May Newsletter 2021
Dear Parents/Carers,
We hope you all enjoyed your Easter break. Although we couldn’t invite you into school we hope you were able to access the Google classroom to view the Lenten liturgies. The liturgies give a small insight into the distinctive nature of Catholic school and the values we try to reinforce through using Jesus as our role model.
Uniform
Since returning from the Easter break, many children have already returned to school in our summer uniform. In the Summer term, children are welcome to wear polo shirts / purple and white gingham summer dresses. Children who continue to wear shirts are expected to wear ties.
Also please can we remind you of our expectations regarding hair styles / PE kit and jewellery:
– Hair accessorises eg bows should be small and in school colours
– Hairstyles should be appropriate for school and hair should not obstruct pupil’s vision; pupils with long hair must have it tied back. Hair should not be fully shaved and tramlines, patterns and sculpting are not allowed.
– Jewellery, except for a watch and small stud earrings, should not be worn or brought into school. Children should not come to school in any jewellery on PE days as they are required to remove them for PE.
-As the weather improves please ensure children have sun cream prior to coming to school. Children may want to bring sun hats for break/lunch.
The children look ‘smart as carrots’ in their house colours and purple hoodies – thank you for your support in this. PE kit consists of the following: black plimsolls/trainers, PE t-shirt in house colours, navy blue shorts, purple hoodies and tracksuit bottoms. Children should come to school in their PE kits on these days. Please avoid branded PE clothing. Please be reminded that PE days for this half term are as follows:
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
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Uniform can be purchased via our website – if you need any support with purchasing kit please contact Mr Conway or Miss Brady in confidence. https://stbernadettes.npcat.org.uk/school-uniform/
School Dinners
For logistical reasons of ordering meals and eating in class bubbles we have a one week menu at present as opposed to our usual 3 week menu therefore Mrs Martin our school chef has this week spoken to our children about their food preferences – curry is back! To increase choice, Mrs Martin has altered the menu again to commence wb 10th May. If any children currently on packed lunch want to return to school dinners please inform the school office. The current menu is available to view via our school website.
https://stbernadettes.npcat.org.uk/lunch-menu/
Medication
Some children are already suffering from the symptoms of hay fever. Please can you ensure that any medication is given to your child before they leave for school. Any medication that is required to be given to a child in school, requires a signed consent form and their own medicine, clearly labelled with their name. Please contact the school office where necessary.
Class points
Each day in school children (Reception-Y6) receive class points for hard work, good manners and effort. You can view these via the Arbor app. For every 10 Class points children earn they will receive a House Point and when the children achieve 5 House Points they receive a Merit certificate in our weekly House meeting.
Google Classroom
Please note that should your child ever be absent as a result of COVID, essential resources are placed on the Google Classroom weekly. There is also a link for children to access live lessons where absences are more prolonged.
Weekly homework tasks (expected and optional) are placed on Google Classroom to complete and return. As we continue our catch up as a result of homeschooling, please continue to support us in homework, reading and maths skills activities for children in all year groups. If you need any support accessing Google Classroom please contact your child’s class teacher/school office.
First Holy Communion
Our current Year 5 cohort began their Sacramental preparations for First Holy Communion pre COVID. Monsignor Hogan is hopeful that the children partaking in the programme will complete their programme this Summer. Monsignor will contact parents over the coming weeks as restrictions ease to map out the plans.
Monsignor Hogan will contact the current Year 3 and Year 4 cohort to outline plans for the next programme once the current cycle is complete. This sacramental programme is likely to begin next academic year.
St Bernadette’s Voice
On our website in Parents/Students we have just added a St Bernadette’s Voice link. This is a direct line of communication to Mr Conway or Miss Brady for children or parents to comment on school life or raise concerns. If you want to share something we are here for you. The link is for parents or children – you can add your name or send a message anonymously
April events
PTA
Thank you to Helen Gilpin and Carol Rodgers for supporting our Easter egg scavenger hunt. The children really enjoyed the fun hunt.
Our next PTA meeting to discuss possible Summer events is Thursday 13th May at 7:30pm.
Please join us at our virtual meet – you are all welcome as we look to organise further enriching experiences for your children. Financial budget restraints mean that PTA funding is essential to afford additional resources/activities so please do all you can to support the PTA. All funds are directly ring fenced for spending on your children.
A reminder that If anyone would like to advertise their business through our Twitter or Facebook we would ask a voluntary donation between £5-£10. All contributions are added to our PTA funds. Contact Mr Conway or Miss Brady for further details.
St Bernadette’s Feast Day
During the holiday’s it was the feast of St Bernadette on 16th April. All children explored why St Bernadette was such a special person and had key stage assemblies wb 19th April.
Duke of Edinburgh
We were all saddened to hear of the death of Prince Philip over the Easter break. We prayed for the repose of his soul and the Queen on return to school on Monday 19th April. Our flag also flew at half mast as a sign of respect and remembrance. May He Rest in Peace.
Extended Schools
Thanks to the dedication of our staff team we are once again enjoying an extended school clubs timetable in class bubbles this Summer term. All children within a class bubble are encouraged to partake in the various groups. Please note currently we will maintain clubs in class bubbles. Where clubs at lunch contain more than one bubble, classes will be separated outside in line with current practice.
Please consent to after school clubs (3-4pm) via the Arbor app. For further details/support please contact the school office. Children partaking in an after school club should be collected via the side gate at 4pm.
| Day | Lunch (12-12.25am / 12.30-12.55) | After school (3-4pm) |
| Monday | Y5 Football
Y6 Drama |
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| Tuesday | Y1-3 and Y6 Basketball Teesside Lions | Reception Multi skill activities
Y6 Running Club |
| Wednesday | Y1-6 Street dance | |
| Thursday | Y4-6 Multi sports | Y4 Archery (in groups of 10) |
| Friday | Y1 Singing
Y2 Mini Vinnies Y3 TT Rock Stars Y4-6 Multi sports |
Future events
Parents Evening
Teachers are looking forward to chatting to you via telephone for our parental consultation – Wednesday 5th May and Thursday 6th May. Progress reports and targets will be placed in envelopes and shared with parents on Wednesday 5th May. If anyone requires an additional copy please contact the school office.
Islam
As part of the Catholic Schools Primary Curriculum, children across the school will enjoy developing a fuller understanding of Islam this half term. Children will learn about how Muslims pray and key events and objects which are important to the religion of Islam. We are proud to be a Catholic School but it is vital children learn about and demonstrate respect for people of all faiths. Two ‘other faith’ units are taught for one week each year.
Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)
In March, we sent out information regarding our RSE programme. Thank you for your positive feedback on this new programme. Our new RSE programme promotes Catholic values and virtues in accordance with Church teaching. In this way, we ensure that pupils are offered a balanced programme with a range of viewpoints on issues. Pupils receive clear scientific information as well as covering the statutory aspects RSE at an age appropriate level. The key aim of the programme is to ensure that pupils have access to the learning they need to stay safe, healthy and understand their rights as individuals.
This year we will ‘block teach’ the content of the programme and children will partake in a full week of lessons wb 24th May. Year 5/6 parents are invited to discuss the statutory RSE content of the Y5/6 programme on Monday 17th May, 2.30pm. A letter will be forwarded with further details next week If you cannot make this meeting but would like further information please contact Mr Conway por Miss Brady via the school office.
New Reception September 2021
We were delighted to receive confirmation of our Reception children for next academic year over the Easter break. There are a few spaces available so if you know of anyone not happy with their allocated schools please ask them to contact Mr Conway or Miss Brady. Many children are continuing from our school Nursery and there are also a few new children. We look forward to welcoming all parents formally as part of our transition week in July. All new parents will receive a letter in the next few weeks to outline any information you may require. If you need to clarify anything further please do not hesitate to make contact.
Dates for your diary
Some June/July dates for your diary:
- Monday 3rd May – May Bank Holiday – no children in school
- Friday 28th May, 3pm – Break up for half term
- Monday 7th June – Return to school
- Wednesday 23rd June – Sports day (provisional)
- Friday 25th June – School Fayre (provisional)
- Thursday 15th July – Leavers Liturgy (provisional)
- Friday 16th July, 3pm Last day of term
- Wednesday 1st September – PD day (no children in school)
- Thursday 2nd September – Children return to school for new academic year
And finally,
Staffing news
It is with mixed emotions we share news that Mrs Harris will not returning to St Bernadette’s in September. Mrs Harris has been appointed Deputy Head Teacher at St Clare’s on a permanent basis. Although we naturally wish her well, we will miss her outstanding commitment to our school in her 5 years covering various maternity leaves. Mrs Harris will continue to be part of our school family as she still has two children with us. We know she will continue to be involved and supportive of St Bernadette’s where she can. Congratulations and good luck Mrs Harris! #OnceAStBernadette’sGirl…
COVID and Summer term planning
Although it is pleasing to see the easing of restrictions nationally and the successful roll out of the vaccination programme, be assured of our vigilant stance in school in relation to COVID. As we cautiously move towards a brighter future we can look forward to welcoming you in school again for various events. We can also begin to plan some wider experiences for children again beyond our school grounds.
In the meantime, our timings, routines and COVID associated rules will remain in place. It is therefore difficult to plan for Summer events in the normal way as things stand. Currently we expect all children to be collected by a designated adult however when we reassess our risk assessment in May we hope to allow Y5/6 children to walk home alone (on completion of appropriate consent) for families wishing to encourage this independence. As we are permitted to make changes or plan events we will inform you.
With every good wish
Mr P Conway Miss S Brady
Head Teacher Head of School
