Latest News
Keep up to date with all the news happening in school
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World Book Day Thursday 4th March
Fri 26 Feb 2021World Book day is on Thursday 4th March and we would like to invite everybody to a day of Reading celebration!
Every half hour a teacher will be reading a story, that EVERYBODY can attend. The timetable is as follow:
9am Miss Salter
9.30am Mrs Riches
10am Mrs Campone
10.30am Mrs Charles
11am Miss Turner
11.30am Miss Miners
1pm Miss Apsey
1.30pm Miss Harper
2pm Miss Whitehead
2.30pm Miss Campbell
A link will be sent out by Mrs Greenwood to join the story session. You can attend as many as you like. There will be no class zooms on Thursday. Instead, the story sessions will be running and there will be a World Book Day Activity Page. This page will have loads of different activities to do or try, and you can pick and mix the ones you think your child will like the most to do. Please click the link below to find out more (the activities will be uploaded between now and Thursday).
This year, we will not be dressing up in school/bringing things to school, and the day will be about celebrating reading instead. However, if you are at home and would like to dress up, please do so. You could also bring your cuddly toy to the story sessions in your house and add a photo of you reading to your tapestry.
Mrs Greenwood will also be sending a World Book Day token that can be exchanged for a £1 book.
In the evening of World Book Day, Miss Salter will be running her 'Winter Warmer' experience virtually for Year 1 children. We will have a winter warmer pack for your Year 1 child ready on Wednesday from 1pm onwards to come and collect (with goodies inside). This Winter Warmer runs every year for Year 1 children and we didn't want them to miss out this year!
Your child needs to be ready to log on with you at 5pm, dressed in their nightclothes (you can too!). You will receive a zoom link from Miss Salter next week to click and join.
We look forward to seeing you all virtually next week. remember to send your reading pictures in. We will add a slideshow on the website to celebrate your fantastic reading!
Best wishes
Mrs Riches and Miss Salter
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Thank you!
Wed 24 Feb 2021Thank you to two families who have sent in cakes for the staffroom this week.
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Open letter to Parents and Carers from Gavin Williamson
Tue 23 Feb 2021Dear Parents and Carers
Please click the following link written to all parents and carers, released today.
Open letter from Gavin Williamson
Kind Regards
Mrs Riches
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All Children to Return to School on Monday 8th March
Tue 23 Feb 2021Dear Parents and Carers
We were delighted to see that all children will be returning to school on Monday 8th March. Over the next two weeks we will be looking at the further implications for site safety/timings and our risk assessment. We had already implemented much of what is now being advised; twice weekly lateral flow tests for all staff, facemasks to be worn by all in shared areas and parents when dropping off and picking up, a one way system, staggered start and finish, non mixing of bubbles, lots of outside time etc. Our teachers will also be busy planning activities to cater for all learning needs and abilities after the home learning break.
The guidance states that all children are expected to attend school, unless they have received a shielding letter. Our Earlybird club will be open and we are waiting to hear from TreeTops on their start date.
I imagine most children are really excited about coming back to school, but if your child is worried about coming back, please let their class teacher know.
We look forward to seeing everybody in person very soon.
Best wishes
Mrs Riches
Headteacher
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Spring 2B
Mon 22 Feb 2021Dear Parents and Carers
Welcome back to the second half of spring term. I hope you all managed to have some rest during half term, even though the rain didn't seem to stop. We have a few things happening this week, starting with our Parent Workshops this week. It is an unusual position to be in this year, as over the past few weeks you have all been able to observe teachers teaching live in your home(albeit remotely), so many of the questions you normally have for the workshops were probably demonstrated. There may be an aspect of the curriculum that you really want to know about, however, and the workshops will be a good opportunity to ask questions.
The workshops are on:
Year 2 Workshop:Tuesday 23rd February 10am
Year R Phonics and Maths Workshop: Wednesday 24th February 10am
Year 1 Workshop: Wednesday 24th February 1.30pm
Our roof is getting repaired this week , so hopefully will be safe again. The police are dealing with the crime itself, and Hampshire County Council are helping us with more anti-vandal measures. There is a very elaborate scaffold structure in place, due to the shape and materials the roof is made of. There is a picture below if anybody is interested in having a peek.
We are all eagerly awaiting the Government's announcement tonight, and whatever has been decided regarding returning to school. After the announcement, we will look at our risk assessments and arrangements and let you know as soon as we can on what returning to school will look like at BWIS (pick up/drop off etc). We will make the school as safe as we can for all children, staff and parents.
There are signs of spring all around Bishops Waltham, including our school grounds. The sight of lovely, yellow daffodils, brightly swaying, always manages to make me smile as I drive to school in the mornings. The only thing that can lift my spirits further, is to be able to open our doors to everyone again. Fingers crossed there is a way forward in this soon.
Best wishes
Mrs Riches
Headteacher
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Happy Pancake Day!
Tue 16 Feb 2021I hope everybody is having some yummy pancakes, this Shrove Tuesday!
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WELL DONE
Fri 12 Feb 2021We wanted to say a huge WELL DONE and THANK YOU to all our parents and carers for being amazing this half term. Nobody expected a full lockdown-we were all ready to open and the announcement to close came as a shock to us too. Your children have been fantastic too, given the circumstances that they had no preparation for. Our children, like us, are missing their friends and family. With the roll out of the vaccine now gathering pace, I know that many of us are seeing a chink of light at the end of the tunnel. The day where we see loved ones again, and begin to gain semblance of normality is hopefully not too far away.
Mrs Palmer is sending out log in details to our new reading platforms today. We know online books are not as good as real books, and we cannot wait to be able to share real books with you again. Please enjoy your half terms as much as lockdown allows. and fingers crossed we'll see some sunshine.
Have a well earned rest, you have made it to half term! Many of you have juggled work, elderly parents, different age children and much more. Well done everybody! I am sure you will all find the appropriate beverage to pour tonight and toast yourself-We will be raising our glasses to you and all fellow school staff too.
Best Wishes
Mrs Riches and all the staff at Bishops Waltham
(Below are some funny pictures of remote learning. Some may resonate a bit more!)
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Gingerbread Man Hunt
Wed 10 Feb 2021The Year R children have really enjoyed reading the story of 'The Gingerbread Man'. They have been busy writing missing posters after watching a video showing the Gingerbread Man running around our school.
Thank you to Miss Guy and Mrs Legg for creating Gingerbread Men hunts around Bishops Waltham which has continued their enthusiasm outside of school. The children have really enjoyed searching for them.
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Supporting Children's Mental Health and Wellbeing
Tue 09 Feb 2021Dear Parents and Carers
Following some initial responses to the survey yesterday, please find the link below to the School Nursing team's website for further support with mental health and wellbeing for children. There are also further strategies on there to help with routines, food, eating etc
We also posted the excellent pack from the Primary Behaviour Support team for help. It is one of the best packs I have seen for parents to try at home with children. It is found on our Parent Information page, or follow link here:
We also have a 'Keeping Fit and Healthy' tab under children on our website. There are lots of different resources available in there to help young children keep both physically fit and mentally fit.
Hampshire County Council have also got a website as a 'one stop shop' for health families. this is under Health' on our community tab or link here:
For anyone who thinks their child is struggling, please look on these sites for support. There are lots of different things to try to help, and ideas to put in place that you (or us) may not have thought of. When the government directed us to close our doors to most children and to provide remote learning and then ask parents to support home learning , it put a huge pressure onto parents. We are very aware of this, which is why we are trying to find a happy medium with you, taking into account all constraints a family may have eg everybody on broadband, sharing devices, different aged children, more than one parent working, single parents. We have tried to put into place a programme that is workable for the majority of families to support you as best as we can.
Our survey is open until Friday lunchtime. Thank you to the 58 parents who have responded so far. The more parents who respond, the more rounded a view we will have-so please respond, even if you have no worries.
Best wishes
Mrs Riches
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Remote Learning Survey
Mon 08 Feb 2021Dear Parents and Carers,
We’ve all had to adapt to new ways of working, so I wanted to take the opportunity to say what an amazing job you’re doing supporting your child’s wellbeing and learning during this time.
To help us make sure we’re providing the right support for you and your child, we’d like to know your thoughts on our approach to home learning.
This will help us to:
- Find out what we’re doing well and where we could do better
- Make sure we’re meeting your needs and the needs of your children
Please take the time to complete this survey, by following the link below. It should take you 10 minutes to complete.
Please fill out the survey by Friday 8th February
Your replies will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Your feedback is very important to us.
Best wishes
Mrs Riches
