Byers Green Primary School

Byres Green Primary School

Fun and Food Summer 2022

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Please see the message below from Durham County Council:

Whether it’s finding fun things for children to do, paying for extra childcare, or even just all that extra food they seem to eat, the school holidays can be a struggle for many families.  This Summer our Fun and Food programme is providing fun activities with healthy food for children and young people. Activities are provided by range of partners including schools, voluntary and community sector groups and sport and leisure services.

For information on Fun and Food activities during the Summer holidays check out www.durham.gov.uk/FunAndFood

Also, join our Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/funandfoodcountydurham

We will be adding activities to the list throughout the holidays so please keep checking back to find out more about the fabulous opportunities in our community.

Amber extreme heat warning

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Dear Parents/Carers

As I’m sure you’re aware, the Met Office has issued an amber extreme heat warning for the North East region for Monday and Tuesday next week. As a result of this, please feel free to send children to school in loose, light-coloured clothing (which covers shoulders and tummies) rather than uniform for the last two days of the term. Sun cream, sun hat and water bottle will also be essential. As always, we will monitor the situation closely and keep the children out of the sun where necessary.

Kind regards

Mr W. Kirtley (Headteacher)

Dog safety code

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Please see the message below from the Canine and Feline Sector Group:

Recently we’ve seen several tragic dog attack fatalities, so it’s paramount that families are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to enjoy spending time with their dogs safely. 

The Canine and Feline Sector Group Dog Safety Code highlights three crucial messages that all dog owners and families need to know:

  • Be alert – Always keep an eye on your dog around kids. Never leave them alone together.
  • Be aware – Dogs use signals to tell us how they feel – What is your dog telling you?
  • Be safe – Any dog can bite. Accidents happen fast.

More information can be found at: https://www.cfsg.org.uk/dog-safety/

Sports Day 2022 – Wednesday 6 July

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Dear Parents/Carers

This year, we are changing the format of Our Sports Day (which will take place on the afternoon of Wednesday 6 July). We are linking the activities to athletic-based events and carrying them out with fewer children at a time. This will prevent the children from being outside in the heat for too long. The children will be divided into four teams and will compete in the following events: sprint, speed bounce, chest push, long jump and relay.

The running of the afternoon will be as follows:

Class 1 and 2: 1:10 – 1:40pm

Class 3: 1:45 – 2:25pm

Class 4: 2:30 – 3:10pm

The children will all be dismissed at the usual time of 3:15pm. Parents who have children competing at different times are welcome to stay all afternoon. Refreshments will be available.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Kind regards,

Miss Dodds

NSPCC’s Speak out. Stay safe. online programme

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Dear Parent/Carer

RE: NSPCC’s Speak out. Stay safe. online programme

I am pleased to tell you that this term we will be participating in the NSPCC’s Speak out. Stay safe. online programme. This consists of an online assembly and supporting classroom based activities. Speak out. Stay safe. is a safeguarding programme available to all primary schools in the UK and Channel Islands. It aims to help children understand abuse in all its forms and to recognise the signs of abuse in a child friendly way. Children are taught to speak out if they are worried, either to a trusted adult or to Childline.

In the online assembly (15.06.22), the Speak out. Stay safe. messages are delivered in a fun and interactive way with the help of their mascot Buddy as well as special guest appearances from Ant and Dec.  Following-on from the assembly, specially trained NSPCC volunteers will also be delivering a workshop to our Year 5/6 children (20.06.22) that will build-on and deepen pupils’ learning gained from the assembly.

We have studied the content of the materials and are extremely confident that they are appropriate for primary-school-aged children. By the end of the programme, we’re convinced children will feel empowered – knowing how they can speak out and stay safe. We are also assured that NSPCC volunteers coming to the school will adhere to safe practice in relation to COVID-19.

If you would like to know more about the Speak out. Stay safe. programme you can find information on the NSPCC website www.nspcc.org.uk/speakout or I would be happy to discuss any questions that you may have.

Adapted assembly for home use

The NSPCC has also developed an adapted version of their assembly for parents/carers to use at home with their children.  This can be found here: www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/safety.  With the help of celebrities, the film focuses on how a child can get support if they have any worries or concerns.

To complement the assembly, there are some resources that can be used to enable further discussion whilst doing activities with your children.  These are hosted on the NSPCC website www.nspcc.org.uk/activities.

Childline Under 12’s Website

Childline also have a website with age appropriate advice for primary school children on topics such as bullying.  It also has games and other interactive tools. Your child can visit it at www.childline.org.uk/kids.

If you’d like to know more about the NSPCC’s work, or take a look at the wide range of information and advice which is available for parents and carers, please visit their website www.nspcc.org.uk/parents.

Talking PANTS with your children

‘Talk PANTS’ is a simple conversation to help keep your child safe from sexual abuse. From P through to S, each letter of PANTS provides a simple but valuable rule that can help keep your child safe. You can find out more and download the free resources at www.nspcc.org.uk/pants.

Penguin and Ladybird have partnered with the NSPCC to create a brand new Pantosaurus book aimed at children ages 4 – 8. You can find copies of the new book on sale, either in Matalan’s selected stores and online, selected SPAR stores or at https://shop.nspcc.org.uk/.  All profits from the sale of this book will support the NSPCC.

Support the NSPCC while you shop

You may also be interested in the NSPCC’s new selection of BUDDY goodies available from the NSPCC shop at https://shop.nspcc.org.uk/collections/buddy which make perfect gifts for children – and all profits go to help keep children safe.

Yours sincerely,

Mr W. Kirtley