Byfleet Primary Newsletter

• We can't quite believe that it is December already! It's starting to feel a lot like Christmas at BPS with our Christmas trees up, Santa post box out and our Reception/KS 1 nativity in full swing. We look forward to welcoming our Key Stage 1 families to school on Thursday and Friday next week to watch our youngest children perform their nativity. You're in for a treat. 

• Well done to our Year 3s for showcasing their learning in their Class Assembly today! 

• Thank you to Mrs Sharkey-Yun for organising our NSPCC Assemblies this week, helping us teach our children to 'Speak Out, Stay Safe!'

• If you haven't already bought your raffle ticket to be in to win one of three fantastic Christmas drink hampers, tickets will be on sale outside the school office at home time. 

• Year 5 enjoyed a WWII themed Lego enrichment. Read all about it below.

• Year 4's Trip to Butser Farm was a hit. See the photos from this exciting trip below.

• Thank you to Miss Summers for accompanying a group of Year 3s to the tennis event in Woking last week. The children had a good time playing tennis against other local Woking schools.

• Mr Gilani, our ukulele and peripatetic teacher will be hosting our Xmas showcase for children who have lessons with him, and Year 5 ukulele. Please join us on Thursday 14th December at 2.20 - 3.05pm in the school hall to watch your child perform, if they take part in these lessons. 

• Do you know how to do CPR? Year 6 will be able to assist you. Find about about their 'Heart Start' CPR training they did in this week's newsletter below.

• We still have a few spaces left in Reception, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4 and Year 6. Please spread the word to any new potential families who wish to join our wonderful school. 

• Reminder to all parents to please ensure that they pre-book their children's lunch via Scopay (Scopay parent help guide ). There are still a few children who are not having their school lunches pre-ordered for them.  If no hot dinner is ordered on the day, parents will be required to bring in a healthy packed lunch by 11:30am (this applies to all year groups).  

The Children's Commissioner, Dame Rachel De Souza, has launched her The Big Ambition survey, to hear from all children and young people in England aged between 6 and 18 years old. Adults can answer on behalf of a child or young person aged up to 18.

She will use this survey to take children and young people’s views to the Government.

Everything you tell me will be kept private, and you don’t have to answer any question if you don’t want to. To find out more, visit her website to complete this short survey with your child. 

Remember, there are no right or wrong answers. Just answer honestly!

You are therefore invited to come along to the Byfleet Forum stall at Byfleet Christmas Market, Byfleet Village Hall on Saturday, 2nd December - 10:30 to 15:00  to talk to members of the BRNF committee and learn more about the plan.

Additionally, for those who may wish to take some time considering a response, hard copies can be viewed at the following places:-

Byfleet Library - St Mary’s Day Centre - Byfleet Village Hall

Electronic copies of the plan are also available to view on the Byfleet Forum Website at www.byfleetforum.co.uk/theplan or scan our QR Code to take you straight to the website.  You will also find the Visions and Key Objectives of the forum on the homepage.

Andrew Weiss, Chair of Byfleet Resident’s Neighbourhood Forum, Serving Byfleet Village would love to hear from you at administrator@byfleetforum.co.uk

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

Last Friday Year 4 had a chilly but wonderful day at Butser Ancient Farm. We were all transported back in time as we got a taste of what it would be like to live like an Anglo Saxon and a Viking house. 

The children were able to explore the different houses that would have been seen in Britain from the time of the Stone Age to the Vikings as well as learning about the ancient communication of runes and how writing used to be completed with ink and quill. 

The children also learnt about how we learn about the past when they took part in an archaeological dig and found everything from animals bones and ancient pottery to modern china and motorbike parts. A thoroughly enjoyable hands on day!

If you would like to know more about the Speak out. Stay safe. programme you can find information on the NSPCC website www.nspcc.org.uk/speakout  

Year 6 enjoyed learning how to safely administer CPR last Monday after we were lucky enough to be visited by a volunteer from Woking Community First Responders.  The workshop taught Year 6 why it is important to have this life skill and went through 'DR ABC' in an interactive so they can use this if they ever need to (we hope not!). Year 6 practised their CPR skills on dummies and the 'Recovery Position' on each other.  

How to win

Poem entries must be submitted here by Byfleet Primary staff on the 13th of December, 2023. Please bring in your poems and give them to your class teachers before 13th December. 

• Only one entry per student will be accepted (submissions must include the student’s name, age, and school).

• Reading Solutions UK will shortlist six poems. 

• Shortlisted poems will be shared on Reading Solutions UK’s social media channels, and a voting process will take place.

• The prize winners will be the top three poems that receive the most votes.

• Each like, comment, or share is worth one vote.

Voting will open on the 18th of December and close at midnight on the 31st of December!

For some lovely ideas, visit the Reading Plus website here to be inspired (scroll to the bottom).

Pupil Premium is additional funding given to schools for pupils who have been registered as being entitled to Free School Meals (FSM) at any point in the last 6 years. Schools receive this funding to support their eligible pupils and narrow the attainment gap between them and their peers.  

If you are unsure if you qualify, complete the form and return it to Byfleet Primary and we will work with Surrey to check your eligibility.

Other Pupil Premiums are available to the school if parents or guardians meet the criteria. 

Free School Meals can be provided to pupils if parents/guardians meet the eligibility.

We urge you to complete this form even if your child does not take a school meal.

For any queries, please contact the school office via info@byfleet.surrey.sch.uk.

A huge thank you to Mr Habgood and Elana Habgood in Rainbow Reception Class for donating a real Christmas tree to Byfleet this year.  

Elana helped her Dad pick the tree from Wisley Common.  It’s a Scot Pine tree around 7-8 years old and the reason for cutting it down is that it is an invasive species that quickly outcompetes the slower growing heathland plants such as heather.  The tree has traveled 2 miles, was cut down by hand, germinated from seed on site & by cutting it down this helps to perserve the heathland in Surrey.

It is now decorated and on display in our school hall!!

Courses for Parents - Support to Understand Young People's Needs

There are a range of fully funded (Free) CACHE accredited Level 2 qualifications available to help better understand some key issues around young people's mental health and wellbeing, along with a range of other qualifications that may help with developing careers.

Please see below information on structure, criteria and how to express interest:

Course Information/Structure:

- Online E Learning Platform.

- Have a full 6-20 weeks to complete the course

- Assigned your own login details, can log in and out when you please

- Assigned your own tutor who will support you throughout and mark your work

- No Exams or Essays. All Q&A based. 

- Can complete as many as you would like, just one at a time. 

- Gain a Level 2 awarded certificate upon completion (GCSE Grade C equivalent)

Minimum Requirements to access the course:

- Aged 19 or above

- Not currently on a Government funded course (inc Apprenticeships) 

- Has been in EU/UK for the past 3 years

Subjects Available:

• Understanding Autism 

• Neuroscience In The Early Years (0-7)

• Understanding Children and Young Peoples Mental Health 

• Distressed Behaviour In Children 

• Adverse Childhood Experiences 

• Counselling 

• Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties (ADHD, ADD, Dyslexia and Dyscalculia)

More Subjects Available: theaimgroup.co.uk/courses 

If you wish to find out more, please complete the following link and they'll be able to give you a call and talk you through how it works: 

theaimgroup.co.uk/booking-form/001Q5000003exAR 

If you would like a phone call regarding these Free Online Courses, please make contact with the following details:

sofie.rogers@theaimgroup.co.uk - 020 3923 4014