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School news
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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Swimming Timetable and Information - Summer 2022
Fri 22 Apr 2022Swimming starts week commencing Monday 25th April. We are delighted to have a pool and be able to offer swimming lessons with a qualified instructor. We see swimming as an essential life-saving skill. It forms part of both our and the PE National Curriculum. It also promotes fitness, stamina, water safety, coordination and fun.
Your child will need a swimming costume/trunks (not a bikini or long shorts), towel and swimming hat. In order to encourage and support this important life-saving skill we will once again not be asking parents for contributions. Swimming is an essential and important part of our school curriculum.
In order to prepare your child(ren) for getting ready before and after swimming could you please teach them how to dry and dress properly (e.g undo/do up buttons, zips, turn clothes right way etc) as this is something they have to do themselves. Thank you
The timetable is attached.
Please make every effort to ensure that swimming kits are brought into school on the morning of your child’s swimming session. It puts an immense pressure on the school office if they need to make constant calls home because children have forgotten their swimming kit.
They will need a swimming hat and these can be purchased via ParentPay at a cost of £1.50. Once payment has been made, swimming hats will be sent home with your child the next working day.
A few reminders:
- Please NO talcum powder or aerosol spray deodorants. Older children may wish to bring a roll on deodorant.
- Please rinse swimming hats at home in between lessons and allow to dry. A small dusting of talcum powder will stop the hat sticking and make it easier for children to put on.
- Remove earrings on swimming days.
- Please ensure ALL items are named.
Although the weather has been cooler, we have a variety of measures to help make the experience fun, safe and successful and as comfortable possible, these include:
- the pool being kept at a comfortable temperature
- regularly refurbishing the changing rooms
- heating the changing rooms
- a rubberised soft pool surround and path to the changing rooms , so there is no cold rough concrete under foot
hooks on the poolside right where the children leave the pool allowing children to quickly wrap themselves in a towel.
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Parents Evening: Tuesday 22nd February and Thursday 24th February 2022
Wed 02 Feb 2022Parents Evening is now live and available to book on ParentMail.
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Parents Evening - Change of Date
Fri 14 Jan 2022New changed dates are after term - to allow covid numbers to reduce and a circuit break over half term
Tuesday 22nd February 3.45pm-7.30pm
Thursday 24th February 4.30pm - 8.15pm
We are planning to hold face to face open evenings this term.
Further information to follow shortly.
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Covid-19 Update regarding Self Isolation from Monday 17th January 2022
Fri 14 Jan 2022From Monday 17 January, people with COVID-19 in England can end their self-isolation after 5 full days, as long as they test negative on day 5 and day 6.
- People self-isolating with COVID-19 will have the option to reduce their isolation period after 5 full days if they test negative on both day 5 and day 6 and do not have a temperature, from Monday, 17 January
- Individuals who are still positive on their rapid lateral flow tests must stay in isolation until they have had 2 consecutive negative tests taken on separate days
- This will support essential public services and keep supply chains running over the winter
From Monday 17 January, people with COVID-19 in England can end their self-isolation after 5 full days, as long as they test negative on day 5 and day 6.
The decision has been made after careful consideration of modelling from the UK Health Security Agency and to support essential public services and workforces over the winter.
It is crucial that people isolating with COVID-19 wait until they have received 2 negative rapid lateral flow tests on 2 consecutive days to reduce the chance of still being infectious.
The first test must be taken no earlier than day 5 of the self-isolation period, and the second must be taken the following day. If an individual is positive on day 5, then a negative test is required on day 6 and day 7 to release from isolation.
It is essential that 2 negative rapid lateral flow tests are taken on consecutive days and reported before individuals return to their job or education, if leaving self-isolation earlier than the full 10-day period.
For instance, if an individual is positive on day 5, then a negative test is required on both day 6 and day 7 to release from self-isolation, or positive on day 6, then a negative test is required on days 7 and 8, and so on until the end of day 10.
Those who leave self-isolation on or after day 6 are strongly advised to wear face coverings and limit close contact with other people in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, work from home if they can do so and minimise contact with anyone who is at higher risk of severe illness if infected with COVID-19.
The default self-isolation period continues to be 10 days, and you may only leave self-isolation early if you have taken 2 rapid lateral flow tests and do not have a temperature in line with guidance.
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Covid testing information and isolation - from Tuesday 11th January
Fri 07 Jan 2022Please read below an update we have received this week from Essex Local Authority following the latest update to national guidance regarding positive LFD tests.
The requirement for confirmatory PCR tests is to be temporarily suspended for positive lateral flow test results. From Tuesday 11 January 2022, in England, people who receive positive lateral flow results for COVID-19 will be required to self-isolate immediately and won’t be required to take a confirmatory PCR test. This is a temporary measure while COVID-19 rates remain high across the UK. Whilst levels of COVID-19 are high, the vast majority of people with positive LFD results can be confident that they have COVID-19.
Anyone who develops one of the three main COVID-19 symptoms should stay at home and self-isolate and take a PCR test. They must self-isolate if they get a positive test result, even if they have had a recent negative lateral flow test - these rules have not changed.
Under this new approach, anyone who receives a positive lateral flow device (LFD) test result should report their result on Gov.uk and must self-isolate immediately but will not need to take a follow-up PCR test. After reporting a positive LFD test result, they will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace so that their contacts can be traced and must continue to self-isolate.
In line with the reduced self-isolation approach announced on 22 December, anyone who tests positive will be able to leave self-isolation 7 days after the date of their initial positive test if they receive two negative LFD results, 24 hours apart, on days 6 and 7. The DfE guidance has also been updated in line with the UKHSA announcement, and clarifies that children can return to school after day 7 if they have had two negative LFD tests.
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Can we please ask that in order to protect staff and children that you carry out regular lateral flow tests at home – even if you don’t have any symptoms. Tests are available online (https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests)
If you or any other family member have any symptoms, the following website may be useful:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus Government site with comprehensive Coronavirus information
With the exception of specific Covid-19 precautions, on the whole our advice regarding school attendance hasn’t changed- if children aren’t well enough to come into school they should stay away until well enough to benefit from the day’s teaching and learning.
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Phonics Workshop October 2021
Fri 15 Oct 2021Following the Phonics Workshops this week we have uploaded the Powerpoint presentation to the website. It contains lots of useful information regarding Phonics and Reading and we would suggest that you spend some time reading through it.
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Meet the Teacher Parents Evening (via Zoom) - Thursday 23 September 4-7pm
Fri 10 Sep 2021Bookings for the Meet the Teacher Parents Evening (via Zoom) can now be made via ParentMail. Information on how to make bookings was emailed on Thursday 9th September.
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March 2021 Drop off and Pick up times
Tue 02 Mar 2021Practical Arrangements
Please note that drop off and pick up times and arrangements have changed since December to maximise learning time for all pupils and to minimise the number of adults on site and the amount of time they have to wait to collect children at the end of the day.
Drop off times (Monday to Friday)
● Early Years - 8.35am
● Year 1 - 8.35am
● Year 2 - 8.35am
● Year 3 - 8.40am
● Year 4 - 8.40am
● Year 5 - 8.45am
● Year 6 - 8.45am
Parents and carers with more than one child at school should bring all children at the drop off time for the youngest sibling.
Pick up Arrangements
Taking into consideration feedback and suggestions from parents/carers and staff we have tried hard to provide an even safer and calmer ending to the day for everybody.
We have split the school into two groups - pupils with siblings at school and pupils without. We believe that this new arrangement will mean less time waiting around for parents/carers/ brothers and sisters after school as well as ease the stress and challenge for staff gathering siblings to come out together.
This may not please everybody, but we have been asked by the government to continue to stagger start and finish times to keep groups apart as they arrive and leave. We ask that you work with us and follow the times allocated to each group.
Pick up times
Pupils with no siblings at SBPS
2.45pm (1.45pm on Fridays)
Early Years leave via green gates
Year 1 leave via green doors
2.50pm - (1.50pm on Fridays)
Year 2 leave via green doors
Year 3 leave via green gates
2.55pm - (1.55pm on Fridays)
Year 4 leave via green doors
Year 5 leave via green gates
3.00pm - (2.00pm on Fridays)
Year 6 leave via green gates
Pupils with siblings at SBPS
3.05pm (2.05pm on Fridays)
Early Years leave via green gates
Year 1 leave via green doors
3.10pm - (2.10pm on Fridays)
Year 2 leave via green doors
Year 3 leave via green gates
3.15pm - (2.15pm on Fridays)
Year 4 leave via green doors
Year 5 leave via green gates
Year 6 leave via green gates
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Parent Update 12.2.2021
Fri 12 Feb 2021Dear Parents and Carers,
I would like to start by saying a big thank you to all staff, pupils, parents and carers for all their hard work this half term. You have all kept going amazingly well over the last six weeks and have shown great resilience by coping with many different obstacles along the way. We have been so impressed with the work that we have seen and the determination to continue learning. Like you, we are awaiting news from the Government, the week beginning 22nd February, regarding the road map for wider opening of schools.
Parent and Carer Catch up Meetings with Teachers
We are delighted to be able to offer an opportunity for a catch up with class teachers in a Zoom video call. This will be an opportunity to meet with your child’s class teacher to discuss learning so far this school year. We would also like to hear your thoughts on recent lockdown progress including strengths and areas that you feel they may need to work on. You will have received further details and the Parents Evening booking system on ParentMail is now live. You will need to book your time slot via the booking system.
The Zoom code for the meeting will be sent out separately via ParentMail on Monday 22nd February (for week 1) and Monday 1st March (for week 2) . Please remember that these catch up sessions are being held on four days over two weeks. If you have more than one child you are likely to have appointments on more than one day.
Book Week 2021 and World Book Day
Book Week 2021
We are pleased to announce that we will still be celebrating our annual Book Week on the 1st - 5th March this year. Books play an integral role in the development of children and our aim is to promote and inspire a love of reading for all. There is no particular theme for this year but pupils will have opportunities to share and complete tasks about their favourite books as well as the books they are studying in lessons.
At the start of the week we have an exciting visitor planned (via Zoom) for all year groups to enjoy (see details below). We will also be holding an optional dress up day on Friday 5th March where pupils can share their book character costume in their live session and take part in the dress up photo competition. Across the afternoons, there will be some creative arts and crafts activities to choose from so hang on to any recycling that could be repurposed as an art project!
Book Week Author Zoom Event - Mon 1st and Tues 2nd March
Gilbert Giggles has joined forces with Tamara Macfarlane, children's author and award-winning bookshop owner, to present energetic, entertaining and engaging author events (via Zoom) ensuring every child gets a chance to celebrate reading for FUN! Early Years and Year 1 will explore the prehistoric wonderland created in Dylan’s Amazing Dinosaur books. Year 2 and 3 will run away with the circus in the Amazing Esme books. Finally, Years 4, 5 and 6 will join Merlin the legendary sorcerer on a quest to save the planet in Dragon World.
More details about the time, day and Zoom code for different year groups will be sent out separately.
World Book Day Vouchers
World Book day is officially on Thursday 4th March. This year we have arranged for World Book Day book vouchers to be available virtually. These vouchers allow all pupils to either purchase one of the special World Book Day books for free or £1 off any book of their choice. A virtual voucher is attached to this Parentmail. We will also have a small amount of printed vouchers available to collect from the office. Please ensure you read the terms and conditions for using the voucher on your device. Further information about these vouchers can be found by following this link https://www.worldbookday.com/books/ .
Book Week Competitions (optional)
You may want to take part in one of our whole school Book Week competitions. We have Amazon book voucher prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in four categories (EYFS; Years 1 & 2; Years 3 & 4; and Years 5 & 6). Please send photo entries or typed/scanned documents to admin@southbenfleet.essex.sch.uk by Sunday 7th March. Please include full name, class and book choice for comp 1 & 3. Competition entries will be judged by Governors and winners will be revealed on Friday 12th March.
Competition Details:
Competition 1: Fancy Dress - dress up as a book character and submit a photo (links with our dress up day on Fri 5th March)
Competition 2: Read in an Unusual Place - take a photo of you reading in a unique situation
Competition 3: Early Years - draw a picture of your favourite character/story and have a go at writing a sentence or word underneath
Years 1 & 2 - Choose one character from your favourite book. Draw a picture of them and write a simple character description (what they look like, what they like to do and the sort of person they are - kind, scary, helpful etc)
Years 3 & 4 - Write a new short chapter for one of your favourite characters e.g. Charlie finds a new room in the chocolate factory, Greg gets into trouble at the supermarket (Diary of a Wimpy Kid), Lucy meets a new character in Narnia (150 words max)
Years 5 & 6 - Write an alternative ending for your favourite story (200 words max)
We hope that lots of you will take part and we look forward to seeing your entries. Good luck!
Coop Fair Trade Artwork Showcase
We have been contacted by ‘The Co-op’ to invite all pupils to take part in a local artwork showcase as part of their Fair Trade celebrations. The details that we have been given are as follows:
Calling Little Creatives!
At the Co-op, we are preparing to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight in February (22nd February -07th March.) In response to this local schools and individuals within the Castle Point region have been asked to help raise awareness by contributing to the creation of an art page (for parents and public to view).
The artwork can be in any form - a poem, painting or collage – children can even choose to cook something using Fair Trade Ingredients! All entries need to be sent either back to Anna Wilson at: anna.wilson@ceessex.org.uk or the local Co-op Members Pioneer Jodie Lane at: Jodie.lane@coop.co.uk . The deadline for all entries is 20th February.
The art page platform will be via Instagram and Facebook. To access via Instagram follow or visit: Fairtrade_fortnight_2021. To access via Facebook search: Fairtrade Fortnight 2021: Create and Celebrate or @fairtradefortnight2021. A few entries will be selected and posted in Co-op stores.
If you wish to find out more about Fair Trade to inspire you to take part in this showcase, you can look on the Co-op website where you will find information about Fair Trade including recipes.
Thank you to all parents and carers for their support and perseverance with remote learning this half term, we know the recent weeks have been challenging for everyone, we hope an end is in sight.
Wishing everyone a positive and hopefully refreshing half term.
DJ Carver
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Parent Update 5.2.21
Fri 05 Feb 2021Dear Parents and Carers,
We hope that you are all staying well. There are several things to share this week.
Firstly thanks to everyone that despite poor weather took part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Bird watch last week. Over 50 people reported back to us and the results are interesting. We’re amazed and pleased at the variety of birds spotted. Here are some of our findings:
- Wood pigeon was the most commonly spotted bird followed by sparrows, starlings, blue tits and robins.
- Four sparrowhawks were seen along with one peregrine falcon
- Several people were treated to a visit from either a greater spotted woodpecker or a green woodpecker
- Two herons were seen as well as an egret by a stream and some Canadian geese
- Some people reported seeing birds busy building nests in trees or nesting boxes
Keep looking out for birds in your garden or from your window. If you can, put some appropriate food out for them and they will keep returning. If you enjoyed bird watching, you can always find out more by visiting https://www.rspb.org.uk/fun-and-learning/for-kids/ .
Half Term - 15th-19th February 2021
The government revealed the decision in a recent email that all schools would be closed at half term both for online learning and for critical workers. Please see the email extract belowPOSTPONED Training Day - Please note that the training day that was scheduled for Monday 22nd February has now been postponed.
Open Evenings
We will be holding virtual Open Evenings spread over the two weeks after half term (weeks beginning 22.2.21 and 1.3.21). We have decided to split the school into two halves with half of the school holding their sessions in one week and the remainder in the following week. We will be asking parents and carers to book via a ParentMail form in the usual way and then we will then send you a meeting code. We will send full details next week. The main focus of these meetings will be to discuss the first term’s learning and more recent remote learning, which you will appreciate is much more challenging to assess.Safer Internet Day - Tuesday 9th February 2021
Tuesday 9th February 2021 is ‘Safer Internet Day’ with activities and events taking place around the globe. The theme for this year is, ‘Together for a better internet’. You might like to take a look at the websites below for some ideas and advice about how to make the internet a safer and better place for all but especially for children.https://www.childnet.com/resources/safer-internet-day
https://www.saferinternetday.org/
https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/2021
How to support online learning at home
We know this is a challenging time for parents, carers and children. Remote education has brought new demands and changed how you engage with school. Many parents and carers are balancing various responsibilities while supporting their children with education at home. Below, in part based on parental feedback, are our tips and suggestions for supporting your child during this continued period of remote learning:- Establish clear routines especially for bedtime and getting up in the morning. It is important that children have a good night’s sleep so that they can focus on their learning the following day. Try to stick to your usual times as if it was a normal school day
- Set up a quiet workstation with enough space for your child to work so that they understand this is where they will complete their learning with access to resources such as pencil, paper etc
- Limit distractions such as TV, computer games etc so that your child can focus and give their school work their full attention
- Establish a timetable for the day that works for you but try to encourage your child to join the daily morning Google meets (Years 1 - 6) as this is an opportunity to see their teacher and peers, talk through the learning for the day, review previous learning and get motivated for the day
- Encourage your child to watch the video introductions to lessons provided by their teachers as they are vital for explaining the learning and will enable your child to feel more confident when completing the tasks set. As they are pre-recorded, children can watch them many times over if necessary or watch particular sections again to help them to be successful
- Ensure your child has time off screen and some fresh air! Go for a walk, play in the garden or even just play indoors
- Please speak to teachers via the Classroom/Tapestry or by phoning the office if you have any questions or queries. Please remember that we are here for you.
Please note we do recognise that every circumstance is different, but can only ask everyone to continue to do their best. Keep going - you are doing a great job!
Once again thank you for your support, please stay safe.
