February Newsletter

Farmers Forever Moments

Here's a few of the wonderful things that have been happening around school this month and don't forget to check Seesaw each Friday for the year group learning newsletters that the House Captains and Ambassadors put together to reflect on the learning that has happened that week and then share this in our celebration assembly.

Rainforest Explorer Day for Y5

Year 5 had a visit from a real life rainforest explorer just before half term. Simon, who has been studying the Amazon Rainforest for 25 years, shared so many wonderful (and sometimes yucky) stories with the children and they learnt about the climate in Brazil, different animals, cultures and how the indigenous people live. 

Climate 180 Project

This term, we have continued our work with Learning through Landscapes – the UK’s leading outdoor learning and play charity - and this time, our eco-committee got to work with Naomi and Lindsey to carry out a climate change audit of our grounds. They found out that biodiversity was a real strength of our site, partly because of how lucky we are with our grounds but also thanks to the work of the eco-committee, gardening club and of course, Mr Issitt in planting and maintaining our school site.

Following the audit, several members of staff took part in some training to help us develop the outdoor offer we already have for our pupils and also consider how we can weave climate education through our existing curriculum to help prepare children for the world they will grow up to live in.

CHARITY WORK

Bingo Event for pupils

Eagles house captains and ambassadors have planned a Bingo event for children to come along to and details have been sent out via Arbor this week. There are lots of prizes to be won. You just need to buy your child a ticket from the Arbor shop to add their name to the list and then turn up on the day - no physical ticket needed. They will be raising money for a local wildlife charity - they are currently researching to decide which one.

Rugby Foodbank

We are continuing to collect donations for the Rugby Foodbank in our office foyer and would love some extra donations next week to boost our collection before we deliver it to them. Here is a list of things that they are currently in need of but any donations will be gratefully received.

Teaching and Learning Updates

As I mentioned in my last newsletter, we are eagerly anticipating a visit from OFSTED to show them the wonderful things that our staff and children achieve here at AFJS. As part of our preparation for OFSTED and to support general school improvement priorities each year, we have termly visits from our School Improvement Partner Mr Watts. I thought you might like to read some of his comments from his most recent report to give you an idea of what is on offer for your child here at AFJS and also to hear the wonderful things Mr Watts said about your children.

• Planning for pupils with SEND is given a strong emphasis.
• The well-planned curriculum is effectively implemented by consistently strong teaching.
• Lessons have a clear learning focus. Teachers effectively share the purpose of the lesson with the class at the start of the lesson. As a result, pupils know and understand what they are expected to learn.
• In the lessons seen, teaching assistants were well deployed and they made a valuable contribution to pupils’ learning, especially for pupils with SEND.
• Discussions with pupils about their learning is science and the study of their work showed that pupils have positive attitudes to science and are making good progress in acquiring knowledge and developing scientific skills.
• Leaders and staff convey high expectations of pupils’ behaviour, conduct and learning. Pupils respond extremely well to these expectations.
• Pupils responded with enthusiasm to their teachers’ clear explanations, instructions and questioning. They were keen to answer questions and to participate is discussion. Staff establish very positive relationships with pupils. In the lessons seen, pupils’ behaviour and their relationships with others were exemplary.

Healthy Body and Mind

Sport and physical activity is an integral part of every school day here at AFJS! That is why HEALTHY BODY AND MIND is one of our school values. We provide as many different opportunities as possible for children to get active throughout the school day and it is our aim this year to try and get the School Games GOLD award. Here are a few of the HEALTHY BODY AND MIND opportunities that have been happening this half term

Year 6 Rowing

Our year 6 rowing team have had some real success this year! Both the boys and girls teams qualified at the level 2 competition to take part in the regional level 3 final, which took place this week. The boys came an INCREDIBLE 3rd! Out of all the schools in Warwickshire, that really is some achievement and we are very proud of them! The girls, although not placed in the level 3 final, did a brilliant job too and worked really well as a team to encourage and support each other and to cheer on the boys team. Well done all of you.

Cross Country

This term, lots of pupils have been enjoying Mrs Hartwell's lunchtime cross-country club and some of them have represented the school at local events. Here are some pictures of the year 5/6 pupils that braved some pretty awful weather to represent us in a race at Hart Field before half term. These children will also take part in the next heat at Binley Woods Primary School next week so we look forward to hearing how they get on.

Three boys from year 4 pupils also raced at Bilton Junior School this week and did an amazing job! A huge well done must go to Jack who managed to come first out of all the runners! A huge achievement which secures him a place in the next heats. We are still waiting to find out the places of the other boys and whether or not they have qualified too.

MHST updates

The FAMILY INFORMATION SERVICE

The Family Information Service phone line is a freephone number to enable anyone to contact them for support. You can call them on 0800 408 1558 with anything - even if they can't help, they may be able to point you in the direction of someone who can! You can also search their webpage for useful advice and links to places that can help with many areas of family life from debt and housing to SEND and family relationships. https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/children-families and you can follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WarwickshireFIS/

Attendance Updates

While we understand that sometimes absence is unavoidable, we also need to work together as a whole school community to ensure our school's attendance data falls in line with, if not above, national averages. We really appreciate our wonderful parents and families here at AFJS and the efforts you make to work with us to ensure school is a happy, safe place for your child where they feel listened to, and with so many misconceptions around thanks to news reports that seek to sensationalise attendance guidelines, I have added an attendance page to our school website to share key points with you all and keep you informed.

You can also find our AFJS Attendance Policy on our website or by clicking the button below.

Appointments, holidays and extended family visits abroad are the key areas impacting the attendance of our pupils here at AFJS. We understand your frustrations and reasons why - as staff we are also bound to the same days/times as you are and all struggle with the same issues as you do regarding costs of holidays or flights and we know that in the current climate, trying to get a medical appointment at all is difficult enough, let alone trying to get it outside of the school day or in school holidays. However, we ask that you consider the impact low attendance can have on not only a pupil's academic development but also their social and emotional development and try to keep such instances to a very minimum.

Need some help or support with your child's attendance? Do not hesitate to get in touch with Mrs Smythe by email at pastoral2421@welearn365.com or by calling the office and asking to speak to her.

Updates from the PTA

The PTA are holding a meeting next week, on Thursday 6th March at 3:30 and would appreciate as many parents as possible coming along to help organise upcoming events such as our Easter tea party to help provide great fun for children and their families while also raising money to provide more great opportunities for pupils in school. If you are able to come along, please just come to the office and Mrs Warneck will meet you there. If you need to bring your children along, we can provide some activities to keep them busy while you join the meeting.

Diary Dates

Parent meetings

Year 4 and year 6 pupils both undertake statutory assessments in the summer term and we are holding workshops for parent to help you understand what happens and how you can help your child prepare to take these assessments. In year 4, children complete the Multiplication Tables Check and in year 6, children complete their SATs in Reading, Maths and SPAG (Spelling, punctuation and grammar).

• Y4 MTC check meeting: Monday 10th March at 5pm
• Y6 SATs meeting: Tuesday 25th March at 5pm

UPCOMING EVENTS - more information will be shared closer to the time but keep these dates in your diary

• Tues 4th March - year 5/6 cross country heat at Binley Woods
• Thurs 6th March - World Book Day - come in your PJs
• Thurs 6th March - PTA meeting at 3:30 - all welcome
• Mon 10th March - Y4 MTC check meeting
• Tues 11th March - year 4 cross country race at Bilton Juniors
• Tues 11th March - 4:30-5:30 Bingo event for pupils
• WB 17th March - open afternoons (see further details below)
• Tues 25th March - Y6 parents SATs meeting
• Thurs 27th March - year 5 to Bilton Grange to watch their performance of Joseph
• WB 31st March and 7th April - Y3 and 4 swimming lessons - pop up pool on site
• Fri 12th April - break up for Easter Holidays
• Mon 28th April - pupils back to school
• Mon 28th April - year 5/6 G&T PE day
• Tues 29th April - year 4 trip to Leicester Museum
• Thurs 1st May - school used as a polling station but still open to all pupils
• WB 12th May - year 6 SATs week
• Thurs 22nd - Fri 23rd May - year 5 residential trip to Gullivers
• WB 26th May - half term - school closed to all pupils
• Tues June 10th - year 6 trip to Bletchley Park
• WB 16th June - Sports Week
• Fri 20th June - Rugby area athletics championships
• Fri 20th June - year 4 overnight camp (weather permitting)
• Mon 30th June - sports day in the morning followed by family picnic lunch (weather permitting)
• Weds 2nd July - transition day - pupils move to new classes/schools for the day
• Thurs 10th July - choir performing at the Temple Speech Rooms in the evening (will attend rehearsals during the day)
• Fri 11th July - end of year reports out to parents
• Fri 11th July - PTA Summer Fair
• Thurs 17th July - year 6 leavers play in the afternoon and leavers BBQ in the evening
• Fri 18th July - break up for Summer Holidays
• Tue 2nd Sept - all pupils back to school

Term dates for this academic year

Term dates for next academic year

Class assembly and open afternoon dates

These are the remaining class assembly dates for this term. Please remember that this term, class assemblies are at 2:50pm on a Tuesday.

• Tuesday 4th Mar - Mrs Hartwell's class
• Tuesday 11th Mar - Mr Evan's class
• Tuesday 25th Mar - Mrs Beech's class

Open afternoons will be week beginnning 17th March on the following days.....

MONDAY = Year 4 TUESDAY = Year 6 WEDNESDAY = Year 5 THURSDAY = Year 3

Here are details of some local activities we have had shared with us recently that may be of interest to you.

Please remember that we cannot vouch for any of these providers, we are just sharing information that might be of use or interest to our families that has been sent to us.