It has been a pleasure seeing how many of our children have been aiming high during their learning this half term. Hopefully, you know all about this because your child has received a positive postcard through the post or attended one of our Friday 'celebration' assemblies.
I would like to thank all of our parents and carers for their continued support, especially with regards to improving attendance.
Don't forget we have our coffee morning every Thursday from 9.00am. Please do pop in for a drink, a biscuit and an opportunity to have a chat with other parents and our school leaders. We are hear to listen and support.
Enjoy the half term break and we will look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday 19th February.
Mrs Buck has been successful in securing a £10,000 Nature Grant to help develop the schools outside spaces. The grant is part of a focused project to help schools increase their biodiversity.
Mrs Buck has some exciting plans for the schools development and we look forward to sharing more with you in due course.
As part of this project we are also looking for some willing volunteers with DIY and gardening skills so we can get a working party together when the time comes. If you have any valuable skills and can spare some time to help with our project in the future please get in touch.
As part of our ongoing commitment to safeguarding and safety the school has an emergency lockdown procedure in place.
This procedure would only be used when there is a real threat to the safety of pupils, staff and others in the school and only when it is safer for everyone to remain in school rather than evacuate. The aim of this lockdown procedure is to keep everyone safe by confining them in school in a secure and safe place.
Situations that may require this procedure to take effect could include:
To ensure the children understand the procedure and why we have this in place class teachers will be discussing this with them after the half term break and we will be organising a practice drill for the second week of the new term, as it is important we practice this on an annual basis.
The drill will be planned carefully so children understand what is happening and are not alarmed by the experience, however we feel it is important parents are made aware so you can have conversations at home if the topic arises.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this procedure please do not hesitate to contact the school office.
Over the next few months we will be starting to introduce a new Parents App, this will enable much more effective communication between school and home. Allowing parents to use the App to view messages, consent for clubs and trips and make payments for lunches etc.
While this will be introduced gradually between Easter and September we are aiming to be a cashless school by September 2024.
In order to help this roll out run smoothly we will be sending out new consent forms and pupil data capture sheets after half term. Please ensure you complete these forms, amend any incorrect details and send these back to the school office at your earliest convenience so we can ensure we have the most accurate information on your child's record.
If you need assistance completing any of the forms please contact the school office, where someone will be happy to assist.
At Firbeck Academy we want to make every minute of learning count and we instill in our children how important it is to be punctual. With this in mind we would like to remind everyone that our school day starts at 8.45am. This means all children should be in class by this time.
Our gates open at 8.40am. This allows all children five minutes to get a bagel and walk into their classroom.
If your child arrives after the gates through to main school are closed we ask that you walk you child/children up to the main school office. This is so that you can sign your child in, using our electronic system.
As part of our ongoing commitment to support our families we have made the decision to purchase a school water bottle for every child. These will be arriving in school after half term and will be handed out to the children by their class teachers.
All bottles will be named and will remain in school at all times. To ensure they are kept clean they will go through a regular dishwasher cycle and they will also be kept topped up with fresh water at all times.
Once the new water bottles have been shared with children they will no longer be expected to bring in a water bottle from home.
We hope you will support us in promoting and encouraging the children to use their new school water bottle and to drink plenty of water while they are in school, as there are so many health benefits to choosing water over other sugary or artificially sweetened drinks.
In order to ensure our records are up to date, we have recently sent a Microsoft Forms link out to all parents/carers of children in Year 5 and 6 via email.
If your child walks home, walks to meet you, or walks to meet other siblings at the end of the day. This will need to be completed to provide your consent - even if your child is sometimes collected or only occasionally walks alone.
Please find the link below:
Parent's evenings have been scheduled for the following dates and times:
Further information will follow after half term, along with a link to an online form that will enable you to request the appointment times best suited to your circumstances.
Our Class Photographs will be taking place on Thursday 14th March.
All children will take part and a proof will be sent home for parents to view.
If you do not want your child to be included in the Class Photograph please contact the school office as soon as possible to confirm your request to opt out.
Friday 9th February: School Closes for February Half Term
Monday 19th February: School Reopens
Friday 23rd February: Dental Services visiting Reception Class
W/C Monday 26th February: Practice of Emergency Lockdown Procedure
Tuesday 5th March: National Weights and Measures - Reception and Year 6
Tuesday 5th March: Parents Evening (3.30 - 6.00pm)
Wednesday 6th March: Parents Evening (3.30 - 6.00pm)
Thursday 7th March: World Book Day
Thursday 7th March: Virtual Author Visit - Ian Eagleton
Monday 11th March - Friday 15th March: British Science Week
Wednesday 13th March: Year 3 Creswell Crags Trip (more details to follow after half term)
Thursday 14th March: Class Photos (more details to follow)
Friday 15th March: Red Nose Day
Monday 18th March: VIBE Workshop - Year 5 and 6
Tuesday 19th March: Early Years Stay and Play (8.30 - 10.30am)
Thursday 28th March: School Closes for the Easter Holiday
Friday 29th March: Bank Holiday (School Closed)
Monday 15th April: School Reopens
Monday 22nd April: Earth Day
Monday 6th May: Bank Holiday (School Closed)
Friday 24th May: School Closes for May Half Term
Monday 3rd June: School Reopens
Wednesday 24th July: School Closes for Summer
Monday 3rd September: School Reopens
Firbeck Academy
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