WELCOME BACK everyone to a new term ! We hope everyone has enjoyed the summer and are pleased to be back at school.
It was lovely to welcome everyone back on Tuesday , and see lots of smiling faces at the gate as everyone arrived. You hopefully will have got used to our slightly different session times for Nursery – as a reminder morning sessions run from 8.35- 11.35am and afternoon sessions from 12.15-3.15pm. This means that the gates open slightly later at 3.10pm , so please feel free to collect older children first at 3pm ( Reception and KS1 ) and 3.10pm ( KS2) It is busy in certain areas so please try to avoid blocking the paths for other parents while you are waiting . We will do our best to get children out promptly, but please be patient and keep back from the exits so children can be dismissed safely.
Any parents of children in Y5 + 6 who wish their children to walk home unaccompanied can request in writing to do so. Younger pupils should be collected by a responsible adult , over the age of 16. We have sent out forms if you wish this to take place . .
As you will have no doubt noticed , a lot of work has been completed over the summer on the old junior site . The play area is finished and marked out , and paths are almost finished. I am waiting on the last few things to be completed before we will be able to access these areas and there will also be a new access path from Surtees Avenue. This should be finished ( hopefully) in the next week or two.
The main school field has not faired well over the incredibly dry summer. I have raised this with DCC and there has been some remedial work over the holidays and it has been reseeded. I will monitor this, but as it has now typically turned incredibly wet, it will be out of use for the remainder of this year. Similarly , I have been advised that the new grassed areas at the very bottom of the site should be left unused until early spring next year , in order to let the grass get established. There is so much space , but it’s quite frustrating not to be able to use it just yet ! With the rain comes mud, and we have had our fair share of this this week , so this is why we hope you will continue to support our indoor shoe policy to allow our carpets and soft furnishings to stay as clean as possible. Thank you .
I have noticed our carpark is quite busy , especially now in the inclement weather. Please try to walk with your children if you possibly can- our ‘Walk to School’ project has started again , and we would always encourage active travel. We are very lucky to have a 70 space parent carpark ( there probably isn’t another primary school in Co. Durham with such a luxury!) but please park and drive considerately and be mindful of the safety of pedestrians- cross on the crossings, observe our 10mph speed limit and drivers do not park on yellow lines . The barrier has moved slightly to allow buses and large vehicles easier access to the site. Please remember all cars are parked at owners risk. All blue badge holders MUST contact the school office before using our limited blue badge spaces in the staff carpark ; staff and visitors have priority for these. Please follow the one way system in the car parks.
Children have settled into classes and routines quickly and we look forward to an exciting term ahead. Mr Soler is ensuring Class Dojo is working as it should and allocating new pupils etc. This is a very good way to stay in touch with the teachers and staff; please use it to celebrate your child’s achievements with us. Please read our Class Dojo Policy BPS updated for more information.
If you have any queries please contact the school office , myself via phone or email or come and ask when I’m at the gate every morning , where I’d be happy to help. Miss Gates, our Parent Support Adviser, is here to help too.
Have a great term everyone !
Mrs Glass
International School Award 2012-2024.
