Bolton School Primary Division Junior Boys
’ School
Spring Term, 2023 WEEK B
Wednesday 1st March
U11 International Rugby Festival, Rossall, all day
Swim Development Club (by invitation), 4-5pm Cubs, 6.30pm
Thursday 2nd March
WORLD BOOK DAYTom Palmer, online 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 & U11 Fixtures with Edinburgh Academy
After School Hockey, 4-5pm, LP
Water Polo, 4-5pm
Wednesday 1st March
I hope you all had a pleasant holiday. We started this week with a real focus on behaviour and expectations around the school. Prior to the holidays, we asked for your support with uniform and haircuts, and it was great to see many of our boys return to school looking smart and ready to learn. We are having a big push on movement around the school, ensuring the boys are ready to learn and engage in the opportunities that lay ahead of them each day. As expected, the boys fully rose to the challenge and many reported that this gave them a stronger sense of purpose and a calmness to the day. On a separate matter, we are noticing an influx of expensive items such as smart watches in school. Smart watches should not be brought into school and if they are, they should be handed in with other mobile devices each morning and should be clearly named. We spoke with some of our boys before the holiday about restricting any valuable items as they do tend to go missing or get damaged in school, leading to considerable upset and lost learning time. I would include expensive wireless earphones on this list. We do need boys to bring in earphones, but a pair of basic wired headphones are best as they do not require charging, are relatively inexpensive and do not get lost easily.
The NSPCC published a study last month which showed the national average age at which children are searching for inappropriate materials online has dropped to 9 years old. The age at which children chance upon it has dropped to just 7 years old. Therefore, it is important that we all have the right parental controls in place to restrict content children have access to. They also need to be prevented from downloading a VPN (virtual private network) on their devices so they can avoid the parental controls you set. To stop your son downloading a VPN you need to remove permission for your son to download software on his device. An app like Google Family Link will allow you to curate which software they are downloading. This is suitable for U13’s. A whole host of other free apps are available in Google Play Store/ App Store to enable you to monitor screen time, have oversight of what they are downloading, and to see if your son is already using a VPN. It is very important that boys do not have access to phones in their bedrooms and they should allow you access to devices to help keep them safe. The charity Internet Matters is a good starting point for further information and support. You just enter all of your provider and device details, and they draft up a personalised safety checklist so you can take charge of the content your son is accessing.
We have noticed that many parents of Park Road pupils are using Screen Time settings on their son’s iPad to help monitor the activity of the iPad and trends in usage outside of controlled, classroom time. This monitoring of the iPad is certainly a positive step, and one that we have previously encouraged parents to set up and keep an eye on. It could, however, be potentially problematic due to the nature of a “managed Apple ID” (school monitored Apple ID) and how these profiles work when Screen Time passcodes have been created. It is not practical for School to keep a list of each individual pupil’s Screen Time passcodes, so we ask that you simply remove the passcode feature from Screen Time. This will not impact how Screen Time works and you will still be able to closely monitor your son’s activity on his iPad. We thank you for your co-operation with the removal of the Screen Time passcode and ask that it is done as soon as is practicably possible. It could, however, be potentially problematic due to the nature of a “managed Apple ID” (school monitored Apple ID) and how these profiles work when Screen Time passcodes have been created. Because it is not practical for School to keep a list of each individual pupil’s Screen Time passcodes, we ask that you simply remove the passcode feature from Screen Time. This will not impact how Screen Time works and you will still be able to closely monitor your son’s activity on his iPad. We thank you for your cooperation with the removal of the Screen Time passcode and ask that it is done as soon as is practicably possible.
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
Monday 6th March
Online Parents’ Evening
Tuesday 7th March
Online Parents’ Evening Chess 4-5pm
Wednesday 8th March
Online Parents’ Evening Y5/ Y6 Science Masterclass, Greenbank Prep, all day
U11 Lancashire Hockey Tournament, AKS Lytham, all day
Online Author Session, 1pm Swim Development Club (by invitation), 4-5pm Cubs, 6.30pm
Thursday 9th March Alumni Awards (Y6 to attend) Jujitsu, 4-5.30pm LAMDA, 4-5pm Cubs, 6.30pm
Achievements
Music
Congratulations to our musicians on their recent examination results:
Seth Kelly (5B) Trinity Piano Grade 2, Merit
Theodore Hayton-Weed (5B) Trinity Piano Grade 1, Merit
Jacob Yau (4A) Piano, Grade 1, Distinction.
Well done to you all.
EPSCA Chess Success
Following on from our success at the AJIS Chess Tournament last term, three teams of boys represented Park Road at the English Primary Schools’ Chess Association (EPSCA) Zone Stage during half term.
Battling against seven other local schools, once again, the boys performed excellently – our Under-9 and Year 6 teams winning their tournaments and our Year 5 team winning two of their matches against some tough opposition.
As all of our teams did so well, they have each qualified for the next stage of the competition which will take place next term in Nottingham. This will include the best chess teams from the North of England and will be an excellent opportunity for our boys to compete against some of the best chess players in the country.
More details of this event will follow in due course. MP
Skiing Success
Jasper Daniels, in 4A, continued his successful run at the English Alpine Championships in Bormio over half term. He achieved 3/3 podium finishes and brought home the following medals:
Silver - Slalom
Bronze - Giant Slalom
Bronze - Parallel Slalom
Jasper was the only athlete in his category to get a top three position in all races.
The competition was incredibly hard and the margins were so small, so it was a brilliant learning experience. SnowSport England featured Jasper and another competitor’s’ photo finish' as they crossed the finish line with 0.02 seconds difference between them.
Jasper is now looking forward to the Interschools’ Championships & British Ski Academy
Well done to Alex Barnard, in 4B, who went skiing in Austria over half term and won his slalom race in ski school.
He loves skiing and hopes to compete in more races as his skiing improves.
Well done to Harry Sparks, in 4A. who took part in a production of ‘Stick Man’ with his drama group over half term. He did a really good job, performing his lines, songs and dances to a good sized audience with confidence. He also achieved his one mile badge at swimming which he was pleased with. Great achievements, Harry !
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
Bridgewater Hall Gala Concert
The Bolton School Foundation Gala Concert will be taking place on Thursday 16th March at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.
This promises to be an exciting evening of musical entertainment, with the chance for pupils from every part of the Foundation to showcase their talents at one of the most prestigious concert halls in the country.
If you wish to attend the performance, tickets are free but must be obtained from the Box Office using this link https://www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk/conferencesevents/boltonschoolgala-160323/
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 in the Arts Centre more details will follow nearer the time, as well as a list of kit your son will need for his trip.
ECAs for this half term
Please find linked here the schedule for this half term’s extra-curricular activities.
Geography of Sport!
Instructions:
-Choose a famous sports person, whom you are inspired by.
-Write a fact-file about their life in terms of:
-which countries have they lived in
-what are their hobbies relating to geography e.g. travelling ?
-who are their friends and which countries do they live in ?
-have they played in different Olympics around the world ?
How to submit your fact-file:
- email LJG@boltonschool.org.uk with your submission by Friday 31st March at 4pm!
PRIZES FOR THE WINNERS!
WHO CAN CREATE THE MOST INTERESTING AND GEOGRAPHICAL FACT-FILE?
Malawi Appeal
We have been asked to bring to your attention the charity, Well-Good, a website created by Mr Heppleston in the Girls’ Division, which is looking for new sponsors.
Well-Good encourages children to answer Maths questions by rewarding them with the knowledge that they are providing clean drinking water for the developing world. Ten correct answers equate to a day’s water for one person, and pupils love the fact that their hard work helps those in need. Well-Good, has committed to join the Junior Girls’ fundraising campaign to build a school in Malawi for street children, by helping provide the water for the planned school.
Over the past seven years, the Well-Good website – www.well-good.org - has received over two and a half million hits and over six million maths questions have been answered by more than 5000 children.
Sponsorship packages are available online at www.well-good.org or by contacting Mr Heppleston via wellgoodinfo@gmail.com – this is a great opportunity for individuals or businesses to engage with corporate social responsibility and charitable giving. It is also a timely reminder of the current collection for stationery packs for the Malawi Project. We are due to complete these collections this Friday (3rd March), so please do send in the requested items if you can.
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).
Lost Property
All unnamed lost property left at the end of half term will be recycled locally, all named items will be returned to their owners. It is essential that all children’s belongings are named. Unnamed items found around school are placed in the lost property bin in the cloakroom area.
Named items are returned to classes. Every half term we will empty out the lost property bin, displaying items on the small yard
giving parents a chance to claim back their items. Any unclaimed items left at the end of each half term will be recycled locally. CDH
World Book Day
Don’t forget that it is World Book Day tomorrow. We will be having lots of special events throughout the day.
Please send your son to school dressed as a character from his favourite book or poem!
Thank you to everyone who attended the Park Road PA AGM meeting on the 15th February. The following officers were appointed: Chair
Zophia Keating-Jones , Treasurer – Richard Jones and Secretary – Kelly Boyd.
Breakfast Club
Friday 17th February the Valentine’s Day themed event was a huge success and a total of £123 was raised.
Thank you to all the volunteers who helped on the day and also to all the parents and boys for supporting.
Spring Bingo – Friday 17th March this event will take place after school – further details and information to follow.
If you have any suggestions for social events you would like to see organised by the PA, please get in touch – parkroadpa@gmail.com
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
If you would like to be added to the PA mailing list please get in touch: parkroadpa@gmail.com
don’t forget to follow us on Twitter: @BSPDJnrBoysPA
Tie your Tie Video Competition
Congratulations to Haroon and Ahmed for being the joint winners of 3B's Tie your Tie Video Competition. Their prize is sharing their videos publicly, as below. Well done, boys. ALH
https://boltonschool.planetestream.com/View.aspx?
id=3411~4j~J3Mjk4ut&code=zS~TtTYykAhyynYTYyUdfCQnZ9hPB9EPKqEVwJ5jJRSt4GeuKaXepA K&ax=6M~D0boNhGJcMfR
https://boltonschool.planetestream.com/View.aspx?
id=3412~4k~jEaIVfFP&code=zK~JVBvU2PPTcosoTycdMFvtDNop2SejQqRCdLe89MGpJI6c9lOpTs X&ax=6N~dCqZxgS6AN9a
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
Please note that the booking system is now live for the Spring Term Parents’ Evenings and will remain open until 12 noon on Saturday 4th March.
Please book your appointments at your earliest convenience.
Scouts’ Quiz Night
Please find linked here all the details for the Scouts’ forthcoming fundraising Quiz Night, which will take place on Saturday 18th March, at Brookside. A pie and pea supper is included in the ticket price of £10 per person.
All the proceeds will go towards supporting the Scouts who have been selected for the 25th World Scout Jamboree in South Korea later this year. ALH