BPS Newsletter

Please report absences using the absences@byfleet.surrey.sch.uk email by no later than 9am.

This Week's Highlights

• Mrs Hurford (our wondeful SENDCo) hosted a SEND coffee morning last week in which she discussed key updates from the government and introduced herself to the community. It was a well-attended event the feedback was really positive. Thank you to those who attended.

• Mr Bowman (our Maths Lead) hosted a maths workshop this week focusing on the importance of the CPA approach and early maths in written calculations at the end of KS2. The session looked at using manipulatives to support children's understanding and progression of calculation in addition. Thank you to those parents and carers who attended, the next workshop will focus on end of year expectations. Please keep your eyes open in the newsletter for the Google Form to register your interest.

• The Thorpe Park trip has become a favourite for Upper Key Stage 2 since we first attended the trip three years ago. The children in Year 5 and Year 6 visited Thorpe Park and took part in a series of STEAM based workshops. They were then able to earn stamps which allowed them to access the rides. Thank you to all the adult helpers who made the trip possible, they all came back looking a little bit dishevelled having had a great time, as did the children!

• Cycle to School Week is taking place next week. Get your pedal or scoot on!!  We hope that our pupils will be cycling or scooting into school.

• You may have noticed some small changes happening to the front of the school. This is down to the green fingers of Mrs Olds who is sprucing up some of our green areas.

• 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. 

We’ve had a fantastic and busy couple of weeks in EYFS, full of learning, exploring and autumn fun!

In phonics, we have continued learning our letter sounds and have now explored the sounds g, o, c, k, ck, u, r and e. The children are becoming much more confident in recognising these sounds and using them to build simple words – fantastic work!

In maths, our focus has been on mass, capacity, size and patterns. The children have enjoyed lots of hands-on activities, including comparing the weight of different objects, exploring how much water different containers can hold, and using language like big, small, heavier, and fuller to describe what they see. We also used signs of autumn like conkers, autumn leaves etc to make repeating patterns.

Our topic learning has focused on learning about where we go to school and the country we live in. We’ve had discussions about our local area, looked at maps, and even talked about the different features of the UK.

We’ve also made the most of the seasonal changes with lots of exciting autumn activities! We went on an autumn hunt to spot signs of the new season, gave ‘haircuts’ to autumn leaves using scissors to build fine motor skills, and created beautiful autumn trees using paintbrushes to dot on colourful leaves. The children also built cosy dens for autumn animals preparing for hibernation – a lovely way to combine creativity with learning about nature.

Thank you for your continued support – we can’t wait for more adventures next week!

Year 3 had a fantastic time taking part in the Feet First training delivered by Surrey Steps. The session was fun, engaging, and full of important lessons about how to stay safe near roads. The children learned how to be more aware as pedestrians, how to cross safely, and why it’s important to make sensible choices when walking near traffic. Well done, Year 3, for taking part so enthusiastically and showing great road safety awareness! 

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 10 or more unauthorised sessions during the preceding 10 school weeks. These also included 'lates' after the register has closed. 

**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 the letter from Surrey Inclusion Services and our Attendance Policy for further information.