Bildeston Primary May Update
Kestrel Wow Day
Children in Kestrel and Owl class enjoyed a ‘WOW day’ based around British Monarchs. Dressed in costume for the day, they also enjoyed a round robin of activities including a quiz about the history of British monarchs, creating a menu for a royal banquet and painted portraits of British monarchs. They are now making picture frames to mount their portraits on ready for display around the school.
Kingfisher WOW Day
Kingfisher Class History topic for summer 2021 is ‘The Stone Age and Iron Age’. On Friday 23rd April, to enhance the children’s learning and ignite their imagination they had a fun ‘WOW day’ enjoying activities with the aim to increase their understanding of the topic and in costume too!
PE Sessions
Mrs Clarke from Hadleigh High School visited us at the end of April where children in years 1 and 2 enjoyed some great PE sessions with her. We really enjoyed having her with us for the morning and hope she will visit us again soon.
Theatre Royal Workshops
Children in year 6 are enjoying workshops provided by the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds. This project provides them with a memorable end to their primary school education. In a year full of disruption, ‘tiny plays BIG IDEAs’, will provide children with an opportunity to creatively express their thoughts and ideas, to learn new skills and to take part in an end of project celebration with their peers.
Each group of children will get the opportunity to work with a high-quality, professional playwright to teach them the art of play writing. Children will learn about plot, character, storytelling, drafting and staging during two one-hour workshops. By the end of these two workshops, each child will have crafted their own short play and enjoy seeing some being performed at the theatre at the end of June.
Bildeston Primary Update
We are looking forward to an exciting summer term ahead. We hope that with the Covid restrictions starting to ease, we can start to introduce more events and activities throughout the term.
All of our children will take the opportunity to make good use of our outdoor environment, hopefully with some much warmer weather! The little ones particularly will enjoy a variety of forest schooling activities including; bug hunting and making a log circle to complement our tipis. They will learn to use lots of skills during this time and have lots of fun!
We will also be hosting an overnight camp adventure for our year 5 and 6 pupils from both Bildeston and Whatfield as we have not been able to offer them a residential over the last year They will enjoy two full days of fun activities. There is a huge emphasis on team building and we know that the children will get to know each other well before some of them move on to high school.
We are also delighted to say that our Year 1/2 area will be enhanced over the coming months as many of our current reception and year 1 children have not had a huge amount of time in school because of the lockdowns in place.
We have installed three new picnic benches made of recyclable materials in bright colours for the children to enjoy sitting at and particularly to have their lunch outside.
Let’s hope that the April chills soon move into a bright and sunny summer.
Children in KS2 will kickstart the new term off with history WOW days where the children get the opportunity to come dressed as British monarchs or in Stone Age costume.
Lockdown Bears
All of our children received their very own “Lockdown Bildeston Bear” during the spring term to say thank you for how they all managed the remote learning during lockdowns. We are super proud of them all and what they achieved and of course thrilled to have all of our children back in school.
PTFA News
We are currently awaiting news of restrictions easing to confirm whether we can go ahead with a school summer fayre this year. Watch this space for further details!
School Updates
We are thrilled to announce that Bildeston Primary School have been awarded the Artsmark Gold. The Arts Council state that our commitment to the Arts is commendable and staff and pupils are very proud to receive this!
Romans
Kingfisher class has been working hard continuing with learning about the Romans. They were set the challenge of drawing a Roman soldier. They had some fantastic drawings, some of which were highlighted in our weekly celebration assembly hosted virtually for pupils and parents
Rocks
In Science, Kingfisher class have been learning about the different types of rock. Teachers set the class a task of creating their own igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks of chocolate. They had great fun being chocolate scientists.
Dragons
Robin class has been working really hard on their writing. They have written dragon poems, descriptions of dragons and described dragon eggs as well as producing some amazing drawings – well done Robins!
Ancient Greeks
Pupils in Kestrel and Owl class have been learning about the different accessories that were worn by the Ancient Greeks. Ancient Greeks that were wealthy wore a lot of jewellery. Look at some of the designs the children came up with themselves.
Work in School
New additions this term to our school is
- Installation of recycled plastic fencing around our early years and key stage 1 areas.
- New Moulded Play Bark to our Trim Trail and around to our Gazebos and Tipis
We are really proud of what we have been able to achieve in our school and we hope the children will be able to get back into school soon to enjoy their great surroundings!
Local farmers helping to clear the roads and our school during this week of snowy weather!!
Bildeston School: February update
Welcome to our new head teacher
We would like to welcome our new head teacher, Mrs Julia Shaw, to Bildeston Primary School. Mrs Shaw is now head teacher of Bildeston and Whatfield Primary School as they continue in their very successful federation. Mrs Shaw is in the unusual position of having to introduce herself to most parents and pupils virtually or through personal phone calls to each family, since January has started with a national lockdown whilst we are in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. We hope you will join us in wishing her success in her new role.
Remote Learning
The last few months have been a very unusual time, and many of us have had to adapt and learn new skills, from zooming at school to teaching at home. Again, our staff has jumped to the challenge of maintaining in- school provision as well as guiding the learning of pupils at home. Our parents continue to work with their children at home guided by the teachers and this is greatly appreciated. We have regular Monday assemblies and during these we showcase children’s work from the week before. We also have a regular Collective Worship assembly on Thursdays hosted by Reverend Elke Cattermole, an opportunity for parents and children to take part together.
Whether the children are at home or in school, they continue to join in with county incentive PE events. Currently they are completing skipping challenges using school score sheets but also personal best score sheets for the activities being completed at home.
Hadrian’s Wall
Kingfisher class well and truly conquered their Hadrian’s Wall walking challenge with family members and dogs! They managed to clock up 27.15 miles in one day to take their distance total to a massive 89.30 miles meaning their goal was surpassed by 3.72 miles – well done!
Talk 4 Writing
Teachers within our school have undertaken Talk for Writing training over the last few months. Developed by Pie Corbett, it is a powerful resource because it is based on the principles of how people learn. Talk for Writing has had an outstanding impact on schools. Schools already performing well have not only increased attainment, but also enjoyment and engagement. We really hope it will be a great resource for our children too!
Work in School
Work continues in school with recycled plastic fencing around our early years and key stage 1 areas. We are really proud of what we have been able to achieve in our school over the last year and we hope the children will be able to get back into school soon to enjoy their great surroundings!
If you are considering Bildeston Primary as a school for your child, do please get in touch with us. When restrictions allow, we would welcome a visit after school hours
due to Covid-19. Please phone the office on the number below or email us. We would love to meet you.
Bildeston Primary School, Newberry Road, Bildeston, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP7 7ES
Telephone: 01449 740269 Website: www.bildeston.suffolk.sch.uk
Bildeston Primary School update – January
Christmas Lunch
Christmas lunch was enjoyed by all at Bildeston Primary on Thursday 10 December in their class ‘bubbles’. They all made festive hats to wear for the occasion and had crackers donated by Squirrels Coaches. Goldcrest class had to self-isolate but they will not miss out on their festive lunch. Plans are in place for them to enjoy theirs on
Wednesday 6th January and we have saved them their crackers!!
Christmas Assembly
Our virtual Christmas assembly was held on Friday 11 December for all classes and parents were able to join us too! Each class completed a short festive poem and Reverend Elke joined us for a Christmas blessing.
Christingle Assembly
Our virtual Christingle assembly was held on Thursday 17 December to all classes and across the federation to Whatfield classes. Each child made their own Christingle for the assembly and took them home afterwards. Each child collected change in a Children’s Society candle for the charity.
Pantomime
We couldn’t get to a Pantomime, so the Pantomime came to us!! Ms Golding, as her final treat before her retirement, paid for the New Wolsey Theatre tickets to show “The Snow Queen” virtually to all of our children, even those who were self-isolating. Everyone had ice cream too! Thank you Ms Golding x
Bildeston Primary School
Sporting events continue at Bildeston as we take part in events in our school and post results on a sporting website. So far this term we have entered Cross Country and Basketball competitions. Our Early Years pupils continue to enjoy Forest School activities outside in the wonderful surroundings of the school.
Junior Road Safety Officers
Our Road Safety Officers met with Mr Andrews, the local authority Road Safety Officer. They discussed their ideas of how they could engage the rest of the school with keeping safe on our roads. They have recently organised a competition for pupils to design their own cycle helmets and emphasising the need to wear them at all times when out cycling.
Phonics Workshop
Our Early Years staff enjoyed a Phonics Workshop with parents whose children started with us this term. The workshop introduced parents to the way we teach phonics and included ideas of games and materials they could use at home to support their child.
Remembrance Assembly
Reverend Elke Cattermole joined us virtually for our Remembrance assembly this month and led the service across both schools. Children across our KS2 classes in both of our federated schools read poems they had written. Everyone observed a minute silence before we drew the assembly to a close.
One Life Programme
KS2 pupils have enjoyed a virtual session on Healthy Living with the One Life Team. The session looked at improving the health and wellbeing of our children after a long pandemic lockdown.
Final Words from Head Teacher
This Christmas marks my last as Headteacher of Bildeston. It has been a fantastic privilege to lead this lovely school through such changes as the federation with Whatfield School and the environmental building project. I have loved being a part of the school and the community, proud to be allowed to bring our children to read their poems at the remembrance service, pleased to accept the opportunity to present our Christmas Nativity at Chamberlin Hall, happy to watch pupils perform at the B Natural festival and delighted to celebrate our Christingle
at St Mary Magdalene church.
This small community is varied and welcoming and I am pleased to live close enough to it to be able to enjoy it in my retirement from headship. Despite the events of 2020 and the pressures that have put on schools and children I can honestly say I have loved every day I have worked at the school and look forward to handing it over to my successor, Mrs Julia Shaw, who will start in January. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a merry Christmas and a very happy 2021.
Lynne Golding
October School News
Our Grand Opening
Our newly refurbished school was officially opened on 9 October by staff, pupils, governors and contractors who were joined by James Cartlidge MP. We also had press coverage of the opening and so we appeared in the East Anglian Daily Times last week as they were keen to see and hear about the changes and how they will benefit the efficiency of our school building. Two of our school council representatives “cut the ribbon” at the opening!
Year 6 Environmental Letters
Whilst James Cartlidge was with us, two of our year 6 pupils took the opportunity to hand over their letters to the MP explaining how they felt we all could help our environment. They are currently working on the environment in class.
Harvest Assembly
Reverend Elke Cattermole joined the children at Bildeston Primary School for their Harvest assembly today, which was slightly different from their usual Harvest assembly. Due to the COVID pandemic and social distancing rules, pupils had to stay in their classrooms in their bubbles and the assembly was broadcast virtually which included wonderful parent participation!
Children brought donations of non-perishable foods which were displayed in their classroom bubbles. These donations will be collected together and will be donated to Bildeston Food Bank. Thank you to everyone for their generosity.
Bikeability
Thank you to the Bikeability team who came three times over the last few weeks (due to the rain!!) to ensure that our Year 5 pupils completed the necessary cycle training to ensure that they continue to stay safe on our roads. Every child was handed a certificate and a badge for their participation.
Bildeston Primary School News
The last few months have been a very unusual time, and many of us have had to adapt and learn new skills, from zooming at school to teaching at home. I would like to thank our dedicated staff at school for maintaining in-school provision as well as guiding the learning of pupils. Many of our parents have been teaching at home guided by work set by teachers and this has been greatly appreciated. As a community we have pulled together and provided as best we can for our exceptional children.
The difficulties we have faced have not deterred us from keeping active! We have continued to take part in PE activities arranged through one of our sports providers, including the Sports Week Challenge where children completed activities like Speed Bounce, Keepy Uppys, Target Throws, Step Up and Upside Down Challenges!! We also joined in with the Sports Week Step Challenge where we managed a grand total of 5732 steps, that’s nearly to the top of Scafell Pike!! Children at home also joined in!
We have had Maths Quizzes by zoom as well as a parent question and answer session with teachers to help parents with their children’s home learning.
I am sure you will all join me in wishing our current Year 6 every success in their High School education. It was lovely to see them last Friday as they enjoyed time with staff and each other, and I know they will represent us well as they move on to High School.
We have made lots of zoom calls to our new parents and pupils as they embark on their education with us from September. We were sad not to have given our new pupils the usual Bildeston welcome to our school, but rest assured plans are in place to make sure that they all settle well into their new environment in September.
On behalf of the staff, governors and myself, I wish you all an enjoyable and, hopefully, sunny summer holiday.