Byfleet Primary Newsletter

• As the first half term of this academic year draws to an end, we would like to thank you for your continued support. This term has been hugely successful, with many great things to celebrate.......a positive external Learning Review, Rockkidz self-esteem day, Bikeability, Dog safety visit, school disco, the highest attendance we've had since lockdown and lots of fun learning!

• Thank you to the parents/carers who attended Mrs Sharkey's SEND coffee morning. Another one will be scheduled for the Spring term so look out for the date in our calendar below. 

• The children had a wonderful Halloween Disco last week - thank you for helping us raise valuable funds for the school.

• Any parents who missed this week's parents' evenings slot, please liaise with the class teachers who will be happy to squeeze you in for an alternative slot after half term. We hope you all found the parents' evening useful and know what to work on with your children at home to help them make even more progress.

• It was good to see Year 6 Bikeability teaching our Year 6s how to cycle safely on the roads and plotting their journey to our local secondary schools, in preparation for next year. 

• We are delighted to announce our new Parent Governor vacancy has been filled. Congratulations and thank you to Jackson's mum (Ms Gibbons) for being nominated to this valuable and strategic role, helping us to make BPS a brilliant school.

• A final reminder for secondary school applications: Is your child starting SECONDARY SCHOOL next year here is the link to Surrey County Council's website to register your child for their secondary school place here.

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

• Thank you for the kind Harvest food donations that have been sent into school. We will continue collection food (see below in the newsletter) next half term. Drop off points are in the main foyer.

• Reminder to all parents to please ensure that they pre-book their children's lunch via Scopay (Scopay parent help guide ). From Monday, 6th November, if a child has not ordered a hot dinner on the day, parents will be required to bring in a healthy packed lunch by 11:30am (this applies to all year groups).   

• A tremendous well done to all our families for ensuring our children attend school regularly. This term has had the highest attendance since lockdown, with 96.68%, which is above the national average and above our school target! It's great to see that fewer doctor and dental appointments being made during school time, which makes a huge difference.

• With the conflict going on in the world, here are some helpful resources for you to use to speak to your child about war and conflict.

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

Across the school this half term, every year group have been working hard at learning different art skills such as: perspective, collage, using clay to make sculptures, portraits and sketching. 

They have looked at different artist: Banksy, Stephen Wiltshere, Heather Knight to help inspire their art.

Our wonderful ELSA lead Senorã Wyatt has been busy this week creating a purposeful and fun area outside our KS1 classrooms. Take a little look at our beautiful mud kitchen, we are excited for the children to use their imaginations and create some mathematical recipes! Mud pie anyone? 

After half term our tiny tables will be painted to create a beautiful colourful vibe and we are excited to use this over the coming months, rain or shine! Please ensure your children bring in their waterproof warm coats and wellies are always welcomed. 

We have asked our families of Year 1 to join us in making some painted rocks over the holidays! We will use this to create maths sentences using our stuff trays to encourage learning in all environments. Please see some examples below.

Oh what a night! 

A huge thank you to Friends of Byfleet Primary for hosting our annual autumn disco! 

The brilliant DJ Si-tunes entertained our little ones with games and spooky tunes while the older years danced the night away with adults getting involved in a dance off! Shapes were thrown all evening, sweets and hot dogs topped off a night of fun and we cannot wait to host another one soon!!

We have an exciting opportunity for our KS2 classes to take part in Byfleet's exciting Christmas Lights switch on on Thursday, 16th November! 

On your Scopay accounts you will see a confirmation box to indicate if your Child will be attending the Byfleet Christmas Lights Switch On and to sing in the Choir. 

We will be busy learning the songs within school, and will be accompanied by a Ukulele band during the Choir singing. How amazing does that sound!

This event is open to our KS2 pupils, however any siblings in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are also welcome to take part and sing in the choir. A Parent/Carer will need to accompany their child to the event, and stay with their child for the duration of the special event. 

Timings of the event: - Arrive at 6:15pm in the village ready for the Choir and Ukulele band to begin performing at 6:30pm.                                          

 - At 7pm the lights will be turned on! The Ukulele band will continue to play festive songs until close. 

Songs we will be learning are:

Jingle Bells, Walking in a Winter Wonderland, Santa Claus is coming to town, White Christmas, Frosty the Snowman and Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer. 

What an exciting opportunity to showcase our singing and enjoy the Byfleet Christmas spirit! 

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.

Lego Legends runs after school clubs at Byfleet Primary - if you are interested in enrolling your child, please liaise directly with the company.

For some useful guidance and information please look at the Bristish Dyslexia Association website. 

The 'Nessy' website also has free books about Dyslexia that you can download (for both parents and children), as well as courses for parents and online programmes (which need a subscription). They are offering some discounts on these for the month of October.  Nessy Resources for Parents.

Every year we think of those less privileged than us and we offer food donations to the Woking Food Bank.  Collections started this week and will continue upon our return from our two week October half term break.   Deadline for bringing in contributions Wednesday, 15th November 2023. We do need parent volunteers to drop off the donations at Woking Food Bank.  If you are available to do so please email, info@byfleet.surrey.sch.uk.  Thank you to all those that have volunteered to drop off the donations, the office will be in touch after half term break to make arrangements.

Friends of Byfleet PTA are organising a Christmas Wreath Making Workshop taking place on             Friday 1st December at 7.30pm for £35!  

Book early to avoid disappointment! www.pta-events.co.uk/fbps

****  Please note:  Monday 23rd October camp has been cancelled ****

If you are interested in your child learning to play an instrument during the school day (Thursday), contact our music teacher, Mr Gillani for more information.