Monday 18th March 2019 Please see our PTFA Facebook Page Contact school: sch.164@educ.somerset.gov.uk Website: https://stbenedictsjuniorschoolglastonbury.org/ Quote of the week: “Don’t look for big things, just do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa
SCRAPSTORE VISITS!! ST. BEN’S SCIENCE WEEK A SMASH HIT Pupils of St. Benedict’s delved deep into the incredible world of science last week as the school enjoyed five days of fabulous events and activities. The week was organised by Science Lead, Mrs Ford, who felt the week was a huge success, “It’s been amazing to see the children engaging so enthusiastically with science and linking it to other subjects across the curriculum. I encourage our young scientists to keep exploring and asking questions!” Our roving reporters, Caleb and Bob, continue the report…
Classes in Years 4 and 6 will be visiting the Glastonbury Scrapstore over the next few months as part of a local focus on reducing the use of plastics. Year 6 children will get the opportunity to create their own clothing range out of recycled materials. Keep your eyes open for a letter telling you when the sessions are, as your child will need to bring in old clothes in which to get creative (messy!). These fantastic workshops are part of the event happening at the Town Hall on 30th March, during which children will be able to model their sartorial sensations on the catwalks. Adults are welcome too, so why not start designing your recycled range now!
We have two events coming up next week that we’d love you to attend: Science week blasted off with Nick’s creepy crawly visit, which was very exciting for everyone. We saw an enormous variety of bugs and even met a tarantula called Twilight Sparkle. Every class had a separate session with Nick and his (mostly) little friends, we got to hold: a millipede, a vinegaroon, a hissing cockcroach (that didn’t hiss when you wanted it to) and a stick insect. Felicity in Year 6 summed it up, saying, “BugFest was crawling with fun!” A huge thank you to Mrs Ford for organising such a brilliant week!
Next Wednesday (27th March) at 2pm is Mr Ranger’s Commissioning Service at St. Benedict’s Church – a chance for the community to welcome him as our Head Teacher. You are welcome to join us for refreshments in the school Hall afterwards. The following evening (Thursday 28th March), Mrs Coton’s musical superstars will strut their stuff at our Spring Concert – with performances by Glee Club, Choir and a variety of musicians. This will be in the School Hall. The show begins at 6pm – DON’T MISS IT!
Weekly Awards:
Head Teacher’s Awards:
Teachers’ Awards:
A.R. Millionaires’ Club
Cat Class: Unicorn Class: Chameleon Class: Owl Class: Tortoise Class: Spider Class: Leopard Class: Peacock Class:
Venus Freya P Shannon Dorothy Freya Bailey Caleb Mariella
Alisha Carolina Angelika Isaac Finley Filip Felicity E Shiva
The latest member of our Millionaires’ Club (for reading a million words this academic year) is Shiva, whilst Finley C has joined the 100 Club for 100 AR points this year – CONGRATULATIONS, lads!
SOCK IT TO ‘EM A reminder that, as a school, we will celebrate the Down's Syndrome sock day this Thursday (21st March). Ethan Smith's brother, Sol, has Downs' Syndrome and we are very keen to support him as a community. The official theme is, ‘Lots of Socks' day but we would like to encourage the children to wear the
WORLD GARDEN DESIGN Thank you for all your wonderful designs. I will look at these over the next week or so and then get a team together to start planning our approach to marking our garden a reality…
brightest socks possible on 21st March. We will send around a donations bucket with all monies raised going to the 'Ups and Downs' charity. All donations help.
Spotlight on Attendance: As the weather improves this week, please try to make every effort to get your children into school. If your child’s attendance drops below 95% a letter to you is automatically generated… th
Attendance for week 11 - 15th March: Cat Class: Unicorn Class: Chameleon Class: Owl Class: Spider Class: Tortoise Class: Peacock Class: Leopard Class:
99% 92.5% 93.9% 99.3% 95% 96.3 % 98.3% 98.9%
Would you like to join our lunchtime team? We are looking for someone to start after the Easter holidays – please see the office for an application form or to find out more about the role.
IS YOU CHILD GETTING WHAT THEY ARE ENTITLED TO? The Pupil Premium Grant is designed to ‘narrow the gap’ between disadvantaged children and their peers – this could be academically, in terms of experiences /trips or practical issues such as uniform or Free School Meals. For further details regarding how the pupil premium money is used please see the following link to our website: https://stbenedictsjuniorschoolglastonbury.org/wpcontent/uploads/Pupil-Premium-Grant-2018-19expected-allocation-and-objectives-with-review-ofimpact.pdf If you think you may be eligible, why not ask at the office or apply online at: http://www.somerset.gov.uk/education-learningand-schools/school-life/free-school-meals/
PC HICKS At ST. BENEDICT’S 18th MARCH 2019 at 6 – 7:20pm A reminder that TONIGHT St. Benedict’s will play host to PC Mark Hicks, who will deliver a talk about County Lines and other dangers facing your child in Britain in 2019. He will be supported by Beth Rowlinson-Baker from St. Dunstan’s, who will talk about e-safety and social media – a major concern facing many families. We have 46 parents signed up already – why not come along. The talk will be in Tortoise Classroom. Parent and Governor, Mike Derbidge, who attended the talk at St. Dunstan’s said the subject matter had given him a sleepless night but that he had left better informed on how to tackle the issues as and when they arose.
Clubs this week Please note changes to clubs this week: no choir today no animation club on Thursday (21st March) (both clubs cancelled due to staff being away on residential trip)
CHESS CLUB Monday Chess Club has now finished for the term but will run again during the second half of next term, starting Monday 3rd June. Players are encouraged to keep their game at a good standard by playing friendlies at school and at home, and also keeping an eye on the screen in the school hall where puzzles from the school website will be displayed at lunchtimes.
Five Go To Dorset Year 5 are set to spend a fabulous week at Osmington Bay and with the weather set fair, it should be outdoor excitement all the way. Their adventure starts today and they will return on Friday. Mrs Coton, Mrs Caston and their team of intrepid staff are all looking forward to the week ahead. For many years the Year 5 residential has been at Kilve Court, so this year is something of a departure. More on this in next week’s Bulletin… GOOD LUCK, YEAR 5, and HAVE FUN!!
PARKING PROBLEMS It has come to my attention that some parents/carers are parking dangerously outside school. This is a particular problem at the back of school (opposite Proper Job). The message from the children of St. Benedict’s is clear… “DON’T PUT OUR LIVES IN DANGER!” It may be more convenient for you, or save you finding a space somewhere else, but you are risking lives if your car obscures a crossing place. Please do not park on yellow lines, even if just for a few minutes.
Also, could you please not leave your engines running whilst waiting by the school. Children are particularly affected by air pollution as their lungs are still developing and it can increase their risk of a range of long-term issues including asthma. I’m sure we all share the same hopes for the children in that they are able to live happy and healthy lives, and small steps like turning your engine off will have that positive effect of improving air quality. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
The week ahead Tuesday
19th March
Wednesday
20th March
Thursday
21st March
Friday
22nd March
Monday
25th March
DASH club (8.00 – 8.30a.m); Drama club 3.15 – 4.30 p.m.; Tag Rugby club 3.15 – 4p.m.; Netball club 3.15 – 4 p.m.; Film club 3.15 – 4 p.m. DASH club (8.00 – 8.30a.m.); Children’s World event at Crispin school for some Year 6 pupils; half of Chameleon class to visit the Scrapstore a.m.; half of Peacock class to visit the Scrapstore p.m. ; Glee club 3.15 – 4p.m. DASH club (8.00 – 8.30a.m.); Children’s World event at St Dunstan’s school for some Year 6 pupils; half of Chameleon class to visit the Scrapstore a.m.; Art club 3.15 – 4 p.m.; No Animation club; Girls’ football club 3.15 – 4p.m. DASH club (8.00 – 8.30a.m); ; half of Owl class to visit the Scrapstore a.m.; Year 6 to visit Glastonbury Abbey for a poetry session during the afternoon; Year 5 return from Osmington Bay; Homework club 3.15 – 4 p.m.; Lower school football club 3.15 – 4 p.m. DASH club (8.00 – 8.30a.m.); Cross country club 12.15 – 12.45; Choir 3.15 – 4 p.m.