Byfleet Primary Newsletter


Ready   -   Respectful   -   Safe


Always Growing, Ready for Life

Twitter: @Byfleetprimary

www.byfleet.surrey.sch.uk

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@Byfleetprimary

EPIC play at BPS

We have come up with a memorable name for our new playground provision...

       E P I C    (Enriching Play in Children)

We have loved watching the children be creative with the plethora of resources the play team have made available to them - old chairs, bed sheets, old plastic pipes, tyres and logs. We've seen some incredible dens and team building, which is lovely to see. It's a pleasure to see our children engage creatively in collaboration with their friends on the playground. 

Our Friends of Byfleet are going to fundraise to help improve our EPIC provision, which kicks off with a BREAK THE RULES mufti day on a special day this year.... 29th February! After all, a leap year only comes around every 4 years!

We are currently looking at ways of improving the provision for our children at playtime. We are looking at building in opportunities for more purposeful play which foster imagination and creativity by enhancing the resources and spaces which we have available. We are on the hunt for lots and lots of different things including:

-Small world play (action figures, small characters etc)                                   -Dressing up clothes

-Bed sheets/large blankets/duvet covers/old tents                                            -Lengths of rope

-Pallets (no cracks or splits)                                                                                       -Plastic crates (supermarket type)

- Planks of wood/ drain pipes/ logs

If you have any of the above and you are willing to donate them to the school please leave them at the front office.

Reception visits Painshill Park

On Thursday 1st February, Reception Class had an exciting adventure to Painshill Park. It was our first ever school trip!


We hopped on board our coach, and set off for a day of fun, exploring & the great outdoors. Our morning was full of Gruffalo hunting, followed by an exciting activity using mud to make Gruffalo faces on the tree. The weather was so beautiful, we got to eat our lunch on the outside picnic tables followed by free-play in the mud/forest school areas. As a team, we worked together to build the most amazing den... it looked good enough to have a snooze! We finally made our way to the Crystal Grotto where we were amazed by all the shining crystals inside. Just look at those faces... they truly were amazed! 


Being in the glorious sunshine & doing lots of walking meant we were exhausted by the end. I think we all slept well that night. 

Thank you to the parent volunteers who came along with us, you really made the day extra special! 

Year 1 - What is Pink? Poem


Year 1 have come up with a wonderful poem today -  What is Pink? Poem.

Year 1 - Maths

Year 1 has had a fantastic 2 days consolidating our maths skills using concrete materials. We have enjoyed a round robin of activities using our number beads, numicons, number lines, number sentences, dice and games to create the correct sums. We hope you enjoy it. 

Year 2

Year Two have had a great half term and some fantastic learning has taken place! 
The children were especially excited by their Design Technology project this half term, and made some balloon buggies that they enjoyed testing out in the school hall. 

Year 5 homework showcase!

One of this half term's homework activities was to make a fashion accessory using recycled material. We were blown away with the children's creativity, so to celebrate, we held a mini fashion show! We had watches, headphones, hair scrunchies, bags, scarves and hats + more!


Well done Year 5 for your excellent work and thank you to the Year 5 parents for your support with this (and your jeans/ clothes/boxes!)

Year 5 assembly

Year 5 have talent! Well done to Year 5 for their 'out of this world' assembly, showcasing the learning from the autumn and spring term. You spoke clearly, loudly and with confidence and should be really proud of yourselves! What a way to finish the half term - now to rest and relax!

Link your Child's doodle account to your email

Parents - don't forget to link your child's Doodle account to by creating a FREE parent account. 


You'll be able to set your child challenges and track their improvements and progress.


A little bit about Doodle Doodle builds confidence and ability in maths by creating every child a personalised work programme tailored to their strengths and weaknesses. Using Doodle for just 10 minutes a day is proven to help children make three months of progress in just one month!


How to get started?


Click on the link below the Doodle Star to watch the video.


It's really simple!


Stars of the Week

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

 Reception Rainbow   Ela                 Oliver

Year 1 Red                     Amaliia        Lexi

Year 2 Orange               Edward         Ruby

Year 3 Yellow                 Taylor            Sienna     

Year 4 Green                  Faith              Alex

Year 5 Indigo                  Evie-Su            All of Y5!

Year 6 Violet                   Matthew M    Daniel    

Well done to these children for scoring the highest Doodle Stars in their class  for the past two weeks!

Year 1 Red  Greg

Year 2 Orange   Holly May  174   Ryan   208

Year 3 Yellow      Ezra  414          Oscar 438

Year 4 Green      Hari 231         Faith 155

Year 5  Indigo   Zach 138       Evie-Su 101        

Year 6 Violet      Johal  172    Katie 149

Oscar has the most Doodle stars, with 438 Doodle stars!!

Staff Celebrations

We always love to celebrate and share good news. There have been several staff who have been undertaking professional development studies around their day-jobs. We're very proud of everyone's efforts and hard work!

FAMILY Maths Home Challenge 

We'd love to get as many of our families involved with our Midweek Maths series...from ExpertEd.

ExpertEdLive is a cross-sector partnership between leading universities, independent schools and MATs aiming to provide educational enrichment and opportunity which is accessible to all children. 

This is for the whole family! 

Mrs Meyrick would love it if you could tweet @byfleetprimary on Twitter (X) if you're taking part so we can give you a shout out. 

Register here for this Family Maths Challenge.

Midweek Maths information can be found here.

Writing At Byfleet

All Year groups have been working incredibly hard on their writing so far this year. We are very proud and have noticed various improvements in the choice of vocabulary, use of grammar and punctuation as well as a great start to improving handwriting. 

All Writing lessons are based on a high quality texts which, where possible are linked to The 3Ps curriculum and we have had a strong emphasis on writing for a purpose. We have developed a writing journey so all lessons in each year group follow the same sequence. Here are some examples of published work from each year group. 

You can help your child with writing at home in many ways, more information can be found here.





Safer internet day

On Tuesday 6th February we joined schools across the country in collaborating with tech companies, businesses and government agencies to promote the importance of online safety through recognising Safer Internet Day. The day involved the children taking part in different activities to raise awareness of 'change' online and they also were lucky enough to be treated to an assembly led by our Digital Leaders.

National Football Week

What a week! 

Every year group took part in out intra-house football competition with enthusiasm, enjoyment and respect! Each class played a football match to win points for their team to get an overall winner of Byfleet Primary School's National Football Week.  We have to give a special mention to the Year 6 Sports Crew who kept the matches running smoothly, offering support to classes when needed, and being great sportspeople. 

We also had a visit from ex-professional footballer, Andrew Johnson, on Friday 9th February. He spoke to each class and answered all their questions - we feel very lucky to hear inspiring words from someone who's represented their country before and very proud of our BPS children for asking great questions. 

Year 6 Athletics 

Some of our Year 6s attended an Indoor Athletics event at Guildford Spectrum on Wednesday 31st January where they represented our school in an admirable way.  Each child tried their best in every acitvity, even if they felt unsure and showed excellent sportsmanship.  It was amazing to see how they worked as a team and they should be really proud of themselves! 

General Knowledge Quiz Club

On 31st January, the general knowledge quiz club team competed in one of the National General Knowledge Quiz Club heats.


There were questions about films, spelling, music, artists and geography to name just a few. After six difficult rounds and competing against over 200 children, our team finished in a very respectable 50th place!


Well done Charlotte, Kurt, Hari and Amelie for your super quizzing!                                                     

Science Quiz Club

After competing in the National Science Quiz Club semi-finals on 17th January, where they finished an excellent 15th out of 42 teams against over 100 children, we had a very exciting email last week.


As one of the highest scoring teams, we have been invited to the National Science Quiz Club online finals in July!


What an amazing achievement! Well done Daniel, Lilly, Ethan and Jack!                                          

Stationery Appeal



Attendance & Punctuality

We have hit the half way mark for the year and our overall attendance is 96.15%. Well done for helping us keep to our target of 96%!

Persistent Absence & Lates:

Thank you to our families who work hard to ensure their children arrive on time, organised and ready to learn by 8.45.

This helps your child start their day settled and in the right frame of mind to learn. 

It is important that our families of our youngest children in Year R and Year 1 keep an eye on their child's attendance as both classes are lower than the average

Monthly Attendance winners:

September    98.85%      Year 2                  

October        99.34%        Year 2

November    97.91%       Year 2

December     98.12%       Year 4

January         97.17%       Year 6

Excellent job Year 6! They had the highest attendance in January. 

Enjoy sitting on the benches in assembly as your reward!

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.

Currently the amount payable under a penalty notice is £60.00 per parent/carer per child if paid within 21 days. Thereafter the amount increases to £120.00 if paid between 21 and 28 days. If the penalty notice remains unpaid after 28 days, the Local Authority will consider a prosecution in the Magistrates Court. Please note that penalty notices are issued per parent/carer per child so a family of two parents and two children will receive 4 penalty notices.

Please view our Attendance Policy here for further information.

NSPPC Maths Day fundraiser

Last Friday we enjoyed dressing up as numbers and having some more fun with numbers outside of our maths lessons. There were some brilliant costumes and some excellent activities. We also managed to use numbers to do some mind reading! Have a go at this trick someone at home.


Think of a number


Mental Health Week

This week we have been thinking about the theme 'My Voice Matters' as part of mental health week. We held an assembly on the topic, and have been thinking as a class of ideas we would like to suggest for the school. These ideas will be give to the school council who will then consider which ones we can implement.

Ms Wyatt has also been running Mental Health Week lunchtime clubs, with poster making and yoga sessions. 

World book day - wooden spoon book character

 Looking for a half term creative activity? 

This year we'd like children (and adults!) to get creative and decorate a wooden spoon as a book character. These will be judged on World Book Day and the winners will receive a brand new book and lots of house points!


Here are some ideas and you can also find many more on the internet!


We are excited to see your wooden spoons!

 

february's 'read to your knee challenge!'

 

 READ TO YOUR KNEE CHALLENGE!

Here's a little challenge for you over the half term holiday and for the month of February - Read to you knee! Keep a record of the books you have read and then put them in a pile at the end of the month. Do they reach your knee? Please send photos in via Google Classroom!

world book day- come dressed as a word!

We will be celebrating World Book Day on Thursday 7th March. This year we are inviting children to come 'dressed as a word' so we can take part in a vocabulary parade! 

Firstly…the words do not need to be tricky at all, e.g. if a child came as the word purple, they could come dressed in clothes all of that colour. 

Colours would be an easy one to do! Just literally wear clothes in that colour and that’s your word!

Here’s some other ideas:

Fluorescent / neon – come dressed in brightly coloured clothes! 

Celebration – come dressed in party clothes, wearing balloons and streamers

Condiment – print out and stick photos of sauce / mustard/salt/pepper on you

Illuminate – come wearing fairy lights!

Festive – come wearing Christmas decorations!

Eco-system (rainforest) or habitat wear brown and green and stick paper leaves on yourself

Blizzard – come dressed all in white

Military/Camouflage – come dressed in khaki colours or camouflage

Blustery – come dressed in winter woollies with hat scarf and gloves

Blossom – come wearing all different bright flower colours and stick real or artificial flowers on

Emotion – plain to shirt with emoji pictures printed out and stuck on, or stickers

Anonymous – print out and stick a big question mark on yourself or draw one with felt tips on to a t shirt

Happy/overjoyed / ecstatic – come dressed in brightly coloured happy clothes and a sign on saying HAPPY or write happy on in felt tip

Aquarium – draw fish on a t shirt and wear with leggings

Creepy – make little spiders out of pipe cleaners or tissue paper and stick them on your clothes

Botanical – stick leaves all over you and wear green clothes

Aerodynamic – turn a piece of paper into a cone hat, like the top of a rocket and attach with elastic to make you look like a rocket

Creative – come covered in pencils, pens, paper clips, post it notes or other stationery

Activist – bring a placard/sign made out of paper about a cause you feel passionate about!

Weekend – come wearing your downtime clothes!

Buoyant / floatation – wear your shorts and t shirts with your armbands or rubber ring

Perplexed / confused – draw lots of little question marks all over you!

Produce/groceries/greengrocer – come carrying a box or bag of fruit/ veg

Comfy - come wearing your pyjamas and slippers


There are lots more ideas and inspiration online if you google ‘vocabulary parade’ and look at Google images or Pinterest! Thanks in advance for getting involved!

Inclusion

Spring Term Workshop / Coffee Afternoon

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE!

For our Spring Term Coffee Morning, we will be holding a workshop for parents on Anxiety in children. This will be led by a practitioner from the Primary Mental Health team.

Anxiety is something that effects lots of children (and adults!), whether it is anxiety around tests, starting secondary school, the transition in to school in the morning or worries about any aspect of life - it is quite a ususal emotion to experience! This workshop will give you ideas and strategies you can use with your child when they are feeling anxious. 

This term we have decivded to hold a 'coffee afternoon', and the workshop will start at 2pm, so you can attend and then collect your child.

When: 2pm, Thursday 29th February

Where: Byfleet Primary School

Please use this link to let us know if you are planning to attend so we can set up for the correct number of people. 

Anxiety Workshop

Free Online Parent/Carer Workshops

YMCA East Surrey’s Community Wellbeing Team invites you to attend these free online workshops for parents/carers. These workshops are suitable for parents/carers with children aged 8+.


The Community Wellbeing team will provide you with information and key strategies to support your child. There will also be time for you to ask any questions that you have via the online chat function.

Talking to your child and supporting them to cope with worries

Book your free place for Talking to your child and supporting them to cope with worries 


Understanding, expressing and managing emotions

Book your free place for Understanding, expressing and managing emotions

If you have any questions about these events, please email:  communitywellbeingteam@ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk


Supporting your child with the transition from Primary to Secondary school

Join YMCA East Surrey’s Community Wellbeing Team for these informative and supportive online  workshops about the transition from Primary to Secondary school and how you can support your child. There will be an opportunity for discussion and questions. These workshops are suitable for parents and carers with children in school Years 5-7.

Book your free place for Supporting your child with the transition to Secondary school

If you have any questions about these events, please email: communitywellbeingteam@ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk

remembering Mrs Cooper 

Eteach Vacancies

EEEA Trust has the following vacancies, which can be found on Eteach.


Finance Assistant Eteach ID 1399963


School Business Manager  Eteach ID 1402005


School Business Manager  Eteach ID 1397717


London TKD After School Club

Taekwondo lessons are available via our externally run club London TKD on Mondays from 3:20pm to 4:20pm in the school hall.  Bookings can be made via their website : www.london-tkd.co.uk/get-started.

Colour Kids Club After SChool Club

Ulitmate Coaching Half Term Camps

Here are the links to Ultimate Coaching's half term camps coming up in February 2024:

Monday 12th  February (Football) https://ultimate-coaching.classforkids.io/camp/325


Tuesday 13th  February (Multi Sports) https://ultimate-coaching.classforkids.io/camp/326

Ulitmate Coaching AFter school Club

Barracudas - February Half term

Home start surrey - Volunteers Needed

Class Assemblies 

Class Assemblies for 23/24 will take place on the dates below from  8.55 - 9.20 in the main hall. Please come along and see what your child has been learning about.      

Friday 8th March - Year 2            Friday 22nd March - Year 4

Friday 17th May - Year 1              Friday 21st June - Reception

Diary Dates

New dates in red

To view our 2023/24 term dates, please click here. 

To view our 2024/25 term dates, please click here.