Autumn Term Newsletter Wednesday 7th September 2023
Welcome back to a new academic year!
Welcome to Bowbrook for many new pupils and welcome back to the rest!
We start in bright sunshine, just as we finished… I hope that you have all had a lovely summer break and are keen to get back to it. You have a clean sheet, a fresh start and new opportunities. It is what you choose to do with the fresh start that counts. If you had a good year last year then let’s do the same again – or better. If things didn’t go so well, then resolve to do better. To learn from your mistakes and move on…
Have a great first week everyone.
Thursday 7th September:
From your Parents’ Committee:
Pre-loved/second hand Uniform remains on sale in the marquee all this week.
Stay for a coffee on Friday morning: 9.00 – 10.00 a.m. on Friday 8th September.
In addition, the Parents Committee are holding a coffee morning in the marquee. All parents are of course welcome. Please, park on the field if staying for this event.
Please see attached Parents’ Committee newsletter
Next PC Meeting:
The next Parents Committee meeting will be held at 7pm on Thursday 14th September in the school hall. Everyone welcome, new and old parents alike!
This will be our AGM and an opportunity to select key committee members and plan events for the forthcoming year. Mrs Chatterton will be stepping down as PC secretary so we are actively seeking to fill this role. If anyone would like any information on what the role involves please contact:
chattertoncj@yahoo.co.uk or lizzymeikle@gmail.com.
On Thursday 7th September:
Don’t worry – all will be explained during an extended ‘Tutor Time’. Lessons 1 & 2 will be used to go through your timetable, issue Homework Diaries/Rough Books, look at lessons/teaching groups etc. We will have a short assembly before break and we will start lessons Lesson 3 after break.
It may take a little while to get into the new routines and ‘expectation’ of staff in your new year group but don’t panic! It will take at least a week to go through the complete timetable and begin to feel at ease with the new routines…
Laptops:
Years 3 – 11: Please could all student come fully equipped (with their laptops – already fully charged please! Is essential AND just in case, their chargers (siblings must not share chargers). Mr Bell and Mr Draper will be on hand period one to correct any problems accessing teams/office/one drive
Games Kit:
All pupils should have their games kit in school in case they need it for lessons or break times. Please can years 7,8 and 9 bring in their games kit for tomorrow/Thursday.
For games lessons over the first term ALL students will need to bring gumshields and shinpads. For boys, football boots are compulsory and are advisable for girls. If girls don’t have football boots there is no need to worry, trainers are also acceptable to use. A towel with a plastic bag is also advisable as the weather deteriorates over the autumn term. The swimming pool will also be available until October half term – weather dependent.
Over the first week there will be a kit check to ensure that the correct kit is brought for games and PE lessons. Can all items be named so that missing kit can be returned promptly to it’s owner.
Music:
Instrumental lessons begin on Monday 11th September; timetables will be distributed this week and Music Extra-Curricular will begin the week after on Monday 18th September.
We are very excited to welcome the children back this week and to meeting new students who are starting with us. It is always exciting to discover new musical talents.
Peripatetic Lessons:
The peripatetic timetables will be going home with students on Friday and are now all up on our notice boards around the school. Please do let me know if your child has not received theirs or if there are any issues. If your child is interested in beginning a new instrument, please do get in touch to discuss or ask for an ‘Instrumental Letter’ from Mrs Hodgson in reception or from myself. Lessons begin next week on Monday 11th September.
Extra-Curricular:
All music extra-curricular activities will start a week on Monday; the 18th September. Please see the attached poster which gives an overview of what is on offer for students.
Monday:
Lower Chamber Choir – 4-5pm, Music Rm (Years 5-8)
Tuesday:
Orchestra – 4-5pm, Main Hall (Invite Only)
Wednesday:
Recorder Club – 12.30 lunch, Cabin (Juniors)
Upper Chamber Choir, 4-5pm (Years 8-11, staff and parents welcome too!)
Thursday:
Jazz Group – 1.30 lunch, Music Room (Invite Only)
Junior Drumming and Samba Club – 3.30, Music Room (see Junior School Letter)
GCSE Composition Sessions, MacSuite (Years 10&11)
Thank you
Mrs Izod
Friday Activities (Years 7, 8 and 9)
Activities will start this Friday.
Attached: recipe for the Friday afternoon activity please for those who have opted to do the cookery option. Students must remember to bring in all the ingredients – they can weigh them out at school if they wish, an apron and a tin to take the buns home in.
Support at Bowbrook: BLaST:
BLaST (Bowbrook Learning and Support Team) would like to offer the opportunity to continue accessing 1:1 support lessons or, to start receiving lessons. We are able to offer literacy support through to year 11 and maths support to year 6. We also offer targeted speech and language support and social & communication skills. Please see attached.
Mrs Kimberlee. SENDCo
Next Week:
Meet the Tutors/Parents:
Monday 11th Sept: Year 7 Parents information evening and meet the tutors. Main School Hall 4.00 – 5.00 p.m.
Tuesday 12th Sept: Year 11 Parents information evening and meet the tutors 4.00 p.m.
Wednesday 13th Years 7 & 8
Year 10 on Thursday 14th. Again 4.00 – 5.00 p.m. in the main school hall.
Mr Mills will impart much information on how things work, communication and expectations for the year. Pupils are expected to attend and to sit next to their parents!
Your Class teacher/Form teacher is your first port of call…if in doubt, please do ask!
You should receive a weekly ‘Newsletter; via email at present and you should also know/communicate with your child’s Class/Form teacher by email… please check that this is happening in the first week otherwise you will miss out on important information.
Miscellaneous:
Pottery
If you took part in the pottery activity last year, please visit the pottery room to collect your work. It would be a good idea to bring a bag and paper/bubble wrap to protect it. Thank you!
Art Competition – Extended…
With a summer of sporting excitement to reflect upon, with the success of our Lionesses, The Ashes, and the Rugby World Cup on the way, its hard not to feel inspired. Whatever your own sporting passion might be, let’s celebrate by making some new art. I would like to launch an art competition this half term with a sporting theme. As always, any media can be used. See the attached poster for details.
Mrs Mellor
Nursery/Reception:
Please can Nursery and Reception bring in their PE kits for their lesson on Friday morning.
Years 1 & 2:
Could Years 1 and 2 parents please send in Forest School clothes and footwear for the first day back. Please ensure that the top is long-sleeved (it could be a cool shirt or loose-fitting t-shirt as it’s rather warm) and school joggers. Please also send in a sunhat and a named water bottle.
And Finally!
Swimming Pool:
The pool will remain open hopefully, up to the October half term. Mrs Farnsworth has also said she will run her Thursday after school session beginning Thursday 7th September – so bring your costumes in if you want to swim after school tomorrow!
Numbers are limited to 15 swimmers… so be sure to see Mrs Farnsworth if you are interested.