Dear Parents and carers,
Seasons Greetings to you all. We are well and truly into the homeward straight for Christmas: the tree has been decorated and the classrooms are filled with paper-chains.

Christmas Play:
The children and staff have worked brilliantly to be ready to perform the Nativity at the church. They have sounded superb in rehearsals and I am sure will do everybody proud this evening when they perform it for you all. Please do stay a while after as there will be a raffle and some festive songs to sang around the tree near the village green.

The road around school:
As I am sure you are aware, the round near school can get busy and on occasions: passing traffic have been seen to be traveling perhaps too fast for the road and some properties have been obstructed. Sadly some local pets have been hurt on this road and we certainly don’t want it to be a child. Please do take care around the school area as we want the children to be safe. Where possible, for KS2 children, we will help them walk to your vehicle so that you are able to move your vehicle if it were in the way. I will be contacting Cornwall Council to see if there are any other measures that can be put in place to make the road safer—especially around pick-up times and have already spoken with one of our community support officers to that end and he will help us with this.

Photos:
Thank you to Mrs Pearce who took some amazing photos of the children. And thank you to you all who bought your child’s photo as it has also raised over £150 for the PTA to spend on the children for future resources or projects.

School Money:
Where possible, when using ‘School Money’, it is helpful to have the account in credit rather than paying off balances but I do understand this is not always possible.

Donations:
A big thank you for donating resources for Christmas decorations, for raffle prizes which will be drawn on Friday evening at Carols around the tree and for the money raised for 'Save the children' by wearing our Christmas jumpers today.

Newsletter:
From next term the newsletter; other information about your child’s class and dates will be found only on the school website. The head’s blog will be the newsletter, class pages will have information and key dates can be found in the events diary after clicking the menu button. We will email you a link to the ‘Head’s blog’ to take you to the key information. If you have any difficulties, please let us know.

Best wishes,

Matt Avery (Head of School)

It's starting feel very Christmasy here at Blisland. The children are full of Christmas cheer, rehearsals for the upcoming Nativity are well on the way and Father Christmas has been visited by our EYFS and Nursery children.

Lanhydrock visit:
Year 1 and 2 children visited Lanhydrock House on Monday for an educational visit linked to their topic "Who were the Victorians". The children had an amazing time, learn lots, survived the bitter temperatures and impressed the general public, who commented on their lovely manner.

Attendance:
Whole school: 92.7% so far this term. It is very important that children are at school as often as possible as it will give them the best chance to learn with consistent input. We really need attendance to be above 96% to have the best impact on your children’s learning. Reminder we are unable to authorise the majority of absences and persistent absence could result in fines from the local authority.

Climate Change Music Workshop:
Years 1 to 6 worked with Matt Douglas to finish their song about climate change. The children have composed an amazing song which will be performed in some form at the Eden project. We will update you with any news about it soon.

Live Draw:
KS2 take part in a Christmas "live Draw" via the internet with the illustrator of 'The Christmasaurus'. The Children's Drawings were amazing.

Dear Parents and Guardians,
This week has seen amazing work done by all at Blisland:
Great story mapping in Key Stage one. Key stage 2 have written amazing stories about a journey to the centre of the Earth and Y5/6 have tackled the dreaded long division with confidence and determination. The children’s attitudes to learning and learning dispositions and highly commendable.

Farm and Country Show:
This week EYFS, KS1 and KS2 had a farm and country roadshow visit.. The children explored where we got much of the food we eat. How it starts at the famers and gets turned into all sorts of products to be sold at supermarkets and shops. The afternoon was thoroughly enjoyable and the children learnt a lot.

Consent for photos for school, press and website use:
It’s great to hear that everyone has accessed the Arbor portal. This allows to communicate with you better. On the Arbor portal app you can give consent for your child to receive first aid, travel by mini-bus and give consent for photos. Please check that you have given consent where applicable as we cannot use photos and videos to enhance your children’s learning (Using green screen, photography tapestry etc) and share their learning experiences with you without consent.

Attendance awards:
For the 3-weeks in December children can earn attendance raffle tickets (one everyday they are in school) to go into a Christmas prize draw.

Before I wish a good weekend, I would just like to thank you all for the way you support our school the children. Their work and learning behavior is amazing and it starts with you. And by communicating with us on how we can support further is most appreciated.

Have a lovely weekend and I look forward to seeing you all next week (December—nearly Christmas, Yikes)
Best wishes,
Matt Avery (Head of School)

Cedar Cross Christmas Tree Farm:
Our nursery and EYFS class went to Cedar Cross Christmas tree Farm this week to learn about Christmas trees: They found out the different types of Christmas tree, they investigated the different scents and textures, and went on a Christmas tree word and letter hunt.

Reading At Blisland:
Reading is so important and we know this at Blisland as it opens up worlds, language and love of books. We have started reading buddies, where our oldest children at school will read to our younger readers. Many children are earning reading raffle tickets (1 ticket for every 10 reads), keep up the good work, reading little and often makes a huge difference. Next week your child will come home with a reading pack about reading VIPERS for KS2 and a reading Vipers pack/phonics pack for KS1. We hope these packs will help at home when reading so you can support with questioning and developing phonics for reading.

Children in need Final total:
£61.78. WOW! A big thank you for all your support.

Working Together:
I am delighted with how our school and your children are working: they are a real credit to you. If you happened to notice anything that is unclear, please let us know us - we truly value your input and support.

Have a lovely weekend,

Matt Avery 
 

The weeks are moving faster and faster with the children making me feel proud of them and our school every day with their work, attitudes to learning, respect and friendships. This amazing work and focus has some how allowed Christmas to sneak up—only 40 sleeps!
Children in need:
Thank you all for supporting Children in Need this year. A big thank you to our school council for organising the ideas; decorating and selling biscuits. So far we have raised £25.44 A huge well done and thank you.
Achievements:
As we see every week, the children have produced fabulous pieces of work. Receiving a headteacher award this week are:
Jack  for a fabulous home-made guitar as part of his homework passport
Izzy , Sophie  , Alina , Ieuan , Charlie R—create an amazing piece of art for the remembrance service out our local church.
Henry —who showed really kindness and amazing storytelling skills
Lilly —for moving on in her 99 maths club
Billy — amazing writing progress
Attendance:
Whole school: 93% so far this term. It is very important that children are at school as often as possible as it will give them the best chance to learn with consistent input. We really need attendance to be above 96% to have the best impact on your children’s learning. Reminder we are unable to authorise the majority of absences and persistent absence could result in fines from the local authority.
Trust Music Project:
As part of a trust project to create music about climate change to be performed at the Eden project, KS1 and KS2 work with Matt Douglas to write and compose a musical chorus which all of the children thoroughly enjoyed. Reading VIPERS - Coming soon: As you are hopefully aware, we have a big emphasis on reading. We are using something called "Reading VIPERS' to develop knowledge of the skills for reading comprehension. We will soon be sending home VIPERS bookmarks and phonics packs to help with supporting reading at home.

Have a lovely weekend,
Mr Avery

What another wonderful week at Blisland!
We have seen some tremendous work go on this week: Amazing writing from all. Congratulations to those who received headteacher certificates for their amazing writing.

Poppy Appeal:
We will still be selling poppies and other poppy appeal items (key rings, bracelets etc) in the school office next week. Poppies are available for a donation; bands and other items for a minimum of £1.00. On Monday we will take part in the 2-minute silence along with an assembly for remembrance with the children. Children in KS2 have made an amazing piece of art for the remembrance service as the St Protus and St Hyacinth's Church (Blisland Sunday 10th Nov)

Children in Need:
Children in need is on Friday 15th November. The school council have agreed that we would like to dress in either spots or pyjamas. They have also ask that we bring in donations in the form of unwanted change. We will also be decorating and selling biscuits with a spots theme; they will be on sale from 3pm onwards for 50p.

Reading VIPERS - Coming soon:
As you are hopefully aware, we have a big emphasis on reading. We are using something called "Reading VIPERS' to develop knowledge of the skills for reading comprehension. We will soon be sending home VIPERS bookmarks and phonics packs to help with supporting reading at home.

Best wishes, Matt Avery (Head of School)

Harvest Festival:
WOW! What amazing children we are lucky to have at Blisland. The harvest festival was a big success: the Food bank were very grateful for your donations and the children were amazing. Thank you all for supporting.


Attendance:
Attendance: It is very important children are at school as often as possible as it will give them the best chance to learn with consistent input. This YEAR'S attendance so far is: 92.1% which is still an improving figure but we really need this to be above 96% to have the best impact on your children's learning. Reminder: We are unable to authorise the majority of absences and persistent absence could result in fines.
Children with 100% attendance at the end of each term will receive a prize!

North Cornwall Book Show:
This week, Years 4,5 and 6 visited the ‘North Cornwall book show’ at St Endellion. The children and staff all came away very inspired after meeting poets, authors and Illustrators - including Martin Brown (The Illustrator of Horrible Histories). I have no doubt this will 

Who were the victorians?
KS1 have been making some brilliant silhouette pictures to look like victorians. I am sure they will be on the class page soon.

Special Place (Log Cabin):
Good News! After a successful bid to the Lottery from Julie Pearce for £10,000, with the help of our amazing PTA and Bridge Schools, we have found the remaining £7,000 to fund a new cabin to be built in our reception and nursery playground as an extra learning, assembly and sports space for the children.

Best wishes, Matt Avery (Head of School)

The half-term is soon coming to an end with only two-weeks remaining. The children have been busy as usual: visiting the SUEZ recycling and recovery plants; taking part in a climate change workshop with Nick Hart and preparing for next week's Harvest Festival.

Harvest Festival - Wednesday 9th October (9.15am start):
Next week will be harvest festival. We will practise with the children on Tuesday morning so please drop your child/ren at the green with shoes and wellies ready to return to school afterwards.
The harvest festival itself will take place on Wednesday from 9.15am. All family and friends are welcome to attend.

Attendance:
It is very important children are at school as often as possible as it will give them the best chance to learn with consistent input. This YEAR'S attendance so far is: 91.1% which is an improving figure but  we really need this to be above 96% to have the best impact on your children's learning. Reminder: We are unable to authorise the majority of absences and persistent absence could result in fines.

Nessa Class visit to SUEZ recycling and recovery plants:
This week KS2 visited the Bodmin and St Dennis recycling and recovery plants to see how our waste is recycled and black-bag waste turned into energy. The children asked a lot of good questions; learnt many interesting facts and were a credit to our school.

Climate Change Project:
Our academy trust (Bridge schools) are working towards a brilliant climate change project where the children will be able to learn about climate change: composing music and writing songs along the way (which could be performed by a Cornish choir at an Eden concert). This week KS1 and KS2 met Nick Hart and discussed the ways that we could improve climate change. We will soon meet Matt Douglas to start composing music

Have a safe and relaxing weekend. Remember to keep reading lots. Raffle tickets have already been earned by some children.
Best wishes,

Matt Avery (Head of School)

Wheal Martyn and Reading:
It has been another fun and busy week at Blisland. The children have learnt much about ‘what is under our feet’ in Cornwall. The children had a great time, we got a little wet but had a great experience. We have focus on reading at school. Reading little and often makes a huge difference to children’s literacy skills. The children should all have books to read at home and a home school reading record. Please fill these in when your child reads; they can earn a raffle ticket to win a book voucher for very 10-reads The children this week also had a visit from the NSPCC which was very informative. Please do check the school website for dates and blogs which will keep you further informed. Have safe and fun weekend. Best wishes, Matt Avery (Head of School)

Attendance:
It is very important children are at school as often as possible as it will give them the best chance to learn with consistent input. This weeks attendance was: 89.7%. We really need this to be above 96% to have the best impact on your children's learning. Reminder: We are unable to authorise the majority of absences and persistent absence could result in fines.

Afterschool clubs:
We currently have a football and netball club running for KS2 on a Thursday 3.30-5.00; Dance club every Friday after school. We hope to start more clubs soon and will seek your feedback so we can gather interest.