Bolton School Primary Division

Junior Boys’ School

Wednesday 15th February

We have almost reached the end of another busy half term and started this week with more musical talent on display. On Monday and Tuesday, many boys performed to their peers and parents in our annual Music Festival. The boys were grouped by instrument and, at any point over the two days, we could hear the sounds of piano, drums, guitar, violin, cello, clarinet, recorder, singing and even saxophone! It was a wonderful event and a chance for our hardworking boys (and their teachers) to demonstrate the progress they have made to small, intimate audiences.

To conclude, at the end of the two days, our Ensemble Groups showcased some rousing performances. Our independent adjudicator, Mr Andrew Pettitt, gave excellent feedback to the boys and I am sure they will take this into consideration as they continue their musical journeys. I would like to give a big thank you to all those who attended, our visiting music teachers and Miss Ormerod for her hard work in putting together not just this event, but also the recent Year 5 concert and the Young Voices event. Finally, well done to the boys for their efforts in preparing and conquering nerves to entertain their peers and families!

As we approach half term, it is noticeable that some boys are looking slightly dishevelled. Some items of uniform are looking a bit more snug (shirts are unable to be tucked in because of how short they are) and hair is covering both eyes and ears - two key body parts in the learning process! Please try to visit the barber with your son and review uniform over the holiday . First impressions count and we want the boys to take pride in their appearance, as well as in all that they do!

Boys are invited to come to school dressed as any character from fiction, non-fiction or poetry to celebrate World Book Day on Thursday 2nd March. The day will be lots of fun, with special assemblies, competitions, quizzes, book readings and online visits from authors.

Please find linked here all the details of activities which will be taking place at KidZone next week. Book early to avoid disappointment !

We wish all our community a fantastic and safe half term holiday and hope everyone comes back ready and raring to go for the incredibly busy run up to the Easter holidays!

SK

Contacting the School Office

Park Road, BOLTON, BL1 4RD. t: (01204) 434735 e: parkroad@boltonschool.org.uk www.boltonschool.org

The School Office is open from 8.15 am 4.15 pm during term time. Please note that any texts sent by the Office cannot be replied to.

Please direct all enquiries to parkroad@boltonschool.org and always include your son’s first name and surname, as well as his form. Please note that ParkRoadOffice email is no longer monitored.

If your son is going to be absent from School, whether he be off sick or attending dental, medical or any other appointment, please email parkroad@boltonschool.org so that the registers may be marked accordingly. Please use this email address for all day-to-day enquiries relating to school matters to ensure that your enquiry may be dealt with in a timely manner.

For all coach / transport enquiries: Logistics Co-ordinator: Mr B. Gould, t: (01204) 434711, e: bdmgould@boltonschool.org.uk

Tuesday 28th February

RETURN TO SCHOOL

Chess, 4-5pm

Wednesday 1st March

Y3/4 Masterclass, Brandwood Prep, all day

U11 International Rugby Festival, Rossall, all day

Swim Development Club (by invitation), 4-5pm Cubs, 6.30pm

Thursday 2nd March

World Book Day

Tom Palmer, online author session, 10am

WBD Online, 11am Jujitsu, 4-5.30pm LAMDA, 4-5pm Cubs, 6.30pm

Friday 3rd March

CBBC Competition Winners’ Trip, Media City, morning Visit & Fixtures with Edinburgh Academy

After School Hockey, 4-5pm, LP

Water Polo, 4-5pm

Sports Round Up Swimming Success Hockey

This week a group of Y3/4 boys and girls took part in the Bolton Schools’ Hockey Festival.

For most of our young players, this was their first time playing hockey. They enjoyed a quick skills session at the beginning of the event and quickly got the hang of the basics of the game which they were then able to use during a series of short games.

It was lovely to see how much everyone progressed in such a short space of time and they all left inspired to pick up a hockey stick again in the near future.

As it was a festival, no official count of match scores was kept, However, it was good to see that the boys drew all of their games, while the girls drew two and won two.

Well done to all involved. SF

Congratulations to Andrew Critchley in 4B, who undertook a marathon swim last week.

Andrew told us, “It took a lot of hard work but I managed to pull through.” He swam 2km (80 lengths) in just one hour and three minutes at Turton Pool !

The picture is of Andrew and his swimming teacher, Sam.

Well done on this incredible achievement, Andrew !

Well done too, to Oscar Bromwell in 5C, who recently qualified to compete at the Lancashire County Swimming Championships held in Liverpool.

He came 7th in his age group for 50m Butterfly.

Well done, Oscar !

Music Festival 2023

Our annual Music Festival took place this week with a staggering 111 individual entries. Our adjudicator, Mr Andrew Pettitt, gave some great feedback to each performer and was impressed by the level of music happening in school.

Every single boy should be proud of his performance and it has been a pleasure to hear them all play. The festival culminated in the Ensembles class, followed by the presentation of Best Individual Performance, which was won by Tyler Humphreys, in Year 6, for his “magical and moving” rendition of “Moonbeams” on the piano. A list of all the winners can be found linked here.

Many thanks to all the individual teachers for their hard work preparing the boys and a huge well done to every single performer. You were all amazing! HJO

DT Recycled Art Project

If you have an old, wooden skateboard at home (broken or otherwise!), please do bring it to the School Office, to be passed on to Mr Winstanley, who will be undertaking an up-cycling project this half term. AW

Big Battery Hunt

The Big Battery Hunt is a nationwide programme to help educate and inspire young people to recycle more used batteries. Please send your unwanted batteries to school, where we will store them and then take them to our local supermarket for recycling. There are great prizes to be won for school including £3500 towards outdoor and garden equipment. SL

Visits to Patterdale Hall Important Dates for your diary

Please note the date of your son’s visit to Patterdale Hall this year :

Year 3: Thursday 4th to Friday 5th May

Year 4: Monday 24th to Wednesday 26th April

Year 5: Wednesday 26th April to Friday 28th April

Year 6: Tuesday 9th to Friday 12th May

All visits are compulsory as they form part of your son’s curriculum. An information evening for Year 3 and Year 4 parents and parents of boys new to school this academic year will take place at 7pm on Thursday 23rd March more details will follow nearer the time, as well as a list of kit your son will need for his trip.

Musical Petting Zoo Lytham Library Saturday 18th February

This Saturday, Lancashire Music Service is holding a musical petting zoo, where children can try out a range of instruments at Lytham Library. Please see the following link for more details: https://events.lancashire.gov.uk/search/event_details.asp?

eventid=13624&fbclid=IwAR2TEwaMVJuOz24PHPiSdbzF_VhwPcfYgErGkZ1WkmDKgyi_sMmL_qOGT2c

Share a Story—Film Competition

Calling all roving reporters!

Mrs Brisk is asking for boys to produce a 30 second video as part of preparations for World Book Day, which takes place on Thursday 2nd March. There is the very exciting opportunity for boys to win a trip to the CBBC Studios, at Media City, to see real- life reporters at Newsround!

If you would like to enter, you need to upload a 30 second video filmed creatively, to share a book that you like, or perhaps that is special to you or brings you joy you can choose your reasons!

Share a story and inspire another pupil or teacher at Park Road to read it too. Entries must be uploaded to Showbie Whole School Folder / CBBC Newsround Trip by 4pm on Friday 17th February, when we break up for half term. MLB

February Geography Mission

Return of … read and review a book with a geographical theme!

Choose a book, which has a geographical theme. There are some examples on this poster alongside lots of books in the library e.g. books by Matt Dickinson!

During February, read the book and then write roughly an A4 page review

Your review should include: a description of the book and the author; discuss what you liked about the book; what would you like to know more about after reading the book?; consider whether it links to your current geography lessons.

How to submit your creative book review: email LJG@boltonschool.org.uk with your submission by 9am on Tuesday 28th February or upload it to the Whole School Showbie class/Geography Competitions/February Mission

PRIZES FOR THE WINNERS! WHO CAN CREATE THE MOST GEOGRAPHICAL AND CREATIVE BOOK REVIEW ?

Year 6 Trip to York—October Half Term

If your Year 5 son has expressed an interest in the Year 6 trip to York in October half term and you have not yet completed the Google Form below to confirm his place, please complete it before the deadline of 9am on Friday 3rd March : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8yZxMmPSWBYb_Lb-0BgXO6wA1wgUx6NHxs25RX_8NniduQ/ viewform?usp=pp_url

Forgotten Kit

Just a reminder that if your son forgets any books, homework, sport, PE or swimming kit, etc., please do not make the journey to school to drop it off for him.

Having to explain to his teachers will help him to problem solve for himself and, we hope, not make the same mistake again! Rest assured, we shall always lend equipment to him to enable him to participate in his lessons.

Headphones

Please make sure that you son has his NAMED headphones in school every day.

Headphones should NOT be expensive wireless ones but should be a simple pair of inexpensive plug- in headphones (which could ideally even be left in boys’ trays overnight).

Non Uniform Day

On Friday 17th February, we will be holding a non uniform day to raise funds for the Turkey-Syria Earthquake appeal.

This is a joint effort by the Primary Division to fundraise for relief efforts in Turkey and Syria.

All proceeds will go to the ‘Save the Children’ charity that is providing vital aid to those in need. A suggested £2 donation would be very gratefully received. Please ask your son to hand this to his form teacher at morning registration.

Bridgewater Hall Gala Concert

The Bolton School Foundation Gala Concert is taking place on Thursday 16th March at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. It promises to be an exciting evening of musical entertainment, with the chance for pupils to showcase their talents at one of the most prestigious concert halls in the country. Tickets for this important event are free of charge and will be available online from the Bridgewater Hall. Further information on how to book these will be available in the coming weeks.

Letters for the parents/guardians of pupils involved will be sent directly in the next week.

Please note the Park Road PA AGM meeting will take place tonight—Wednesday 15th February at 7:00pm at Park Road.

Breakfast Club – Friday 17th February— the PA will be holding a Valentine’s Day themed Breakfast Club on Friday from 8am. Everyone is welcome and allergies will be catered for. The menu for the occasion can be found linked here.

Social Events if you have any suggestions for social events you would like to see organised by the Parents’ Association, please get in touch – parkroadpa@gmail.com

EasyFunding—online shopping can also generate funds for the school PA by simply using the easyfundraising app and linking your account: to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/boltonjbpa

WhatsApp - if you would like to join the PA WhatsApp Group to keep up to date with all things PA, please click on the following link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BRtBl8QwJpS9OxpBm3MHDj

PA Mailing List If you would like to be added to the PA mailing list please get in touch: parkroadpa@gmail.com

Twitter – don’t forget to follow us on Twitter: @BSPDJnrBoysPA

Year 6 Play: Important Dates

Due to a range of events in the school calendar, the Year 6 Play 2023 will now be taking place over the following three evenings: Tuesday 4th at 7pm, Wednesday 5th at 7pm and Thursday 6th 5pm. Please note that the Year 6 play is one of our compulsory events and all Year 6 boys are expected to attend, we therefore want to make you aware of this date, in the final week of term, as far in advance as possible.

Closer to the time of the play, rehearsals are understandably very important for all boys to also attend and it would help us if you could avoid the following rehearsal dates when making medical appointments:

Monday 17th April: 9.15-10.25 – boys visiting the Girls’ Division theatre

Friday 5th May: 9- 12.00

Monday 22nd May: 13.00 – 16.00

Monday 5th June: 13.00 – 14.30

Wednesday 7th June: 13.00 - 14.30

Friday 9th June : 10.30 – 12.00

Monday 19th June: half day rehearsal (afternoon)

Friday 23rd June: 9-12.00 (half day rehearsal)

Monday 26th June: full day rehearsal

Friday 30th June: morning - dress rehearsal

PERFORMANCE DATES: Tuesday 4th, Wednesday 5th & Thursday 6th July.

Spring Parents’ Evening Dates

Further to our email last week, the dates for the Spring Term Parents’ Evenings are as opposite.

Please do keep an eye on the newsletter and your emails for booking information. If you require a specific time slot, you will need to book as soon as the system goes live, as the most popular time slots book up quickly