Latest News

Keep up to date with all the news happening in school

• PTA Sweet Sale

  Mon 21 Oct 2024
  

• Weekly Update Friday 18th October

  Fri 18 Oct 2024

  We had an unexpected end to the week today, and I would like to say thank you to all of the parents who were so understanding when picking their children up early today. Luckily emergency closures happen rarely in schools, and it always tests our procedures. We learned a lot from our first major power failure, and will reflect on today’s events.  I would like to thank Mrs Palmer for coming to buy food with me, when the cookers lost power, and also thank all the kitchen and lunchtime staff who made lunches so quickly, enabling all children to be fed. what a feat that was! I would also like to thank Mrs Rawlings for getting a message out on the PTA Facebook page, and the parents who shared the information on their class WhatsApp groups. The teaching and office staff were fantastic helping too, especially when parents of siblings turned up a lot earlier than expected. Thank you everyone- what a team effort! 
  
  On a really positive note, the electricity is now back on. All systems seem to be working well and Clever Chefs have said that normal service should resume on Monday. Crazy M has sent through new dates and we will give you the date of the postponed PTA disco next week.
   

  IIn other BWIS news, we are overjoyed to let you know we have been awarded the ‘Music Mark’ award in recognition of our music in school. We are absolutely delighted and would like to thank Mrs Moth, our Music Lead, and Georgina Carter, our Hampshire specialist teacher, for making music so much  fun at BWIS. Well done! 
   

  Year 2 had a fantastic Great Fire of London Exhibition today, and the parents were amazed at how many facts our BWIS historians knew! Well done to our Year 2 children and staff! 
   

  Thank you again for all the harvest contributions this week. There was a write up on our latest news, and I just wanted to say again how proud I was of the whole school. The children were fantastic, and their teachers had made each part of it so much fun. 
   

  We have one more week in school before our half term break. At the end of half term BWJS will be having their grand firework display. It will be at Hoe Road Recreation Ground on Saturday 2nd November. Family Tickets are available to buy from their PTA via the school. 
   

  Wishing everyone a relaxing weekend.

   

  Very best wishes

   

  Mrs Riches

  Headteacher

  
   

   

   

  

• EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSURE

  Fri 18 Oct 2024

  This morning our power reduced to parts of the school, including the kitchen. We rushed to a supermarket to buy packed lunch items, in order to still cover 160 dinners, and stay open. The situation has changed rapidly, and we have no power at all, which compromises the security and safety of our children. We are still feeding the children but parents will need to make an earlier collection of 1pm. 
   

  We have been told that the power will be out until after 4pm, so we will also have to postpone the disco. 
   

  We have been unable to log in to any of our system to send an email, and we are really sorry that due to the juniors putting a message out successfully first, parents have heard this from a variety of sources, other than us. We apologise profusely for this. Claire Rawlings, our PTA chair has helped us put a message on their Facebook page, and hopefully many of you will see this too. 
   

  We are really sorry for any confusion caused. 
   

• Harvest Festival

  Tue 15 Oct 2024

  We had a special time at St Peter's Church today, giving thanks at our Harvest Festival. We were welcomed by Reverend Hunt, and the church looked beautiful, decked out in autumnal flowers. For many of our children, it was the first time they had visited the church, and they were full of awe and wonder.

   

  Our service was lovely. We had gorgeous singing (thank you to our music lead Mrs Moth), and each year group participated with a different performance of dancing, story telling and poetry recital. Our Year 1 and 2 children had made Harvest Prayers, which we joined in with (even thanking the wriggly worms who make the soil good to grow in), and Reverend Hunt also talked about giving thanks and being generous in life.

   

  We would like to say a big thank you to all the children who were beautifully behaved, the parents and carers who helped us to walk down, and to all the teachers and staff who have worked so hard in a short time to enable the children to participate. It really was a special memory that our children will take with them long after they have left us.

   

  The Meonstoke foodbank were vey grateful for all the donations made. We have a foodbank box in our reception area, if you would like to give food more regularly.

   

  Warmest wishes

   

  Mrs Riches

  

• Weekly Update Friday 11th October

  Fri 11 Oct 2024

  This week Year 1 had their 'Brilliant Bodies' Science led learning outcome. They shared all of their learning with their parents in a fantastic science workshop. They really enjoyed sharing their learning with all who came. Thank you to Mrs Moth, our Year 1 leader, and Miss Whitehead and Miss Daniels-King for such a great outcome.

   

  Year 2 have been really busy learning about the Great Fire of London, in their history led project. They are getting ready for their Great Fire Exhibition next week. Their paintings and interpretations of what happened have been fantastic.

   

  Year R have been looking for signs of Autumn around our school, an have been amazed at the colours of the leaves we have. We are so lucky to have our lovely grounds, where we can walk and see Autumn all around us.

   

  Our PTA are still looking for class reps, who will be responsible for spreading the word of events through the Class Media Groups. Please contact the school office if you would like to become one. The first event is on Friday 18th October, where Year 1 and 2 children can buy a ticket for our after school disco. 

   

  We have waterbottles and headlice combs available to purchase from the school office. Please pop along if you would like to purchase any of theses items. All hairstyles where the hair is touching shoulders or longer, needs to be tied back to discourage the spread of headlice. Hair accessories should be kept small and in school colours only-keep the sequins and glitter for the best and the lovely places they go to when not in school.

   

  On behalf of the governors, I would like to welcome our new parent governor, Dr Steven Vidovic to our Governing Body Board. Congratulations Steven, and we look forward to working with you.

   

  Our Harvest Festival is next Tuesday, and we would welcome all contributions towards the foodbank. Please bring contributions in on Tuesday morning. This event is for children only, and we thank all volunteers who have offered to walk to the church.

   

  We will be having our individual photographs on Wednesday 16th October. Our photographer, Nikky, takes a really great photograph. She has family slots in the evening, if you would like a special family shot for yourselves or as a Christmas present for your family. Please call the office to book, if you would like one.

   

  Lastly, look up at the sky this weekend! Some members of staff took some beautiful photographs of the Northern Lights last night. They were visible around 9.20pm, but this time can change. I'm hoping to see them too, and love looking at people's pictures of them, so if you catch them, send them in.

   

  Have a great weekend!

   

  Mrs Riches

• Weekly Update Friday 4th October

  Fri 04 Oct 2024

  All our learning projects are well underway, and the children who were Stars of the Week  in their learning shared some amazing learning this week in Celebration Assembly. It was also lovely to see some comments in our special mentions book-the children have the biggest smiles when they are read out!

   

  Year 2 had a great trip to Little Woodham in Gosport, where they were transported back in time to what time was like long ago. They had a turn with equipment and tools, and were also amazed at how many fires would have been around to heat houses and cook food. I heard Mrs Labram even went in the stocks! A fabulous time was had by all. Thank you to the parents who came to help. I think everyone slept well that night!

   

  Year 1 have all become experts in first aid this week after working with the HeartStart team. They were able to put their friends into the recovery position and were confidently working with each other throughout the day. Well done Year 1!

   

  Year R have had another super week, learning their phonics and developing their language and mathematical skills through play and practical activities. They were very excited to do the Friday dance today, and the playground was full of happy faces at lunchtime. It was lovely to see so many Year R parents come for the catch up meeting, where questions could be asked. One question was regarding our communication with home. We only use our Arbor App and emails system to contact parents now. Year R have Tapestry still, and all other information in on our website.

   

  Our Harvest Festival is on Tuesday 15th September, and this is for children only. Classes will need some parent walkers, so please let your child's teacher know if you can help. We would like all children to bring in a food donation (big or small) of tinned food or dried food, to display during the festival. the food collected will then be taken to the Meon Valley Foodbank, which help so many families when in need. We will put another reminder out about Harvest next week too.

   

  Next week we will be reviewing our budget at the halfway point of the year. This year saw the biggest cuts we have ever seen in school, with the cost of services rising. We have made as many cuts as we can, throughout the year. If you would like to make a donation towards the school, it would be gratefully received, to go towards our education supplies pot. This is the money we use to buy books and equipment for the children. Please use the donation section on your Arbor account if you would like to do this.

   

  Wishing everyone a lovely weekend

   

  Mrs Riches

  

• Weekly Update Friday 27th September

  Fri 27 Sep 2024

  This week our staff finished their first aid training, meaning the majority of our staff are first aid trained. This is really important to us, so that all staff can help any child if they injure themselves. Next week it will be our children in Year 1 who will be having ‘ heart start’ training with St John’s ambulance as part of their Brilliant Bodies project.

   

  We had a well attended open day on Wednesday, where we welcomed many new parents and children to look around our school.  The parents all commented on how happy and engaged their learning the children were, and were very impressed. Some of our visitors talked to the children about their learning, and were amazed at how clearly the children could articulate their thoughts and ideas.

   

  Year 2 will be having a visit from the fire service as part of their project next week, and their trip to Little Woodham will be the week after. Please remember to send the form and payment back to school as soon as possible.

   

  We will be starting our free lunchtime clubs for Year 2 children next week too.  Lots of children are very excited to be attended these and all teaching staff will give up part of their lunchtime to ensure all children have enrichment experiences during their time with us. We cannot wait to start!

   

  Next Friday, Year R will be having their follow up catch up meeting with the Year R parents at 9 am. It seems such a long time ago since our Welcome meeting in May, we have put this mini catch up meeting in, so that parents have the opportunity to ask any further general questions about school. All parents will have the chance to meet with their child’s teacher to talk about their own child after half term.

   

  Owl class welcomed Mrs Burgess to class this week, and Mrs Withers has started her maternity leave. Miss Gamblin will also be teaching one day a week, and we are really lucky to be able to provide continuity for our children until Mrs Withers returns. We wish Mrs Withers our very best wishes. 
   

  Our Early Bird club is becoming quite full this year. Remember to book 24 hours in advance to secure a place. 
  
  We are now a month into our school year, so it is a good time to remind parents of our site rules. Please remember not to bring your hot drinks onto site in the morning and in the evening, to ensure the safety of all our children. All bikes and scooters need to be wheeled ( not ridden) on site. Equipment cannot be played on at the start and end of day, due to our insurances and our last reminder is that swearing and vaping/smoking is banned at all times ( even when waiting for gate to open). Thank you in anticipation for your cooperation to keep BWIS a lovely, safe place to come to.

   

  Wishing everybody a lovely weekend.

   

  Mrs Riches

   

   

   

   

   

• Weekly Update Friday 20th September

  Fri 20 Sep 2024

  We finally had a full week of sunshine and the children have thoroughly enjoyed their playtimes in our lovely grounds. This weeks 'Celebration Assembly' saw lots of children in Year 1 and 2 having a 'Star of the Week' sticker for their fantastic maths learning. It was great to see so many children becoming more confident in their mathematics. 

   

  We had our annual PTA  AGM on Wednesday. There was a lot to be discussed, with the successful events of the summer term. We are still raising funds to develop our corridor area with new books spaces, learning/teaching spaces and quiet book nooks, and every penny helps towards this. The PTA needs one parent from each class to be the class REP. The role will consist of keeping up to date with PTA events and informing parents on their class app groups. Fox Class have Shez as their new REP, and the PTA need more! Please let the PTA or school office know if ou are able to do this role! They are also in need of somebody who is excellent at social media, and would like to do this/have the time to do this. Please contact Claire Rawlings, our PTA chair if you would like to do this (Robin Class).

   

  You may have seen the posters for our Year 1 and 2 Disco, which is our first PTA event. We will also be having our shopping Bazaar day in December, and our annual Christmas raffle. If you/your company would like to donate a prize for our raffle, please bring it in to our school office.

   

  Our Special Mentions book is still empty this September. If your child has done something great in September, please come and write in to give them a mention in celebration assembly-this can be for laying the table, learning to ride their bike, reading some tricky words- the list is endless! Special mentions can also be emailed in. We also have our achievements book, where we stick in certificates/pictures of children wearing medals etc, for their talents and hobbies achievements. Pleas don't forget to send these in.

   

  Next week we have our Open Morning on Wednesday 25th September. Please let any friends know if they have a child who will be starting school in September 2025.

   

  We have had three full weeks of our new lunches now. With some dishes being more popular than others, we are working with Clever Chefs regarding the menu. From next week onwards, every Thursday, the meat free option will be margherita pizza, which was very popular last week. Below are some of the yummy dinners we had this week and last week.

   

  We hope you have a lovely weekend with your families.

   

  Best wishes

  Mrs Riches

  

• PTA Annual General Meeting

  Mon 16 Sep 2024

  Please come to our PTA AGM

   

  Wednesday 18th September

   

  3.30pm

   

  If you like meeting other parents, organising/helping with events, then our PTA is the place to be. Please come along and meet the team!

• Weekly Update Friday 13th September

  Fri 13 Sep 2024

  We had a little bit of sunshine this week, which made all the difference to how much we could get outside in our lesson time! The children have had a great week. It was lovely to welcome the children in Year R to a whole day, and they have been loving their school lunches! Please remember we are a nut free school, so please do not put any nut products in lunchboxes, and we would suggest 4 items (5 at a push) for children if bringing a packed lunch, as otherwise they find it too overwhelming. Children can bring a sealed carton of juice/squash at lunchtime if they wish (not fizzy).

   

  We have been asked by parents about our policy of giving sweets and cakes for special occasions. Sadly we are unable to give items out, due to the amount of allergies in class, and ask that treats are given out at birthday parties instead.

   

  Year 1 and 2 had their Welcome meetings, which were very well attended, and the children were really proud to show their new classes to their parents.  Remember that each year group has their own email, should you wish to get in touch, which are answered in the school week. You will be pleased to know that as of today, we are able to use our email again. It has caused us quite a few issues, but we are all back to normal now.

   

  We have started to see a few large bows of different colours coming into school. Please can we keep hair decorations to a minimum and in school colours. We also ask that all shoulder length hair is tied back. We had a mainly headlice free year last year, and would like for this to continue (which I am sure you want to support!).

   

  Over the last couple of weeks, some children have had some nasty trips and bangs when being allowed to run ahead. We do ask that children walk with their parents at this time, due to their safety and the safety of others, as it is so busy. We also do not allow bikes/scooters past the gates, or hot drinks for this reason too. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

   

  Some of you may have seen me out at drop off time this week, reminding people of the highway code regarding parking on school zigzags and double yellows. We have passed our concerns and the concerns of several of the residents who have telephoned or come in person to complain, to the police and council. The markings are there to enable all children to travel to school and cross the road safely. Please read the law below:

   

  You'll see time plates on poles near the zig-zag road markings, typically 8-9am and 3-4.30pm, though these timings may vary. The Highway Code states: “You MUST NOT wait or park, or stop to set down and pick up passengers, on school entrance markings.” (Highway Code rule 238, Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.)

   

  The Highway code applies at both drop off and pick up. The following applies to Blue Badge Holders:

   

  The Blue Badge is not a licence to park anywhere. If you park where it would cause an obstruction or danger to other road users you could be fined or receive a Penalty Charge Notice or have your vehicle removed.

  Do not park where it would endanger, inconvenience or obstruct pedestrians or other road users. Examples of dangerous or obstructive parking include the following, although there are others:

  • school entrances, bus stops, on a bend, or near the brow of a hill or hump bridge
  • parking opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space 

    The Blue Badge scheme: rights and responsibilities in England

    Updated 9 July 2020

   

  Please do not endanger our children because of convenience, weather or in a rush. We have safe parking spaces in Hoe Road, Jubilee and Town, with a short walk to school if you have to bring a car.

   

  This seems like a negative to end this weeks update, however we have had so many resident and parents' complaints re parking and driving over the last few weeks, it has been necessary to mention. I would like to finish on a positive and say that all the children have been lovely to teach since we have come back and their smiles have been enormous when I am walking around the school and seeing their learning. They have had a little introduction to their next projects in Key Stage 1 and are raring to go!

   

  Wishing you all a lovely weekend in the sunshine (at last!)

   

  Mrs Riches

  Headteacher