A thought to discuss with your child:

The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority.  Ralph Sockman

Anti– Bullying Week

This week has been designated Anti-Bullying Week right across the country and the school will be focusing on this subject through assemblies, class discussions and by working with visitors. A professional artist and writer will be working with Y5 pupils and Police Liaison Officer, PC Maddocks, will present a special assembly.

I though it was worth reminding parents of the basis of the school’s anti-bullying policy which is that this is a ‘telling’ school. Children are often afraid to tell anyone when they are being bullied because they are afraid of making things worse. We tell the children that even if sometimes this is true, it is always better to have told someone you can trust, because at least then, they can keep a look-out for you. In this regard we also highlight the role of those who see the bullying even thought they are not part of it—the ‘bystanders’. It is vitally important that they get involved, not necessarily by sticking up for the bullied , but by telling someone they can trust about it. Put simply, doing nothing means that nothing will change—in fact it usually snowballs and gets worse! We believe that telling others gives control back to the bullied; it gives them a role in trying to prevent it happening again.

This year, the weeks special focus is on cyber-bullying. Improved means of communication means that pupils can now be bullied away from school through the use of mobile phones and social networking sites on the internet. The main advice given by the school and other authorities regarding cyber bullying is not to respond to any bullying messages and to keep a record of the messages received. It is also possible to change e-mail addresses and mobile numbers or to put a block on certain numbers if the situation requires it. Once again the critical element of the strategy is for the bullied child to ‘tell someone you trust’.

There are many excellent websites that give out information regarding the issue of bullying including the following:

   childline.org.uk                beatbullying.org bbclic.org.uk              kidscape.org.uk

We are fortunate in Bishopston Primary that, by and large, our pupils are kind and sensitive to others. However, we are not naïve, and realise that bullying does take place here and that we are often the last to know about it. We hope that you will join with us in promoting the ‘telling’ message with your children so that we can make Bishopston an even happier place to come to.                        G.J.Widlake

Handwriting

One of the main changes for this year has been the introduction of a  new handwriting scheme. The new scheme aims to introduce a cursive (joined-up) script from early Years as research has shown that this technique helps children with their spelling and writing. The introduction has been successful with teachers and pupils making good progress with the new style. We have had a number of requests from parents, particularly in the Infants, for a copy of the letters so that you are able to practice these at home with your children. In response to this you will find a sheet accompanying this newsletter which has an example of all the letters in the new scheme. It is important to note and remember that all words and letters begin on the line and the handwriting should flow, with the pen or pencil remaining on the page. This sheet could and should have been sent home to you earlier this year so apologies for my oversight.

Christmas Fayre

This Friday sees the Annual H.S.A. Christmas Fayre. The Fayre will take place in the Junior Hall at 3.30 p.m. immediately after school and hopefully the weather will be kinder than it was last Friday night! If you have any old books, CDs or DVDs that you would like to donate please send them in any time this week. Cakes can be donated on Friday morning. Also, the children have been asked to bring in their traditional decorated jars with all manner of contents—sweets, cotton wool balls, or anything else you think may appeal! Hope to see you all Friday!

Book Fair

Many thanks to all those parents who were able to support the Book Fair last week. There was approximately £1000 of sales which means that the school receives about £600 of books in commission, which will be used enhance the choice of books within classrooms.

Sports Results

The boys team played again last week and once again put in a superb performance , this time beating Crwys by 5 goals to 1. Once again the standard of passing was superb.

The girls netball teams have also been competing in a league at Bishopston Sports Centre and have been successful, winning five out of eight games played by the two teams. Keep up the good work everyone!

Christmas Cinema Trip

Attached to this newsletter should be a letter regarding the proposed Cinema trips at the end of term. Please return the slip at the bottom by the required date so that we can finalise numbers with both the bus company and the cinema. Nursery pupils will not be attending this visit.

Dates for Your Diary

9/11-13/11        Scholastic Book Fayre

16/11-20/11      Anti-Bullying Week

20/11       H.S.A. Christmas Fayre

7/12 p.m. Early Years performance

8/12 a.m. Early Years performance

9/12 p.m. KS1 performance

10/12       6 p.m. KS1 performance

14/12       6 p.m. KS2 performance

15/12       KS2 Cinema Trip

16/12       KS1 Cinema Trip

16/12       6 p.m. KS2 performance

18/12       END OF TERM

4/1   INSET Day

5/1   First day back for pupils

Dates for the Year

Spring Term   4/1—1/4  (half term 15/2—19/2)

Summer Term 19/4—21/7 (half term 31/5-4/6)

INSET DAYS: 12th March 2010

                        14th May 2010