This is the last newsletter for 2010. This year, despite starting with our disappointing OfSTED inspection, has been a year of real growth and progress for the school, and I am extremely proud of our achievements. Therefore, I would like to use this letter as an opportunity to celebrate some of these great things. However, quickly, the news…
Term Dates
Term ends tomorrow for all children at 3.20. School reopens for children on Wednesday 5th January at 8.55am.
Rugby Club
Please see on the reverse of this newsletter an advert for a charity event for our friends at Southmead rugby club.
2010
So, what’s been so good this year? I’ll tell you what:
- Over £1000 raised for charity through our work for Sport relief, the British Heart Foundation and Comic Relief;
- A very successful visit from HMI confirming the ongoing success of the school’s journey;
- A number of successful visits from the local authority;
- 8 amazing Christmas plays, all extremely well attended;
- Participation in city wide events, such as singing and sports.
Added to these, attendance (although I am forever moaning about it) is improving, behaviour is significantly improved and, most importantly, the progress of the children gets better and better and better.
Let’s work together to make 2011 the best year yet.
To all children, parents, carers, staff, governors and friends of the school, may I wish you all a very merry Christmas, and a happy and prosperous new year.
Zak Willis
Thursday, 11 November 2010
A warm welcome back to Term 2. Once again, the uniform is excellent, and I am pleased to tell you that all our efforts on attendance are now paying off, as our attendance, although well below the national average, is improving slowly.
The OfSTED monitoring visit report is now available on the OfSTED website – go to www.ofsted.gov.uk, then go to inspection reports, then type the school postcode into the search bar. The school will be inspected again in the Spring, at which point we will be asking for you to contribute to the process. We will also be asking various questions this year about the timing of the school day, which we may seek to alter slightly in the New Year.
Next Friday is Children in Need. The School council are planning some events to raise money for this charity, and they will send a letter out next week with all the details.
We recently sent out a letter about a texting service. We will trial this service in the very near future, so, if you have not returned your form, please do so as soon as possible.
Anyone wishing to go to year 5 and 6 camp this year will need to have their deposits in very soon, as we plan to make the final booking. Please see the office for more details.
Finally, if you would like your child to have Christmas lunch on 16th December, please could you let the office know by 26th November. This is to ensure that the kitchen have an idea of numbers so enough food is ordered!
Zak Willis
The OfSTED monitoring visit report is now available on the OfSTED website – go to www.ofsted.gov.uk, then go to inspection reports, then type the school postcode into the search bar. The school will be inspected again in the Spring, at which point we will be asking for you to contribute to the process. We will also be asking various questions this year about the timing of the school day, which we may seek to alter slightly in the New Year.
Next Friday is Children in Need. The School council are planning some events to raise money for this charity, and they will send a letter out next week with all the details.
We recently sent out a letter about a texting service. We will trial this service in the very near future, so, if you have not returned your form, please do so as soon as possible.
Anyone wishing to go to year 5 and 6 camp this year will need to have their deposits in very soon, as we plan to make the final booking. Please see the office for more details.
Finally, if you would like your child to have Christmas lunch on 16th December, please could you let the office know by 26th November. This is to ensure that the kitchen have an idea of numbers so enough food is ordered!
Zak Willis
Thursday, 21 October 2010
Last time I wrote I informed you that HMI had visited the school to evaluate our success in meeting the targets left us by the last OfSTED inspection. I am pleased to inform you that we are very pleased of the outcome of this visit, and that the school was given an endorsement that it is on the right path, and must continue in readiness for the next full inspection in the new year.
The report states:
“Having considered all the evidence I am of the opinion that at this time the school is making satisfactory progress in addressing the issues for improvement and in raising the pupils’ achievement…
“The school operates calmly and happily. Pupils want to please and succeed. They are polite, welcoming, feel safe and value the help and support the teachers and helpers give them in lessons and at break times…
“Work to improve the quality of teaching is clear, appropriately focused and having a positive impact…
“Leadership and management, including governance, have several strengths. Most notable are the accuracy of self-evaluation, the resolute stance being taken by all staff to raise pupils’ achievement, and the well-formulated plans for further school improvement.”
The full letter will be published on the OfSTED website (www.ofsted.gov.uk) any day now. We will also place a link on the website.
School Meals – The price of school meals rises, as of 1st November, to £2.20. Please ensure children bring in the correct money. Plea from the office: we carry very little cash in the office, and cannot always offer change, especially on a Monday morning. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Attendance – Our attendance figures are, I am pleased, to say, rising significantly. However, our work on attendance will continue. In the week beginning 15th November, I shall conduct a sweep of all attendance certificates of pupils whose attendance is below 90%, and should those certificates bear more than 8 unauthorised absences, I shall refer this matter to education welfare, who may choose to serve a fixed penalty.
Half term – Finally, may I say a massive well done to everyone for enormous efforts in term 1, and continuing the brilliant uniform. Attached to this letter are some potential holiday activities. School reopens for everyone on Monday 1st November.
Have a fantastic, well earned, (thoroughly wrapped up) October break everyone.
Zak Willis
The report states:
“Having considered all the evidence I am of the opinion that at this time the school is making satisfactory progress in addressing the issues for improvement and in raising the pupils’ achievement…
“The school operates calmly and happily. Pupils want to please and succeed. They are polite, welcoming, feel safe and value the help and support the teachers and helpers give them in lessons and at break times…
“Work to improve the quality of teaching is clear, appropriately focused and having a positive impact…
“Leadership and management, including governance, have several strengths. Most notable are the accuracy of self-evaluation, the resolute stance being taken by all staff to raise pupils’ achievement, and the well-formulated plans for further school improvement.”
The full letter will be published on the OfSTED website (www.ofsted.gov.uk) any day now. We will also place a link on the website.
School Meals – The price of school meals rises, as of 1st November, to £2.20. Please ensure children bring in the correct money. Plea from the office: we carry very little cash in the office, and cannot always offer change, especially on a Monday morning. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Attendance – Our attendance figures are, I am pleased, to say, rising significantly. However, our work on attendance will continue. In the week beginning 15th November, I shall conduct a sweep of all attendance certificates of pupils whose attendance is below 90%, and should those certificates bear more than 8 unauthorised absences, I shall refer this matter to education welfare, who may choose to serve a fixed penalty.
Half term – Finally, may I say a massive well done to everyone for enormous efforts in term 1, and continuing the brilliant uniform. Attached to this letter are some potential holiday activities. School reopens for everyone on Monday 1st November.
Have a fantastic, well earned, (thoroughly wrapped up) October break everyone.
Zak Willis
Monday, 18 October 2010
Harvest Festival
We are holding our annual Harvest Festival on Wednesday 20th October at 2.00pm.
Everyone is welcome and if you can spare some cans or packets of food then please bring them along!
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Yesterday, we were visited by HMI inspectors, measuring the school’s progress in addressing the key issues identified at the last inspection. A letter will be sent to us next week with the findings, which we will instantly display in the playground board and put an internet link on our website.
Inset
In response to your requests to know about the remainder of the year’s inset days, they are as follows:
4th January 2011
28th February 2011
6th June 2011.
We will ensure they are published on the website, and you are given additional notice well in advance.
Attendance
I am pleased to say that our attendance shows signs of improving. At the end of September, attendance for the whole school was above 90% - a big turn around. (if we count only the children whose attendance is above 85% the total is 97% - way above the national average.) Thank you all so much.
In fact, we have noticed that the issue has changed slightly, and that whilst attendance improves, punctuality is an issue. An example of this is that, for the four days last week, 32 people were late (arrived after 9.05am). These sessions are marked as ‘U’ – meaning your child / children are recorded as having an unauthorised absence for the whole morning. That’s 32 unexplained absences in our registers. This is an issue that will be flagged up by Education Welfare officers. Now that more and more of us are getting here, please let’s get here on time!
Harvest Festival
We will, as ever, celebrate Harvest Festival at the end of term 1. We will hold our annual Harvest Fesitval at 2.00pm on Wednesday 20th October in the assembly, and families and friends are always welcome. Any donations of tinned / packet produce are warmly welcomed. We will start collecting them in school from next Monday – 11th October.
Finally, I have to say it – the uniform is still excellent. Thank you all very much indeed.
Zak Willis
Inset
In response to your requests to know about the remainder of the year’s inset days, they are as follows:
4th January 2011
28th February 2011
6th June 2011.
We will ensure they are published on the website, and you are given additional notice well in advance.
Attendance
I am pleased to say that our attendance shows signs of improving. At the end of September, attendance for the whole school was above 90% - a big turn around. (if we count only the children whose attendance is above 85% the total is 97% - way above the national average.) Thank you all so much.
In fact, we have noticed that the issue has changed slightly, and that whilst attendance improves, punctuality is an issue. An example of this is that, for the four days last week, 32 people were late (arrived after 9.05am). These sessions are marked as ‘U’ – meaning your child / children are recorded as having an unauthorised absence for the whole morning. That’s 32 unexplained absences in our registers. This is an issue that will be flagged up by Education Welfare officers. Now that more and more of us are getting here, please let’s get here on time!
Harvest Festival
We will, as ever, celebrate Harvest Festival at the end of term 1. We will hold our annual Harvest Fesitval at 2.00pm on Wednesday 20th October in the assembly, and families and friends are always welcome. Any donations of tinned / packet produce are warmly welcomed. We will start collecting them in school from next Monday – 11th October.
Finally, I have to say it – the uniform is still excellent. Thank you all very much indeed.
Zak Willis
Thursday, 23 September 2010
Once again, I have to compliment the children on their uniform. On each of the two last Wednesdays, we have had visitors into assembly who have each commented on how smart all our learners look. It is a real credit to the school and to yourselves, and, I can assure you, it does make a difference, so please keep it going.
As I mentioned in the last newsletter, we intend to keep battling poor attendance this year, as loss of learning is unacceptable. Last week’s gold, silver and bronze treats were amazing, and the children were brilliantly behaved. I was really pleased to see people coming back. Therefore, you can imagine how disappointed I was to learn that we have already lost 165 days of unauthorised absence. This figure is appalling, and is larger than many schools accrue in a whole year! Equally, I was gutted to learn how low our attendance was when I see how hard many of you were working on getting here on time and attending every day. At the moment, our attendance is still below 90%, with the national average at 94%. Please, everyone, keep going. If you know people who aren’t attending, or who are spoiling our figures and our efforts, come and tell us. I expect our attendance to match the national average this year. I was hoping to give out hundreds of awards this year, not more penalty notices…
We are updating the lists of children’s medical and health needs. If your child has any allergy or nutritional information you think we should know, please contact the office immediately.
Breakfast club is open as usual for business. Can I remind you, however, that in an attempt to improve our attendance (see above) breakfast is not served after 8.45. There will be the second Parents’ Only Breakfast next Thursday, 30th September, starting at 9.00 in the dining hall.
Finally, I have been asked to inform you all about the plight of Henbury Colts FC, who are really in need of some members. Please see their poster on the reverse of this newsletter.
Please keep the uniform going, and let’s make the attendance as good!
Zak Willis
As I mentioned in the last newsletter, we intend to keep battling poor attendance this year, as loss of learning is unacceptable. Last week’s gold, silver and bronze treats were amazing, and the children were brilliantly behaved. I was really pleased to see people coming back. Therefore, you can imagine how disappointed I was to learn that we have already lost 165 days of unauthorised absence. This figure is appalling, and is larger than many schools accrue in a whole year! Equally, I was gutted to learn how low our attendance was when I see how hard many of you were working on getting here on time and attending every day. At the moment, our attendance is still below 90%, with the national average at 94%. Please, everyone, keep going. If you know people who aren’t attending, or who are spoiling our figures and our efforts, come and tell us. I expect our attendance to match the national average this year. I was hoping to give out hundreds of awards this year, not more penalty notices…
We are updating the lists of children’s medical and health needs. If your child has any allergy or nutritional information you think we should know, please contact the office immediately.
Breakfast club is open as usual for business. Can I remind you, however, that in an attempt to improve our attendance (see above) breakfast is not served after 8.45. There will be the second Parents’ Only Breakfast next Thursday, 30th September, starting at 9.00 in the dining hall.
Finally, I have been asked to inform you all about the plight of Henbury Colts FC, who are really in need of some members. Please see their poster on the reverse of this newsletter.
Please keep the uniform going, and let’s make the attendance as good!
Zak Willis
Friday, 10 September 2010
Welcome back to another school year! I have been enormously impressed by how smart the children have looked during the first week, and hope this continues for the rest of the year. I have also been delighted to hear about the wonderful summers they have enjoyed, and the exciting things they have done.
Children have now had almost a full week of their timetable and are getting used to new days for PE, art and such. Could you please make sure you know what days your children do PE, as they will need kit – shorts and t-shirt, and trainers for outdoors, and it does need to be a different t-shirt to their school top (no football shirts please). Years 3 and 5 will go swimming later in the year.
Can I also just let you know that all the suggestions you made about changing our curriculum last year through the questionnaires have been written into the new year curriculum planning – please come and see me if you would like further details.
Attendance
We will continue our massive push on attendance, as it is my intention that, this year, our overall attendance will at least be in line with the national average of 94%. (Last year, it was 89%). To this end, all our children who received gold, silver or bronze awards will receive their rewards next week – a separate letter is going out to those families.
Already, however, I have had to record some absence as unauthorised: I cannot allow children to miss schooling to attend sporting events, nor can I grant more days holiday than I am allowed to. Miss Lee will send your attendance slips back out to you once I have seen them. Please see me if there are any questions.
Electronic letters
Many of you, quite rightly, suggested we should seek to save paper by not sending out so many letters. If you would prefer to receive your news letters electronically, please let the office have your email address. Equally, if ever you miss one, they are stored on our website.
If you have any questions or queries about your child’s new class, or about the organisation of the school this year, please don’t hesitate to ask.
I hope that you, like me, are looking forward to year of even greater progress for Badock’s Wood Primary School.
Zak Willis
Children have now had almost a full week of their timetable and are getting used to new days for PE, art and such. Could you please make sure you know what days your children do PE, as they will need kit – shorts and t-shirt, and trainers for outdoors, and it does need to be a different t-shirt to their school top (no football shirts please). Years 3 and 5 will go swimming later in the year.
Can I also just let you know that all the suggestions you made about changing our curriculum last year through the questionnaires have been written into the new year curriculum planning – please come and see me if you would like further details.
Attendance
We will continue our massive push on attendance, as it is my intention that, this year, our overall attendance will at least be in line with the national average of 94%. (Last year, it was 89%). To this end, all our children who received gold, silver or bronze awards will receive their rewards next week – a separate letter is going out to those families.
Already, however, I have had to record some absence as unauthorised: I cannot allow children to miss schooling to attend sporting events, nor can I grant more days holiday than I am allowed to. Miss Lee will send your attendance slips back out to you once I have seen them. Please see me if there are any questions.
Electronic letters
Many of you, quite rightly, suggested we should seek to save paper by not sending out so many letters. If you would prefer to receive your news letters electronically, please let the office have your email address. Equally, if ever you miss one, they are stored on our website.
If you have any questions or queries about your child’s new class, or about the organisation of the school this year, please don’t hesitate to ask.
I hope that you, like me, are looking forward to year of even greater progress for Badock’s Wood Primary School.
Zak Willis
Friday, 23 July 2010
Year 6 Leavers Assembly
Less than one hour ago, parents, carers, children and friends crammed into the main hall to say goodbye to Year 6 who leave Badock's Wood today.
The special assembly started with Mr Willis sharing some of his favoruite books (because Year 6 are such avid readers) which held some messages for the leavers to think about.
After that, Miss Sims and Miss Walmsley presented each and every child with a dictionary that will hopefully be used at their secondary schools.
Finally, some children selected by their teachers and Mr Willis recieved medals and trophies for special contributions to Badock's Wood over the last few years.
Everyone wishes the Year 6 leavers good luck in the future.
To see photos of this performance, visit our photo gallery here...
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
Year 6 Leavers Play
This afternoon, the whole school community was treated to an early version of the Year 6 leavers play, 'The Twits'.
While only a dress rehearsal, all children, staff and other adults gathered in the main hall to watch the Year 6 rendition of the Roald Dahl classic. And what a cracking performance!
The whole school congratulates Year 6 on such a good performance and wishes them luck for the main performance tonight for parents, carers and friends.
To see photos of this performance, visit our photo gallery here...
Summer Big Breakfast
This morning, children, parents, friends and staff enjoyed a nice continental breakfast together to start the day and begin the end of a long summer term.
On offer was croissant, ham, cheese, juice, hot chocolate, tea and coffee. Yummy!
There was also a raffle, to raise money for school equipment, with many fantastic prizes. As always, Miss Fitzgerald and her band of merry helpers made the occasion a splendid affair with balloons, flowers and streamers decorating the playground.
To see photos of this event, visit our photo gallery here...
Monday, 19 July 2010
Year 3/4 Visit Avon Country Park
Today children in Year 3 and 4 visited Avon Valley Country Park.
After the short coach journey, everybody was able to enjoy brilliant sunshine in beautiful park and farmland surroundings, with wide open spaces, riverside walks, animals play grounds and grasslands for picnics.
To see photos of this event, visit our photo gallery here...
To find out more about the park, visit their website here...
Thursday, 1 July 2010
School Prospectus
We've just published our school prospectus on the website! The prospectus is full of information about the school which parents, carers and friends old and new will find useful.
The prospectus is available in two versions - a PDF file that you can download and an online book that you can read on the website itself.
To read the prospectus, visit our prospectus page here...
Friday, 25 June 2010
Sports Day 2010
Today children of all ages from Badock's Wood Primary School took part in the annual Sports Day.
Key Stage 2 children held their events in the morning and EYFS and Key Stage 1 in the afternoon. All the children took part in traditional races such as the a sprint, egg and spoon, obstacle, football dribble and skipping, amongst others.
Everyone who attended or took part said what a wonderful occasion it was. The best part was being able to sit along the track and watch and cheer for friends.
All the staff at Badock's thank Miss Correia for organising the day.
To see photos of this event, visit our photo gallery here...
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Sports Day Reminder
Don't forget, Sports Day is this Friday (25th June).
The older Key Stage 2 children (Years 3-6) will take part in the morning, starting about 9.30, and the younger children (Reception & Years 1-2) will take part in the afternoon, starting about 1.30).
On Friday, please make sure your child comes to school with PE kit (with trainers for running races), a cap to shade from the sun and a bottle of water (no fizzy drinks or glass bottles). If your child needs sun-cream, please apply this before they come to school – staff cannot be responsible for looking after or applying sun-cream.
This year, sports day will consist of many traditional running races on the track, including sprints, sack races, skipping races, obstacles races and many others. There will be an area for parents, carers and friends to sit near the finish line so you can cheer for your child. Since the day will be very busy, please stay in this area and do not cross or enter the track or child areas. If you bring younger children with you, please make sure they stay with you!
At the end of the day, please do not take your child home from the field. They need to return to class to collect their belongings and receive their annual reports.
If the weather turns to rain, we will postpone the day and hold it in the near future; please keep an eye on this website for further information.
Friday, 18 June 2010
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Parent Questionnaire
The governors are interested to have your feedback on this school, to monitor how well we support you and your children.
Please help us by downloading and completing the questionnaire below (one questionnaire for each child) and return to the office by Friday 18th June.
NOTE: The deadline has passed, so the form cannot now be downloaded...
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Skipathon 2010
This afternoon, children of all ages at Badock's Wood Primary School took part in a sponsored Skipathon to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.
Children had to skip using different techniques they had been learning and practising over the last few weeks.
One of the highlights of the afternoon was the whole school witnessing Mr Scaiff show off his recently acquired skipping skills!
Thanks to Miss Fitzgerald for organising the event and all those that helped out with much needed refreshments!
To see photos of this event, visit our photo gallery here...
To see a video of this event, visit our video gallery here...
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Year 6 Sponsored Walk
This afternoon, Year 6 took part in a sponsored walk to raise money to hire a limousine as part of their leaving celebrations in July.
In the searing heat (and with some children dressed in fancy dress!), they walk lap after lap around Badock's Wood and the (very large) field adjoining Badock's Wood, with refreshments provided my a recently returned Mrs Dibble.
To see photos of this event, visit our photo gallery here...
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Thursday, 1 April 2010
Badock's Book Day 2010
This year, because of so many things happening in school, Badock's Wood children missed out on the chance to take part in World Book Day in March. To make up for this, Badock's Wood today held it's own 'Badock's Book Day'!
Children were encouraged to dress up as book characters, read and write stories (with a competition for the best story judged by Miss Walmsley) and attend book reading sessions held by different adults in different parts of the school during the day.
To see photos of this event, visit our photo gallery here...
To find out more about World Book Day, click here...
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Easter Bonnet Parade 2010
Children from all classes of Badock’s Wood Primary School today took part in the annual Easter bonnet parade and competition.
Children came to school wearing their Easter bonnets (which had been made at home) for a chance to show off their creations and win a prize in a competition judged by Mrs Ford, the school secretary.
To see photos of this event, visit our photo gallery here...
To see a video of this event, visit our video gallery here...
Friday, 26 March 2010
Inspection Report
Today, everyone should have received a full copy of the recently published OFSTED inspection report, after the school was inspected in January.
If not, the report can be downloaded here...
Friday, 19 March 2010
Sport Relief 2010
Today, many children, staff and other adults stayed behind after school to take part in the 'Sport Relief Mile', to raise money for this years Sport Relief appeal.
During the week, Miss Correia carefully measured out a whole mile around the school playground, fields and building. Unfortunately, when it came to the afternoon of the event, it absolutely poured with rain so Miss Correia and Mr Willis very quickly set up a circuit around the school hall and corridors in the warm and dry!
Children were sponsored by their friends and family to take part in the event and eventually raised well over £500!!!
At the end of the event, everybody enjoyed biscuits and squash!
To see photos of this event, visit our photo gallery here...
To find out more about Sport Relief, click here...
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