Dear Parents and Carers,
Year Six Transition
We are incredibly proud of how our Year Six children have approached their educational journey at High Bick and we look forward to celebrating their achievements as they prepare to leave us. Over the coming weeks, Year 6 pupils will have the opportunity to attend transition visits at their new secondary schools. These visits are designed to help children become familiar with their new environment, meet key staff members, make new friends and gain confidence ahead of starting in September. In addition to these visits, TEAM's dedicated Pastoral Team, Mrs Emma Humphreys and Mrs Carrie-Anne Sprenger, have organised a series of team-building mornings to support pupils with this important transition. These sessions provide opportunities for children to work collaboratively, strengthen friendships, develop resilience and discuss any worries or questions they may have about moving to secondary school. The activities have been carefully planned to promote confidence, independence and a positive mindset, helping pupils recognise the many exciting opportunities that lie ahead. Thank you to Mrs Humphreys and Mrs Sprenger for their continued commitment to supporting the wellbeing of our pupils and ensuring that every child feels prepared and confident for the transition ahead.
The dates for the TEAM transition mornings are:
Monday 15th June: TEAM transition event for children going to GTS to be held at Umberleigh PA
Wednesday 17th June: TEAM transition event for children going to PCC to be held at Pilton Bluecoat PA
Thursday 18th June: TEAM transition event for children going to CCC to be held at Witheridge PA - Mr Norton driving the minibus to Witheridge.
Reading
As promised last week, I have caught up with Jack in Reception to ask about his favourite book. Here's what he had to say: "I like '101 Dinosaur Bums' because I like seeing the dinosaurs!"
Year One Phonics Screening
Phonics is such a vital part of early learning in school and is given a great amount of time and resource. We want the children to progress smoothly through the stages of our scheme (Read, Write, Inc) so that they are reading and spelling efficiently as soon as possible. The national test for phonics comes towards the end of Year One and our wonderful children have been preparing for this over the past weeks. This week they have all completed the screening and everyone has made a huge effort to show what they know. Very well done to all of you Year Ones!
Medical Incidents
I would just like to confirm that the way we log medical / first aid incidents from now on will be fully electronic. This will enable us to monitor incidents involving first aid intervention more clearly and, importantly, will alter the way we communicate issues to you as parents and carers. Every incident logged will generate an email to parents / carers of the child(ren) concerned, allowing you to decide whether you feel you would like to come up to school to check on the level of injury. Where there is an obviously serious injury (concussion; obvious bone break or deep laceration), we will also phone parents / carers.
Pupil Premium Grant (PPG)
If you think your child may be eligible for PPG, please do contact Jemma in the office to see how to apply. Where children are awarded this grant, it can make a massive difference in school with the additional funding allowing us to provide additional resources or reduce the cost of curriculum enrichment activities such as trips.
Collective Worship
This week's word in the A-Z of wellbeing is 'unite'. We have talked about the strength we have if we are united in pursuit of a common goal. It is no coincidence that there are 16 teams in the top five divisions of English football with 'United' as part of their names (but only five 'Rovers'). Being part of a united organisation - like the United States of America (thanks, Erika for reminding me) can definitely help to give us a sense of purpose. We hope that this is the way children feel about being part of the HB 'family' most of the time at least. Our prayer was: Dear God, Just as you are three in one, unite us all in love like the Father, Spirit and Son. Amen
Have a lovely weekend,
Rob Norton
Head of School
