Benwick Briefing 13.01.2023
Dear Parents/ Carers
Welcome to this week's Benwick Briefing.
Message from Mrs Talbot:
We are back in full swing, with a full week of school, and it's like the holidays never happened! We hope you managed to read through class letters and topic maps that came out last week. If you have any questions about what your child is learning this term, or how you can help at home, please do contact the class teacher who will be happy to give you more information.
Attendance:
In December many children suffered from some nasty illnesses and were understandably away from school, however this has hit our attendance figures hard. Our school attendance data is carefully scrutinised by the Local Authority and Ofsted and we are judged on this. All schools must address attendance issues as this clearly has a direct impact on children's progress as well as social and emotional development and we have strict guidelines which we must follow. Nevertheless, I am pleased to say that the new routine in the mornings and extended end of day means that children are now receiving an extra 50 minutes of teaching and learning a week and this has been really successful so far. Learning starts the minute children enter the classroom and lasts right up to the end of the day and so being punctual each day is so important. Please do try to arrange routine dental, eye and medical appointments outside of the school day so that learning time is not missed. Thank you.
Age Restricted Gaming:
We are aware that some of our younger children, as young as 5 or 6, are playing age restricted games such as Fortnite (12). Whilst we know that parents are aware of this and may be supervising, young children do not have the emotional maturity to be able to understand these games and this often has a negative knock on effect on their physical play with others and their emotional development. We would like to urge parents/carers to carefully consider the reason why games, and films, are given an age classification before allowing children to interact with these.
Smart watches:
We do not allow children to bring personal technology items in to school, such as phones, tablets and cameras and this extends to smart watches, this is for safeguarding reasons as well as keeping personal items safe. Regular digital or analogue watches are allowed to be worn once children can tell the time.
Assembly focus:
This week in whole school assembly, we discussed 'potential' and how each of us has unlimited potential and how this can be unlocked through support family and friends, education, ambition and resilience.
Reading:
Our basic homework expectations, across the school include regular reading at home, daily if possible. This is so important for children's progress which impacts all areas of learning across the curriculum. Please do support your child's reading at home, throughout ALL age ranges, as reading regularly with or to an adult and talking about the content really supports enhanced progress. Teachers will be checking children's reading records and talking to them individually about reading at home in line with these homework expectations.
Have a lovely weekend.
Best wishes - Mrs Talbot
School Census Day
Each term the school has to take part in a school census where we have to record lots of information about the school including how many school dinners are taken on the day. All this information then effects the funding the school receives throughout the year. Census day this term is Thursday 19th January; and to encourage all the children to have a school dinner on census the school council have spoken to each class and collectively they have chosen a favourites meal which will be Benwick Brunch with the ice cream factory for pudding. The menu is attached, if your child would like a school dinner on census day please encourage them, you really will be helping the school with valuable funding.
Sporting Achievements
We have many children at Benwick who attend sports clubs outside of school. In order to celebrate this, we are creating a board outside Mrs Talbot’s office. We would love it if you could send a photograph of your child either showing their sporting achievements or wearing their extra-curricular outfit. Please email your photo's office@benwick.cambs.sch.uk or bring a photo to the school office by Wednesday 25th January.
FOBS Film Night
FOBS are hosting a film night on Friday 20th January straight after school. The forms were sent home earlier his week so please check book bags/ bags if you have not seen them. Form and money need to be returned by Wednesday 18th January.
Education Inclusion Family Advisor
Please find attached this month's newsletter.
Travel Survey
Thank you to all of those parents who have completed the travel survey. The local authority have asked that we keep it open until mid-January, so if you have not already completed the survey the link is below. It will take no more than 1 minute of your time. Thank you.
https://forms.office.com/r/TbWftS9rRZ
Have a lovely weekend.
Kind Regards
Mrs Rachael Barton
School Secretary
Important Dates:
Sunday 15th January Reception 2023 Application Deadline
Friday 20th January FOBS Film Night (Details have been sent out)
Monday 6th February Swans Share & Shine 2.30pm
Tuesday 7th February Owls Share & Shine 2.30pm
Wednesday 8th February Doves Share & Shine 2.30pm
Thursday 9th February Robins Share & Shine 8.45am
Friday 10th February FOBS Valentine's Disco/Party
Friday 10th February Last day of half-term
Mon 13th February - Friday 17th February - HALF TERM HOLIDAY