass Band repertoire.
- Suffolk Youth Brass Band is aimed at musicians of grade 4 standard and above.
- Suffolk Youth Jazz Orchestra is aimed at musicians of grade 5 standard and above.
Both groups are for musicians aged 21 and under.
These ensembles will provide a great opportunity for young musicians to take their musical skills to another level and make music with like-minded people and establish new friends.
There will be a performance opportunity in February 2024 for both groups along with workshop opportunities with professional guest musicians towards the end of the season.
One of our SYJO members from last season quoted ‘I have had a brilliant year with SYJO. I have met and played with some fantastic musicians. This has offered me unique opportunities and I have gained so much more self-confidence’
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.
Online Safety Newsletter - November 2023
This month's issue covers Roblox and TikTok, amongst other topics. More details inside the November 2023 Knowsley Online Safety Newsletter (Word format) for Bardwell School.
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