Newsletters

Dear parents and carers,

I am sure you are aware that unfortunately, two bubbles have closed in KS2 this week. This means that over 60 children are currently using Teams at home and I’d like to thank parents for their support with home learning. Our staff have gone ‘above and beyond’ to make the remote learning experience as positive as possible for our children, and we really look forward to welcoming the classes back into school.

There are currently 96 schools and nurseries with active cases in Leeds. Whilst we are all rightly focused on 19 July, it is clear that cases in schools are rising rapidly. If your child’s bubble does close, we will need someone to collect them as soon as possible. If this is not an option for you within the working day, please nominate an adult who can collect them on your behalf.

For the time being, we have been asked to continue to operate within the current DfE guidance. I have no information what will happen in schools from 19 July but will update you as soon as I can. In the meantime, our priority remains providing quality face to face or remote teaching and ensuring children have an opportunity to spend some time with the teacher who will be teaching them next year. Extended transition sessions are planned for 20 and 21 July and parents will receive staffing information on that day.

Thank you.

New classes for the Autumn term

From next year, children in year one and year two will be taught in single age classes. This reflects our school expansion model and our decision to accept an intake of 60 (rather than 40) pupils into reception each year. Within this model, my aim is to have two, single age classes in each year group by 2024. Classes in KS2 will remain mixed until the year groups move through the school.

As children move from one year group to the next, classes are created with careful consideration of a number of key factors: age, gender, personality, attainment (mixing abilities as opposed to streaming or setting) and who the children work well with. This may not be the same as who the children are friends with, although of course in some cases the two may coincide. As you are aware, Bramhope children stand out as confident and able to work with a range of children. This is because in usual circumstances, they are given plenty of opportunities to work across different classes and year groups as well as across key stages. We hope this is the case again from September. 

In preparation for next academic year, staff throughout the school have been consulting with each other and sharing their draft class lists with members of staff who know the children well. They have not asked the children to name friends they would like to be with next year as we cannot facilitate all requests and, as outlined, there are many other factors to consider.

I am aware that transition from one year to the next can be a challenging time both for children and their parents.  As you would expect, our staff are wholly committed to ensuring that the move from one year group to the next is positive. If you are particularly concerned about your child's move to next year, please do speak with your child's class teacher.

Calendar Update

As you may know, the additional Bank holidays planned for 2021-22 fall in the June half-term. As a result, Leeds has stated that there will be 194 teaching days next year, rather than 195.

The impact of this decision is that we will be taking an additional training day in September. This means that the five training days for next academic year are as follows:

Training days/school closed: September 6, 7 and 8. First teaching day: Thursday 9 September

Training days/school closed: July 25 and 26. Last teaching day: Friday 22 July

Summer Reading Challenge – Sign up Saturday!

The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children aged 4 -11 to enjoy the benefits of reading for pleasure and prevent the summer reading ‘dip’. This year, even more than in any other year, it is important to encourage pupils to be reading over the summer. The Challenge is for children to borrow and read six books over the summer at their local library. This year the theme is all about nature and will inspire children to think about how they can look after their planet whilst helping to maintain their reading level over the summer holidays. Once they have read their sixth book they complete the challenge and will be awarded a certificate and gold medal, which they can proudly take to school in September.

Children and their parents can go to their local library or online and sign up this Saturday to start their Summer Reading Challenge.

Music

On Wednesday afternoon, the children took part in the LSMA Summer Festival Greatest Hits online concert. They sang various songs, including 'Count on me', 'Believe' 'Celebration' and the very catchy 'Power in me'. They also completed the various body percussion dance rhythms.

It was fantastic to hear children singing in school, and they all had a really enjoyable afternoon!

Miss Gregson

Sports Day

A huge well done to everyone for their contribution to this week’s sports days! We were so impressed by the children’s effort, enthusiasm, energy and their encouragement of each other. We will be sharing more information and a selection of photos next week.

Bug Club Star Readers! 

The pupils listed below have been chosen for their excellent learning on Bug Club. Teachers will be choosing a Bug Club Star Reader each week to celebrate in the newsletter.  Check each week to see who will be next and remember to log on to Bug Club!

Congratulations to:

Reception Miss Walsh – Chloe O

Reception Miss Burns – Felix T

12F – Skyler M

12G  - Elsie S

12HP – Lily O

34HL – Lilia L

34H – Freddie R

45S – William M

56M – Poppy D

56L – Alice K

Well done star readers!

Mrs Lillitos

School Lunches

The Summer lunch menus are available to view on the school website HERE. 

You can place your lunch orders for wc 5 July HERE and for wc 12 July HERE.

Please place all dinner orders by Thursday 12 noon, each week. 

Bramhope Buzz

We are asking for:

1. Fun facts

2. Any non-fiction writing

3. Poems

4.  Bee themed pictures

5. What adventures Ziggy could have next? Your idea could be made into the next comic!

6. Recipes and baking photos

7. Any sporting achievements or sporting stories

8. Competitions

       9. Can you use a piece of fruit or vegetable to make a face? The one we like                 best wins!

Thanks

Mathilda, Maisie, Alice, Alice, Jake, Kinza, George, Bethany and Sammy.

Issue 12 is due out Friday July 23rd. Deadline for contributions is Friday July 16th.

Please send all contributions in to:

caroline.judd@bramhopeprimaryschool.co.uk  BramhopeBuzz@bramhopeprimaryschool.co.uk 

Thank you

Mrs Judd

BPS preloved school uniform (PTA)

As the warm weather is now upon us, please remember our pre-loved school uniforms are still for sale.

We have lots of red checked summer dresses (£2) and a few grey shorts (£1).

If you want to get in contact you can join the Facebook group ‘BPS Preloved Uniform’ for more information.

Thank you

Your PTA Team

Love Exploring

Dinosaurs will stomp though the green spaces of Leeds this summer, including Middleton Park, Bramley Fall, Gotts Park, Crossflatts, Roundhay, Temple Newsam and Meanwood, as well as one route around the city centre waterfront.

With the aim of encouraging families who might otherwise be inactive to get out and explore their local green and blue spaces, on walks of between 1-3 km, the dinosaur safaris will be popping up across the city from July 20 onwards, just in time for the school holidays.  

The safaris are one feature of the free-to-use Love Exploring app. Led by Public Health and Active Leeds as part of the city’s response to pandemic recovery, the app’s rollout is intended to achieve both health and regeneration outcomes.

Using Augmented Reality (AR) technology, each safari features a range of 7-9 raptors which roar and swish their tails in an Instagram-friendly manner, while an in-built quiz linked to the national curriculum tests parents’ and children’s knowledge of the Jurassic age. 

As well as the dinosaur safari, Love Exploring (https://loveexploring.co.uk/) offers:

• A range of other AR games, including a Space Walk, Mega-Minibeasts, Dancing Skeletons and Fairy trails. The theme will change with every school holiday.
• Bespoke trails which reflect local heritage and features of interest. These trails can include audio-visual elements such as video footage and audio narratives. The trails will be developed in partnership with a range of stakeholders to ensure local voices are represented.
• An inter-school competition, using the AR game quizzes to encourage children to learn more about themes relevant to the school curriculum.
• Opportunities to drive footfall by incorporating offers into the app (such as 10% off at a named café or shop).

As highlighted by the Get Set Leeds conversations in 2019, walking is a key entry-point to encourage people who are currently inactive to move more.

In addition, opportunities to be social through activity, being active together as a family, and harnessing the potential of local green spaces were also identified as key enablers for people to be more active through the Get Set Leeds research. The project team is working with partners to mitigate digital exclusion using the city’s digital device lending schemes, and by offering a no-tech way to enjoy the trails.

Track and Trace

Finally, please remember that the school continues to operate a Track and Trace system. If your child or another member of their family develops symptoms, is awaiting a test result or has a positive test result you must self- isolate. Please also email me directly so that I can take appropriate regarding closure of bubbles: rachel.colbourn@bramhopeprimaryschool.co.uk

Have a nice weekend