December 2019 Newsletter
Dear Parents, Carers and Children,
We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend at our Christmas Fayre. Thank you to you all for your kind donations. The proceeds of the fayre all go directly into improving resources for our children.
Date and Events
- Saturday 30th November: Christmas Fayre 10am – 12 noon
- Wednesday 4th December: Y5/6 Advent Liturgy – School Hall 2pm
- Wednesday 4th December: FHC Meeting 6pm in church
- Thursday 5th December: EYFS visit to Wynyard Park – AM
- Thursday 5th December: Y6 – Academy Trust Carol Service
- Friday 6th December: Y2-6 Northumbria Water Assembly
- Friday 6th December: Y6 Advent Mass in church
- Friday 6th December: Y 3 /4 Dress the Tree 2pm
- Monday 9th December: Y2 – Y6 Pantomime Visit
- Monday 9th December: EYFS and Y1 – Pantomime in school hall/
- Wednesday 11th December: Y1&2 ‘The Sleepy Shepherd’ 10am and 2pm
- Wednesday 11th December: Sacrament of Reconciliation 6pm in church
- Thursday 12th December: School Christmas Dinner
- Friday 13th December: School Choir – Nunthorpe Hall AM
- Friday 13th December: Parishioners Christmas Party PM
- Monday 16th December: Year 1 – 6 Topic Celebration Event
- Tuesday 17th December: KS1 Christmas Party PM
- Wednesday 18th December: EYFS Christmas Nativity 10am & 2pm
- Thursday 19th December: KS2 Christmas Party
- Friday 20th December: Last Day of Term
- Monday 6th January 2020: PD Day – No children in school
- Tuesday 7th January: Return to School
Sports Activities
Wednesday 4th December: Gymnastics Event (Selected Y5/6 pupils)
General
Staffing
We are sad to announce that Mrs Slaven (Year 1 Teaching Assistant), who has been with us for over 16 years has left St Bernadette’s. She has relocated to Scotland. On behalf of the Governors and the whole school community, I would like to acknowledge our appreciation for her dedicated and committed service at St Bernadette’s.
Parent Governor
Thank you to both Mr Stuart Finn and Mr Nicholas Kane for volunteering to be elected as our school parent governor. The work of the Governors is vital in our continual improvement and I thank them both for their interest in supporting the school. Following the ballot which took place this month, Mr Finn has been elected on the Governing Body. He will begin his term in the new calendar year.
Attendance
Thank you for your commitment to your children’s attendance and punctuality across the school especially as there have been a number of bugs and viruses recently. However, attendance so far this year is 96.2% which is slightly below our expected standard of 97% Part of this is as a result of an increase in holiday requests this year. In most cases holidays are recorded as unauthorised. We are currently in the process of evaluating attendance patterns as a school and with the Trust attendance team. Absence from school is monitored to identify pupils who may be vulnerable for welfare reasons or identified as not making progress in their learning. Where a child’s attendance has fallen below expectations and we feel reasons for absence need to be discussed we will convene an Attendance Case Conference to formulate a plan to improve attendance. If an improvement is not evident then the matter may be referred to the local authority for consideration of the issue of a penalty notice.
Details of both our current academic year (2019-20) and 2020-21 are available for you to view/print from our website (as they have been for some time) – once again please can I ask you to book accordingly in line with our term dates.
Our full attendance policy can be accessed via the school website.
Curriculum
Mrs Stoker, Y6 teacher, has produced a book outlining our approach to the Y1-6 Curriculum. The booklet outlines our rationale behind planning, assessment and the curriculum. At St Bernadette’s we want our children to go on and make a positive impact in the world. We believe our curriculum will inspire children to go on and achieve great things! Please visit our school website: Curriculum / Curriculum Overview
Parking
As we approach the busy Christmas season may we respectfully remind you to be considerate of both our school neighbours and our children’s safety when parking your cars near to school. Please ensure that you and your relatives visiting school for the performances, or accompanying children to the Pantomime at Billingham Forum Theatre park responsibly.
Social networks
Please can we remind you, as we approach our Christmas performances not to upload in-school photos to your own personal social networks. We place photos, with your permission, on our private Twitter feed of your children so you can share in our school experiences however this permission does not extend to you uploading pictures of children in school, other than your own, to your own social networks.
After School Clubs
After school clubs will end on Friday 6th December and resume in the New Year.
Uniform
We regularly have parents/carers in school searching for lost items of uniform. Please could you help by ensuring that all children’s clothing is clearly labelled. Also, can I ask you to check at home to ensure that your child has not accidentally brought any uniform home that does not belong to them.
Outdoor PE Wear
As the weather has become considerably cooler, please could we ask that children have suitable clothing for outdoor PE, including outdoor footwear. School hoodies are available at a cost of £12. All uniform is available to order via a link on the school website, this may then be delivered to school free of charge.
Weather
Should the school ever close for safety reasons because of extreme weather conditions, information will be fed through the school website and local media.
November Events
Mission Appeal
Throughout October we joined the Pope’s initiative to celebrate an ‘extraordinary month of mission.’ In whole school collective worship, the children learnt about special saints such as John Henry Newman and St Therese of Lisieux. They have also been ‘extra-ordinarily’ generous in the donations in their red mission boxes-a total of £419.21 was raised! Amazing – thank you so much – all money goes directly towards supporting other children!
Book Fair
Thanks to your purchases, ‘The Book People’ have rewarded us with £229.25 to spend on books in school. We will be further supplementing our school library – so watch out for new and exciting texts to read and borrow!
Y2 Assembly
We were delighted so many parents, carers and family members were able to join us in our Y2 Assembly on Wednesday 6th November. The assembly showcased the children’s fantastic understanding of local history!
Y6 Remembrance Liturgy
Our Y6 children leading our whole school Remembrance Liturgy on Monday 11th November. This was a reflective liturgy where we remembered those who had died in service. Hopefully you will have seen the minutes silence on Twitter – very moving.
Hilda Day Mass
Hilda House day was celebrated in school on Friday 8th November. Our KS2 Hilda children attended Mass, 12 noon at St Bernadette’s Church. Monsignor Hogan explained why Hilda was such an inspirational lady. Each House will attend Mass on their House Day so the children develop a deeper understanding of their respective saints.
Children In Need
Our own clothes day and cake sale raised over £250. This money has been sent directly to Children in Need. Thank you also to everyone who donated online and brought in cakes.
Smoothie Bike
Mellor’s, our food suppliers, brought in a Smoothie bike to encourage KS2 children to try a range of fruit on Thursday 21st November. The pedalling was hard work but the final tasting was worth the effort!
Parents Consultations
We hope you found this month’s parent consultations useful and informative. We included a summary report on attainment and effort as well as information on specific targets to support your children with at home.
Y4 Jorvik trip
Our curriculum is enriched where possible with linked trips for different year groups. On Friday 22nd November our Year 4 children travelled to York to visit the Jorvik Museum. This supported their learning about the Vikings, Anglo Saxons and Romans this term.
Mini Vinnies
This month, our newly elected Y6 group of enthusiastic and conscientious volunteers –our Mini Vinnies – were commissioned at a special school assembly led by Mrs Pennick. The Mini Vinnies work hard in school to ‘turn concern into action’. They meet throughout the year to say prayers, write letters, make cards and organise special events. They support the parish SVP group wherever possible.
Sporting Events
Athletics
All our Year 4 and Year 6 children have enjoyed participating in Indoor Athletics competitions last month. These events provide opportunity for whole classes to represent the school in sporting events. Our Year 4 team finished second at the Trinity event-well done!
Gymnastics
A group of selected children across the school (Y1-6) took part in the Middlesbrough Primary Schools Gymnastics tournament on Wednesday 27th November. We were very grateful to Mrs Bell, a grandparent parent in school, who supported in preparing the children in creative routines involving some complex gymnastic movements.
Upcoming events
VIP Party
Our in school Mini-Vinnies are organising a social event for parishioners, grandparents, retired staff, ex-governors and local residents on Friday 13th December, 1.15-2.45pm. The party will involve singing, games and a short Nativity performance. If you know anyone who would like to join us please contact the school office.
Schools Out Closure – Friday 13th December
There will be no Schools Out facility on Friday 13th December. All children will need to be collected at 3pm.
Y1-6 Topic celebration
On Monday 16th December, 2.30-3pm we will open our hall for you to discuss your child’s History topic with them – ‘Journey through time’. We are very proud of how we are developing future ‘historians’ and would love you to witness your child’s amazing new knowledge.
Christmas performances:
We look forward to welcoming you in the coming weeks to our other Christmas performances in school:
- Wednesday 4th December – Y5/6 Advent Liturgy 2pm
- Friday 6th December – Y3/4 Dress the Tree, 2pm
- Wednesday 11th December – Y1/2 Nativity 10am & 2pm
- Wednesday 18th December – EYFS Nativity 10am & 2pm
And finally,
Christmas Gifts
May we take this opportunity to thank you for your support and respectfully ask that you be mindful of our Gifts policy in the lead up to the end of term. The Trust has a policy whereby gifts must be declared. As a staff, we feel very privileged to teach your children and your kind words and messages are more than enough thanks for the work we do. If you would like further clarification on this matter, please do not hesitate to contact myself or a member of staff.
Best wishes,
Mr. P. Conway
Head Teacher
