Latest News
Keep up to date with all the news happening in school
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Weekly Update Friday 21st November
Fri 21 Nov 2025❄️ Chilly Weather
Brrr, it’s been a chilly week! We’re so pleased to see all the children wrapping up warm for school – those cosy hats and scarves are definitely helping to keep the cold at bay.
🔤 Year R Phonics Talk
Our Year R Phonics Talk was very well attended, and it was lovely to hear that parents left feeling more confident about how our phonics scheme, Little Wandle, works. If you have any further questions, Miss Turner is always happy to help.
🎉 Celebration Assembly
We shared some truly smashing learning today in Celebration Assembly- Year 2 wowed us with their volcano poetry, using alliterative phrases, the power of three for repetition, and incredibly descriptive adjectives – just amazing!
- Year 1 impressed us with their Three Billy Goats Gruff story writing and an excellent troll wanted poster, showing real mastery of using media in learning.
A big well done to all our Stars of the Week for your fantastic efforts.
This week, I would also like to give a special mention to Jesse in Hedgehog Class, who created the most incredible sleigh and reindeer center piece at home with his dad. What a work of art! It will look beautiful in his house at Christmas time – well done, Jesse, for your creativity!
🎄 PTA Christmas Events
Our PTA are busy behind the scenes preparing for our Christmas events. In December, we’ll have our Children’s Shopping Bazaar Day, where children can buy up to six presents for family members, then wrap and label them ready for under your Christmas tree. A shopping list will come home the week before so you know what to bring.
📚 Reading Matters
We’d also like to say a huge thank you for a very kind £100 donation from a parent this week, which will help us restock our Home Reader book boxes. We’ve also used commission from the Book Fayre for this. Reading is so important to us as a school, and it was lovely to hear prospective Year R parents comment on our beautiful reading spaces and the ‘real’ books children take home.
Congratulations to Eleanor in Year 1 this week, who was our lucky Reading Raffle winner this week! She was thrilled – it was her first time winning!
📅 Reminder
Monday is an INSET day for staff training as part of our continuous professional development. School will be closed, and we look forward to seeing everyone back on Tuesday 25th November.
💚 Healthy Hearts Healthy Minds
Don’t forget, our Healthy Hearts Healthy Minds page Health Hearts Healthy Minds (click link) has lots of links to different agencies that can offer support for parents, families, or children. Please take a look if you need any advice or help.We hope everyone has a lovely weekend with their family. Take care.
With warm wishes
Mrs Riches
Headteacher
- Year 2 wowed us with their volcano poetry, using alliterative phrases, the power of three for repetition, and incredibly descriptive adjectives – just amazing!
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Scholastic book fair
Tue 18 Nov 2025Thank you to everyone who came to the Scholastic book Fair. The school got some great new books from the rewards.
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Weekly Update Friday 14th November
Sat 15 Nov 2025We have had a busy week at school this week, with lots going on. The drainage works are nearly fixed at the front of our school, so should be back to normal out by reception soon.
Thank you to all the parents who attended Parent Teacher meetings. These were the first ones of the year, to discuss how your child has settled into the year group, and what targets they will primarily be working towards over the coming months. During our data meetings these last few weeks with year leaders, it has become very obvious that sporadic attendance is severely impacting learning, and children are struggling to keep up with their peers and make good progress, when attendance is an issue. We are also seeing a dip in reading, for the first time ever, and this correlates with the lack of reading entries into our book raffle every week. To be in the book raffle, children have to practise reading at least 3 times at home. Very sadly, only around 40% of children are currently succeeding in this. These formative years are so important for language acquisition, and reading unlocks all learning. We are hoping that all families are now going to be practising reading more regularly and improving low attendance, so that their children can make big strides in their learning journeys. Let’s make a change together!
Thank you also, to all contributions towards ‘Children in Need’. This year we raised £258 for the charity. Well done to our BWIS community.
There has been an acquisition of Cleverchefs, and it is now known as Cleverchefs Catering. We will be monitoring the new company carefully for good quality and value for money. There will continue to be a choice of 4 meals per day, and these are free for all infant children. Thank you to our current chef for the cake selection on Parents Evening. Many parents were very complimentary about our lovely puddings.
Lastly, we would like to congratulate Henry in Year 2, for obtaining a Blue Peter Badge for his Rock Steady music achievement of learning to play the keyboard. Well Done Henry- what a great badge to collect! If you would like your child to have a special shout out in our celebration assembly or online, please write in with their achievements and let us know if we can add here to our latest news section.
Here’s hoping for a drier weekend, so we can all get out and about!
Warm wishes
Mrs Riches
Headteacher
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Weekly Update Friday 7th November
Fri 07 Nov 2025We’ve had a super fizzy week back after half term! It’s been lovely to hear all about the children’s exciting adventures—from pumpkin picking to bonfire night celebrations. Thank you for encouraging them to share their stories; it really helps build confidence and communication skills.
🎇 In assembly, we reminded everyone about firework safety, especially for those attending displays or enjoying garden fireworks. The children listened beautifully and shared some great ideas about staying safe.
🌺 We’ve also been learning about the importance of Remembrance Day. The children showed great respect during our assembly, and we will be observing a two-minute silence on Tuesday 11th November to honour those who have served. We still have poppies at reception, if anyone would like to purchase one.
📚 Year Group Highlights
🧹 Year R have had lots of fun reading Julia Donaldson’s Room on the Broom and exploring rhyming words. They’ve especially enjoyed shining torches in the amazing role play caves—lots of giggles and imagination!
🎭 Year 1 have been working interdependently to develop their knowledge of puppets and plays. They’re loving the fairy stories and are beginning to create their own performances—what budding playwrights!
🌍 Year 2 have been expanding their geographical knowledge, learning about hemispheres and discovering which countries are in the southern hemisphere. This is part of their exciting new project on New Zealand, and they’ve been chatting about it as they pass our big corridor map!
🚧 Important Notices
- On Monday, fencing will be placed around our flower bed due to a displaced sewage pipe. We’re unsure how long the repair will take, so please keep children away from this area while waiting for the gates to open—for their safety.
- We’ve noticed a few hot drinks being brought into school recently. Please remember we have a no hot drinks policy due to the risk of scalding. We really appreciate your cooperation.
🎉 Upcoming Events
👕 Children in Need Day – Friday 15th November
This year we’re having a “Come As You Like” Day! Children can wear any outfit they choose—including fancy dress. Just make sure they have a coat and sensible shoes to keep warm and dry.
Donations can be made in cash on the day or via our online page:
🔗 Children in Need Donation Page📖 Parent Teacher Meetings – Tuesday & Wednesday Evenings
Please arrive 5–10 minutes early to look through your child’s learning. A creche will be available during your appointment.📚 Scholastic Book Fayre – Starts Tuesday
Parents are welcome to browse the books during the parents' evenings and at drop-off/pick-up times.Arriving Promptly at Home Time
If you are unable to arrive promptly at picking up time (3.10pm), please make alternative arrangements with family/friends/After School Club. The end of the school day is 3.10pm, and schools are not insured to have children on site after this time. We are having more children brought to the office at the end of the school day due to parents regularly arriving later. We cannot accommodate this and advise all parents to have a Plan B ready to put into action, in case an emergency happens. If children are not picked up on time, we will now be in discussions with our After School club (CM Sports) to help us accommodate children who haven't been picked up, and if they can, payment will need to be made to them for childcare.
🎄 Christmas Card Orders
Order forms went out this week—please return them promptly if you’d like to purchase packs.🔥 PTA at BWIS Community Fireworks – Saturday
Our amazing PTA will be there selling sweets—please pop by and support them!Wishing everyone a lovely weekend
With warm wishes
Mrs Riches
Headteacher
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Support for a Former Pupil Facing Serious Illness
Wed 05 Nov 2025We are reaching out to share news about a fundraiser for one of our former pupils, who is still a young teenager and is currently facing a cancer diagnosis.
Olivia was a valued member of our school community, and we know many families will remember them fondly. Their journey is incredibly difficult, and we hope to offer support in any way we can.
A poster with more details about the fundraiser is attached. If your family is in a position to contribute, any donation—big or small—would be deeply appreciated. Even if you're unable to donate, sharing the fundraiser with others can make a meaningful difference.
Thank you for your kindness and support.
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Christmas cards
Wed 05 Nov 2025Children designed their own Christmas cards and the proofs have been sent home today. The deadline for ordering is the 19th November.
