Keep up to date with all the news happening in the school at the moment. Articles are added during the week. Parents are encouraged to check regularly. Our weekly newsletter, emailed directly to parents, summarises content for the week.

• Positive Well Being Drop In Sessions For Pupils

  Mon 04 Mar 2024

  I am writing to inform you that Mrs. Akram, our dedicated Mental Health Leader, will be hosting drop-in sessions for pupils once again this term. These sessions have been incredibly successful in the past, and we are excited to offer them again.

   

  Session Details:

  Dates: 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th March 2024

  Time: 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM

  Location: Wellness Room

   

  Mrs. Akram will be available during these sessions to chat with children very informally. Whether your child wants to share their feelings, seek advice, or simply have someone listen, Mrs. Akram is here to support them. If further assistance is needed, she can also provide guidance on additional resources.

   

  We encourage children to take advantage of this opportunity should they feel it is beneficial.

   

  You may  want to have a chat with your child at home and give them a little encouragement to come along if you feel having someone to talk to in school would be beneficial.  Good mental health is essential, and having a supportive space to talk about anything can make a significant difference.

   

  Thank you for your attention, and we look forward to seeing your children, should they wish to attend at the drop-in sessions.

• Find Out What Your Child Is Learning

  Mon 04 Mar 2024

  Thank you to everyone who completed our annual survey. From this we were able to  determine and 27% of parents completing this were unable that we share what your child will be learning in school on our website. Having insights from parents is crucial for continuous improvement.

   

  To ensure that all parents have access to detailed information about their child’s learning, our school website plays a vital role. Our website provides detailed descriptions of what your child will be learning in each curriculum area for every term. You’ll find comprehensive information about subjects, topics, and learning objectives.

   

  Each term’s curriculum content is outlined, allowing you to understand what your child will explore and study during that period.

   

  We encourage you to explore these pages and use them as an invaluable tool for discussions with your child at home. Understanding their learning journey will help you support and reinforce their education.

   

  Click the link below to take you directly to the page on our website where you will find this information.

   

  Curriculum plans

• Parent Survey Responses

  Mon 04 Mar 2024

  Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our annual survey. We are delighted that our main strengths have been positively recognised by parents/carers.

   

  Below is a summary of the responses.

   

  Question	Yes	No	Other
  My child is happy at school	98%	2%
  My child feels safe at school	95%	5%
  My child is well taught	95%	5%
  The school has high expectations for my child	90%	10%
  The school encourages the children to behave well	95%	5%
  The school deals effectively with bullying	32%	7%	62%
  The school supports my child’s wider personal development	90%	10%
  My child has SEND and the school gives them the support to succeed	22%	2%	76%
  I am aware that what my child will be learning during the year is on the school website	73%	27%
  I engage and use the School Website and The School App to keep informed as to what is happening in school	88%	10%	2%
  I find the School Money App to be an easy and convenient way to make payments to the school	83%	7%	10%
  There are a good range of subjects available to my child at this school in accordance with the National Curriculum	95%	5%
  The Burnside School run breakfast and after-school provision are invaluable services that schools provide.	63%		37%
  The trial that has taken place in Nursery to admit children once they have turned 3 years old has been a benefit to my family.	29%	7%	63%

   

   

• Is your child safe from online grooming?

  Mon 04 Mar 2024

  Over the past few weeks, during our school assemblies for Year 1 to 6, I have had the opportunity to engage with the children about our school motto: “Be Safe, Be Smart, Be Kind.” 

   

  During our discussions about BE SAFE y=the children brought up the need to be safe on line. As such we revisited the importance of online safety, and I am pleased to report that our children demonstrated an impressive awareness of what this entails.

   

  As our children continue to explore new ways of connecting with each other through various devices and platforms, it becomes increasingly crucial to guide them in making informed and secure choices regarding their online interactions.  

   

  The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) estimates that approximately 830,000 individuals in the UK could pose a threat to children. One concerning phenomenon is the manipulation of children. Incidents often occur during video chats or livestreaming sessions, and children may not even realise they are being exploited. Unfortunately, these videos can then be circulated.

   

  I urge you to watch the following video: Watch this video: Home Truths - Make sure your home doesn't have an open door to child sexual abusers (YouTube, 1min)

   

  It provides valuable insights and practical advice to safeguard your child.

   

  Additionally, you can find more information about research, risks, and strategies to protect your child by exploring the “TALK” resource. Download the useful 'TALK' resource here

   

  Thank you for partnering with us in creating a safe and supportive environment for our students

   

   

   

• No smoking, e-cigarettes or vaping products on site

  Mon 04 Mar 2024

  Dear Parents and Carers,

   

  We kindly request your cooperation in maintaining a smoke-free environment on our school premises. For many, many years smoking has been strictly prohibited within the school grounds. Signs throughout the school serve as reminders of this important policy.

   

  In line with Public Health guidance, we are now extending this ban to include the use of e-cigarettes or vaping products. Our aim is to reduce the risk of youth uptake of these products by ensuring a consistent approach across the school grounds.

   

  Thank you for your understanding and support in promoting a healthy and smoke-free environment for our students.

   

• Special Menu for World Book Day - Thursday 7th March

  Thu 29 Feb 2024

  Dear parents and carers,

   

  We are excited to announce that on Thursday, March 7th, in celebration of World Book Day, Creative management will be serving a special menu during lunchtime.

   

  This delightful menu will replace the usual offerings, allowing our students to enjoy a literary-inspired culinary experience.

   

  As we immerse ourselves in the magic of books, let our taste buds embark on an equally enchanting journey. We encourage our students to savor this unique menu and perhaps even discover flavors that transport them to the pages of their favorite stories.

   

  Fantastic Mr Fox’s Favourite Sticky Chicken Noodles

  Supertato’s Spectacular Jacket Potato with Big Friendly Giant Beans

  Cheshire Cat’s Cheesy Macaroni Bake

  Horrid Henry’s Homemade Beef Lasagne served with scrumdiddlyumptious Garlic Bread

  ***********

  All served with Perfect Peter’s Peas and Corn on the Cob ***********

  Charlie Buckets Chocolate Brownies

  Willy Wonka’s Iced sponge with Hundreds and Thousands James and the Giant Peaches and Ice Cream Vertie Turtle’s Yoghurt Station

   

• Collecting pupils for appointments during the school day

  Thu 29 Feb 2024

  Dear parents and carers,

   

  We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring that routine medical appointments are scheduled outside of school hours or during school holidays whenever possible. However, we understand that there are other types of appointments that may require children to miss part of the school day.

   

  When such situations arise, we kindly request that you follow these guidelines:

  1. Advance Notification: Please inform the school in advance if your child needs to attend an appointment during school hours. This allows us to plan accordingly and ensure a smooth process.

  2. Proof of Appointment: To authorise your child’s absence, provide proof of the appointment. You can do this by submitting a letter, email, or text message that clearly indicates the date and time of the appointment.

  3. Timely Collection: When collecting your child from school, arrive promptly. Our office staff may need to attend to other matters, so your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

  Remember that good attendance at school is crucial for effective learning. We recognise that unavoidable circumstances may lead to absences, and we appreciate your cooperation in adhering to these guidelines.

   

  Thank you for your understanding and support.

• Sports Library Year 4 Trial

  Thu 29 Feb 2024 Miss Garret

  Dear Parents/Carer,

   

  We are excited to announce the launch of Burnside’s new Sports Library during the Spring term! This initiative aims to provide your child with access to a variety of sports equipment that they can borrow for a week. The Sports Library collection includes items such as netballs, rugby balls, basketballs, tennis rackets, howlers, frisbees, and skipping ropes. Your child will have the opportunity to take these items home and enjoy active playtime with the family.

  Initially, the Sports Library will be available to Year 4 pupils, and we plan to gradually extend it to other year groups. Here’s how it works:

   

  1. Borrowing: Children can borrow their preferred sports equipment for a week.
  2. Extension: If they need more time, they can extend their loan period.
  3. Variety: After a week, they can choose to swap their borrowed item for a different one.
  4.  

  We kindly request that all items are well cared for to ensure the longevity of our Sports Library. While wear and tear are expected, responsible handling will help us maintain this exciting resource for everyone.

   

  Thank you for your support, and let’s keep the spirit of sports alive at Burnside!

• Recycle to Read Batteries Collection

  Thu 29 Feb 2024

  Dear Parents/Carers,

  
  Our school is recycling batteries to protect the planet (and for a chance to win book vouchers for the school).
  We need your help - plus your child could win some fantastic eco-inspired prizes too!

  
  How can you help?
  1. Hunt out used batteries at home. We are collecting AA, AAA, C, D, 9V and button batteries.
  2. Tape over the contacts of lithium (Li) and button batteries (see below).
  3. Put them in a tied plastic bag (preferably reused)
  4. Take them to school.
  5. Enter the prize draw at jointhepod.org/win

  
  Safety first:
  Not only is storing and recycling batteries safely great for the environment, it can also help reduce risks associated with batteries:
  ● Batteries can cause serious injury or death if swallowed, please keep batteries out of reach of small children and pets.
  ● Lithium and button batteries need to be taped so their contacts don’t touch, as they could short circuit if they do.
  Use sticky tape over the contacts (top and bottom of batteries). Button batteries can be placed in a line between two sections of sticky tape. Lithium batteries can look like
  any battery, but they will have lithium (Li) written on them.

  
  Many thanks for your support and happy battery hunting!

  
  To find out more, head to: jointhepod.org/batteries

  
  Mrs Willis
  Eco Schools Lead
  Burnside Primary School

  

• Survey 2024

  Mon 26 Feb 2024 Headteacher

  We frequently carry out surveys to find out parents/carer views.  Your views are important to us.  We would like to know your thoughts on what we do well and what we could do better. We will add your views to our own evaluation enabling us to identify our strengths and areas for improvement.  

  The survey will open today and close on Friday 1st March. Please click the link below to take part.

  Parent/Carer Survey 2024