We hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year break. We are looking forward to starting the spring term on Wednesday 3^rd January 2024.

As always, there is a lot to look forward to in the new term. We will be sending out regular news in our weekly newsletters and we encourage parents to follow us on Twitter for quick updates, pictures and videos of the many exciting activities that are happening regularly around school.

Please also read on for a few reminders of the practicalities of coming in to school well prepared to make the most of the learning day. 

Panto Friday 12th January

The pantomime is coming to school on Friday 12th January. Children are invited to come to school dressed in fancy dress as their favourite characters. There will be prizes for the best dressed pantomime dame and the best of the rest. If your child would rather not dress up, they are welcome to come to school in mufti for the day.

Free parenting course for parents/carers with children aged 3 – 12.

This free parenting course (with online and in person options) is offered by the Bath and Bristol Parenting Hub and starts on January 16^th online and January 19^th in person.

They say “we know that parents want to create the happiest home life they can, and some may have a few concerns about their child’s behaviour – perhaps there’s disobedience or you simply want to find out how to set up better routines for mealtimes or bedtimes. Whatever it is, if you’d like to learn more about positive parenting and how you can apply it with your own family, you can do so with us, in a safe, non-judgmental, fun and relaxed way. We show you parenting strategies that really work."

If you think this could be useful for you and your family, please go to the Parenting Hub website here for lots more information and to register.

Parent/carer online safety information sessions

These sessions are offered termly to parents. They are are designed to support parents/carers in protecting their children and to help them understand the risks associated with using technology. You only need to attend one session, as the content will be similar, albeit updated over time. We will send you more information ahead of each session. They are 30 minutes long, followed by a 15 min Q&A if required. There is also always lots of help available on our online safety page here.

Sessions will cover current trends (what children are doing online, what apps/ games are popular amongst children); understanding the risks, in particular when using social media, online gaming & live streaming; what you can do to support your child with their online life and what parental controls are available to help you. There will also be signposting to services that are available to help you if you further support.

Sessions are as follows:

Spring: Wednesday 31st January 2024 – 9.30am – 10.15am
Summer: Wednesday 8th May 2024 – 4pm – 4.45pm

NB: No pre-registration is required before any session; a meeting link/instructions will be provided before each session by school; a recording of each session will be provided following each session.

Drop-off and pick-up routines

Our arrivals and departures guidelines contain lots of detail about daily routines for coming to and going home from school. We aim to minimise congestion around the school site and ensure the children arrive settled and ready for learning.

Please note: children must be in their classrooms by 8.50am. School ends at 3.15pm.

Class information

On the relevant class on the classes page of the website you will find a link to your class letter and your child's curriculum overview for the term. There will also be links to other information specific to your child's year group. Class pages give information about the term's topics, homework, swimming and PE arrangements. Classes are known by their tree names. 

School lunches and free school meals

The menu for January and the beginning of February is already available here. You can always find a link to the current menu in our Office section, along with information on costs, how to pay and how to order your child's lunches. Please remember to order at least one day before your child requires a meal.

There is a special menu for the children on Thursday 18th January for census day. The menu is on MCAS. Please try out a dinner on this day, even if you don't usually, as our school funding depends on numbers registered for dinners on this day.

Please check whether you think your child may be eligible for free school meals. There is full guidance on our website here.

Uniform

Please check all uniform requirements here, including how to purchase uniform and PE wear bearing the school logo.

Parking

We regularly receive messages from concerned parents and neighbours about the dangerous and inconsiderate parking by some parents. We encourage active travel, even if you park further from school and walk/scoot/cycle the rest of the way. However, if you have no choice but to drive a car and park near school, please do consider the well-being of the rest of the school community when you park, especially on these darker mornings and evenings.

Anyone who wishes to report a parking infringement should please do so, to B&NES or the Police. Please refer to this useful guide for information and links and numbers for reporting: www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report/parking-issues/