 We are closed for training on Friday 10th February 2012
We reopen to children on Monday 20th February 2012
Breakfast Club and the Motor Skills Programme start as normal again on that day
Learning and Progress
For us to do our job really well we need your children in school. The classes that have made the most progress since December have had the BEST attendance. We have 102 children who have 100% attendance this half term and that is better than it has ever been. Thank you so much to all those parents who have committed so much energy into getting their children into school.
Y6: 98.4%
Y5: 92.6%
Y4: 96.4%
Y3: 93.8%
Y2: 97.8%
Y1: 94.1%
Y Reception: 94%
Y Nursery:90.2%
The class with the most improvement is: Year 1, this time last year they were at 87%- Fantastic! You get Lucky for a week! So in Y1 children have made 1 year and 1 terms worth of progress in 12 weeks.
E-Safety
On Wednesday of this week it was National E-Safety Day. On Monday Miss Bowers talked with the children about how to stay safe online, and what ‘online’ means. Have a discussion with your child about what they decided the 4 top tips are. If you would like any information regarding e-safety or to get advice and support on issues relating to keeping children safe on line, the website we recommend and shared with children is www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Weather-Be in the Know!
If school is ever to be closed we will text, so, please make sure we have your current up to date mobile numbers
 Ofsted Inspection
“Worsbrough Bank End Primary School – A GOOD School with OUTSTANDING features! “
Read the full report
We are delighted to share the final Ofsted report with you. I think you will see that the school is now performing better than it has in the last five years. We are incredibly proud of this because we do work very hard to make Bank End a special place where learning and improvements in learning drive everything.
91% of you are happy with what we do and we want to promise you that we will continue to try to get better until we have an outstanding provision for all your children. We know through the parent questionnaires that 9% of our families are unhappy with the provision that we provide. If you feel unhappy with anything that we are doing or providing it is important that you make an appointment to speak to a member of the Senior Leadership Team a.s.a.p. If we don’t know how you feel, we can’t do anything about it and we want so much for you to be happy with the provision. Please help us to help you so that the children’s learning can come first.
‘Bank End Primary-where working together works’
INSET Day
We are closed for training on Friday 10th February 2012
We reopen to children on Monday 20th February 2012
Breakfast Club and the Motor Skills Programme start as normal again on that day
READING CHALLENGE
Many thanks to all our families who are supporting their children on the ‘Reading Round the World Challenge’ -On Wednesday the school council is meeting and we are going to ask them to find out what prizes children would like for reaching the end of the journey. If you have time to ask them please do and get them to tell us.
Milk
Milk money is now due. Please send your money in a named envelope to the class teacher who will send it to the office. Please do not come to the office unless there is a problem.
COST IS £8.00
 Dear Parents and Carers
I am very sorry to have to send out this letter but feel that there are far too many children, particularly in upper KS2, wearing unsuitable footwear for school. We are not being pedantic about this issue, when your children wear fashion items for school their behaviour and readiness for learning is hugely affected in a negative manner. We know this through years of experience and good educational research carried out across the country.
When we have spoken to individuals we have had poor excuses made to us like ‘other children wear them’, or ‘they don’t want to wear black shoes’. This really is not helpful or good enough. If your children do not wear school uniform, they are breaking the rules agreed in school and this will not be permitted.
Please can you make sure that your child(ren) come to school in the agreed school uniform, listed below, every day so that we can concentrate on the important job of preparing them for their futures.
Please accept my apologies if you always work hard to follow our dress code. Thank you for your fantastic support in this matter.
Thank you for your continued support!
Nichola Thorpe
Head teacher
- Polo shirt
- Jumper or cardigan in navy blue
- Navy or black trousers or skirt
- Black shoes or plain trainers-no florescent laces, stripes or coloured high tops
 Dear Parents and Carers
Many thanks to everybody for donations brought into school today. It is still not too late we can still accept donations up until 11am on Tuesday morning.
The doors to the Fayre will open at 1.15pm. Please do not come before that time as we will not be letting anyone in; this is because we need the time following the lunch break to set up the hall.
The children will be brought into the hall at 1.30pm to perform their Christmas songs to you with Early Years and KS1 performing first followed by KS2. Once the children have performed you will be able to pick up your children from their classrooms in EYFS and KS1. KS2 children will enter the Fayre and you can meet with them in the hall.
Most of the stalls will be set up in the hall where our choir will continue to perform for you. Santa’s Grotto and the Café will be along our KS2 corridor. Please feel free once the performance is over to visit the Grotto, Café and stalls in the hall.
We hope that you have lots of fun and enjoy spending the festive season with us.
I look forward to seeing you!
Thank you for your continued support
Nic Thorpe
Headteacher
 Industrial Action
As mentioned in last week’s newsletter school will be closed to staff and children all day on Wednesday 30th November but will be open as normal on Thursday 1st December.
A Miracle at Christmas
On Thursday 1st December Bank End Primary School is hosting the very first event in our Bang into Christmas theme. During the morning the children will be doing lots of exciting activities to launch the theme. Then in the afternoon the Rhema Theatre Company will be performing a very special play for all our children.
School is asking for a voluntary contribution of £1 per child towards payment of the production. Please send the money in an envelope to your child(ren)’s teacher.
Also, please note that there is no Nursery session in the morning, all nursery children are invited to attend the afternoon session, which starts at 12.30pm.
School ends for all children at 3.30pm on Thursday 1st December.
Robinwood
A big, big thank you to Mr Cooper, Mrs Dickson and Mrs Nogowczyk for all the time they gave to take our Year 6 children to Robinwood. A great time was had by all and I know from all the staff that the children were a credit to Bank End and to all parents and carers.
Dear Parent/Carer
It is with regret that I must inform you that there is to be a national day of strike action on Wednesday 30 November. The strike has been called by the Teaching and Support Staff Trade Unions.
This will involve most Teaching and Support Staff in School. We have conducted a thorough risk assessment to determine whether or not we can safely operate the School and maintain a duty of care to your child (ren).
As a result we must inform you that school will be closed for on 30 November 2011 all day.
We recognise the inconvenience this will cause you and your family but our primary concern is to safeguard your child(ren).
With best wishes
Nic Thorpe
Head teacher
Mandy Guest
Chair of Governors
 |
You are cordially invited to join us in our school on Tuesday 13th December at 1.15pm-3.15pm.
it will be £1 to enter and there will be:
- Children performing in their Key Stages
- Santa in the grotto
- Café with tea, coffee and mince pies
- Tombola
- North Pole Treasure hunt
- Cake stall
- Name the Teddy
- New Book Stall
- Face Painting
|
Theatre Company Visit
To start our Christmas celebrations with a BANG on THURSDAY 1ST DECEMBER a theatre company will be visiting, they will be performing ‘A Miracle at Christmas’ for all the children.
We ask that you make a contribution of £1 per child for this exciting event.
The production is in the afternoon and will run until 3.15pm so, we ask that you pick up your children at 3.30pm on that day only. So that our nursery children can attend, the morning session is closed on that day and opens for all nursery children in the afternoon from 12.30pm.
CELEBRATIONS GALORE
On Wednesday 7th December we are having our Christmas dinner. Bring your Christmas hats, tinsel, Christmas hairbands etc. to wear for the meal.
On Wednesday 14th December it is PARTY DAY. Please come to school in your party clothes. We will be serving a very special school lunch followed by many games and dancing in the afternoon.
 Letters and Sounds Workshop
We are running workshops for parents to learn how to support the teaching of reading at home. It starts on Monday at 9.15am-11.15am and a crèche will be provided. All of EYFS and KS1 have been invited and we still have some places left for any other parents who would like to join in. it would be particularly useful for families with children in Y3 but would be interesting for any parents and carers. Please ask at the office, places will be given on a first come first serve basis.
Celebration
From this week onwards children who are chosen as star of the week they will be invited to the Star Table to be treated like stars. They will eat their lunch with the staff and be served by specially chosen waiters.
PE KITS NEEDED URGENTLY
Many, many thanks to all those parents who always send their children with PE kits, it is wonderful to see your children looking so smart and enjoying the sessions. I am trying to put together a spare PE kit selection and wanted to ask if you had any clothes and pumps that you would be willing to donate to school. If you have please bring them to the school office- Many thanks
Safer Neighbourhood Team
Please be aware that we have found a number of nails and screws in the road both on Underwood Avenue and on the driveway into school. These items have resulted in some cars having punctures. Please watch out for them as I am concerned that someone could be hurt, even though we do endeavor to pick them up. If you see anybody putting such items into the road please will you come into school to talk to me about it so that we can stop it?
Reading4Real
Mr Cooper is running a real reading workshop for children and parents every Thursday after school. He has got together an exciting collection of books and magazines to enjoy. If you would like to come and share some fantastic texts with your child(ren) then please feel free to pop along straight away after school on a Thursday until Christmas.
It’s warm at the moment but…
In the case of adverse weather conditions the school will text you up to date information. Please make sure we have your current telephone number.
 School closes today and re-opens on Monday 31st October. Please come dressed in your Halloween clothes for a scary day!
A huge thank you to all our families who came into school yesterday. We really enjoyed seeing you and working in partnership with you, to help all our children be the best they can be…
Please remember that PE kits will need to be in school on the first Monday back. It is a statutory requirement that children take part in physical education. At Bank End we believe that healthy bodies lead to healthy minds. Please support your child in this matter.
 Dear parents and carers
We would like you to invite you to join in with a very exciting piece of work we are doing. Over 5 sessions after the holidays we are holding a group meeting to help parents and carers understand how to get the very best out of supporting children with their phonics and reading. At Bank End we believe that reading is the key to success in all other areas of learning. We also believe that parents and carers can hugely accelerate their child (ren’s) learning if they understand how to support reading at home.
The meetings will be held in school time run from 9.15am-11.15am (day to be confirmed) There will be a crèche for your younger children and an opportunity for you to learn and have fun. Refreshments will be provided and there is absolutely no cost for the course or crèche.
This opportunity should not be missed.
Click the image on the left or the link below to print a copy, fill in the slip at the bottom and return it ASAP.
Many thanks for your continued support-Because together we WILL make a difference!
Nic Thorpe
Headteacher
 Dear Parents and Carers
I understand that some of you have experienced problems with car vandalism on Underwood Avenue. Our school staff have also had some degree of problems and the Safer Neighbourhood Team is supporting us with trying to solve the problems.
It is very important that if you receive any verbal abuse or any vandalism to your cars that you report this.
You can do this by contacting South Yorkshire Police 0800 555 111, this is a crime stoppers number and issues can reported anonymously, or 0114 220 2020 if you want to report a crime and are happy to share your name. If you would rather contact school you can, and we will pass on your concerns.
If we work together on this we are more likely to stop it.
Thank you for your continued support!
Dave Bagshaw-Community Police Officer
Nic Thorpe-Headteacher
On behalf of Kendray and Worsbrough Safer Neighbourhood Team
 Sunnybank children’s Centre
Please be vigilant when parking your car as dangerous parking can lead to the loss of lives. I have spoken with the police and they say there are enough parking spaces for parents and carers on Overdale and Underwood Avenue to avoid parking in Sunnybank’s car park.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Parent Teacher Pupil Meeting
Letters have been sent out today for Parent/Carer consultation meetings. The meetings will take place next Thursday during the school day. Your child(ren) will be included in the meeting but if you feel that you want a private conversation then please do make that clear with the class teacher.
These meetings are of vital importance; please make sure that you come for an appointment so that we can share with you successes and areas for development.
Early Years Foundation Stage
We are really lucky to have secured an excellent practitioner for our EYFS. Jan Walker is staying with us until the Christmas holidays. She will teach the children in the Reception class and be a part of the team for the whole of the Early Years Foundation Stage. If you have any concerns or need any support please see her as soon as is possible. Also, Jenny Bowers, DHT, is managing the setting until we have a permanent leader. Don’t hesitate to contact her if you feel your problems are not being resolved.
Anti-Bullying Week
Next week in school we are having our very own Anti-Bullying Week. During the week your child(ren) will be having lessons about how to get the very best out of their relationships. This year our focus is upon Every Child’s Right to Be Safe. Something we all hold dear to us. To start the series of lessons we have a theatre company in school tomorrow delivering a play to start our thinking off.
Dates for your Diary
School closes on Friday 28th October and re-opens again on Monday 1st November.
In the case of adverse weather conditions the schools will text you up to date information. Please make sure we have your current telephone number.
Celebration
Because we are launching our anti-bully week tomorrow- there will be no celebration assembly this week. We will be holding a double celebration next week so expect twice the fun!
Thank you for your continued support – because together we will make a difference!
Nichola Thorpe-Headteacher
You can download this letter or see a printable version by clicking the image to the left or clicking the link below:
Newsletter 12th September 2011
Attendance
We are having a huge drive this year on improving our attendance numbers. Please be aware that no holidays will be authorised in the first half term and following that only children with attendance over 95% will be permitted authorised holidays.
Guided reading begins at 8.55am daily. Please make sure your child/children are promptly into class so that they can take part in this very important lesson.
Building Works
As you will have seen we have been having extensive building works over the summer holidays. All our classrooms have been redecorated and fitted with new carpets. The hall has been given a well needed face-lift and we have new meeting rooms to support working with our families. The final phase of the building work will be completed by the 24th September. Thank you very much for all your patience in dealing with the reduced space on our KS2 playground. We look forward to inviting you into school for our Parent, Pupil and Teacher Meetings before the end of the half term, where you will be able to see the building for yourself.
Telephone Numbers
Please keep us informed of your up to date telephone numbers so that we can contact you in case of emergency. We also send out texts to parents with school updates and regarding adverse weather conditions.
If you do change numbers please see the office as a matter of urgency.
Early Years Foundation Stage
We want our youngest children in school for 8.45am so that they can have time to carry out a learning task. We would very much encourage you to stay and join in with the learning so that you can find out more about how to support learning at home.
PLEASE HELP US TO SAFEGUARD ALL THE CHILDREN
Doors open at 8.40am and are locked at 9am. If you arrive and the doors are closed please bring your child to the main office.
Homework Packs
There has been a delay in the delivery of the Homework files that we want to send out to all children. We are now expecting that we can get the packs out to you by Monday 19th September as long as the delivery is on time.
Your child/children will be given a small amount of homework and reading this week until the packs are delivered.
Please accept my sincerest apologies on the delay.
Milk
Milk money is now due. Please send your money in a named envelope to the class teacher who will send it to the office. Please do not come to the office unless there is a problem.
COST IS £8.00
As always you can download or print this letter by clicking on the image or the link below
Report Letter
Dear Parents and Carers
We hope that you like reading your child/children’s reports and are pleased with the progress that they have made. We have included some resources to help you understand where your child/children are nationally. Also in this pack is a copy of each child’s registration certificate. We have included these rather than simply giving you a percentage of attendance so that you can see the days that have been taken off school this year. We take attendance very seriously; we cannot do our job if we do not have your children in school. Attendance that falls below our target of 95% is an issue and something that we will be talking to you about if this occurs.
We do all our focused reading and teaching of reading in the morning between 8.55 and 9.20, so if your child is regularly late for school, learning in this area will be affected. Please do your best to ensure that your child/children are always in school on time, as reading is the key to unlocking the potential in all learning.
It was fantastic to see you in school last week and see you enjoying all the activities we shared with you. Our Summer Fayre raised a grand total of £600 profit and this tidy sum will be added into the Bank End Buddies bank account so that the committee can continue to organise community events in the future.
|
| Thank you so much for completing our questionnaires last week, we know from you that:
98% of you feel your child/children are safe and happy in school
98% of you are pleased with the progress your child/children make
95% of you feel that we work hard to solve problems
95% of you think we communicate well with you
We endeavour to work hard to look after this good reputation and really aim to reach out and improve for those that we have failed to meet.
For September we would ask that you make sure that you have a full school uniform for your children to return to us in which includes black footwear, black trousers/skirts/white or navy polo shirts and a navy sweatshirt/fleece or cardigan. Please also make sure that all children have a PE kit that is black and white only. Please send your child/children to school every Monday with their named PE kits. The staff will collect them in and store them in a safe location. They will be handed out again on Friday to be brought home for you to wash. Children without a PE kit will not be able to take part in the lessons, so please be diligent with this matter and get into a good routine of fetching them every Monday.
We will be sending out a new homework pack on the first Monday back, which will include times tables, spellings, a reading book and a small amount of literacy and maths homework. Homework will always go out on a Monday and should be returned on a Friday. This way your child/children always get the weekends to relax.
We will be working hard to try to improve the school this next year. Our four priorities are:
- Raise attainment and accelerate progress for all children
- Improve the curriculum so that teaching is always good and children are excited by learning
- Improve the EYFS so that the youngest children make speedy progress
- Improve leadership and management so that the school has a sustained capacity to improve
It is sure to be a busy year so I thank you in advance for your continued support.
I look forward to our full year together with great anticipation!
Nichola Thorpe-Headteacher
|
 |
You can see this letter in its oroginal form by clicking on the link below or the image on the left.
Letter to parents
Dear Parent or Carers,
Since joining the school on the 1st July I have been delighted to witness the friendliness of the community and the enthusiasm that children, staff and parents have for learning in Bank End.
In my assembly with the children yesterday I was discussing pupil voice and how important it is to ensure that the children feel valued and listened to within school. To that end there will be a School Council with representatives from all classes.
There will be pupils from year 5 and 6 pupils to represent Nursery, Reception and Year 1. I will be the staff lead and staff representative on the Council.Please discuss with your child if they wish to be a representative for their class, or, if they will be in year 5 or 6 in September, for Nursery/Reception or Year 1.
The children have been asked to prepare a short speech about why they would be a good representative to share with their class on Monday, the classes will then vote on who they want as their representatives.In assembly we discussed;
- Being a good role model
- Being able to listen and remember what is said
- Being able to speak in front of groups
- Being able to share opinions and ideas from the class, not just their own
|
In school for everything we do we have 3 drivers, and a School Council will support our school in continuing to move forward, and develop successful and happy learners.
|
School Driver
|
How having a school council develops our school and pupils
|
| Ambition |
The School Council develops leader for the future, and gives the school insight into democracy and citizenship |
| Learning2learn |
The representatives will develop their thinking skills, co-operation skills, speaking and listening skills and their knowledge of the community. |
| Ownership |
The representatives will get the opportunity to represent their class mates in school decisions, the school in the community, and the community in Barnsley-wide events. |
Being on school council is a really good opportunity for children; in return we ask for the children to be good attenders and to be committed to school council, because even though it is fun, there will also sometimes be extra work for the children to do.
Thank you for your support,
Jenny Bowers
Deputy Headteacher
|
