BPS Newsletter

• A big welcome back, and an especially warm welcome to our new Reception families, who have joined our BPS team! 

• OPEN DAYS: If you have a child who is due to start school in 25/26, please register for a school tour for the Autumn term, here. Mrs Meyrick will be happy to show you around our wonderful school, BPS! Spread the word...

• Thank you to the parents who attended the Parent Curriculum Information meetings. If you missed it, here are the presentations:

Reception        Year 1                 Year 2                   Year 3                  Year 4               Year 5              Year 6

• In addition to our lovely new Reception children joining us this year, we also welcome 7 new children to Byfleet Primary School so far, with a few more due to join us in the coming weeks.

• Building works took place over the summer holiday. We are pleased with the children's new toilet refurbishment. The boiler and heating upgrade is ongoing and works aim to be completed by October half term, just in time for the colder weather. 

• Trips form a big part of our curriculum offer at BPS and we're pleased that Year 5 and 6 have already had a trip to visit the University of Surrey this week, to learn more about jobs in the medical field. Read more about this below. 

• We invite all parents for all year groups to join the Friends of Byfleet, Mrs Meyrick and Mr Bowman for the AGM and first meeting of the year, at 8pm at the Queen's Head pub, High Road, Byfleet on Wednesday 18th September. If you are unable to attend in person, reach out to Mrs Scott who will share a zoom link with you to join online. The Friends of Byfleet parents group are looking for new parents to become elected members, and trustees. They are appealing to the wider parent/carer community of Byfleet Primary School to come forward as elected committee members to prevent the PTA from closing, due to the existing members standing down. Elected role include: Chair/Co Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Trustees. Previous experience is not required. Please come along and show your support, share your ideas and help us keep our Friends of Byfleet charity functioning, to continuing helping organising a few fun events for the children, whilst raising valuable funds to enhance our BPS children's experiences in school. 

• We look forward to Reception parents will host their first cake sale on Thursday 26th September. 

• Please join Mrs Mumby (our phonics and reading lead) on Thursday 19th September at 8.50 for a Phonics/early reading parent workshop in the school hall. She'll share some top tips on helping you support your child's reading at home, and explain how we teach our children to read. This workshop is aimed at Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 parents, however everyone is welcome. 

• On Friday 27th September at 8.50, please join us in the hall for a Maths Parent Workshop on how to get the most out of your child's Doodle Maths account (Year 1 - 6) and how to support your child with their 144 Club (Year 2 - 6 multiplication weekly competition to earn bronze, silver, gold, platinum and diamond 144 badges). 

• Year 6 Bikeabity starts on Monday 23rd September. Look out for email correspondence regarding this shortly. This is a highly-recommended opportunity to help your child get prepared for cycling safely to secondary school.

• We are looking for two new governors, one with a finance background if possible, to join our governor volunteers at BPS. If you are able to commit to x6 2 hour meetings a year, and would like to help steer our strategic direction, please email info@byfleet.surrey.sch.uk 

• Year 6 Parents - Don't forget to apply for your child's secondary school choices via Surrey Council website by the end of October 2024. Follow this link here. 

• If you are interested in hiring our school hall, a classroom, our outdoor hive or swimming pool (summer term only for the pool) for an event you may have in mind, don't hesitate to speak to Mrs Scott in the office who will be able to share our pricing details. 

Well done to the following children for being recognised for doing something brilliant this fortnight......

Year 5 and 6 had a great time taking part in Surrey Schools Project at the University of Surrey. 

We felt very lucky to be invited to be part of this initiative: the children had the privilege of taking part in four interactive workshops where they got to meet healthcare professionals and experience part of their job. The workshops included Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Music Therapy, Speech & Language, Maternity, Healthcare Worker and others. 

We were very proud of how Year 5 and 6 represented our school - they acted 'Ready, Respectful, Safe'. 

In July, all our finalists presented to our lovely judges Mrs Considine, Mrs Wolniewicz and Mrs Edwards.  All the various acts were absolutely amazing and a big congratulations to everyone.  Our overal winner was Ivy Ginn (now Year 5) winning a £30 gift voucher.  Well done!!  A huge thank you to our judge for judging on the day.

A huge congratulations to our 8 Year 6 House and Vice Captains. 

All our Year 6s were incredibly supportive of each other and it was lovely watching them cheer each other on in assembly - a testament to what a great class they clearly are!

We also want to say a huge well done to any Year 6s who put themselves forward to be House Captain - we know how much courage it takes.

Eagles:

House Captain: Dixie-Belle Powell

Vice House Captain: Elsie Heywood

Kestrels:

House Captain: Mia Alexander 

Vice House Captain: Alby-Jack Wright 

Hawks:

House Captain: Penelope Wilson

Vice House Captain: Harrison Draper 

Falcons:

House Captain: Zach Wolfe 

Vice House Captain: Rose Hussey

Byfleet Primary were delighted to have been awarded the Tesco Stronger Starts vote in our local Tesco stores and that our project came Second place chosen by Tesco Customers in the local community.  The school is set to receive a grant award of £1,000.00!

Gardening club will involve all pupils in the school.  In order to get ready for spring Mrs Wyatt has asked for pupils to donate some flower bulbs e.g daffodils, tulips etc.  

Just to remind parents/carers that if they take their children out of school without authority for 5 or more days (which do not have to be consecutive), they will be liable to receive a penalty notice. The issue of a Penalty Notice will also be actioned where a pupil has incurred 7 or more unauthorised sessions during the preceding 6 school weeks. 

**Changes to the National framework for Penalty Notices came into force for Penalty Notice Fines on 19th August 2024**

• First offence within a 3 year rolling period will incur a charge of £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days, Increasing to £160 per parent, per child if paid within 28 days.

• Second offence within a 3 year rolling period will incur a flat rate of £160 per parent, per child if paid within 28 days. 

• The third time an offence is committed within a 3 year rolling period for term time leave or irregular attendance the case will be presented straight to the Magistrates Court. 

Please view our Attendance Policy here for further information.

Hello BPS Parents,

My name is Miss Oliver. I am really looking forward to working with you and supporting you and your children on their journeys. I have been a teacher for ten years and my teaching philosphy is to be a child's champion. (If you haven't watched Rita Pearson's Ted Talk it's a good one!) I firmly believe children get one shot at each and every day and therefore we need to ensure their time in school is purposeful and fulfilling. I am fully commited to doing my best every single day to ensure our children have the best possible experience of education and are set up, ready for life. 

My inclusion role is on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and I am Year 5's class teacher on Thursday and Friday i. I will aim to respond to all correspondence within a reasonable timeframe. If you could please ensure any emails are sent via the office and include your child's name and year group in the subject line, this will really help me to be able to help you as quickly as possible. 

On Monday 30th September at 8.50, we are holding a SEND and Inclusion parent coffee morning. All parents are welcome. It would be lovely to meet lots of you there and put names to faces. I have been working hard over the summer and these first weeks to learn as much as I can about your children, it would be great to meet their families too! 

Useful Information

Please remember to refer to Mindworks Surrey. This is a website with a plethora of information regarding mental health and SEND. https://www.mindworks-surrey.org/ 

SEND Advice Surrey is also a brilliant place to reach out to for support. https://www.sendadvicesurrey.org.uk/ 

Online Parenting Puzzle Workshop

Woking Family Centre is pleased to offer a FREE Parenting Puzzle Workshop to parent and carers of children (0-11years).  This tried and tested programme can help and support you deal with challenges of a family life. The aims of the programme are to build positive constructive relationships and calm confident parenting.   The Workshop encourages parents/carers of children to enjoy bringing up children and get the best out of family life. It offers positive, practical ways of guiding children. Woking Family Centre will hold 2 online evening sessions via Teams. The programme is delivered by our qualified facilitators. 

 The workshop is informal, fun and a great confidence boost!

 The course covers:

 • Recognising feelings behind behaviours

• Different approaches to discipline

• Co-operation and self-discipline

• The importance of looking after ourselves

Date and times:

 Length of programme: 2 days

Day: Thursday and Wednesday

Date: 19th September – 25th September 2024

Time: 7pm – 8.30pm

Venue: Teams (link will be sent upon registration)

Register your interest: to book your place, please reply to this email or  wokingfamilycentre@barnardos.org.uk