November Newsletter 2019
Dear Parents, carers and children,
Thank you for the many responses to our evaluation of our school values. All responses were considered and our ‘Prayer group’ set 8 revised values. Miss Brady, shared our new values in assembly earlier this month: Be determined; Be faithful; Be positive; Be unique; Be respectful; Be forgiving; Be loving and Be honest. Each class decorated a value and linked them to scripture. They are displayed prominently in the hall to remind us to be the best we can be in all our actions and interactions with each other.
The children have also agreed on a school code of conduct which helps us make the right choices in class and around school. These rules are displayed on each classroom door: use quiet and kind voices; have good listening; tell the truth; care for others; show kindness and respect; have good manners; have pride in all that they do; wear a smile; tidy up after themselves and try their best in all that they do.
Ultimately we want our school values and code of conduct to help our children to live out our school vision and be great people who make a positive impact in our world!
Diary Dates November and Early December 2019
| Date | Event |
| Monday 4th November | School Re-opens, 8.40am |
| Wednesday 6th November | Year 2 Assembly 9am |
| Friday 8th November | Hilda House Day (children in Hilda house may wear an element of green) |
| Friday 8th November | KS2 – Mass in church at 12noon (for KS2 in Hilda House) |
| W/C Monday 11th November | Book Fair |
| Monday 11th November | Remembrance Service 11am |
| Wednesday 13th November | FHC Meeting in Church 6pm |
| Thursday 14th November | Y4 Sportshall Athletics (whole class) |
| Thursday 14th November | Judo Sessions for all classes |
| Friday 15th November | Children in Need |
| Wednesday 20th November | Parent Consultations 3 – 6pm |
| Thursday 21st November | Parent Consultations 3 – 6pm |
| Wednesday 27th November | FHC Meeting in Church 6pm |
| Saturday 30th November | PTA Christmas Fayre 10 – 12 noon |
| Wednesday 4th December | FHC Meeting in Church 6pm |
| Sports Activities | |
| Friday 8th November | Year 5/6 Tag Rugby (selected children) |
School Lunches
Mrs Martin continues to provide fabulous school meals on a 3 week rota. The menus have been recently revised and available to view via our school website. School will of course still cater for any specific dietary requirements; if you want to discuss this further please contact the school office.
Several children recently have brought packed lunches to school which lack healthy options. We regularly discuss the importance of healthy eating in class and in developing mindful choices today and in the future. Please ensure you pack a balance of food groups in children’s packed lunches.
Homework
Please continue to support us with your children’s homework…it makes such a difference! We ask children to read and practise their maths skills regularly with their parents and reward them for this in school. Each teacher also gives weekly maths or English related homework. Each teacher also offers additional (optional) tasks linked to their current Topic via the learning platform.
Learning platform
All children/parents can access their class learning platform (ILP) page via our school website using a username/password which is in your child’s reading record. Access to the platform allows you to view current information and homework tasks. It also offers a safe platform for children to communicate with each other or their teachers. Please ask your child’s teacher or school office if you require support logging on.
Attendance
Thank you for all you do to support us with attendance and punctuality. It really does make a difference to the outcomes of your children. Our attendance to date is 96.9%.
Parking
Please can we remind you to continue to park your cars respectfully around the school.
We are delighted so many of you enjoy looking at our private School Twitter feed updates – only parents/extended family over 18 and schools/groups/organisations working with the school are accepted. It is not always obvious through looking at Twitter account’s usernames who is actually asking to follow us so if you request to follow our feed and are not immediately accepted please contact the school office or your child’s class teacher.
October events
Buddies Assembly
We were packed to the rafters in our Buddies Assembly as our Year 6 children introduced their Reception buddies on Wednesday 2nd October. Parents and children were treated to some lovely songs both new and traditional. Our Year 6 have really helped our youngest full time children settle quickly into school life at St Bernadette’s.
Nursery Liturgy
Prayer life is central to our school ethos and we were delighted to welcome so many new parents to school on Wednesday 16th October. As always the children lead by example and led the congregation through simple prayers and songs.
Harvest Festival – SVP Food Banks
Thank you for all the food donations in advance of our Harvest Mass. We were overwhelmed by your generosity. The food was packed by our teaching assistants and sent to deserving families following our Mass on Wednesday 23rd October.
Mission Boxes
Throughout October we joined the Pope’s initiative to celebrate an ‘extraordinary month of mission.’ In whole school collective worship, the children have 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. We are still totalling the final amount raised. A final total will be given in our next newsletter. All monies will be used directly to support other children less fortunate.
Y6 Residential – Robinwood
Our Y6 children had a wonderful time in Robinwood Outdoor Adventure Centre, 9th – 11th October. Many of you would have seen on our school twitter feed and the regular updates of their adventurous experiences!
Luke H: ‘I really enjoyed Robinwood because we all encouraged each other to take part in every activity!’
Kasey: ‘In some of the activities I was a bit scared but I overcame my fears and did everything!’
Luke D: ‘At first I was nervous, but now I want to go back!’
PTA
We are so grateful for the support of the PTA. Already 3 events have been organised this academic year: a Race Night; a walk and the Autumn disco. Thank you to all who organise and support the events. Our next event will be the Christmas fayre.
October Sporting events
A group of Y5/6 girls participated in a Tag Rugby festival at Middlesbrough Sports Village following training for several weeks after school with Mr Peacock. The competitive festivals were thoroughly enjoyed by the girls and deserving of their hard work in training! Unfortunately the boy’s event was cancelled due to inclement weather.
Following their success in the previous round, four Y5/6 children (Jack S, Will S, Lily and Joseph R) represented Middlesbrough in the Tees Valley Cross Country Finals on Wednesday 16th October. We are so proud of them for this feat! They competed in a field against runners from Redcar, Hartlepool and Stockton, all finishing in the Top 50! They were a credit to themselves, their families and the school.
Extended Schools/Sports Clubs
Information regarding our new extended schools clubs after half term will be given to specific year groups in the first week back after half term. All after clubs begin again WB 11th November. Mrs Smith, Year 3 teacher, will be assuming the responsibility for PE following half term. Should you require further information regarding our extended schools please contact Mrs Smith, the school office or Mr Conway.
Future events
All significant dates, events and holidays are regularly refreshed on our school website calendar. Please note following half term there will be a parents evening (Rec-Y6 parents). Details regarding booking appointments will be communicated following half term.
Christmas 2019 dates
- 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,
Please be reminded that we have communicated our Term dates for 2020-2021 (NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR). Please note that next academic year (2020-21) our school, along with the whole Nicholas Postgate Trust, will revert to a six week summer break, returning to school on Wednesday 2nd September 2020. All other holidays will be as expected ie one week in late October 2020; 2 weeks at Christmas; one week in February 2021 and one week at the end of May 2021. Please note that Easter 2021 will be a two week break. We will be in school in Holy week and off the 2 weeks following Good Friday. All 5 PD days have been allocated and are indicated clearly.
Details of both our current academic year (2019-20) and 2020-21 are available for you to view/print from our website.
Please book holidays accordingly for this and next academic year.
I hope you are all looking forward to half term and have some exciting plans next week. We return Monday 4th November, 8.40am.
Best wishes,
Mr P Conway
Head Teacher
