BPS Newsletter

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

• This Spring 1 term has been packed with fun learning, many trips and visitors who have worked with our children. We continue to be grateful for your support at home supporting with homework, daily reading, Spelling Shed and Doodle Maths/Timetable Rocks Stars. We hope you have a wonderful half term break and look forward to welcoming you back to school on Monday 24th February.

• Today's Break the Rules Mufti was filled with fun and laughter. The children totally embraced the theme of the day, and it was wonderful to see the staff take part too by dressing up as BPS school children! Mrs Meyrick is pleased to announce that no teachers (dressed up as BPS school children) received a Yellow Behaviour Form! The children were tasked with keeping an eye on the staff today! Thanks to the Friends of Byfleet for organising this event, helping us raise valuable funds for BPS!

• This week, a group of KS 2 children sang their hearts out at the Surrey Arts Children's Singing Festival at GLive. It was terrific to see their parents come and cheer them on. A big thanks to Mrs Mumby for organising this. 

• Our KS 2 Choir visited King's Lodge Care Home to sing to the elderly residents this week. We were so proud to see our children engage so politely and caringly with the residents. 

• Following our parent survey about religious festivals in the Autumn Term, we have mapped out visits for all of our children to visit a range of religious temples and buildings each year. Year 3 were excited to visit a Synagogue this week as part of their learning about Judaism. Thanks to Miss Ali and Mrs Cossentino for making this happen. 

• Year 4's Bikeability went well and we were pleased to see so many children taking part in this, learning how to cycle safely in our community. 

• Year 2's Assembly this week was a hit. We thoroughly enjoyed listening to their singing and they spoke so clearly, without any scripts! Well done!

• The children enjoyed taking part in Safer Internet Day this week. Mrs Gregory's Computing assembly taught the children to spot scams and fake news, helping keeping themselves safe online. Click here for parent online safety guidance linked to Youtube and Roblox. 

• It was great to see so many children wearing their SCARF to school last week as part of our Children's Mental Health Week. The children spent the day learning about SCARF (Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience, Friendship) as part our PSHE.

• Thank you to everyone who attended the Tray Day to see their child's super learning. We have our second Parents' Evening in a few weeks time in Spring 2 so look forward to sharing more information about how well your child is progressing. 

• We continue to prepare for our Careers' Week in Spring 2: if you are keen to share your skills or job, please let Miss Oliver know as the children would love to learn more about different careers. 

• We are looking for an additional Parent Governor to join our Byfleet Primary School LAC (Local Advisory Committee). Previous experience is not needed. We are seeking someone who has a keen interest in helping improve our school. If you are interested in working strategically with the Headteacher and Governors and can spare a couple of hours each half term, then please reach out to Mrs Scott at info@byfleet.surrey.sch.uk to tender your interest.

• 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. 

This week, we are wrapping up our Space Explorer theme with a focus on constellations and making wishes on shooting stars in our writing activities. ☄️✍️

In maths, we have been exploring doubles, making learning fun and interactive! 🔢

We have also been busy crafting a little present for our loved ones to celebrate Valentine´s Day something special made with lots of love.🩷❤️

Wishing you all a wonderful and relaxing half-term break! ☕

Last Friday, Year 2 had a wonderful day being Romans.  They spent the day being Roman architects, building columns and straight roads, being Roman Chefs, preparing delicious Roman food and being Roman shield makers.  The afternoon was spent creating a Roman legion tortoise formation and trying to deflect the bean bags that were thrown at them!  Lastly, they enjoyed the delicious feast they had prepared in the morning.  A big thank you to Mrs Thomas for coming in to help with the cooking! 

This week, Year 4 have been busy creating and publishing a poem about the journey of a water droplet. This has been inspired by our book ' A drop in the ocean'.

 Our fantastic poets this week are by Liam D and Liam H. 

Year 3 enjoyed their trip to the NWSS synagogue on Monday, which is linked to our RE unit on Judaism. The children learned all about the synagogue and the beliefs and traditions of the Jewish community. A big thank you to the parent volunteers who helped. 

Mrs Wyatt would like to thank all those parents/carers that have made some wonderful donations to her ELSA room.  It is great space and so inviting for all the pupils at Byfleet!!

Byfleet Careers Week Monday 3rd March - Friday 7th March 

We are holding Careers Week at Byfleet from Monday 3rd March to Friday 7th March 2025.

Our aim is to provide a focus on careers to help support pupils to develop awareness and excitement about possible future pathways and set aspirations for our children.

Our theme for this year's Careers Week is : Aspirations. 

We are  looking for  volunteers from a range of career pathways to speak to our children about their career and their aspirations when they were younger. Speaking to the children about what inspired you to follow your chosen career path, the training you undertook,  what you enjoy about it and what challenges you face and how you are resilient to overcome them. 

We would love a range of people from different jobs: hairdressers, midwives, dog groomers, entrepreneurs, lorry drivers, lawyers, retail professionals, athletes, midwives, STEAM careers, etc.

We would love to hear from parents who feel able to offer any of the following:

• Assembly to whole school

• Assembly to key stage

• Classroom based talk, Q&A and / or activity. (to one class or multiple classes) 

• Show and tell activity

Careers Week Google Form

Thank you if you have already signed up. If you have already signed up please keep those dates free, I will be in touch after half term to confirm. Thank you so much! 

Secondly,

Monday 17th March - Friday 21st March is Neurodiversity Week with World Autism Day on Wednesday 2nd April.

Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported. We want to inform and support while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual. 

During Neurodiversity week, I will be holding an assembly to share with the children what Neurodiversity means and how this impacts peoples lives. We will also be touching on the language around neurodiversity. 

On World Autism Day I would love if the children, or their adults, could contribute in any way to my assembly. This might be through a drawing, a poem, a speech, a video or any way they feel comfortable to communicate their story. Please contact me if you or your child would like to contribute. 

I am really excited to share your stories and celebrate each other. 

Best wishes, Miss Oliver 

Online SEND Support Group

Woking Family Centre is pleased to offer a FREE SEND Support Group to parent and carers of children (0-11years).  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 4 online evening sessions via Teams. The programme is delivered by our qualified facilitators. 

The topics covered:

WEEK 1:

• Welcome to all and introductions

• plan for this support group

• safety plan

WEEK 2:

• Welcome and introductions.

• 3 golden rules / family rules

• Importance of short instructions / positive language

• Keeping safe

• Boundaries and the importance of them for all

WEEK 3:

• Parenting tips – C & C, do’s work better than don’ts

• Food fads, food chaining

• Sleep issues, pillowcases, routine, visual charts

• transitioning

• Cracker vs blueberries

WEEK 4:

• EHCP

• DLA

• Linkable

• Surrey Short Stay

Date and times:

Length of programme: 4 weeks

Day: Thursday                      Date: 27th February, 6th March, 13th March, 20th March 2025   Time: 7pm – 8pm                  Venue: Teams (link will be sent upon registration)

Register your interest. Please provide the following details:

Title:        Name:         Address:       Postcode:        Mobile number:         Email address:    Ethnicity:                   Religion:

Child 1 name and date of birth               

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or queries, or contact wokingfamilycentre@barnardos.org.uk

Highest Monthly Attendance:

Well done to Year 3 for the highest attendance in January! Enjoy sitting on the benches in assembly!

September        Year 2             97.86%

October             Year 1             98.45%

November         Year 6             98.17%

December          Year 2             95.62%

January              Year 3            97.57%

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 our Attendance Policy here for further information.

Is Your Little One Facing Extra Challenges? We’re Here to Help!

The Paediatrics Parenting Support Service is here to support parents and carers in Surrey who may be exploring if their child (aged 5 or under) could be neurodivergent, facing challenging or avoidant behaviours, aggressive behaviours, routines, or needing a boost in social and emotional development.

If you’re navigating these challenges, our 6-week program might help you gain practical strategies and support.

Join our program, available both online and in-person in the community! Gain practical strategies, resources, and connect with other families on the same journey to support your child’s growth and well-being.

For more details or to make a referral, visit our webpage https://www.barnardos.org.uk/.../surrey-paediatrics...

or reach out to us at SurreySupportU5@barnardos.org.uk.