Latest Bilton C of E Junior School News

• Industrial Action

  Fri 21 Apr 2023

  Dear Parents / Carers                                                                                                                                     Thursday 20^th April 2023

  Industrial Action

  As I am sure you have seen in the media, further industrial action has been planned by the teachers' union, the NEU.

  The planned industrial action is due to take place on Thursday 27^th April and Tuesday 2^nd May 2023.

  We are very aware of the disruption this causes to you and your daily routines and apologise for the inconvenience to yourselves.

  Here at Bilton Junior School we have had to make the difficult decision to partially close the school on both of these days.

  The school will be open to children in the following classes: 3JE / 5MB / 5JB on both days.

  On Tuesday 2^nd May this will also extend to 6SM & they will be in for the whole day, but they will not be in on the Thursday 27^th April.

  If your child’s class is open, they are expected to attend school.

  For other classes we would, as previously, direct parents / carers to make use of the many online offerings the school has, to support the children’s learning on these days.

  Lunches:

  The kitchen will be open as normal for those who are in and have school meals.

  We will again offer lunches to children who have access to Free School Meals and can provide an hour in school for these children to have their lunch and a lunch break between 12:30 - 1:30 pm. We would ask that all those families that are eligible let the school office know by 1:30 pm on Monday 23^rd April if they will be making use of this offer, to allow the kitchen staff to plan accordingly.

  Once again, we apologise for the disruption, but ask that all members of our school community respect the rights and decisions of others at this time.

  Yours sincerely

   

  Ed Newton

  Executive Headteacher

   

• Haven Update

  Tue 18 Apr 2023

  Dear Parents / Carers,

   

  I hope you have all had a good Easter break and managed to spend time with family and friends.

   

  I am aware that there has been some concern around the change of setup for the Haven from today. 

   

  I can only apologise that this was done at short notice, but we have to, as always, react to circumstances and we were left with the prospect of closing down the Haven offering from the start of the Summer Term due to staff shortages if we did not find a viable option. Thankfully Epic Academy, a company we know and already work with, gave us a lifeline to keep the provision open. Such short notice means administratively we are catching up and elements such as Childcare Vouchers take some time to set up for companies. 

   

  To clarify:

  • The Haven will be open from today as planned - this service will be provided by Epic Academy with the school's support.
  • Those who have already used vouchers to pre-pay for this service will have these passed over to the new provision.
  • Whilst Epic Academy is setting up its ability to take vouchers, we will accept these on their behalf for you.
  • All bookings for the provision can be done via email: craig@epicacademy.uk.com
  • As systems change we will ensure you are kept informed about the processes for booking and paying for this.

  If there are any further queries regarding the provision please address these to Craig at the above address. As always the school is available for contact through the office email address - office@biltonjuniorschool.co.uk Please find the booking links below.

   

  Breakfast club - https://epicacademy.kidsclubhq.co.uk/rdr?u=book&id=9087&t=2023-04-17

  Afterschool club - https://epicacademy.kidsclubhq.co.uk/rdr?u=book&id=9089&t=2023-04-17

   

   

  I hope this helps clarify the situation and apologise again for any inconvenience this has caused.

   

  Kind regards,

   

  Ed Newton

  Executive Headteacher

  Bilton Community Federation

   

   

• Haven Wraparound care changes

  Fri 07 Apr 2023

  31^st March 2023

   

  Dear Parents/Carers

   

  We hope this has been a positive term for you all.

  We would like to share some exciting news about changes to the Haven: 

  A company who are very well known to our school will be taking over the running of the Haven facility from 17^th April 2023.

  The staff who work for that organisation are familiar with our school, our staff and children as they already support our PE provision in school and work across most of our year groups on a weekly basis.

  A number of BJS staff who currently work with our Haven group are also going to continue so this will help positively support the Epic staff in settling in.

   

  The hours of opening/closing at Haven will remain the same and the costing will not be impacted due to this change.

   

  Booking will be slightly different and Mr Jones (Head of Epic) has requested email addresses for parents/carers of Haven users so he can contact you with more information. Please let us know if you are happy for us to pass on your email addresses by emailing thehaven@biltonjuniorschool.co.uk or office@biltonjunior.co.uk or by telephone 01788 810675

   

  Unfortunately at this stage Epic are unable to accept childcare vouchers, however this is something they will be looking into. I appreciate this is not ideal for a number of parents. I believe any refunds owed for childcare vouchers must be requested via your childcare voucher provider. 

   

  We ask that all outstanding payments be made to us as soon as possible for any sessions owing up to today, 31/03/23. Any cash/pay 360 refunds for advanced payments will be processed in due course.

   

  The Haven email is still active for any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.  

   

  Mr Jones has a wonderful set up and has many exciting activities planned for the children after Easter should your child continue with the wraparound care.

   

  Amanda Clarke

  School Business Manager

   

   

   

• Sustrans BIG WALK and WHEELS

  Mon 20 Mar 2023

  Get set… we’re taking part in Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel 2023 the UK’s largest inter-school cycling, walking, wheeling and scooting challenge. The challenge runs from 20-31 March. It’s free and we would love everyone to be involved.

  What do you need to do?

  Encourage your child(ren) to walk, use a wheelchair, scoot or cycle to school on as many days as possible during the event.

  Why we are taking part

  Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel is a great way to build physical activity in children’s daily routine which is important for their physical health and mental wellbeing.

  Active school runs also help to reduce congestion and air pollution outside the school gate. A 2021 YouGov study showed nearly half of UK children worry about air pollution near their school. And that children thought active travel was the best away to bring down these pollution levels.

  Plus there are some great prizes to be won every day if we get enough children taking part!

  

• Safer Internet Day – 7th February 2023

  Sun 22 Jan 2023

  The theme this year is: Want to talk about it? Making space for conversations about life online.

   

  Safer Internet Day is held every February all around the world. Last year over 170 different countries celebrated the day! Safer Internet Day is a chance to think about any worries we might have about using technology and the internet, but it’s also about celebrating all the fantastic things technology can help us with. Last year, over half of the children in the UK heard about or joined in with Safer Internet Day. And it’s not just schools who join in with the day, lots of other people get involved too, including the government, lots of charities, sports clubs, the police and even the companies who make your favourite apps and games.

  https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2023/parents-and-carers

   

  

• Rugby Ball Art Competition

  Mon 16 Jan 2023

  For the attention of the Art Lead,

   I am getting in touch to let you know that the Rugby Ball Art Competition celebrating the bicentenary of Rugby Football is closing on Tuesday 31st January. Young people aged 7-18 can enter one piece of artwork, in their chosen medium, based on the theme of “rugby football”. The competition is being delivered by Rugby School along with Rugby Borough Council and the Wooden Spoon charity, and winning entries will be displayed on a giant rugby ball in the town centre of Rugby. In addition to having their work on display in the town, this activity will encourage students to be creative, to engage with our local history, and to make their mark in the historical bicentenary celebrations.

   

   Entries should be submitted as a high-res image of the original piece. Winners and selected entries will then be asked to submit their original work to be showcased on a “Pathway of Art” around Rugby School and in the windows of commercial properties around Rugby town centre.

   

  Entries will be judged in the following age groups:

  •          Key Stage 2 (school years 3 to 6)

  •          Key Stage 3 (school years 7 to 9)

  •          Key stage 4 (school years 10 & 11)

  •          Key stage 5 (school years 12 & 13)

    

  The winner of each age group will also be invited to Rugby School on Saturday 24 June 2023 to watch a re-enactment of the game and have tea in our hospitality tent.

   

  To enter, and for more information visit: www.ragm.co.uk/bicentenary-rugby-art-competition

   

  Please note when submitting an online entry, once the terms and conditions box is checked, the upload option will appear.

   

  If you wish to submit entries via the post please send to;

  Vicky Henderson

  2023 Art Competition

  School House

  Rugby School

  Lawrence Sheriff Street

  Rugby

  CV22 5EH

   

  If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch!

   

  Regards,
  
  Rachel Coldicott