Key Dates

• Tuesday 28th January - Multiskills at Bath Uni (specific students)

• Wednesday 29th January - non uniform day - donation for playtimes

• Wednesday 29th January - Stay and Play - parents welcome (2:30 - 3:15)

• Week commencing Monday 3rd Feb - Children's Mental Health Week

• Wednesday 5th February - Story Telling session - parents welcome (2:45 - 3:15)

• Tuesday 11th February - Safer Internet Day

• Thursday 13th February - PTFA Valentine's Disco R/1/2/3 - 3:15 - 4:15 and 4/5/6 - 4:20 - 5:20

• Friday 14th February - Term 3 ends

• Monday 24th February - Term 4 Starts

• Saturday 1st March - Welton Community Workforce morning (9-12)

Value of week:

Collaboration

Message from Mr Lyle

Over the past week, it has been lovely to see many of our children collaborating and demonstrating a value that many of us feel to be so important. Regardless of age, collaboration is such a key part of life whether it is at home, at work or in the community. I have been very lucky to see so many children doing this in action during the school week. Walking around the school during lesson times or lunchtimes, it's clear to see so many children playing together and working together to be their best. Just today, it's been wonderful watching children work in teams with Bath Rugby, playing in the sandpit, singing and dancing on the playground and even in the mud kitchen. 

This leads us nicely on to our focus in assembly on Thursday. We talked about playtimes and our decision with the school council to try and improve these for all. I showed the children a video of how I feel playtimes at our school could be and what we need to do this. Ultimately, we need your help. We can't wait to welcome you all in for our stay and play on Wednesday. If you are able to donate anything on the letter below, or you see anything in the video and think, 'That would be amazing,' please bring it along on Wednesday. Many thanks for your continued support in giving your children the very best during every moment of the day. 

Please take a look down the newsletter this week at all the fabulous things children have been up to and exciting things that we have coming up in the coming weeks. 

Have a wonderful weekend and see you all next week!

Ofsted update

As you know, Ofsted inspected our school at the end of last term with the final report now available to view on the Ofsted and school website (click here to read). We were delighted and proud to show the inspector all that we do and would like to say thank you for your fantastic support and positive comments that were shared with the inspector during her visit. The fact that 100% of families would recommend our school to other parents is virtual unheard of according to Ofsted - so thank you for being part of such an amazing team! The ParentView results can be read here. 

Welton Workforce Morning - Sat 1st March

We are delighted to announce that we will be holding our own Welton Workforce morning on Saturday 1st March between 9-12. If you are able to come along and help improve our outdoor area. We know, that without our school community, we couldn't do half of the things we do and we want to make our school site the very best for our children.

If you could give even an hour, please come along. We will be having bacon sandwiches and spending the morning doing jobs across the school site. Next week, we will be putting together the jobs that need doing. If you are unable to help physically, but could provide a tin of paint or some tools, we would really appreciate it. 

Please pop it in your diary and come along and make Welton Primary School sparkle ready for summer!  

Wellbeing at Welton

During the week of the 3rd February, it is Children's Mental Health week: Know yourself; grow yourself. We will focusing on the idea of being connected as part of a community, but also to different aspects of life around us: physical me, world me, musical me, artistic me and collaborative me. Over the week, we will be learning about different inspirational people, participating in outdoor learning and cross year group enrichment sessions. We will then finish the week with Bath Rugby working alongside the children about their physical wellbeing. 

On Wednesday, we would love you to join us to be a part of story telling. It is also National Story Telling week. We recognise the importance of reading for pleasure and would love for you to be a part of this. We love telling stories and would love for you to join in with us!

To find out more about Children's Mental Health week, please click here.

Bath Spa University Drama Workshops

We were delighted to welcome Bath Spa University drama students to Welton this week who spent time with our Year 5 and Year 6 classes developing drama and theatre techniques through the themes of 'Natural Disasters' and 'Rainforests'. This collaboration with Welton was one of their assessed assignments so we were delighted to experience such amazing talents - their lecturer was very impressed with the collaboration and participation of our children!  

Gymnastics at Writhlington

On Wednesday, a group of children took to floor at Writhlington Gymnastics Centre taking part in a range of activities working on balance, coordination, and collaboration. It was great to see so many of them working together and encouraging each other. The beams and bars were a definite hit. Well done to all of the children for participating and being their best!

Guitar Lessons at Welton

On Monday, we were joined by Mark McGlennon who will be offering guitar or ukulele lessons at Welton Primary School. If your child is interested in taking part either individually or as a small group, please follow the link below. 

https://wema.org.uk/music-hub/young-people-families/learn-to-play/

Young Carers at Welton

Carers within the Welton school community

Thank you to those families who completed the questionnaire to help us identify and support young carers within our school community. Please do complete the form if your child is a carer - even if you do not feel they require any additional support at this stage. If you have not completed the questionnaire yet, please do so by Monday 27th January so that we can make arrangements for the new group to begin. 

A carer is someone who helps support or is affected by someone with a range of different problems including: a physical disability, a mental health disability or a drug or alcohol dependency. This includes caring for a child with SEND. They do not necessarily have to be living in the same home as the person needing support.

Please note that a child can register as a young carer if they have a sibling within their family with one of the listed criteria. This means any child with a sibling who has SEND could register as a young carer.

The questionnaire to register as a young carer at Welton can be found here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/13y3FAFI0ec83D9ZxNuAXhGPDXRGbqUwvMDap2z5UOyc/edit

Banes Carers’ Centre have just made us aware of a new parent/carer cafe in Midsomer Norton where parents of children with a disability or additional needs can meet other parents who ‘get it’. NEW! Parent Carer Café (Midsomer Norton)

The following links may also be useful.

Banes Carers' Centre - click here to find out more about the free support that you can receive (including support with financial and wellbeing matters) if you or someone in your family is a carer. Alternatively you could call their freephone support line on 0800 0388 885. 

This form will enable an adult to register as a carer with the Banes Carers’ Centre.

Adult joining form | The Carers' Centre - Bath and North East Somerset and access support from them.

This form will enable a parent/carer to register a young carer (including those who support or are affected by siblings with SEND) with the Banes Carers’ Centre and access support from them.

Young person parent joining form | The Carers' Centre - Bath and North East Somerset

Rainbow Resource Scheme | Live Well in Bath & North East Somerset

This link will take you to a free scheme called the Rainbow Resource Scheme which will enable you to access concessions at participating venues. This is available for children with  Special Educational Needs and/or a Disability (SEND) or an additional need, living across Bath and North East Somerset.

If you would like help to complete these forms, please see Mrs Stevens or Mrs Heal

School email reminders

Please note that our school email addresses have now changed. The main office contact is now: office@welton.mnsp.org.uk  If you need to contact a teacher or member of staff, please email or telephone the school office who will then pass on the message. Thank you. 

Stars of the Week

Well done to all of our stars for showing great collaboration this week.

PTFA Key Dates

The PTFA met on Wednesday and have created a calendar with all of the upcoming events between now and Christmas next year. Please add them to your diary and keep supporting our wonderful school. As always, if you would like to join the PTFA, please speak to a member of staff who would love to point you in the right direction. Thank you :)

Non-uniform Day (Lunchtime Donations)

On Wednesday 29th January, we will be holding a non uniform day to help raise equipment for our lunchtimes. Rather than asking for a cash donation, what we are looking for is donations of second hand clothes, toys or loose parts. All of the items can be found below.

Lunchtimes take up 20% of the school week and we recognise the importance of children having opportunities to be physically active so we would love it if you could help with this. Our PTFA are working hard to secure funds and raise money to help build some more structures for our children to enjoy so any more loose parts will only improve lunchtimes. If you know of any companies who would be willing to donate some sand to improve our sand pit, please speak to Mr Lyle. Thank you. 

On this day, we will also be holding a stay and play for all of our families. Please join your children at 2:30 for an opportunity to enjoy some time playing with them. :)

Online Safety

Tips to Promote Positive Body Image

Concerns around social media influence in particular and the negative effects of this influence on body image for girls and boys have been around for years. In the age of generative AI this can only increase. Our social feeds are awash with photorealistic images and they're all the same: so-called perfect body, composition, beauty. There's nothing in the way of different body shapes, diversity in people of colour etc. Simply speaking, AI can be very biased. If you have any concerns around this, please come and speak to one of us. 

Internet Matters have some great, practical advice for parents about self-image, body image and identity which you can find HERE.

School Nursing Support

Please see below a message from our school nurse, Rachel. If you have any worries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact her. She is fab and willalways try to help wherever she can. 

Attendance at Welton

House Point Totals

Weekly Totals

Huish House -  190

Ludlow House - 298

Tyning House -  239

Old Mills House -  317

Termly Totals

Huish House -   467

Ludlow House -  710

Tyning House -  597

Old Mills House - 719

Class Pages

There are still some issues we are trying to iron out with class pages, but please find them here. :)

Community News

Support for families and young people with special educational needs and/or Disabilities (SEND).

Support for families and young people with special educational needs and/or Disabilities (SEND).

Explore the SEND Local Offer to find out what support there is available for young people with SEND and their families. Live Well B&NES includes details of wellbeing groups, social clubs, inclusive activities, holiday clubs, mental health support services and opportunities beyond formal education.

Dedicated information sections signpost to support around benefits and funding, Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP’s), health services and how to access impartial advice and guidance from specialist teams. Parent Carers of young people with SEND can identify ways they can access support for their role as a parent carer of a child with additional needs. You can also apply for your child’s free Rainbow Resource card providing discreet confirmation of their additional need, and enabling them to access dedicated activity sessions, quiet spaces and support, and in some cases concessions to venues across the South West.

Visit the SEND Local Offer to find out more. 

https://livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/special-educational-need-or-disability-send

Knife Crime Awareness Event for Parents and Carers

The B&NES Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) have 3 upcoming Parental Knife Crime Awareness events.

Please note these events will now take place on:

o   Thursday 5th December 2024 at Bath College

o   Wednesday 22nd January 2025 at Newbridge Primary School

o   Monday 10th February 2025 at Chew Valley School

These events are aimed at parents and carers who would like to know more about the dangers of knife crime or are concerned that their children are at risk; increasing awareness of key issues surrounding knife crime, empowering you and your children to make informed and positive decisions to stay safe.

You will have the opportunity to hear from a guest speaker with lived experience, who has been personally affected by knife crime, followed by a panel discussion with the opportunity to ask questions.  There will also be an opportunity to hear about the support available for children and families in B&NES and view a partnership film on county lines from a B&NES’ perspective. 

For queries, please email VRP_Events@bathnes.gov.uk.

Best Wishes,

The Violence Reduction Partnership

Anti-Social Behaviour Week 18th – 22nd November

ASB Awareness Week is an annual national campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour

(ASB) and keep people in our communities safe. Organised by Resolve, the UK’s leading ASB and community safety organisation, the national week of action, aims to encourage communities to take a stand against ASB and highlight the actions people can take if they are experiencing it.

The B&NES VRP will be working in partnership with the Police Early Intervention Team and other agencies to focus on issues around anti-social behaviour and the impact it has on communities.

https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/bath-north-east-somerset-violence-reduction-partnership-vrp

Please see below for some links to ASB resources.

https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/report-it

https://www.curo-group.co.uk/residents/anti-social-behaviour-crime

https://production.copweb.aws.college.police.uk/article/anti-social-behaviour-awareness-week

https://www.avonfire.gov.uk/education-schools/

https://www.resolveuk.org.uk/our-services/asb-awareness-week

https://www.bathecho.co.uk/news/community/legal-orders-renewed-alcohol-antisocial-behaviour-108434/

https://www.safe4me.co.uk/portfolio/asb/

https://crimestoppers-uk.org/keeping-safe/community-family/antisocial-behaviour

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/antisocial-behaviour-how-to-get-help

https://asbhelp.co.uk/

https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report/anti-social-behaviour/

https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/asb

https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report/asb-case-review/

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/housing/housing-antisocial-behaviour-s/antisocial-behaviour-s/

https://crimestoppers-uk.org/fearless/give-information-anonymously