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Branksome Heath Middle School - Newsletter July 2010 
July 2010 Newsletter
Summer Fete
Many thanks to all children, staff and families for supporting this year's summer fete. The earlier time to fit in with England playing in the World Cup seemed to go well and I am delighted to tell you that we made a profit of £1556.95 which will go towards improving resources for the children. I was especially pleased with our mini enterprise scheme in each class and well done for the reigning Go-Kart Champion Joseph Summers.
Sports Days
Beautiful weather meant a very successful week of sports for each Year Group. Thanks to Miss Tinsley and Mr Noble and the great team of Year 7 helpers for organising each morning so well.
Results:-
Year 4 Champions - Worbarrow
Year 5 Champions - Worbarrow
Year 6 Champions - Lulworth
Year 7 Champions - Kimmeridge and Worbarrow
For the first year we have been delighted to award a trophy for each Year Group and a Champion Shield for the overall winner who this year are Worbarrow! The trophies were donated by one of our previous teachers Mr Thomas. I will pass on all of our thanks for his generosity.
Well done 4LH for participating in the Poole Project to investigate which book should win the National Children's Book Award 2010. Working in school with Poole Librarians, they finished by visiting Hamworthy Library, making models from the illustrations - An outstanding group!
Good News
I was delighted to be told that our Year 5 children who visited Streetwise were quite simply outstanding! One of the volunteers who is a former Headteacher of a Dorset Middle School was so impressed by our children's behaviour and thoughtful questions that he spoke to me personally to pass on his congratulations to all children and staff. Well done!
Race Night
I thank the Friends of Branksome Heath for organising this event, but due to a lack of ticket sales it has been cancelled on Friday 2nd July.
Uniform
Although the temperature has been rising, may I remind all children to wear the proper school uniform. We do not accept very short skirts, flip flops, or beach shorts. Thank you to all families who have continued with our uniform and if children do want to wear tailored shorts to the knee they may. Can I also remind children that we do not allow any form of make up or nail varnish in school. Both will be removed if they are worn in school.
Hot School Meals trial cost reduction
The governors have agreed to trial the reduction of cost of hot school meals from £3.00 to £2.50 a day for the Autumn term only. We hope this will make the meals more accessible to parents. The cost will be reviewed again after the trial period.
Reminders
Please may we remind all parents/carers to keep the office up to date with child details eg change of address, change of emergency contacts, telephone numbers, mobile phone numbers etc.
Go For It
If your child receives Free School Meals or your child is in care of the Local Authority you will have received letters inviting you to take advantage of the activities your child can attend out of school hours. If you require assistance, please contact the school office on 01202 747966.
Locker keys
Please can we ask children not to clutter their lanyards with toys, teddy bears etc as the weight of these toys breaks the lanyards and keys are often lost/broken.
Open Evening
All families are invited to the Summer Open Evening on Tuesday 13 July when many of the children will stay behind to show parents many of the activities that we do at school each day.
Poole Museum
Poole Museum will be holding a Victorian Tea Party on 27 July from 10.00am until 3.00pm. If you would like your child to take part, please contact the Museum on 01202 262623 or 262628.
Year 7 Show
All Year 7 parents will receive tickets to come to see their production of "Grease" on either Monday 19th or Tuesday 20th July. We hope as many families will come to see the show which is always a highlight of the term.
End of Term
We will be finishing at 1.30pm on Friday 23rd July, but I hope as many of our
Year 7 families will support the children in the special Leavers Celebration in
St Clement's Church at 11.30am.
Other dates for your diary
6 July Year 7 Transfer Day for Rossmore Community College ONLY
7 July Year 7 Transfer Day for children to visit all other secondary schools
7 July at 6.30pm New Parents Evening (with hot school meal taster session)
14 July Year 4 & 5 Lighthouse Concert
15 July School Discos in the afternoon (not the evening)
19 July Year 7 show - Grease
20 July Year 7 show - Grease
22 July Awards Evening
Holidays
We are looking forward to the Summer Holidays but I would like all families to be aware of a change to the policy for request for absence. Schools have been asked NOT to authorise any absence during the first two weeks of term in September and we can only authorise one period of holiday per academic year.
Rewards and Sanctions
Following a parent working party, it was requested that we let everyone know how many have been awarded. This term we have just about reached 6000 merits across the 4 years and I am delighted that the children have achieved so much work of high quality.
We have also had 2026 sanctions awarded with the most frequent causes being failing to do homework or not having their PE kit with them. This has resulted in a number of children receiving detentions after school, but because of unacceptable behaviour we have also had to exclude 5 boys and 1 girl.
The overwhelming picture is of children achieving success and making progress, but we will always work towards our contract for teaching and learning in which all children know that they come to school for their core task which is 'TO LEARN'.
Socrates Tree
Thanks to everyone who has completed the on line survey to give their opinions for the future of education within our community. We fact challenging times as we have an increasing school population over the next few years and the Local Authority moving to a 2 tier system in September 2013 when we will not have Year 7, but will have Year 3. I hope you will be able to spend 15-20 minutes to complete the survey. All surveys must be completed by Friday 2nd July.
Health Focus Week
Thanks to Mrs Locke and Ms Tinsley for masterminding the week of activities. It has been great to see the children involved in so many different ways to learn how to develop healthy lifestyles. What a fantastic Wheelie Wednesday with 105 children riding bikes to school!! This easily doubles our record and a good day of cycling activities was enjoyed as all had the opportunity to join in with Jason Falconer from the Bike It programme.
