17th December 2021Paul Conway

17/12/2021

End of Year 2021 Newsletter 

 

Dear Parents, Carers and Children,

 

As we approach the end of school term, may we thank you all for your support and encouragement this term.  

 

Christmas performances

It has been a pleasure to witness how the children have embraced the Christmas spirit in recent weeks.  We hope you have enjoyed sharing the experiences with us in person this year and it has brought extra joy at this time for you.  We would have loved to have more but we hope you have been able to share your child’s performances via Google Classroom with wider family members. 

There is currently a delay in us adding the Y1/Y2 performance; we will try to resolve soon.

 

Please can we respectfully remind you, following our Christmas performances, not to upload in-school photos to your own personal social networks. 

 

Parties/donation to Church 

As a result of funds raised from the children’s Christmas performances, our children across school have really enjoyed our Christmas parties over the last week – we provided snacks and selection boxes as well as party games and a disco!  It was such fun! We have also made a significant donation to the Church for their Christmas charity: Children of the Home of Peace in Jerusalem (£250).  Thank you! 

 

Staffing update

Mr Lynn has announced his intention to take early retirement.  We are so grateful for Mr Lynn’s service at St Bernadette’s.  His sense of fun, love and commitment to our school and children will be missed by all.  He is looking forward to new adventures on his canal boat but we are sure he will visit school frequently.  #Once a St Bernadette’s boy….

We are delighted that Miss Kennington will continue as class teacher in Year 4. 

 

Mrs Martin, our school chef of 15 years, is to retire on Friday 17th December; she will be a huge miss to St. Bernadette’s.  Our school food has always had an excellent reputation.  We thank Jan for her commitment and love to our children and wish her a happy and healthy retirement. 

 

Menu

Please be aware of our revised menu from January 2022.  If anyone currently on packed lunches wishes to swap to school lunches please inform the school office. https://stbernadettes.npcat.org.uk/lunch-menu/

 

Reception applications

Nursery parents please remember to apply for your primary school reception place online as soon as possible. (The website is open for applications until 15 January 2022)

Children who are due to start primary school reception class in September 2022 and who were born between 1 September 2017 and 31 August 2018 should apply now!

Parents will be invited to submit their preferences for the three primary schools they’d like their child to attend.  Even if you are currently attending our Nursery, your child won’t automatically be given a school place; you must apply!  Please use the following link to make an online application: https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-admissions/primary-school-admissions-reception-intake

 

Our indications based on Nursery numbers would predict there may be places still available so please spread the word and encourage family members/friends to apply. 

 

Currently we have  15 hour Nursery places available, so again please spread the word and encourage family members/friends to make contact if they have Nursery age children. 

 

P.E –      Please be aware of our PE days from January (Rec-Y6)

Reception –  Monday and Friday

Year 1 – Thursday and Friday

Year 2 – Tuesday and Thursday

Year 3 – Thursday and Friday

Year 4 – Monday and Tuesday

Year 5 – Monday and Tuesday

Year 5 – Monday and Tuesday

Year 6 – Monday and Friday

 

Please ensure all children wear PE kits (Rec-Y6).  PE kit consists of: a t-shirt in your child’s house colour, a purple hoodie and plain blue shorts/navy joggers.  We do not permit branded tops/t-shirts/football tops etc so please ensure children come to school in the correct attire on their set days.  If you require any PE kit please place your order asap via our school website or order directly from Motiv8  https://www.motif8.co.uk/schoolwear/primary-schools/st-bernadette-s-primary.html

Please can we remind you of our Uniform policy in relation to jewellery.  Small studs are permitted in school however they should be taped or removed on PE days.  The only other accessory allowed in school is a sports watch but this must not cause the children to be distracted from the class work.  

 

E-safety 

Some of your children may be receiving new electronic devices over Christmas.  If anyone requires support restricting the content your children can access on their personal devices  (like our school networks) please contact Mr Bourner or the school office and we will add parental locks to children’s home personal devices if requested. 

 

Free Christmas Clubs

Lisa McGee Education Ltd is offering free places on a Christmas Club they are delivering for the Department of Education as part of Xplore Christmas #haf2021 (Holiday Activity and Food Programme). This is directly aimed at children in Y1-6 who are in receipt of free school meals. They will have not only hot food daily but also a range of fun and exciting enrichments , including at least one hour with professional coaches delivering fun games and making sure they keep active; a pantomime from the best production teams ; Xmas games, arts and crafts including a session with a renowned artist and party games, cheer lead, First Aid, Tees Valley Wildlife Trust and and the Police.  The link to book a place at St Gabriel’s RC Primary in Ormesby is: https://forms.gle/sNJeQy3sK9tFLqvc6

 

‘Musinc’ and Middlesbrough Town Hall are offering a unique musical experience for children aged 7-11 who are eligible for free school meals as part of the government’s Holiday Activities Fund. Children aged 7-11 will be able to take part in a variety of musical games and activities and try a variety of orchestral instruments. A hot meal will be provided each day including Christmas dinner.  The club is running on 20th, 21st and 22nd December 10am – 2pm. Children can attend one, two or all three days. To book a place please register here.

 

Recent events

 

Poppy Appeal

We have just received notification that you raised £309.59 from purchasing the poppy merchandise.  Well done and thank you!  Without your help The British Royal legion would be unable to continue their vital welfare and benevolent work.

 

PTA 

Thank you for supporting our Christmas Fayre last week.  Particular thanks to our many volunteers at the Fayre. What a lovely morning it was!  Your contributions of bottles, toys, chocolate and the raffle prizes helped raise an amazing £3,123.96.  Wow! Thank you so much everyone! Profits raised will be directed towards PTA funds to pay for additional school resources e.g. reading books; ipads and children’s trips/experiences. 

 

CAUSE hampers 

We would like to say a huge thank you for the gifts and provisions you kindly donated for the CAUSE hampers. The hampers looked wonderful and were delivered to the families on Wednesday 8th December. 

 

Panto

Last week, all children enjoyed a great in-school panto – Jack and the Beanstalk.  It was such a success; we are hoping to do the same again next year and will look to use some of our fundraising to offset the cost of the performance. 

 

Reindeer Run

The children had an amazing time yesterday completing the ‘Reindeer Run’. Thanks to the generosity of our wonderful parents, families and friends, we have raised over £2400 which will go directly to Teesside Hospice.  Wow! You are sooo generous! Thank you! 

 

Governor visits

We have been grateful; of 2 Governor visits this month:

  • Mrs Cutler has met with Mrs Day, our School Business Manager, to review our safeguarding recruitment process .
  • Mr Wren has met with Miss Brady and a selection of Reception-Y6 children to discuss and review Behaviour and Attitudes and Personal development.

 

Please be aware that Mrs Bilous was elected to continue as Chair of Governors in our recent Local Management Board meeting and Mike Wren was elected Vice Chair. For more information on our Governors and the roles their perform please visit our website: https://stbernadettes.npcat.org.uk/governors-responsibilities/

 

Please be aware that there is one Foundation Governor vacancy available at our school – if there are any practicing Catholics who would be interested in being a Governor please contact Mr Conway / Miss Brady for further information.  We would be grateful if you could also share this vacancy with parishioners at St Bernadette’s. 

 

Future notices

 

Synod

The Synods of Bishops are due to meet in Rome in September 2023. As part of the discussion leading up to their consideration, ‘For a Synodal Church’, Pope Francis has asked for every Catholic throughout the entire world to be given the chance to voice their opinion concerning how we already journey together and how we may grow in future. As with many Dioceses around the country, Middlesbrough shall be conducting several listening meetings on a parish-wide basis.

Here in St Bernadette’s, these will begin during the second week of January 2022. The synthesis of our meetings will be sent to Canon Derek Turnham, Bishop Terry’s Contact Person, who working with a team of lay people and clergy will draft a synthesis of all the feedback from across the Diocese. This will then proceed through Bishop Terry to the Conference of Bishops of England & Wales, in preparation for the eventual Synod of Bishops in Rome.

To help us prepare, the Diocese have provided a link to Fr John Dardis video outlining the method we shall be using https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EDySgbWogU

It is based upon Ignatian Spirituality and is already widely used throughout the Church. In the first week back after Christmas we will host our own listening session with children, staff and parents. The dates for our sessions will be on Thursday 6th and Friday 7th January.

 

Calendar events

We have a number of events in the Spring term e.g. assemblies, Lenten liturgies, Sports days etc for the Spring and Summer term.  These events are regularly refreshed on our school website calendar.   

Please also be aware that we have now finalised our 2022-23 Term dates – these can be accessed via the following link and are on our website for future reference: St Bernadettes Primary School Term Dates 2022 – 23 Yearly Calendar.pdf

 

Extended school clubs

Mrs Smith, our PE lead, is currently reviewing our extended school timetable for the Spring term.  All current clubs have now ended. We will issue information regarding new clubs/year groups in the new year.  

 

Spring term routines 

Thank you for dropping and collecting children so punctually this term – it makes a huge difference.  Please be reminded that all children are expected in school by 8.40am – this is when the gates close.  All children are working in class from 8.30am each day!

 

Please be reminded of the arrows on the paths to help manage social distancing.  Please can families with multiple sibling links collect oldest children first and proceed to younger children’s exit points.

 

School’s Out vacancy (re-advert)

We are re-advertising a School’s Out vacancy.  This is an external advert for 12.5 hours a week – 3pm-5.30pm each evening to join our wraparound care team.  We have removed the requirement for a Level 2 qualification.  We would really welcome interest from any parents/grandparents who have interest in working with our wonderful children and supportive staff.  We would be grateful if you could share the attached link on your own or local group social networks.  The closing date for applications is Monday 17th January.   

See attached link for further details:  https://online.fliphtml5.com/qsqrk/uogn/#p=1

And finally, 

 

Postgate News

Please find a link for our first trust magazine of the academic year – ‘The Postgate News’ featuring all the amazing things that have been happening in our wonderful NPCAT family of schools and the central team during the Autumn term. Happy reading!  https://online.fliphtml5.com/qsqrk/wxzc/

Covid guidance

For the safety of all our school community, please ensure you inform us if you are planning on going abroad over the Christmas holiday and returning after the new year.  New guidance states that children and adults must quarantine on return from abroad and take a PCR test before returning to work/school. 

 

Emergency contact

Should anyone need to contact the school in an emergency over the holiday period please could we ask that you email Mr Conway using his school email address ([email protected] )  

 

May we take this opportunity to wish you all a holy and peaceful Christmas.  Please find the link for the Christmas holidays ‘Wednesday Word’ to share with your family.

https://www.paperturn-view.com/uk/wednesday-word/christmas-holiday-special?pid=MTA101634&v=47.2

 

As we move into a new year may we continue to treat each other with love and kindness.   On behalf of the whole staff team, we extend our very best wishes for 2022.    

 

 

The Department for Education and the Government will continue to look closely at all the emerging data in relation to the new variant of COVID over the coming weeks.  As things stand there are no alterations to school practice but we will keep you abreast in January before our return if any updated guidance affects our school routines.  

A reminder that school staff have a training day on Tuesday 4th January.  We look forward to seeing you and your children back at school on Wednesday 5th January 2021.

 

Best wishes, 

 

Mr P Conway         Miss S Brady

Head Teacher        Head of School