Thank you to all the parents who so quickly completed the 2 forms sent out last week.  These forms are just so that we are all set up and ready should any bubbles need to close for a short period of time.  It is so much easier if we have everything in place to ensure a seamless transition.  If you have any questions, please do contact us.  

Absence  

A reminder and thank you to those of you using our dedicated absence email (absence@barnes.richmond.sch.uk) to keep us informed about your child when they are absent from school. This account is monitored by the front of house admin team, enabling them to update registers and ensure that the teaching staff are aware of the reason for the absence. We then look forward to seeing your child as soon as they are fit and well and able to return to school.  The admin team will only call you back if they need some further clarity or if they have a message for you.   

Individual photographs 

Next week all individual photographs will be taken. Please ensure that your child arrives smartly dressed and in full uniform on the day of their photographs.  The photographs will be available for you to purchase shortly after half term.

Parent Govenor Election

Having first initiated the process for the election of a new Parent Governor to the school’s governing body during the Spring term, prior to Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdown period, we will shortly be progressing with the process; the two candidates for whom we received nominations have confirmed their continued intention to stand.
 
Next week’s newsletter will outline the voting timeline, with information also being sent via SIMS InTouch and uploaded to the school website. Please use this advance notification as an opportunity to check that you are fully engaged/email linked and receiving home-school communication via the new portal - this will ensure that all those eligible to vote (parents and carers) are picked up for mail merge purposes.

Design and Technology Week competition reminder 

Linking with this year’s theme on innovation and inspired by the wonderful daisy chain project that Saffron did earlier this year, we have started a competition focused on keeping people connected. We would like the children to design a product that could help keep people connected during these usual times. For example, it could be a badge that says ‘in this together’ or a new app or gadget.  

Entries will be added to a book and slides with entries will be shown on the screens at reception. If your child would like to enter, please add your designs to one PowerPoint slide and email them to wbeadon@barnes.richmond.sch.uk.   

Here are a two very innovative entries from Eloise and Arabella in Year 2. 

After two successful years, the Barnes Citizenship Awards are back again for pupils in Upper Key Stage 2. These awards focus on the citizenship element of our Personal Development curriculum where children develop their understanding of themselves as part of a community. Our school values, however, underpin the ethos of these awards - especially integrity, empathy and personal responsibility. Through making the right decisions in class, in the playground and around the school, pupils in UKS2 appreciate they are demonstrating respect and kindness towards their community.   

There are three levels to this award: 

• BRONZE (within the class setting);  

• SILVER (within the phase, key stage or school setting);  

• GOLD (within the wider community).  

The purpose of the awards are: 

• to recognise and acknowledge the active role pupils play in the life of the school and the wider community; 

• to encourage children to make positive choices which will benefit their class, school and community; 

• to encourage children to become responsible, informed and active members of their class, school and wider community; 

• to encourage children to learn about aspects of citizenship education including: topical issues, rule and law-making, democracy, human rights and diversity.   

In class, through film and discussion, pupils have considered what it means to be a good citizen within their community and school setting. The award scheme has also been introduced to all Upper Key Stage 2 pupils in class assemblies and the BRONZE award criteria are in the back of reading journals. Children can gain the BRONZE award at any point during the school year and everyone should be able to achieve this. Once the BRONZE award has been achieved, children can then start to work towards their SILVER award. More details about this award will be in a newsletter after half term.   

Please do take some time to have a look at the criteria with your child. Teachers will be assessing children’s progress against the criteria on a regular basis and the first BRONZE badges will undoubtedly be awarded before half term.   

The criteria for the BRONZE award are as follows:   

• I am well presented and wear the correct school uniform 

• I look after my belongings, including my sweatshirt, PE kit and cloakroom peg 

• I arrive at school punctually 

• I take care with my hand washing and sanitising and show respect when people want to distance 

• I hand in my reading journal and home learning punctually and have completed it as requested 

• I frequently go the extra mile with my reading journal 

• I frequently go the extra mile with my home learning 

• I actively involve myself with paired and whole-class learning 

• I put myself forward for pupil council 

• I make healthy food choices for break and lunch 

• I play co-operatively at break and lunch and line up well 

• I demonstrate good behaviours with all my teachers 

• I take part in a school club before, during or after school   

We are very much looking forward to awarding the first Bronze badges. 

Birthday books

Thank you for all the fabulous birthday books, we are thrilled with the number of books we have received. Please remember to add a note with who the books are from so that we know who to write our thank you emails to and what names to put on the book plates.  We will make sure all books have a book plate with your child’s name in them and make their way to your child’s class.