9th May 2008
NEWSLETTER 27
What a day! Thank you to everyone who managed to collect their child/ren so quickly. The children who went up to the Senior School were looked after very well. The waterboard managed to identify the problem with our water supply and all will be sorted out by the end of today. School will be open as normal on Monday 12th May.
Wacky Races
Despite the drizzle in the morning, we had faith in the forecast and it dried up enough for “Wacky Races” to go ahead on Monday this week - an enjoyable afternoon was had by all who took part. Many thanks from all the staff to the parents who helped to run the activities during the afternoon and thank you to everyone who came along to support the children. Congratulations to the PA committee on a very successful afternoon!
We are looking forward to the delivery of the new ‘SNUG’ play equipment for the children before half term. This has been funded for the school through the PA fund raising events, including some of the proceeds from this event, so please can any outstanding sponsor money be sent in to the PA Committee by Friday 23rd May. They have already had a great response for this – thank you to everyone who sponsored the children for your generosity.
Sun safety
The children and staff have all been outside in the garden enjoying the glorious weather we have had this week. We have reminded the children about staying safe in the sun by -
using sun cream before they come to school (and to ‘top up’ before they go outside at lunch time)
wearing their sunhats when going outside,
drinking plenty of water and
staying in the shade if they can.
Please can all children have their school sunhats, water bottles and named sun cream in school for the rest of this term.
Assembly
Unfortunately, this week I have needed to focus my theme on behaviour and in particular behaviour which can be seen as bullying. There has been a very small minority who have been making playtimes very difficult to enjoy for other children and for the staff on duty. We have dealt with these individually and I have told the children they must tell an adult if there is anything happening to them or others, which is unkind or they are not happy to tolerate.
The children have been told to say ‘NO! Stop it! I don’t like it!’ in the first instance, as being able to deal with minor incidents themselves is the best way for building confidence and reminding others their behaviour is not acceptable. However, they all know to tell an adult if this does not work. We all hope you will reinforce and support this message at home in order to stop an escalation of such behaviour, which will necessitate me having to speak to parents about their child.
Uniform
I remind parents that all children should be in full summer uniform now. This means short trousers and ties (for boys from Reception to Year 2) and all children should be wearing their blazer (with their hat or cap on) when they arrive and leave school. The only exception to this would be on a day they have a school trip out of school, when the school coat may be requested. If the weather is very hot we ensure the boys remove their ties and put them in their reading bag or blazer pocket to come home ready to wear the next day.
Blazers
The school shop has had to change the supplier for our school blazer. This was totally out of their control but they have already identified a new supplier who will make every effort to get new blazers ready for September. Whilst the shop does have stock in most sizes, they will not have a further delivery until the beginning of September at the earliest. This is very unfortunate as we have just announced that all children from Reception to Year 2 will wear blazers all year from September! We apologise in advance if this causes any problems. If you have any concerns about this please come and speak to me in the first instance.
Year 1 Trip
Last Friday, Year 1 thoroughly enjoyed their trip to the West Midlands Safari Park. They were very excited on the coach tour around the park, especially when they saw the white lion cubs and the elephants. The sea lion show was one of the highlights of the day. Year 1 staff were delighted with the children’s behaviour – they gave an excellent impression of our school to other visitors at the Safari Park. Well done to all the children.
Supermarket Tokens
The Tesco ‘Computers for Schools’ scheme will finish this Sunday, 11th May. Thank you to everyone who has collected tokens for us so far. Please send all remaining tokens in by Friday 16th May.
Please continue to collect Tokens for Sainsburys’. The tokens for this scheme can be collected until 4th June.
Reception Trip
Yesterday Reception enjoyed a beautiful, sunny day at Hatton Farm Village. The watched an art display; saw sheep racing; had a tractor ride around the farm and the chance to stroke animals. The children all enjoyed holding the guinea pigs but the highlight was clearly feeding the goats!
Next week:
During next week, children in Year 1 and Year 2 will be taking their annual assessments using the NFER progress assessments in English and Maths. This is kept very low key and completed as part of their academic work for the week. All they need is to have early nights and a good breakfast each morning next week to ensure they are ready to do their best!
Reception children are continually assessed throughout the year using the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile, which covers all the six areas of learning. This profile will be discussed with Reception parents during parent’s evenings next half term.
Pottery
The last session for the first block of pottery will be 2nd June. If anyone is interested in joining the second block (to begin Monday 9th June) please collect a form from outside the office and return by Friday 23rd May.
Liaison Meeting
The Liaison Committee should have met on Tuesday 13th May at 7.30pm. However, there were no points raised for discussion by any parent so the meeting has been cancelled this time.
Swimming Gala
Next Friday 16th May, Year 1 and Year 2 children will be practising for our annual Swimming Gala, in preparation for the main event on Friday 23rd May, 10.00am – 12.00 noon at Bromsgrove Senior School swimming pool.
Parking for the Gala - Please can we ask all parents to park in the designated car parking areas and not on the coach park area (on the left as you enter the school grounds, in front of the sports hall) as the coaches the children will be travelling on will need to manoeuvre and park in this area.
Last week of this half-term:
Kindergarten Parents’ Evenings
These will be taking place after school on Tuesday 20th and Thursday 22nd May. Please check the lists on the Kindergarten entrance and sign up for at time on your designated evening.
Points for Information
School finishes for half term on Friday 23rd May at the usual collection time for each year group, between 3.00pm and 3.30pm.
There is no Ballet or Aftercare on this Friday.
There is no Holiday club during May half term.
Summer Holiday club booking forms are now available. Kindergarten children who have already reached their 3rd birthday can book at the Pre-school – Year 2 rate.
School mobile number for calls after 4.00pm 07930 - 751587
There will be no bus running after the morning of Friday 23rd May. If you usually use school transport for collecting your child please make alternative arrangements for collection at the end of the school day.
S. Pickering
2nd May 2008
NEWSLETTER 26
On Tuesday, Year 2 had a very different morning taking part in the ‘photo-shoot’ for a year book, which will hopefully depict all the aspects of their school life alongside more formal class photographs. This is a new venture and we hope all parents will enjoy and treasure this book for the future when it will hopefully bring back happy memories of the children’s time here at Bromsgrove Pre-Preparatory School. We await the proof version with eager anticipation and it will be offered to Year 2 parents for purchase later this term.
Year 1 has also had an exciting week; on Wednesday they visited Avoncroft Museum to find out more about how life was lived in ‘the olden days’. There was much excitement when looking at the outside toilets and the ‘guzunder’! but the most enjoyment was had when they took part in a ‘washing day’ experience using the dolly tub and washboard to actually wash some clothes and then dry them through the mangle and peg them all on a washing line with wooden dolly pegs. (Scarily all things I can remember helping my Grandmother with as a child!). Thanks to Ms Peppercorn for setting up this experience for the children and to all the staff for making it an enjoyable visit.
Today, Year 1 are visiting the Safari Park so I am sure we will have something to report on this trip next week. Please be aware that the drive may be cleared for a short time around 2.45pm, to allow the coaches to come up the drive. There may be some delay when entering or leaving the school at this time today.
Stoke Prior Parish Fete will be taking place tomorrow, Saturday 3rd May between 10.00am and 4.00pm, on the field at the end of our school drive. Please see posters around school for more details. It would be very good to support the local community by coming along to this fete. Please note: there will be a one way system for traffic on this occasion. The entrance will only be via the Avoncroft Arts Society drive (off the A38 by the pedestrian crossing) and the exit only via our drive. Our school field and car park will be used for overspill parking on this occasion and the police will be in attendance for traffic direction.
Pre-School
Boys should be wearing short trousers by next week please. Could all children in Pre-School please make sure they have spare socks and t-shirts in school. Thank you.
Wacky Races – Monday 5th May
All children will take part even if forms have not been returned by the day. New forms will be sent home with children who have not brought their forms in by then.
Kindergarten and Pre-School activities will take place during the morning; unfortunately parents will be unable to come along to watch.
Parents and family are welcome to attend from 1.15pm to watch Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 children take part in this fun event. We hope that many of you are able to come along on Monday to support the children on what will be a really enjoyable afternoon. Everyone attending is welcome to enjoy complimentary refreshments in the dining room after the afternoons activities have finished, with ice-cream for the children.
Kit for Wacky races
Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 children will bring their P.E. kit and tracksuits home for the weekend so they are clean and ready to wear into school on Monday 5th May.
Children do not need to come in uniform on Monday but should wear their P.E. kit with tracksuit over the top. (N.B. Kindergarten and Pre-school children wear normal uniform)
Please can all children also have their school coat to wear over their tracksuit in case of any brief showers. If the weather is really wet, the event will be postponed to another day in the week.
The PA Committee still need extra hands to help with the activities in the afternoon so if you are willing to help please call Sue Pantall-Burgess (Taylor 1EL) on 07799 625027.
Reception Trip
Next Thursday 8th May, Reception Year will be going on their trip out of school to Hatton Country World. Please be aware that again, the drive may be cleared for a short time around 2.45pm, to allow the coaches to come up the drive. There may be some delay when entering or leaving the school at this time.
Transition
As the children are now in the last term before they move into the next year group, we are beginning to prepare them for this next step. We would be grateful if you could assist us in order to make the transition to their next year group go as smoothly as possible.
We ask you to encourage children in Reception to start coming up the stairs in the mornings by themselves. This can be done gradually and with lots of encouragement from both parent and teachers.
Please can the boys in Year 1 practise tying their own ties and girls their own bows on their summer dress belts.
Earrings
Some girls have returned to school with pierced ears this term. In view of health and safety the children do need to be able to take the earrings out by themselves for PE lessons and for swimming (also to put them back in) The girls with pierced ears will not be able to take part in these lessons if they cannot remove their earrings. It would be preferable if they did not wear their earrings on the days when they are timetabled for PE or swimming
We would advise that if parents are considering letting their child have pierced ears this is done at the beginning of the summer holiday to give the ears time to heal and the child time to learn how to put them in and take them out by themselves. Please will parents speak to the class teacher if they have any questions about this matter.
An up to date price list for school uniform is now available from outside the office.
Hanbury Road Closure
We have to date received no information about this so we are assuming it will not affect our school. If we receive any information about this we will of course keep you informed.
Kindergarten
Parents’ evenings for Kindergarten will be held on Tuesday 20th and Thursday 22nd May. Lists will be put up on the Kindergarten doors next Monday for parents to sign up for appointments.
S. Pickering
25th April, 2008
NEWSLETTER 25
St George’s Day
On Wednesday 23rd April the flag was hoist and children were all reminded of the traditional story of the patron saint of England in assembly. Preschool celebrated by acting out the story with help from Mrs Symonds.
Animal Antics
Year 2 enjoyed a wonderful introduction to their Rainforest project when they encountered animals from each layer of the rainforest. They handled giant millipedes, hissing cockroaches, prickly stick insects, a carpet python, tarantula and buzzard. They also learnt many amazing facts which will be remembered for a long time!
Reception children also saw some of these animals in the afternoon, as part of their topic on mini-beasts.
After School Clubs
The teacher led clubs have now been allocated and will start next week. A list has been sent home for you to see which club your child has been allocated. If you have sent in a form but your child has not been allocated a club on the list, it may be because we have several forms returned with no names! Please speak to someone in the office so we can sort this out.
Uniform
It is a real pleasure to see the Reception children in their blazers and hats/caps this term – they all look very smart. Over this last year there have been many comments from parents about the wearing of blazers and much confusion regarding when the children should be wearing blazers/coats and we have decided to simplify this by making a few changes.
From September 2008:
Blazers and caps/hats will be worn all year round from Reception to Year 2
The school coat (should be large enough) to be worn over the blazer in the winter months, from Reception to Year 2.
Reception children to wear sweaters, shirts (and tie for boys). Red sweatshirt to be for PE only
Waterproof over trousers are required for all children – Reception to Year 2
Nothing has changed for Preschool or Kindergarten
New uniform lists have been sent home in the children’s bags today. These lists come into effect from September. If your child is smaller or larger than average for their age, it would be advisable to visit the shop this term in order that any uniform which might need to be ordered specially for your child can be ordered in time for September.
Year 2 children (transferring to Prep School in September) - Parents should contact the school shop to arrange an appointment to buy the Prep School uniform. This can take up to an hour so it is not advised to turn up and expect the shop staff to be able to accommodate your needs unless you have an appointment.
Boys in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 should be wearing their ties this term. We feel this helps them to maintain a smart appearance when coming in to and going home from school. If/when the weather becomes hot we will allow them to take them off in school during the day.
All children should be wearing shoes or sandals with a closed toe and heel. Boots are not school uniform and neither are patent shoes, novelty flashing lights or pictures!
A reminder that boys’ hair should be cut shorter for school – off the collar and over the ears. Girls with longer hair should wear it neatly tied back for school.
Staff News
Three staff at Pre-Prep received long service awards this week. Mr Roberson, our Caretaker, Mrs Miles, lunch supervisor and domestic supervisor and Mrs Bowditch, class assistant. They have all worked for Bromsgrove School for 10 years. We congratulate them and thank them for their good humour, continued hard work and loyalty to the school.
Reception Swimming
Reception children had their first swimming session this week – they were all very excited! I think more time was spent getting dressed and undressed than getting wet! Hopefully this will improve as the weeks go on – if parents can encourage children to be more independent in dressing at home they will improve even faster in their swimming.
P.A. News
Please note that the Race Night has now been cancelled due to lack of interest.
German Measles
We have had a possible case of German measles reported in school. Any expectant mums should check with their doctor.
Silver Cup trophies for Gala/Prizegiving
If your child received a trophy at last year’s Swimming Gala (not the medals) this needs to be returned to school by Monday 12th May. Also, if your child received a silver cup/trophy at last year’s Prizegiving please return it to the office by 1st June. In either case, if you wish to have your child’s name and the year the award was received engraved, please do so before the trophy is returned.
Golf Challenge
The annual Golf Challenge between parents and staff will take place this year during half term at Bromsgrove Golf Club on Sunday 25th May and at Droitwich Golf Club on Wednesday 28th May. Players of any ability who are associated with any section of the school (Pre-Prep, Prep, Senior and all Support staff) are more than welcome to play on either or both days. Guests also welcome.For further details and to indicate interest, please contact Mr Pickering at the Prep School (ext 280) or e-mail cpickering@bromsgrove-school.co.uk . The current holders of the trophy are the Parents but the Staff are more than determined to win it back this year!
Preparatory School Open Morning
This will take place tomorrow, Saturday 26th April, particularly for Year 2 families joining the Prep School in September. If you are interested in attending, please telephone the Admissions department (01527 579679 ext. 273) to let them know.
Holiday Club
A reminder to Year 2 parents that children in Year 2 are not eligible to attend Holiday Club in the summer holidays as they have left our school by that time. There are many alternative play schemes for older children in and around the Bromsgrove area. Information on such schemes will be sent out when available.
Found!
The school shop staff found a very small pair of blue ‘Specsavers’ glasses in the changing room last week. If your child has mislaid their glasses please contact the shop for them to be returned.
S. Pickering.
May Day (Monday 5th May) – Wacky races
A normal school day for us.
All sponsorship forms should be returned by Wednesday 30th April to allow us to put the children into teams ready for May Day. The children will need them in school to be stamped as they complete each activity on the day.
Volunteers will be needed to assist with the activities. Any parents who would like to help during the afternoon event, please either leave a note in the PA box or contact Sue Pantall-Burgess on 07799 625027 - your help would really be appreciated!
Kindergarten and Pre-school event will take place in the morning, without parents attending as the children would be distracted by this and not enjoy the fun. Kindergarten children who do not attend on Monday will do their events over the course of the week so they can all take part.
Events will begin at 1.30pm in the garden and should finish by 3.15pm, with free refreshments afterwards. All parents, grandparents and carers of children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are welcome to attend and support this fun afternoon. If you are unable to attend, all children should be collected by the usual end of school times. School will be closed at 3.30 p.m. There is no aftercare on this day!
Kit for Wacky races
Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 children will bring their P.E. kit and tracksuits home for the weekend so they are clean and ready to wear into school on Monday 5th May. Children do not need to come in uniform on that day but should wear their P.E. kit with tracksuit over the top.
(N.B. Kindergarten and Pre-school children wear normal uniform)
Please can all children also have their school coat to wear over their tracksuit in case of a brief shower during that afternoon. If the weather is really bad the event will be postponed to another day in the week.
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