Welcome back to school and Happy New Year! This is our first newsletter of 2023 and although the weather has been dark, our moods have been bright and positive. The children have come back refreshed and got stuck into their learning. There is plenty to look forward to this year and in our first Values assemblies of the term we talked about looking forwards. What are you looking forward to in 2023? We also talked about looking up. Did you know that January is one of the best months to see a "shooting star" or meteor shower, because of the long clear nights?

Bedminster Lantern Parade

Preparations are continuing in school for this year's Bedminster Lantern Parade, which will take place on Saturday 28th January. As always, pupils from Year 4 have been joined by a lantern expert for the day to continue creating our large lantern, as well as their individual lanterns for the parade. We take part in a total of three full-day workshops in school and then the parade itself, which lights up North Street and British Road. For more information about the Bedminster Lantern Parade, please click here to see their website. We hope you will be able to take part too! Can you guess from the photographs what our lantern is shaping up to be?

Congratulations Edgar!

A huge Bravo goes to Edgar in Year 6 who took his Grade 1 Piano just before Christmas. Not only did he pass the exam but gained the highest grade "Distinction" for his accuracy and fluency. It takes great determination and lots of practice to achieve this. Edgar received his certificate in assembly from his very proud piano teacher, Fiona. If you have any musical achivements to share, please make sure Mr Bailey knows about them so we can inspire others with your hard work.

Open Classrooms

This term, we would like to invite parents and carers to come into their child's classroom to look around and see some of their learning. We know it's been hard over recent years to do this, and for some of you, coming into the building is important but rarely possible. On the morning of your "open classroom", simply come into the classroom instead of lining up outside. We have the following dates in advance, but will remind you each week of any upcoming.

Park and Stride to School!

Did you know we have a 'Park and Stride' agreement with the Brunel pub on St John's Lane? We encourage all of our community to walk, scoot and cycle to school as much as possible, but know it is sometimes unavoidable to use the car for the school run. You can park at the Brunel for drop off and pick up time - it's only a 6 minute walk to school from there, (or 7 minutes on the quieter back roads if you go via Dunford Road), and means you can get some exercise and help to ease congestion on the roads nearer to school. Even changing your habits just one day of the week can make a difference.

We are really proud to be one of only a handful of schools in Bristol to have School Streets status where the roads are closed at the start and end of the school day to promote safer, healthier and more sustainable travel to school. 

Fancy Dress

We are collecting fancy dress costumes (age 5-11) so that we can create an imaginary play area for the children at lunchtime. If you have any fancy dress at home that your children have outgrown and would be willing to donate it, please drop it off at the school office.

Donations for Reception Classrooms

Teachers in Cherry class and Willow class are constantly adapting and improving their classroom environments - you may be able to help. Do you have any spare lamps? EYFS would love any uplighter lamps or small bedside table lamps like the ones in the pictures below.  If you have any which you would like to donate please see any of the EYFS team.

We are also looking to improve our reading areas with comfortable children-sized furniture; such as a mini sofa, chair or bench. Please chat to Mrs Lucas about this one.

Other Information

This section provides information from external organisations and groups, which we feel you may be interested in.

• Click on this flyer for details of a Bristol Parent Carers monthly support group held at the Inns Court Centre in Knowle. Any parent carers of children and young people with SEND can come along for support and signposting. You can also find out more from the website www.bristolparentcarers.org.uk

• Click below for the School Nurse Webinar flyer for 2023.

• Click the flyer below for details of a local art club, art-K Southville, which is for children aged 6-18. They are based on Raleigh Road and are looking to connect with local schools. "At art-K we truly believe in the power of creativity and art bringing people together. We provide a creative community through after-school art classes for children, in studios across the UK. Throughout our sessions, we see how much children’s confidence and self-assuredness can benefit through artistic practice."

Did you know that each day in January, we gain an extra 2 minutes of daylight? In fact, by the end of this week, the average day is 15 minutes longer than last weekend. We hope you have a lovely weekend together and manage to spend some daylight hours outside.