Welcome to the Head's Blog! Please visit this page regularly for news, information and updates from Blisland Primary Academy.
Andrew Smith, Head of School.
Cricket
Both KS1 and KS2 have cricket sessions being delivered by a specialist cricket coach. These sessions will be on a Monday for the next 7 weeks. The coach will also run a lunch time club to show the children new cricket related play ground games.
Cross-country
We are building up to the big race at Landrake on the 15th March. Before then we will complete a 5k at Sibley back on the 4th March. The children have been working to build their stamina at our weekly cross-country club.
Falmouth Maritime Museum
Last week we had a fantastic trip to Falmouth where we leant about Viking long-ships. We also enjoyed a trading workshop and found out that the Vikings made it is far as Iraq - trading their own goods for precious spices.
Dinosaurs
Ks1 have been had an amazing week! They have been digging up dinosaur bones and creating pasta skeletons. My goodness what a fantastic topic Mrs Elliot is delivering!
Theatre Trip
What a fantastic start to the year! As a school we travelled to The Treater Royal in Plymouth to watch a performance of Goldilocks and the Three bears. It was a wonderful show - ventriloquists, dancers, jugglers and so much more. The children had a wonderful time and - thanks to the parents' group - were treated to ice cream at the interval. A huge thank you to Bex Ivins for volunteering to drive the mini-bus as well as all the staff involved in organising the trip. Also a big thank you to the staff, particularly the TAs, who volunteered their time to allow us to go.
Drop off and pick up
Thank you for your continued effort to get the pupils into class between 8.30 and 8.45 for registration. We appreciate access isn't always easy and can lead to unexpected delays but it does make a great difference having them all in on time so we can stick to our timetabled sessions.
Mr Jones
We are delighted to have Mr Jones back teaching KS2 on Monday. He has literally hit the ground running and brought back x-country club. We had a fantastically muddy run on Monday with many unexpected obstacles along the track.
New topics
Make sure to have a look at the class pages to see our new topics for this term.
We have started the second Autumn term with a a highly dramatic event. The school was blasted by storm Ciaran with a tree taken down. Within a day the tree had been removed and we were back open for business.
Kensa class have been busy learning about the Great Fire of London. In art they have been creating Tudor houses and discussing the causes of the fire.
Nessa have been building their way into the term with a D.T focus. Pupils have been creating wind turbines. They have been designing strong towers out of wooden dowel and will be using their circuit knowledge to run a motor from wind power which will light an LED.
Cross-country has been a run away success! On the first week we had 14 pupils attending. The mud was no match for our runners and Mr Jones coached the pupils around a two mile course.
We have parents evenings this week so make sure you have contacted Kelly in the office to book your slot.
Pro20 is continuing this term so make sure you sign up for more coaching excellence.
Lastly, we are beginning to prepare for our Christmas play. Parents have been emailed costume requests.
Thank you for your continued support,
Mr Smith
The Autumn Term is in full swing and the pupils have been working really hard within their topics. In Nessa our topic of 'Can One Idea Change the World?' has seen our pupils explore the potential of renewable energy in Cornwall.
Kensa have been focused on their topic of 'Who am I?' with pupils focusing on healthy eating and making fruit kababs. See the class pages for more information.
Last week the local Food Bank collected a fantastic amount of donations from us, as part of our Harvest Festival. Thank you to everyone who was able to contribute to the worthwhile cause. To celebrate our Harvest Festival, we had a great assembly with Reverend Robin and sang the primary school classic ‘Cauliflowers Fluffy’.
This week our ‘Shining Stars’ theme was all about children who demonstrate our school rule of being respectful. We have been focused on our school rules of Be Kind, Be Ready, Be respectful this half term and pupils have been showing these values everyday.
As written in our Key Dates letter we have a meet the teacher session after school on Tuesday 10th October. This is a chance to hear from both class teachers about our curriculum and how we are teaching it. We are looking forward to seeing you there.
Thanks for your support,
Mr Smith
And breathe... What a busy couple of weeks! The children some how have managed to complete some amazing pieces of learning in class over the past couple of weeks; complete their swimming programme; KS2 have had an amazing adventure on their residential and we still have a 'Jam-packed' final week, please see the events diary: https://www.blislandprimary.co.uk/Events-Diary
Swimming:
Well done to all the children who have completed their swimming programme. All have superb confidence in the water; lots of non-swimmers are now swimming and those capable swimmers have been able to develop stronger technique and junior life-saving skills. All this learning is important as part of our physical education but also as a life skill for children who live by the coast and rivers.
PGL Beam House (KS2 Residential):
This week KS2 enjoyed their outdoor learning experience at PGL Beam house. The children showed wonderful teamwork and encouraged each other throughout. They were able to learn new skills such as climbing, surfing (not new for all) and fencing to name a few. It was a real pleasure to take the children away and we are proud of all they achieved and how they conducted themselves. The children I know are already looking forward to next year's residential.
Sports Day and Summer Fair:
Unfortunately the weather has not been on our side for sports day this year as we have had to postpone the day twice (We are very sorry for the disruption as we know many would have had to arrange cover for work or take annual leave). We will hold sports day on Wednesday 19th July (Next week, the weather is looking better). The summer fair and duck race will also take place on Wednesday (no matter the weather). The events will start at 1.30pm.
Y6 SATs and Leavers Assembly:
Our Y6s have had their SATs results come through this week and we are very proud of the children. They have worked so hard and they have got results that they should be pleased and proud of. On Thursday next week, we will be having our leavers assembly for our Y6s. All are welcome to attend this assembly. If it is dry, this event will be held outside.
Bike-Ability:
On Monday and Tuesday, Some pupils in Y5 and Y6 have the opportunity to take part in bike-ability coaching where they will learning cycling proficiency skills and learn how to safely navigate the roads. For those who have been contacted about taking part in these sessions, please remember your bike for these two days and your consent slips. (Children can leave their bike in school on Monday so it is ready for Tuesday)
Additional Needs Corner - Summer holidays:
SEN Corner – Coping with the Summer holidays
We know that for some children, lots of unstructured time can be
difficult so here are some helpful tips to help support your child over
the summer:
Make a plan. Draw up a list of activities that everyone wants to
do. Try to keep it simple and local. It could even be a bus
ride, a visit to the park, playing in the garden or making
biscuits.
Some children may feel more supported if they have visuals to
support a routine. This could be a photograph or symbol to
represent where you are going or what you will be doing. You could even set
out a daily plan with a tick list of activities or jobs to achieve. This could
involve meal planning if you think it might help your child.
Keep informed, there are always activities happening locally, so keep a look out on social media and on posters around the
town.
Ask for help – everybody needs support. Talk to family and friends to share advice
and stories.
Most of all stay safe and enjoy the summer together!
Time2Move Summer Holiday Activities:
Online bookings for the Time2Move Holiday Programme this Summer
are now OPEN! Activities are taking place across Cornwall during the
holidays, from 24 July to 1 September 2023.
Sessions include multi sports, forest schools, circus skills & water sports. You can explore what is on offer here.
All children eligible for Free School Meals can access these activities
for free. Parents and carers can access a code here.
Don't forget - every session includes a healthy meal for ALL children.
Together for Families colleagues can also refer individual children
Email: Time2Move.HolidayProgramme@cornwall.gov.uk
or call 01872 323335 to find out more.
SEND provision - where possible - Time2Move will do their best to offer
support to children with SEND. Please contact them to discuss.
Uniform Swap-Shop:
We know uniforms can be expensive and the mad rush to be ready with uniform for September can be stressful; on the last day of term we are holding a uniform swap shop from 1pm. If you have any uniform which is no longer needed (school jumpers, white polo shirts, trousers, shorts, skirts, dresses or school shoes), please could you bring these into school by Thursday 20th July. Uniform will be free but if you would like to make any donation, it will be gratefully received by our PTA to go towards events for the children next year.
One week to go; let's enjoy it.
Busy, Busy, Busy. But it's good to be busy. This week the children have enjoyed some wonderful enrichment activities and super in-class learning.
Daymer Bay beach day:
On Monday, the whole school enjoyed a day learning and exploring at the beach. They were able to conduct scientific experiments and see how they could make an erupting volcano; they explored the beach's natural resources and made some amazing beach art. All topped off with some brilliant beach games.
DT:
KS2 this week have turned their research, prototypes and exploded diagrams into fully functioning Roman catapults. It was great to see their designs come to life, see the skilled use of the tools and equipment, and the way the children made adaptions as they saw successful designs take shape.
Cheep, Cheep, Cheep:
Exciting news from the nursery... Our nursery children have been trying to hatch chickens over the last few months, and on Friday, the excitement began. By the end of the day, 3 chicks had hatched. We look forward to Monday to see how many more chicks have joined our nursery.
Day of alternative sports:
On Thursday, the school were able to take part in a range of alternative sports. All of which were thoroughly enjoyable. The children excelled in volleyball, became master tacticians in capture the flag and loved Dartmoor 3 ball.
Online Safety:
Please look at the attached online safety advice sheet for using digital devices and TVs. It has some great tips for keeping children safe at home when access content digitally.
Enjoy your weekend.
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Another busy week, and they are going to keep on coming. The children have been learning lots this week and I am sure must be exhausted from the heat and swimming
KS1:
In KS1, Year one have been completing their phonics screening and have worked really hard to show reading, decoding and phonic awareness – well done Y1. In class the children have been impressing me with some fabulous writing (some lovely joined writing by Y2)
KS2:
In KS2, the children have produced some lovely news reports, reporting on the Battle of Watling street (Boudicca vs the Romans). They included some relevant historical facts and reported using appropriate literacy techniques. In Science, Y5/6 have analysed the aging process and observed and described the physical changes which occur as we grow into old age; Y3/4 have investigated what makes the difference with muscle strength and have completed an investigation which gave some good data presented as bar charts. They were very observant in their evaluations as they thought about the impact warm-ups may have on the muscles and their ability to complete excise.
Bodmin Airfield:
On Thursday pupils from our school represented our whole trust to deliver poems which 9 of our schools had written which will be transported to France; Merci beaucoup to Sally Crabtree and Dani Towe (Bridge Schools Trust Lead) who has organised the project with us, to Pete and the whole of Bodmin airfield for always being so welcoming when hosting us and to Luke who will be delivering the poems to Northern France where they will be be printed on biodegradable paper with wild flower seeds embedded which will then be dropped out of one of the aeroplanes over the fields where the Battle of the Somme took place.
Swimming:
This week we have completed our first week of swimming. It is already clear to see the impact of continuous swimming is having on the children’s water confidence and for those who are able swimmers, the improved technique. We start our 2nd week of swimming the week beginning Monday 3rd July.
Beach Day
On Monday, Reception to Y6 will be heading to the beach for our beach sports activity day. We will be leaving just after 9am and will be dropping at the green at 2.45pm. Please remember sun cream, plenty to drink, packed lunches if they have not been ordered. Fingers crossed the weather is kind.
Dates for your diary.
Dates for key events are on the events section of the school website: https://www.blislandprimary.co.uk/Events-Diary. Please do keep checking as it is a busy last 5-weeks.
Have a nice weekend
Where has the time gone?! We have reached the end of another half term in a blink of an eye. The children have been fantastic and have learnt, and done so much. I there say that the final half-term will whizz by even faster. Over the half term, if you can still listen to your child/children read as often as possible, use numbots and timestable rockstars too, it will make all the differene to them.
KS1:
In KS1 this week, I have seen the children learn so much in D.T, Maths , Science and Music. In Music, the children were excellent at describing mood in music and composing short patterns for their partners to guess what kind of mood they were trying to create. The children have been very focused in recording their observations in Science for how well their bean stalks are growing. I was very pleased to hear the children talking about how they were all Germinating differently and trying to work out why. In D.T the children had a great time designing and creating a healthy sandwich, they very much enjoyed the eating part of the lesson. In Maths, KS1 were very impressive when learning how to use a column method to subtract with exchanges - good use of models and images children.
KS2:
In KS2 this week, the children have begun to learn about newspaper report writing. They have created some super Headlines, strap lines and have begun their 5Ws paragraph using all of the techniques we have learned. In art the children have researched the styles of Roman pottery and techniques used to make their own Roman pots - this followed on from some amazing mosaics made with Mrs Pearce. The sun has been a very welcomed visitor as the children have been developing their striking and fielding skills: they are now masters of rounders and cricket.
Kahoot Quiz:
Thank you for every who was able to help and support our Kahoot Quiz this week. We had a great evening - full of friendly competitiveness and laughter. We have raised £70 from this event. We aim to make this a regular event on the PTA calendar and host a quiz every 1/2 term in future
Sunshine:
We are, I am sure, all enjoying the sun and it looks likely to stay with us for a while (fingers crossed), can all children come to school with plenty to drink, sun hats and sun cream. We will talk with the children about being safe in sun too. Useful leaflet below.
Our sun safe policy can be found at the bottom of our policies page: https://www.blislandprimary.co.uk/Policies
Key Dates:
Its a busy half-term coming, please do look on the Events Diary page often as what is happening in schools will be placed on this page of the school website: https://www.blislandprimary.co.uk/Events-Diary
Over the half-term, if you can still listen to your child/children read as often as possible, use numbots and timestable-rockstars too, it will make all the difference to them.
Have a fun, happy and safe half term.
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We are nearly half way through the summer term. The children have been been super busy and it's only going to get busy, and we can't wait.
Year 6 SATs:
Well done to our year 6 children who completed their end of Key Stage 2 assessments. They showed super perseverance and used their 'Remember it Rhino' learning characteristic throughout during a very thorough exam week. They rightly enjoyed their Dominoes pizza lunch reward on Friday last week.
KS1:
In KS1, the children have been busy and enjoyed a lovely visit to the Eden project linked to their science learning about plants. It was wonderful for them to visit alongside another one of our trust schools. I know our children enjoyed meeting the children from Polruan. Also well done to Year 2 who have been doing their SATs this week and have too been using their learning characters: Persevering Penguin and Remember it Rhino.
KS2:
In KS2 the children have finished writing some amazing poems linked to the Battle of Watling Street (AD61 - Boudicca vs the Romans). In Science Y3/4 have looked into the different food groups and how to make a healthy meal and Y5/6 were investigating how the human heart works and its parts. We also enjoyed ending the week with some pond dipping - finding many newts and frogs.
A Massive Thank you
A big thank you to Blisland Village shop who hosted a breakfast morning to raise money for our school. We are amazed and thrilled to hear that they were able to raise over £500. This will be so useful to go towards events, projects and visits for the children.
Have a lovely weekend, fingers crossed the sun keeps on shining.
Creative
We are bold and innovative in our approach to find new solutions to the challenges we face.
Curious
We are inspired by the awe and wonder of the world.
Responsible
We take responsibility for our actions in an environment of mutual respect.
Enthusiastic
We are passionate about learning.
Excellent
We are the best we can be.
Determined
We overcome all barriers to reach our potential, developing a capacity to improve further.
Monday 4th March - No telephone or Internet
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