WELCOME PRIMARY HEAD
Elaine Rawlings Head of Primary
The message from me this term is very simple. Kindness makes a difference to everyone! We have seen this daily in our children’s behaviour and interactions. Thank you for continuing to help us with this message both at school and at home.
We have reorganised our articles, podcasts and videos in our One-Stop Shop to make it easier to access and find areas of wellbeing that you may be interested in.
MESSAGE FROM PASTORAL CARE & WELLBEING
Sam Walter Assistant Head
The Power of Positivity
Our Ready, Safe and Kind agreement is front and centre of all that we continue to do in the Primary School To help further embed these expectations we have Positive Notes that we share with our children when we notice them demonstrating any of the above qualities. Look out for these special notes being sent home with your children. We have been working hard on explaining and maintaining visible consistencies. For these to happen, we all need to work together.
Correct school uniform must be worn e.g.
Leave necklaces and bracelets at home
Shoulder length hair must be tied up
Only black soled shoes to be worn with school uniformnot trainers
All musical instruments are to be stored under the Primary stairs in the purpose built instrument stands
They might be small, but their power is mighty!
SMART PHONES A PLEDGE: A Smart Choice
for our Children
In today’s digital world, it is easy to feel pressure to give our children smartphones at an early age. More and more parents are choosing to delay this step, signing a pledge to wait until at least the age of 13 before providing their child with a smartphone. 86% of BSAK parents who responded to our survey, feel that 13 years old or older is an appropriate age for children to have a smartphone and or access to social media. This approach isn’t about holding our children back it’s about setting them up for success.
Are you ready to take the BSAK pledge? Your child’s future will thank you. The BSAK Pledge
YES, to childhood!
Research shows that early smartphone use can impact children’s mental health, sleep, and social development Excessive screen time has been linked to anxiety, depression, and difficulties with focus The main concerns that you as BSAK parents have are:
Percentage of parents who responded are concerned about:
96% - children accessing inappropriate content.
94% - screen time and being addicted to devices.
94% - negative influence that social media can have on your children
86% - cyberbullying
86% - children missing out on precious face to face interaction time.
By waiting until at least 13, we allow our children to develop essential social and emotional skills without the added pressure of constant digital distractions
The Positive Impact
Families who take the pledge often notice stronger family connections, better sleep habits, and more engaged play. Children become more confident in face-to-face interactions, develop deeper friendships, and spend more time exploring their interests offline. Schools also report improved focus and classroom engagement when students aren’t tethered to devices.
A Community Effort
One of the biggest challenges parents face is the feeling that their child will be left out. However, when groups of parents commit to waiting together, children feel less peer pressure, and the transition becomes easier. By joining the pledge, families create a supportive community that reinforces healthy tech habits Delaying smartphone use is not about saying “ no ” forever it’s about saying “ yes ” to childhood By waiting until at least 13, we give our children the gift of time: time to grow, time to connect, and time to be kids
CLASSING - IMPORTANT PROCESS 2025-2026
The process of classing our children will soon be upon us. For your awareness we generally look at moving classes around at key transition points, in particular:
Nursery to Reception, Year 2 moving into Year 3
Year 6 moving into Year 7
We may also move children in other year groups to address imbalances that may occur within certain individual classes due to leavers or lots of new arrivals. Mixing classes has the benefit of expanding friendship circles, developing social skills whilst building confidence and resilience. Please trust in the process. We have a fabulous team of teachers who will meet the needs of your child as and when they move class.
COMPLEX PUZZLE
Classing is an incredibly complex jigsaw puzzle, where we are juggling a number of factors, such as girl/boy ratio, Arabic A and B, social and emotional needs, learning needs, personalities, previous conflicts or long established friendships
The process from start to finish takes between 6-8 weeks to complete and involves the whole teaching staff. Receiving last minute requests from parents, places enormous pressure on the teams and unfortunately can not be accommodated.
ONLY SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS
Classing requests can only be considered if they are based on previously documented issues. We have a robust system of recording wellbeing concerns, so should already have taken these into account. Requesting specific friends for example is not considered a concern. There is NO guarantee that requests can be accommodated but we will do our utmost if requests are received in time and are deemed to be significant
Please complete this Google Form HERE by Monday 07 April 2025 for action.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Dave Rutland Head of Student Leadership
STUDENT LEADERS
This past term has been nothing short of spectacular, thanks to our amazing student leaders! They’ve truly taken the reins when it comes to planning and leading our Playground Equipment activities, turning our breaktimes into a whirlwind of fun and excitement From organising thrilling games to introducing new equipment, our student leaders have been all about promoting health and joy in our primary school. They’ve created an atmosphere where every student feels encouraged to join in, make new friends, stay active and follow our RSK ethos. Have a look at the videos Student Leaders have been filming and presenting at our monthly House Assemblies for our students
CELEBRATION PRIMARY HOUSES
Fizah Mehmood Head of House
MONTHLY HOUSE COMPETITIONS
Our monthly house competitions have become a highlight, capturing the enthusiasm and creativity of our students.
TOGETHERNESS AND TEAMWORK
Dressed in their respective house colors, the children radiate a sense of unity and team spirit, emphasising the importance of togetherness and teamwork. The assemblies not only recognise individual efforts but also reinforce the values of collaboration and teamwork that define our vibrant school community
HOUSE ASSEMBLIES
House Assemblies are electric events full of excitement, where we celebrate victories, teamwork, and our House spirit! Whether it’s winning a competition or enjoying the atmosphere, these gatherings are always fun and energetic. This term, we have House Games Week ahead, with everyone participating in games to earn House points. The best part? Staff Events Day, where teachers compete in sports to boost points for your House! Cheer for your teachers and get involved – every point matters! Let’s make this term unforgettable and aim for those House victories with high energy and enthusiasm!
Epic House Week
MILE A DAY GREAT FUN FOR ALL!
Our Mile a Day initiative has been an absolute hit, and it’s been so wonderful to see so many of you joining in! It’s been fantastic to watch the whole school – students, staff, and even parents – lacing up their sneakers and hitting the track together! It's been such a great community event, bringing us all closer as we walk or run together, sharing smiles, laughs, and healthy energy! The incredible tunes playing while we ’ re on the move have kept everyone in the perfect mood – whether you ’ re walking, jogging, or sprinting, there’s nothing like a catchy beat to keep you going!
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this fantastic experience. Keep it up – we ’ re making amazing memories and building a stronger, fitter community every step of the way! If you haven’t already, come and join us on Wednesday mornings from 7:15am to 7:30am – it's the perfect way to start your day with energy and excitement! And for those of you who think Mile a Day doesn’t have anything new to offer, well you haven’t raced Mr Rutland yet! Trust us, this is an experience you won’t want to miss Racing him is a moment that will stay with you for life – full of laughs, friendly competition, and maybe a bit of a surprise at how fast he can move!
Lace up those trainers, bring your A-game, and come join the fun. We can't wait to see you there!
LIBRARY QUIET IN THE LIBRARY
Anna McCormack Librarian
When we think of a library, we often picture silent rooms, towering bookshelves, and a stern librarian with a firm “Shhhhh!” But the Primary Library is different we are definitely not a shushy library. While quiet spaces are valuable, we believe a primary library should be an exciting place where students engage with books in creative and interactive ways. It’s a break from routine, encouraging a lifelong love of reading through activities, games, and experiences.
For our early years students, we hold weekly story time, often tied to celebrations or classroom topics but mostly, we choose fun books. Special occasions like National Day or Empathy Week bring extra activities, from crafts to collaborative displays. We introduce new genres through book tastings and book picnics, and for those who struggle to choose, we offer surprise reads mystery books wrapped in brown paper
For younger students, we bring stories to life with Story Walks moving through the upstairs library with props, costumes, and even special effects, making familiar favorites feel brand new. Even older students enjoy these immersive experiences We love a good competition, recently challenging students to build a fairytale house from recycled materials resulting in some truly amazing creations!
Our older students especially enjoy World Book Day Last year ’ s Escape Room had them solving book-related puzzles to progress through zones. This year, we ’ re bringing back Live-Action Cluedo, where students play detectives, solving bookthemed challenges to gather clues If they get stuck, the answers are always in the library! So, while we value inside voices, our library is full of excitement, creativity, and most importantly fun.
SPOTLIGHT ON INCLUSION
NEURODIVERSITY WEEK
Rachel Hinds Head of Inclusion
Neurodiversity means everyone ’ s brain works differently, and that’s a good thing! We should celebrate these differences and understand that there’s no right or wrong way to think, learn, or behave. Differences aren’t deficits they just make us unique.
Neurodiversity Week will be celebrated in both Primary and Secondary schools with many different activities, for both students and staff, all week. More information will be shared over the next couple of weeks and we are very excited about all our upcoming events.
We will be celebrating Neurodiversity Week at BSAK from 17th-21st March this year. This will be a whole school event with the continuing theme of ‘Time to Shine’ . This special week will be a celebration of how we are all diverse and unique and we all belong at BSAK. We will also celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on Friday 21st March where we will wear colourful/odd socks
Fun activities this week!
Dress up day on Friday 21st March
House competition – ‘Design a Sensory Bottle’
Children-staff fact & cake swap
Annual ‘Zilch’ finale - with special guest ‘DMC’ Coffee morning with Maudlsey Health
Neurodiversity Week World Down Syndrome Day
BSAK FAMILY TESTIMONY
Many of you will have heard and/or read about our wonderful daughter Tallulah and the impact she has had and continues to have on our lives. Here we are in March 2025 where we will once again proudly celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on 21st March and Neurodiversity Week. We encourage you all to put your odd socks, flip-flops shoes, or whatever tickles your fancy, to celebrate the brilliance in being different and promote a world that embraces all abilities.
Tallulah is now 7, turning 8 in April. Her infectious smile, her playful yet gentle nature, and love she radiates constantly remind us of the beauty in life’s simplest moments. She has taught us patience, empathy, and the importance of celebrating small victories Watching her make progress in communication, social interactions, and learning brings immense pride and continually reinforces our belief in her abilities
However, it isn’t all plain sailing. Raising a child with Down Syndrome also comes with challenges. There are medical appointments, therapies, and extra time spent helping her reach milestones that others may meet more quickly. We often have to adapt and find creative ways to support her in school and social settings, and sometimes, the world isn’t as accommodating as we’d hope. As parents, we navigate the emotional rollercoaster of celebrating every achievement while also facing the hurdles of her developmental delay.
Hand on heart, having a daughter with Down Syndrome has made us better people. For that we are certain It has, is and will be a transformative experience requiring flexibility, resilience, and unconditional love, but the joy she brings into our lives far outweighs the difficulties She teaches us daily that life is not about perfection, but about embracing each moment with open arms
Tallulah we adore you. Don’t stop being you (all be if you could just follow instructions just a little better from your parents and teachers that would be really really great….)
SUSTAINABILITY
Jeff Payne Assistant Head Primary
At BSAK, we continue to promote sustainable use of resources in a positive way that gives students a sense of efficacy. We promote small steps such as reduce, reuse, recycle, energy efficiency and planting and growing. Below are some of the highlights of our journey so far this year. Please keep a watchful eye out for details of our upcoming Sustainability week and try to join us for our community Sustainability Forum on March 12th. Finally, if you haven’t already, be sure to follow us on Instagram.
Food Dehydrator and Recycling Bins
In Term 1, we launched two new initiatives. Our new food dehydrator converts food waste into fertiliser, which nourishes our greenery, aids our students in growing more plants and food, and can be shared with our community Our students are now also working hard to ensure our waste is separated correctly so that we can reduce, reuse, and recycle It is great to see the enthusiasm and sense of responsibility being generated among our students by such initiatives
Pre-Loved Books and Uniforms
Our pre-loved uniform shop is going from strength to strength and is excellently run by our Primary ECO Club students. Our wonderful Friends of BSAK also had a very successful used book sale during our Winter Wonderland event. Please visit our next used book sale during sustainability week. All proceeds from these initiatives are 100% redeployed to sustainable initiatives around the school
Who will be our growing champions?
Classes and departments have been using their green fingers since the start of term to grow their own herbs and vegetables. The entries will be on display in Primary Reception on March 10th and judged by a special guest. The competition is heating up!
Keep up to date with all things sustainable and follow our Instagram page @bsaksustainable Simply Click or Scan the QR Code to follow us!
NURSES ADVICE
THE IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP
How sleep affects our health, learning and wellbeing
Natasha Saunders Nurse
