Industrial Action

Due to Industrial Action by a number of unions, the school will be closed for pupils on Wednesday 30th November. The Governors and Headteacher have made this decision in the best interests of the safety and welfare of all learners.

School will reopen as normal at 8.55a.m. on Thursday 1st December.

Zak Willis
Headteacher

Announcement: School Closed 30/11/11

The National Union of Teachers (NUT), Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), National Association of Headteachers (NAHT), National Association of School and Union of Women teachers (NASUWT), Unison and GMB have voted to hold a national strike on November 30th. This action is being taken as part of a campaign against proposals to make changes to public sector pensions.

Due to the number of people represented by these unions in school, the school will be closed for pupils on Wednesday 30th November. The Governors and Headteacher have made this decision in the best interests of the safety and welfare of all learners.

School will reopen as normal at 8.55a.m. on Thursday 1st December.

Badock's Children in Need Total is...

All of the activities held on Friday at Badock's Wood Primary, for the BBC Children in Need Appeal 2011 raised a grand total of:

£193.65

The best amount ever! Well done everybody!!! Special thanks to Miss Norman for organising the day!

We are all looking forward to Children in Need tomorrow. In a previous newsletter, I sent out all the details (there was a typo but I’m sure you all worked out that any announcements of prizes will be on Monday 21st) and I have no doubt that the children and the community will do us proud once again. May I reiterate one important point – it is a normal uniform day, spotty things added to the uniform.

I am sure you have all heard in the news about a potential strike affecting schools and public services on 30th November. As soon as I know how the running of Badock’s Wood is affected, I will let you know.

Parents’ Evenings

We will hold parents evenings in the week beginning to 28th November. Classes and teacher will publish their timings for everyone to choose. If the published dates are inconvenient for you, please liaise with your class teacher about possible alternatives.

Attendance

The figures for term 1 attendance were amazing: overall, attendance stood at 94.9% - above the national average! 93 pupils had 100% attendance, and we were all delighted with the efforts made.

This term, however, attendance has dipped. Already, our figures are at 93%, and the figure for some classes is awful (I will not list them here, but they will be told). I am about to write to groups and classes to inform them of the need for improvement, and I am meeting with the Education Welfare Service next week, at which meeting I intend to refer all pupils whose attendance is below 90%.

The vast majority of our issues are people who are late. I am sure many of you are bored with me stating that school begins at 8.55, and we have not had a single class make 100% in a week this year simply because of lateness. Please, please, please make every effort to improve this, as it will start to reflect on your child, their class and the whole school.

Yours faithfully

Zak Willis
Headteacher

Children in Need

This Friday, there will be various activities to raise money for BBC Children in Need.

Although children must wear their school uniform, they are also encouraged to wear something spotty with it. A 50p donation for this is welcome.

Also, there will be a 'guess the number of sweets in a jar' competition (10p a go) and a 'guess the number of spots on the teddy' competition (10p a go). A correct guess wins the sweets and teddy.

There will be spotty cakes on sale at break (20p each).

Don't forget your money Friday!

Remembrance Assembly

Today, Badock's Wood fell silent for a minute during assembly to remember those who lost their lives during wars.

Mr Willis told a story about how The Great War ended and demonstrated how popies grew from the mud left behind on the battle field.

Thank you to everyone who supported the cause by buying a poppy during the week and wearing it with pride.

We have had a very busy and positive start to term 2. The figures for term 1 attendance are extremely pleasing, and the behavior of the vast majority of pupils has been excellent. You will be pleased to know that – as you quite rightly requested on your feedback forms - we have spoken to the parents of the small group of pupils whose behavior is not of a high enough standard.

Our attendance for term 1 was 94.9% - above the national average! 93 pupils had 100% attendance for the term, only the second time we have been above 90 in the past three years. Really good figures everyone, spoilt mainly by (you guessed it) People Arriving Late! Late marks tarnish the register for the entire class, so please make sure you are here before 8.55 am.

Poppies will be on sale all next week; there is no set price, we just ask for a donation. We will hold a remembrance assembly on Friday 11th.

On the back of this letter is information about Children in Need, which this year takes place on Friday 18th November. All the details are included, but if you have any questions, please come in and see your child’s class teacher.

Working with Avon Wildlife Trust
Julie Doherty from Avon Wildlife Trust has been working with the school to develop links with Badock's Wood Nature Reserve. She will be making a book about the reserve for use in the school and would like to add some memories from people who have lived in the area for a long time. This will help the pupils learn about what life used to be like in Southmead for children in the 1930's,40's, 50's, 60's and 70's. If you think you might be able to help please contact Julie on 01179177270 or juliedoherty@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk. Many thanks.

Children in Need is on Friday 18th November, this year we at Badock’s Wood hope to do our bit with your help.

Here is a list of things that will be taking place during the day to help raise money:

You must come to school in your school uniform as normal but feel free to accessorise slightly with something spotty, for example spotty face paint, spotty hair band, spotty bracelet, spotty belt etc don’t forget your 50p if you’re are wearing something spotty.

Teachers will do the same but donate more money.

A spotty teddy will visit the classes during the day, if you pay 10p you can guess the number of spots on the teddy, the closest guess wins. The winner will be announced in assembly on Monday 17th November.

Cakes made by Miss Norman will be sold at break time for 20p each, special edition spotty cakes might I add.

A jar of sweets will journey around the classes, if you pay 10p you can guess the number of sweets in the jar and again the closest guess wins the jar of sweets. Winner will be announced in assembly on Monday 21st November.

Classes will be called during the day to visit a large drawn Pudsey bear in the hall, they will be able to place down any more money that they wish to donate in a hope that we cover Pudsey in coins. Photographs of each class will also be taken at this point.

Each class has their own collection box, so any loose change or extra donations that you wish to make can be added to the box between now and then. The class with the most collected in their box will receive a treat the following Friday.
I look forward to announcing our grand total shortly.
Come on, show your spots, let’s raise lots.

Have a wonderful, safe Bonfire night everyone. We’ll see you before 8.55 on Monday.

Zak Willis