Monday 9th September 2019 Please see our PTFA Facebook Page Contact school: sch.164@educ.somerset.gov.uk Website: https://stbenedictsjuniorschoolglastonbury.org/ Word of the week: Fluke: An unlikely chance occurrence, especially a surprising piece of luck. e.g. ‘That Spurs win at the weekend was a total fluke.’
Focus on Reading: Welcome back to our first full week at school and an especially warm St. Ben’s welcome to all our new Year 3’s (as well as new pupils in other year groups) along with their parents and carers Although we only had three days of school last week, everyone has settled well already and the school has a calm, but focused atmosphere.
We have some new staff joining us this term, so please join me in welcoming Miss Switzer (Cat Class teacher), Mr Pithers (Cat Class TA), Mrs Redman (Leopard Class TA) and Mrs Wadsworth (Chameleon Class TA). We are delighted with these appointments which will make us an even stronger team.
As well as our usual focus on Maths, this year we are going to have a real drive on reading and you can help by ensuring your child reads at home at least four times a week. We are trialling our brand new pupil planners, which include a reading record, so let’s make a positive start to ensure every child hits his/her target. Research shows that fluent readers are much more successful and happy, so we’re aiming to improve well-being as well as academic achievement!
We have so many ideas and plans for making our school an even better and brighter place to be, but only so many people and hours in the day to achieve them…
CAN YOU HELP? We would love to hear from any parent/carer volunteers who could spare time for the following: Hearing readers/reading TO children, Helping with gardening groups, Helpers for trips and events (may be local e.g. library visit, or further afield e.g. day trip to Bristol/The Levels. Come in and let me know and we’ll get the process started. Even if you may only be able to volunteer occasionally, why not get your DBS check completed and we can add you to our list.
Due to a number of incidents last year, we have decided that children should not bring in stationery from home. This includes pens, pencils, erasers and sharpeners, as well as other items such as glue and rulers. We will make sure that classes are stocked with whatever stationery they need to complete the tasks they are set. Of course, children may use their own stationery for any home tasks.
Clubs letters have gone out, so with clubs starting next Monday, please return your sheet as soon as possible so that teachers can start to get their registers completed. Our aim is that every pupil attends at least one club per term, so please encourage your child to make the most of the wonderful opportunities offered by our talented staff.
Apologies for any upset or inconvenience this may cause, but I would prefer there is a clear policy on this from the beginning of the year to avoid any confusion.
ATTENDANCE CHAMPS! Attendance for week 4th – 6th September: Cat Class: Unicorn Class: Chameleon Class: Owl Class: Spider Class: Tortoise Class: Peacock Class: Leopard Class:
95.8% 98.1% 96.8% 89.4% 97.5% 93.1 % 91.1% 95.8%
Attendance is crucial! If you’re not at school you’re missing out! The new county guidelines are that if a child misses eight sessions (four days) within twelve weeks without good reason, this will result in action being taken by the school. We do not make these rules, but we must abide by them. If your child cannot attend for whatever reason, please let the office know as early as you can. If they cannot attend on subsequent days, please ensure you call on every day they are absent. We will announce an attendance competition soon – keep your eye on the St. Ben’s Bulletin!
We ran two competitions over the summer holidays and there is still time for you to enter both: 1. Mrs Shaw’s stick competition: you simply need to transform a stick into something useful or beautiful. Entries MUST be in by Wed 11th September.
2.
Our ‘nature photo’ competition: take a photo of wildlife/nature and bring in a 5 x 7 copy or e-mail it to the school e-mail address. The winners will be transformed into a canvas for the wellbeing area. Extension deadline: Wed 18th September.
PUPIL PREMIUM GRANT – HELPING YOUR CHILD, HELPING YOU AND HELPING THE SCHOOL Everyone loves TT Rockstars! So we’ve decided to rock out with our very own
‘TT Rockstars Day’ on Friday 27th September. There will be all kinds of fun including: Dress up as a rockstar for the day, Lots of challenges and prizes, Beat the teacher competitions! Put it in your diary NOW! Parents and carers, please note that the TT Rockstars app can now be downloaded FREE OF CHARGE!
From September, all children in receipt of Pupil Premium will attend all trips for half price. We estimate this is a saving of £200 over four years at school. In addition they may be entitled to Free School Meals (£2.50 a day = approx. £1560 over four years) as well as access to free school uniform and other opportunities and savings. It’s no exaggeration to say that receiving the Pupil Premium grant could save you up to £2000 over your child’s time at St. Benedict’s!! If you think you may be eligible, or wish to find out more, please ask Mr Ranger or the office for more details.
RECYCLE AND RAISE MONEY FOR ST. BEN’S – IT’S A WIN-WIN! You have probably seen our newest arrival at the front of school – it’s our very own recycling unit. Please bring in wearable clothes, paired shoes, handbags & belts. Whatever we collect gets weighed and theschool gets paid per kg. Why not have an autumn clear-out and bring any recyclables to school?!
The week ahead
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Monday
10th September 11th September 12th september 13th September 16th September
DASH club (8.00 – 8.30a.m); DASH club (8.00 – 8.30a.m.); 3.30 – 4.30 – PTFA AGM meeting. DASH club (8.00 – 8.30a.m.). DASH club (8.00 – 8.30a.m DASH club (8.00 – 8.30a.m.); Cross country club at lunchtime; Choir 3.15 – 4 p.m.; Chess club 3.15 – 4.15 p.m.