TEL: 0121 675 2800 www.billesleyschool.co.uk
NEWSLETTER 8
NOVEMBER 08 2024
Welcome back to school!
We are excited to start a busy and exciting new term
You may have noticed that over the break we installed a trim trail for our younger pupils. Alongside this, we are building a new gazebo and a new outdoor stage for older pupils. We are able to carry out this work thanks to the contributions of all our community members to our charity: The Red Tree Fund.
The money raised through the charity provides much-needed funds to support projects like this. The trim trail is already extremely popular! Thank you!
I’d also like to take the opportunity to send our best wishes and thanks to one of our dedicated Teaching Assistants :Mr Buswell. He has been with us for an amazing 15 years, making a difference for so many children. His kindness, hard work, and commitment to the school will be missed but I know he will be a real asset to his new school.
As always, if you have any questions please feel free to speak to myself or a member of staff.
Mr. Rogerson
Executive Principal
Using Philosophy For Children (P4C)
At Home.
“More and more children arriving in reception scarcely talking at all…”
Some of us may have seen headlines similar to this recently in the news.
For both parents, and educators, this can be a cause of concern as it can result in children not achieving milestones in terms of both academic and social development. However, current research is informing us that engaging children in conversation is a key development which supports progress in a range of areas. Modern day distractions, caused by devices (such as mobile phones, tablets and gaming devices), is resulting in adults speaking less to their children, children speaking less to each other, and as time progresses, the negative impact is growing. If children don’t learn to talk confidently to groups in their primary years, it is unlikely that they ever will. That impacts their learning and their economic and social wellbeing.
So, let’s consider: how can we improve the volume, and quality, of talk in our children? This is where the use of Philosophy for Children (P4C) skills fits nicely and why it could be useful to consider beginning to utilise them in the home setting or even at any time when your child is not within the school environment.
Using Philosophy For Children (P4C)
At Home.
Once children are able to communicate, they all naturally begin to question. At times, we all know how frustrating this can be and how easy we can reply with a simple and hurried response, however it really is an area that we all must encourage. Everything that our children are surrounded by can encourage, and challenge them, to ask all different types of questions, for example :
“Why should I listen to grown-ups?”, “How can my drawing be good if it doesn’t actually look like a cat?”, “Do I really have to follow the rules if I disagree with what I am being told?” and “How is that fair?”
The way we respond to our children’s questions will change and adapt as they grow and mature, however, the fundamental skills will remain the same. How we nurture and even encourage our children’s questioning is so important to ensure that we raise individuals who are critical, able to make sense of a world filled with ever increasing levels of fake news and can present themselves to their peers and other adults with confidence. We must, however, start this process early, through reading with our children, appropriate access to media and through different types of play. If we are encouraging our children to be able to think critically when they are scrolling the dangerous world of social media, we need to teach them the skills of independent thinking from the earliest age both at home and at school.
Using Philosophy For Children (P4C)
At Home.
For us to see the real benefits of encouraging children to ask inquiring questions, then it is imperative that we bring the ideas of questioning into the home both before a child starts school as well as during the time they remain in education. As early as nursery or pre school, the children are using learning through play to begin their questioning journey and these ideas can easily be carried through into play that happens at home with siblings or parents. If we ‘control’ our children’s thoughts and ideas too much, we significantly hamper their ability to develop problem solving skills later on. If we restrict the opportunities that children have to play, we take away from them the chance of navigating a world full of uncertainties within which they will need to consider, inquire and make appropriate choices and decisions.
Encouraging questioning at home can lead to some ‘tricky’ conversations, for example, if your child asked:
“Is it ever right to tell someone lies? Never? Well, what about the time when the mouse lied to the Gruffalo?”
What we must remember is that we are not teaching a child to lie, but rather, we are teaching them to develop their own critical thinking skills and to find an answer with which they feel comfortable. To consider all possibilities with the guidance and support of parents and adults within the home.
Using Philosophy For Children (P4C)
At Home.
If you talk to your child about their P4C lessons at school, they will be able to share with you all of the skills they are developing within the classroom which are enabling them to critically think about the world around them and to challenge longstanding ideals.
To find out more about developing, and incorporating, the different thinking styles that are used within P4C at home there are many useful websites and resources available to you. Initially, it may be useful to watch this video linked below to fully understand the role of P4C and why it is so beneficial for children of all ages and for parents to develop alongside their children.
What is Philosophy for Children?
To continue to grow your passion for Philosophy for Children, the following websites may be of use -
If you have any further questions or would like to talk further about P4C and the advantages it can bring, please do not hesitate to contact
Mrs. Leach.
Wellbeing and Mental Health
How to look after your Wellbeing
Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It is essential to your overall health and quality of life. Self-care can play a role in maintaining your mental health and wellbeing.
How can I take care of my mental health?
Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health. This can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness and increase your energy. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact.
You can find further information and free wellbeing activities on the Partnership for Children website - click here
In school, our Wellbeing Ambassadors have been working with the Mental Health Lead to create a ‘Weekly Wellbeing Wonder’ - here is one for this week;
When a person is sitting on their own, start a conversation to check that they are ok and to find out something new about them.
Top tips to look after you and your
family’s well being this Autumn:
STAR OF THE WEEK
Class | Name | Reason |
1P | Finley S | Finley has impressed me so much this week with his hard work and determination to succeed in every lesson. He has put in so much effort to improve his phonics and he has been a phonics superstar all week! Finley has then taken this enthusiasm into his guided reading sessions and his writing. He is working hard to remember all of the things he needs to write a great sentence. This week we have been writing simple recounts and he blew me away with his writing, even remembering to add some extra details. I am super proud of Finley and I hope he continues to shine each and every day! |
1JT | Charlie R | Charlie is 1JT's Star of the Week this week for many reasons. He is trying really hard to be in school every day and has been on time most days. Charlie is participating in all his lessons, focusing on his learning and completing his work with minimal support. He has been practicing his counting skills and is beginning to master addition by adding one more. Keep it up Charlie! |
1J | Ali A | This week Ali has amazed us with the improvement in his behaviour. He is listening carefully to what he is being taught and this is showing in the wonderful progress that he is making! At lunchtimes and playtimes, he is playing much more sensibly and again this is having a positive effect on his friends and the games that he is playing. Such a positive start to this half term! Please keep it up - we are all so proud of you! |
2C | Zlatomira P | Zlati has made a fantastic start to the new half term and come back to school with real confidence and lots of enthusiasm for her learning! In lessons and class discussions, Zlati has been putting her hand up to answer questions or share her ideas more and more which has been lovely to see. Her ideas and contributions are always very interesting and thoughtful and we love hearing what she has to say. Keep this up Zlati! You are a star! |
2A | Jasmine M | I have chosen Jasmine as my star this week for so many reasons! She is always amazing in class with her reading, maths and English work, however, I feel Jasmine deserves Star of the Week for so much more than just this. Jasmine is polite, helpful and acts like my mini TA in 2A with her eagerness to help her teachers. She has a responsible attitude and a willingness to support others as well as being mature and kind. I just adore having her in 2A. Keep being you Jasmine. You are an absolute star! |
2I | Maya K | Maya is such pleasure to teach in 2I. Everyday, she comes into the classroom with a smile on her face, ready to learn. In particular, it has been great to see her confidence grow. Maya is now contributing her thoughts and ideas to class discussions. I am extremely proud of you Maya. Keep up the great work! |
3BM | Rana A | Rana is a star every week! She is kind, caring and a wonderful friend to everyone in 3BM. Rana is a great model for her peers and she always shows her teachers that she is ready to learn. She contributes ideas to all of our lessons but this week she particularly impressed her teachers with her thoughtful contributions to our P4C discussion about love and friendship. We love having you in 3BM Rana. Keep up the hard work! |
3B | Olivia C | Olivia has really stood out this week. Her behaviour in the classroom and towards her learning have been super. She is determined to put lots of year 3 and 4 spelling words into her writing and I cannot wait to see the finished piece of writing that she completes for her first mystery narrative! Keep trying hard - you are doing amazingly well! |
3T | Ayesha K | Ayesha has worked so hard in reading this week and so I have chosen her for my Star of the Week. She keeps putting her hand up to share ideas and, because she is listening carefully, this helps her to build her understanding. She is also trying her best to be organised and bring in her school things so she can share her homework and be responsible. Well done Ayesha, we are very proud of you ! |
4A | Diega H | This week, Diega has truly shone like a star! I was very impressed with her fantastic work on the bar model project. Diega quickly grasped the concept of bar modelling and demonstrated her understanding by completing several challenging tasks. She also approaches her work with enthusiasm and focus. Beyond her academic achievements, Diega consistently displays polite, kind and caring behaviour towards her peers. She is a wonderful role model. Well done Diega - keep up the great work! |
STAR OF THE WEEK
Class | Name | Reason |
4S | Jacob B | I have been super impressed with Jacob's behaviour this week. He has adopted an enthusiastic approach to all lessons and consequently he has made some fantastic comments in dicussions m. He particularly enjoyed the history provocation lesson. |
4C | Isaac Z | Isaac I have been so impressed with your start back to school this half term! Super focused. Super hardworking. Super answers volunteered to class discussions. What a superstar you've been! Long may your super streak continue! |
5H | Salman K | Salman oozes star quality. He is bright, funny, and inquisitive. I love his enthusiasm for learning and ability to question almost everything. Salman puts 100% into everything he does and he inspires his peers while doing so. This could make him our Star of the Week every week. Salman is an amazing member of 5H and I look forward to seeing his progression throughout the year. Well done, Salman! |
5L | Alesha A | What a change there has been in terms of Alesha's confidence. Every day she now puts her hand up in every lesson and is far more willing to share her thoughts with the other children in the class. She regularly asks questions and is now happier when supporting and encouraging her peers in a wide range of lessons and activities. |
5M | Jackson C | Jackson is this week's star in 5M because he has really tried hard in all of his subjects and shown some amazing improvements in his thinking and presentation. He came up with great ideas in his oral rehearsal lesson for our formal letters to Greenpeace that really helped the rest of the class. To top it all off, his attendance is really improved. Well done Jackson - keep up the good work. |
6T | Tanav D | Tanav is our star of the week this week because he has shown great improvement in his attitude to learning. His attendance has improved considerably and he is showcasing more of his abilities in lessons. It is great to see Tanav contributing to the lessons and in group work. Not only this but Tanav has been taking more initiative in his work, challenging himself and extending himself of his own volition which is a wonderful improvement, especially in his writing. Continue on this trajectory Tanav and you will have a great year ahead. Well done and keep it up. |
6S | Khatija T | Momina has been a super star this week. Not only has she massively improved her attendance lately but she has been making some lovely progress in maths. Momina has been focussed and willing to try more challenging questions ensuring that she asks for help when needed. As a result, she has shown that she has a good basic understanding of fractions that will help to set her up for the coming weeks. Well done, Momina. Keep it up and keep working on your attendance and independence as they are really supporting your learning! |
6H | Afia C | This week, Afia has truly earned the title of Star of the Week with her incredible effort, enthusiasm, and kindness in our classroom. Afia has shown a fantastic attitude towards learning, especially in history, where she worked hard and even helped others who were struggling to solve a case in our Crime and Punishment topic. Afia analysed fingerprints, DNA, and digital evidence to uncover who was responsible for the crime. It’s clear that she is always giving 100% and striving to improve. Whether tackling challenging maths problems or coming up with creative ideas in English, Afia hasn’t been afraid to try new things, make mistakes, and learn from them. This is a fantastic example of resilience and a love for learning! |
RB1 | Muhammad A | Saad is showing amazing progress in all elements of his learning. He has shown us that he is wanting to engage not only in maths and English but within the wider curriculum too. His ability to transition throughout these lessons is incredible and he is showing much more resilience. We are incredibly impressed. |
RB2 | Khaleel A | Khaleel has transitioned well into a new learning group. He is engaging in his reading and English and is showing that he wants to be involved. He has been able to work with others in a small group and is good learning behaviours for maths, English and reading. |
READER OF THE WEEK
Well done to all our
STARS & READERS!
Class | Reader |
1P | Hasan J |
1JT | Anaya K |
1J | Muhammad I |
2C | Sam L |
2A | Ayla H |
2I | Elsie M L |
3BM | Yazan A |
3B | Robin S |
3T | Olivia S |
4A | Reem S |
Class | Reader |
4S | Zac L |
4C | Emmie M |
5H | Imogen P |
5L | Charlotte M |
5M | Hala H |
6T | Arisha A |
6S | Seerat A |
6H | Anum A |
RB1 | Al-Baraa A |
RB2 | Sam-Leigh W |
Keeping your child safe online
at school.
As a school, we work hard to ensure that your children will be safe in all aspects of their online life. We have recently replaced our filtering and monitoring software to ensure that it is as effective as possible while they are using school devices. This software - called Lightspeed - acts as filtering software preventing inappropriate content from being accessed by people on the school system as well as flagging up any attempts that could be made to access content that would be considered unsuitable.
Please let us know if you have any questions about this.
If you shop at Asda, between now and the end of November you can earn cashback for our school by scanning your Asda Rewards App and opting in
to donate to Billesley Primary School.
Thanks to anyone who has already
done this as our cashpot is already at £77!
PARENT NOTICES
BREAKFAST CLUB
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
PLAYCARE
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
PLEASE NOTE:
�No sessions are confirmed until you have been contacted by the playcare manager.
We continue to ask parents to book a term in advance for both Breakfast Club and Playcare.
If last minute care is needed, then please call us and we will support you as best we can.
Full terms and conditions can be found in the form.
Tuesday 12th November-
Odd Socks Day- For anti-bullying week
Friday 22nd November-
Dress to Impress- please bring gifts to donate for the Christmas Fayre
Tuesday 26th November-
Wear your favourite colour - Please bring chocolates to donate for the Christmas Fayre
Friday 6th December-
Wear your PJ's - Please bring Fizzy Pop to donate to the Christmas Fayre.
5 families have received fixed penalty fines for taking 'leave in term time' they are required to pay £960 between them.
1 parent did not pay their £60 fixed penalty fine which meant they were taken to court by the Education Legal Intervention Team, they now face a fine of £1049.00
IMPORTANT NOTICE
LATENESS
Please note, children that arrive after the register is closed, will be registered as absent and will count towards overall attendance % for those children. Children Should
be in school
by 8:45am
Date: Friday 5th July
Time: 2:30 - 4:30
More details to follow.
UPCOMING EVENTS
PARENT MESSAGES
To view this week’s parent messages please click HERE
Click the image to download
Term Dates 2024-25 | ||
Autumn Term 2024 | Spring Term 2025 | Summer Term 2025 |
Wednesday 4 September | Tuesday 7 January | Tuesday 29 April |
To | To | To |
Friday 25 October | Friday 14 February | Friday 23 May |
HALF TERM | HALF TERM | HALF TERM |
Monday 4 November | Monday 24 February | Monday 2 June |
To | To | To |
Friday 20 Dec @12:05pm | Friday 11 April | Friday 18 July @12:05pm |
Staff Training Days (school closed to pupils) Monday 2nd, Tuesday 3rd September 2024 Monday 6th January 2025 Monday 28th April 2025 Monday 21st July 2025 | ||
ATTENDANCE | |
Why is attendance so important? | How can we help secure good attendance? |
1. Learning Every Day: Attending school regularly ensures that your child can participate in daily lessons, engage with teachers, and learn something new every day. Each day of absence means missing out on valuable opportunities for learning and personal growth.. 2. Strong friendships: Regular attendance allows your child to build strong, lasting friendships. These friendships can be a source of support, encouragement and fun throughout the school year. 3. Confidence and routine: Consistent attendance will help your child establish routines, making them feel comfortable and confident at school. This familiarity with the school environment promotes well-being. 4. Academic success: The more your child attends school, the better they can grasp and retain important concepts. Consistency in attendance plays a crucial role in academic achievement and progress. 5. Preparing for the future: School attendance also teaches essential life skills such as responsibility, punctuality and commitment. | 1. Establish a routine: Create a daily routine that includes enough sleep, a healthy breakfast and getting to school on time! 2. Communicate: If your child is unwell or facing difficulties that might affect their attendance, please inform the school as soon as possible. Open communication between home and school is key and we can offer support in many different ways. 3. Regular reminders: Remind your child how wonderful our school is and what they might miss out on. If they are a little under the weather, that’s okay. If they are very poorly in school, we’ll call you anyway! 4. Celebrate achievements: Praise and encourage your child for their attendance. Rewarding their effort can be motivating and reinforce the importance of being present. 5. Consistent messages: Clearly showing the importance of good attendance at school will encourage your child to see the value of it. It’s what we do in school, too! |
FANTASTIC NEW MENU
Job Vacancies | |
We Are recruiting for the following roles:
If you are interested in either role please contact Kevin Smyth for more information at: K.smyth@billesleyschool.co.uk |
See you next week!