Dear Parents and Carers
This term is racing on and we are at the Bank Holiday Weekend already. The children have settled in very well to the new term and I have been very pleased to see how well they are working.
Swimming
The swimming pool is gradually approaching the time when the children will be able to start swimming again, but the cold nights of late are slowing the process down. I will keep you informed of progress and our likely start date. Please remember our rules for the pool, which include no jewellery being worn in the pool (any earrings must be taken out by your child before swimming – adults will not be able to help and we will not tape over them as can happen for some other PE activities), and swimming hats and one-piece costumes must be worn. As it is two years since the pool was operational, it would be helpful if you would inform your child’s class teacher of any specific issues, strengths or phobias your child may have regarding swimming. Swimming is part of the National Curriculum for PE, so is a compulsory part of our PE provision and every child will be expected to take part.
Clubs
We have had a good take-up for each class’s after school clubs – thank you for encouraging your children to be involved in the wider life of the school. For each session, we take a register so if, for any reason, your child is not able to attend the club on an evening, please let the office or the teacher responsible know in advance. If your child no longer wishes to attend the club, please inform the teacher in writing.
Trees
Many thanks to Mrs Heasman and helpers for the brilliant work sourcing and planting 345 new trees and hedgerow plants on the field. After bidding to the Woodland Trust for the trees, every child in the school now has their own tree to nurture for the rest of their time in the school. This is a wonderful addition to our environment and will make the lower end of the field an exciting place for future generations of pupils to explore.
Bikeability
There are still spaces available on each of the levels of Bikeability training later in the term. These courses are either free or heavily subsidised and are as invaluable a life skill as the swimming sessions we provide. It would be good to have every child in Key Stage 2 at least at Level 1 standard. Please look at the information below or visit https://bikeability.org.uk/ and, if you would like your child to take part, please let the office know. If your child is in Key Stage 2 and has not yet learnt to ride a bike and you would like support in this, including sourcing a suitable bike, please let me know and I will send you some helpful information.
On-line Safety
Having spent many weeks working on-line over the last 12 months or so, the children have become very proficient on the computer. Unfortunately, I have been made aware of some extremely worrying websites which seem to be able to get around the normal filters and parental settings. This makes it even more important for you to be fully aware of what your children are accessing on-line, including the age ratings of some very popular social networking sites, in order to keep them safe. If you are at all concerned about your child’s safety on-line, there are brilliant resources at www.thinkuknow.co.uk and at www.nspcc.org.uk, or please come and talk to me in confidence.
I hope you all have a very happy Bank Holiday Weekend and we look forward to seeing the children in school again on Tuesday 4th May.
With best wishes
James Stanford
Bikeability information
AT LEVEL 1 RIDERS:
- Prepare themselves for a journey
- Check the cycle is ready for a journey
- Set off, pedal, slow down and stop
- Pedal (including looking behind, cycling one handed, turning and controlling speed)
AT LEVEL 2 RIDERS:
- Cycle safely and responsibly
- Identify and respond to hazards
- Start and stop on-road journeys
- Maintain suitable riding positions
- Share the road with others and communicate with other road users
- Comply with signals, signs and road markings
- Manage risk when cycling
- Negotiate junctions (pass side roads, turn at T junctions, and crossroads and roundabouts if present).
AT LEVEL 3 RIDERS:
- Plan a journey
- Plan to and ride assertively everywhere cycling is permitted
- Maintain suitable riding positions
- Cooperate with and respect other road users (including avoiding driver blind spots and riding with others)
- Pass queuing traffic and use junctions controlled by traffic lights (if present)
- Use cycle infrastructure and multi lane roads (if present)
- Ride on roads with speeds above 30 mph (if present)