Latest News
Keep up to date with all the news happening in school at the moment.
-
Covid 19 Update February 28 - 2022
Mon 28 Feb 2022Dear Parents,
During the half term period the Government has reviewed the legal obligations and guidance in managing the risk and spreading of Covid 19. There have been some significant changes to the government’s approach to managing the countries response to the pandemic over the past week. As a BCP maintained school we are also guided by the local authorities' policies and guidance regarding minimising the potential health risks within the school and community. We will continue to respond to the local and national picture to make sure that we do everything that we can to keep our community safe. We will also endeavour to balance this with the desire to give our children the best possible educational experiences and have opportunities to share their learning with their parents. We would therefore ask that parents read and follow the updated guidance from public health and the DfE.
Updated public health advice for education settings:
Following the Government’s announcement that all remaining legal COVID-19 restrictions would end from Thursday 24 February:
Self-isolation
There is no longer a legal requirement to self-isolate following a positive test. However, the public health advice remains the same and anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or a positive test result should stay at home and avoid contact with other people to avoid spreading the virus to others.
The updated advice includes specific guidance for education settings:
Children and young people with COVID-19 should not attend their education setting while they are infectious. They should take an LFD test from 5 days after their symptoms started (or the day their test was taken if they did not have symptoms) followed by another one the next day. If both these tests results are negative, they should return to their educational setting if they normally attend one, as long as they feel well enough to do so and do not have a temperature. They should follow the guidance for their educational setting.
If your child has no symptoms, but tests positive on a Lateral Flow test, we recommend they remain off school for five full days as well. Although your child may be symptom free, others might not be so lucky and continued attendance while knowingly positive poses a significant risk to others. Several families have household members or children with medical conditions, as do some of our staff working in school, thus making catching COVID potentially very harmful.
Close contacts
Close contacts of confirmed cases are no longer advised to take daily lateral flow tests, but they should take steps to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Testing
The Government no longer recommends twice-weekly asymptomatic testing in mainstream education and childcare settings. This is for children and staff.
At present, anyone with symptoms should continue to get a free PCR test and lateral flow tests can still be used for asymptomatic testing.
The Government has announced that free universal symptomatic and asymptomatic testing will end on 1 April, so we will provide further updates once we know more.
Face-Coverings
Staff will no longer be required to wear them in communal spaces unless they choose to do so. From now, visitors and parents invited into school, will also no longer be required to wear masks indoors unless they choose to do so.We will continue to keep you informed of any changes in local and national guidance.
I would like to thank you in advance for your continued support in ensuring that we keep cases to a minimum so that both parents and children stay well and don’t miss out on the numerous events and learning experiences that we have planned over the rest of the spring and summer terms, details of which can be found on the school website.
Kindest regards
Mark Partridge
Headteacher
-
STORM EUNICE SCHOOL CLOSURE
Thu 17 Feb 2022Throughout the day we have been receiving information from BCP Local Authority about Storm Eunice. The forecast of wind strength has steadily worsened throughout the day. A short while ago BCP contacted schools advising school closure. BCP have made several points regarding health and safety including widespread transport disruption, risk of injury from flying debris, possible loss of communications and power and to only travel if essential. Consequently, the potential risks of opening the site are considerable and therefore the school will be closed tomorrow, with the children returning on Monday 28th February after the half term break.
Work tomorrow for each year group will be set on Google Classroom. In addition most year groups have homework, reading tasks and times tables practise (Times Tables Rockstars) to undertake.
-
Whole School Newsletter January 2022
Mon 10 Jan 2022Dear Parents/Carers,
Happy New Year! I am very pleased with how the children have settled back in to the spring term.
The impact of Covid on the education system has been well documented in the news lately, with predicted staff shortages resulting in disruption to the children’s learning. As stated in the previous newsletter, the school continues to implement a comprehensive risk assessment. As part of this, the school will be notifying the relevant year groups of positive PCR cases to raise awareness and inform the wider community. We have been informed this morning that positive cases have been reported in both Year 3 and Year 5. Over the Christmas period, several staff members were isolating as a result of a positive test. At the beginning of the pandemic, the Governing Body of the school foresaw the negative impact that the spread of Covid 19 could have on staffing levels. They took the decision to allocate additional resources to ensure the continuity of education in school, even if significant numbers of staff are absent. These measures, on numerous occasions, have helped the children remain in school and for face to face education to be maintained.
I would like to thank all the staff who made the last week before the Christmas holidays very enjoyable and memorable for the children. Each class had the opportunity to cook with Mrs Hill (our cookery teacher) to produce some edible Christmas treats. Festive activities included Christmas parties, watching Mr Merlin - a visiting magician - and his dragon Okey Dokey, Christmas craft activities and the traditional Christmas dinner. On Friday 7th January M&M Productions performed the pantomime Snow White for the children.
Team Awards: We are so proud of the children's efforts in all aspects of their learning. They have been working hard individually to earn merits but have also been contributing to their Team House Points through academic success, sporting achievements and team events. In addition, children who have 100% attendance each term, earn 25 points each for their colour team. We have totalled the final point scores earned by each team in the whole of the autumn term. The results are incredibly close! You can view them on the homepage of the school website.
The winning team for the autumn term was the BLUE (Curlews Team). As a reward, the children in the Blue Team will have a team mufti day on Monday 17th January when they will be able to come to school in their team colour. This could be a blue cap, socks, item of clothing or a full blue outfit! Children in all of the other teams are expected to wear school uniform as usual.
Dates for the term can be found on the school calendar. Swimming for Year 3 recommences on Monday 24th January and will finish on Monday 4th April. The school are appreciative of those parents who have contributed towards the termly cost of swimming lessons. These payments help enable the school provide two terms of swimming for the year 3 children.
After school teacher led clubs will begin again on Monday 17th January. Please note there will be no after school clubs the week beginning Monday 14th February as parents’ evenings will be held remotely this week on Tuesday 15th and Thursday 17th February (4pm – 7pm.)
E Safety: With children spending more and more time online we continue to promote the need to keep our children safe online whilst still allowing them to have fun and enjoy all that the internet offers. Year 5 and 6 have had the great opportunity of attending an e-safety workshop led by Andrew Williams (E-safety consultant from SWGfL) He provided us with some very useful advice and guidance for Parents and Caregivers about keeping children safe online.
Two videos can be found in E-safety section of our Video Resource Centre on the website
Parents Q&A Video
On this video, Andrew Williams (SWGfL) answers some of your questions about the easiest ways to keep your children safe online; how to keep children safe in terms of content on YouTube; managing children's friends online; where to find more information about keeping children safe online; what the biggest online risks are and the best service platform APPS available to parents in order to provide the best protection online. Thank you to the parents who e-mailed in with questions for Andrew.
Andrew's Parenting Online training video
On this video, Andrew Williams (SWGfL) gives lots of advice for parents and caregivers about how to keep children safe online.
More information about E-safety and useful websites can be found on our school website in the E-safety sections.
School Trips: We are really excited that we have booked to take Year 5 for a brilliant, action-packed trip to Winchester Science Centre on Tuesday 5 July 2022. Winchester Science Centre is an interactive science and technology centre with the largest standalone planetarium in the UK. The children will have the opportunity to take part in exciting hands-on science experiences and workshops on the theme of Space, the topic we have been covering in class.
Year 4 will have the opportunity to visit the Ancient Technology Centre in Cranborne during the summer term. The Centre delivers an authentic, hands on experience for the children, bringing to life all the different periods the children have studied during Year 3 and 4; the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages, the Romans, Anglo Saxons and Vikings. The children will be able to explore reconstructed buildings of the times and will take part in skills and crafts, such as blacksmithing, felt making and willow weaving, following processes that have remained unchanged for thousands of years.
For both trips, the Governing Body has agreed that if the total value of voluntary contributions falls below 90% of the overall cost, then the trip/activity will be cancelled.
Our Year 6 residential visit to PGL Osmington Bay outdoor education centre will be between Friday 10 June and Monday 13 June 2022. The residential includes a full programme of activities led by qualified staff and has included in the past, abseiling, climbing, raft building, rifle shooting, zip wire and giant swing. The balance of the full cost is due by Friday 1st April 2022.
Holiday dates:
Inset day – Friday 4th February
Half term - Monday 21st – Friday 25th February
Last day of spring term – Friday 8th April
Summer term begins – Monday 25th April
Inset day – Friday 17th June
Kind regards
Mr M Partridge
-
Year 5 Summer Term Trip - Winchester Science Museum
Fri 07 Jan 2022Mudeford Junior School - Year 5 - Trip to Winchester Science Centre – Tuesday 5 July 2022
Dear Parent/Carers,
We are really excited that we have booked to take Year 5 for a brilliant, action-packed trip to Winchester Science Centre on Tuesday 5 July 2022. Winchester Science Centre is an interactive science and technology centre with the largest standalone planetarium in the UK. The children will have the opportunity to take part in exciting hands-on science experiences and workshops on the theme of Space, the topic we have been covering in class.
To ensure we make the most of the time there, the coach needs to leave school at 8.45am and therefore we need all children here promptly by 8.30am on that day please. The coach is due to arrive back to school by 3.15pm.
The children will need to wear school uniform and should bring the following in a rucksack:
A packed lunch (no fizzy drinks please).
A light waterproof jacket.
Any necessary medication such as asthma inhalers or travel sickness tablets etc.
In order to cover the cost of transport and entry into the Science Centre, we are seeking a voluntary contribution of £11.75 by no later than Wednesday 25th May 2022. The Governing Body has agreed that if the total value of voluntary contributions falls below 90% of the overall cost then the trip/activity will be cancelled. In order to give time to spread payment, the school is happy to accept part payments, building up to the total, in the period between details being sent to parents/guardians and the final date for receipt of voluntary contributions. Payments can be made online with ParentMail (you can select this item by going to Payments and then Shop) or by cash or cheque made payable to Mudeford Junior School. The Governors appreciate the ongoing support of the parents and guardians in continuing to provide a range of opportunities for the children.
Thank you for your support.
Mrs Donaldson Miss Armstrong Mrs Scott-Thomas
-
Year 3 Whole Class Instrument Tuition: ukulele
Wed 05 Jan 2022Dear Parents/Guardians,
Year 3 Whole Class Instrument Tuition: ukulele
I am delighted to be able to inform you that in the week beginning 17th January 2022, all of the Year 3 children shall be taking part in whole class instrument tuition in their weekly music lessons. The instrument they shall be learning this year is the ukulele.
We are hoping that a ukulele tutor will be able to attend the school, following health and safety precautions, to teach the lessons in person. However, if restrictions change over the next fortnight, these lessons will be taught virtually with the school’s usual music teacher, Mrs Skorge, present in class.
Our Council music partner, Soundstorm, help to fund this opportunity, which is free to all of the children in Year 3. As part of this programme, the children shall all be given a ukulele to bring home, and the expectation is that they practise and share their newly acquired skills at home each week.
This tuition programme shall continue for 10 weeks and is called ‘First Access’; a vital and exciting part of a young person’s musical journey. The teaching and learning programme focus not only on the acquisition of skills specific to this particular instrument, but also on the development of general musicianship and creativity which can be applied in a range of situations as students pursue a life-long musical journey.
3TW shall have their lessons on Tuesday afternoons. Please ensure their ukuleles are in school on Mondays.
3BR shall have their lessons on Thursday mornings. Please ensure their ukuleles are in school on Wednesdays.
I hope that you agree that this a fantastic opportunity for the children and I am sure you will share in their excitement.
Many thanks
Mrs E. Skorge
-
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE - Staff of Mudeford Junior School Christmas Video
Fri 17 Dec 2021The Staff of Mudeford Junior School would like to wish you a Merry Christmas.
Please click here to watch their version of Merry Christmas Everyone.
The children this year have taken part in a variety of Christmas Activities including festive cooking, Christmas Craft, Christmas Parties, Mr Merlin Magic Show and are looking forward to our Christmas dinner on Friday (17 December). As part of their music lessons the children have enjoyed singing and accompanying Christmas songs. Click here to view a sample of their work.
-
December Whole School Newsletter
Thu 16 Dec 2021Mudeford Junior School
Dear Parents/Carers,
Once again, as we approach the end of the Autumn term I would like to thank you for the incredible support shown by the parents of the school, and would like to wish you a Merry Christmas.
The staff of the school have put together a small video. This can be found on the front of the website or via the link
Mudeford Junior School Staff wish you a Merry Christmas | Mudeford Junior School (primarysite.media). The children have also been celebrating Christmas as part of their music lessons. A sample of these can be found in the Childrens Section / Video Resource Centre.
Festive activities have taken place throughout the week. All year groups have had the opportunity to take part in some festive cooking, Christmas art and craft, their year group Christmas party and to watch Mr Merlin’s magic performance. We are also looking forward to the traditional Christmas dinner tomorrow.
We would like to thank you for your generous response to our Reverse Advent, donating food and items for the local food bank, who were greatly appreciative of the significant amount they received.
BCP Local Authority have written to schools and parents over the last few days.
You will have received the letter from Julia Coleman, Service Manager School & Provider Standards & Support 0-19 Children’s Services, and this can also be seen in the latest news section of the school website. Julia Coleman, wrote to say that, “Despite the excellent work of parents, pupils and staff, cases continue to rise in schools and latterly in the community. Whilst we cannot go into specific details, as well as cases in pupils, we have also seen both Covid and other illnesses taking their toll on staffing. Staff absence in BCP and Dorset is 4 times the national average (15-20%). There are many other schools facing these sorts of decision at the moment.”
There is much that parents / carers can do to support us over Christmas and the New Year.
What you can do:
- Keep testing habits going in families over the holidays and awareness of hand washing etc after shopping trips
- Be vigilant for symptoms and do not send children in after the holidays with any Covid, fever or headachy symptoms
- Seek PCR tests for family well-being if you get symptoms or are asked to do so
- Encourage adherence to changing guidelines
- Follow guidance from track and trace who are following up on Omicron and/or guidance on Day 2 testing and test for return if you are holidaying abroad-current guidance is you cannot return until negative tests are back
- Be aware that we often have to respond to cases and changes in policy very quickly
Mudeford Junior School is continually updated by the Department for Education and BCP Local Authority regarding the latest news and advice on Covid and how it is affecting schools. Although numbers at the school have been remarkably low compared to other schools in the authority, we need to be ready to respond if the situation changes. As part of this process the risk assessment for the school and safety protocols are constantly being reviewed. If changes need to be made you will be notified via ParentMail and it will be posted on the school website.
Some parents have asked whether the children are required to take a lateral flow test before returning to school in January. Whilst not mandatory for this age group, any additional safety measures undertaken would be beneficial to the school community.
School will finish at the usual time for each class on Friday 17th December and we return on Tuesday 4th January 2022.
May I personally take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.
Best wishes
Mr M Partridge
-
BCP Local Authority - COVID update / communication
Wed 15 Dec 2021COVID update / communication from BCP Local Authority, Julia Coleman
Service Manager School & Provider Standards & Support 0-19 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP)
Quality & Commissioning Directorate, Children’s Services
Dear parents / carers,
BCP and Dorset schools have had a tough term. The bulk of rising cases have been in school age pupils and the staff who work with them and we have seen 2 distinct and difficult phases. In half term one we saw high case rates in pupils at about 100 per week across schools all PCR confirmed. This was challenging for pupils and families and there were outbreaks that needed managing down and even a few cases of year group closures to create a firewall to protect others.
However most schools managed with on site isolation of outbreaks and the relatively few staff cases were manageable with support staff or cover. Since October half term, we have seen as many cases per day as we have had in a week before the half term. Although case rates remain high in pupils of most year groups, the educational workforce has suffered from Covid, Covid isolations and other illnesses which has left many schools stretched. Schools have seen, on average, 15-20% staff absence-some have seen far higher rates.
We know that some of you will have been very disappointed that BCP has needed to postpone nativitiy performances, cancel residential visits and have asked some schools to switch to remote learning; we do not take these decisions lightly.
These measures have always been taken in consultation and support from the BCP team dealing with Covid and Public Health Dorset. They are also made in light of extra guidance for BCP and Dorset only in England, where we can take more enhanced measures until the end of this term at least.
Despite the excellent work of parents, pupils and staff, cases continue to rise in schools and latterly in the community. Whilst we cannot go into specific details, as well as cases in pupils, we have also seen both Covid and other illnesses taking their toll on staffing. Staff absence in BCP and Dorset is 4 times the national average. There are many other schools facing these sorts of decision at the moment.
There is much that parents / caeres can do to support us over Christmas and the New Year.
What you can do:
- Keep testing habits going in families over the holidays and awareness of hand washing etc after shopping trips
- Be vigilant for symptoms and do not send children in after the holidays with any Covid, fever or headachy symptoms
- Seek PCR tests for family well-being if you get symptoms or are asked to do so
- Encourage adherence to changing guidelines
- Follow guidance from track and trace who are following up on Omicron and/or guidance on Day 2 testing and test for return if you are holidaying abroad-current guidance is you cannot return until negative tests are back
- Be aware that we often have to respond to cases and changes in policy very quickly
What we will try to do
- Prioritise keeping children in school for learning as much and as safely possible
- Be aware of outbreaks and be transparent about when and why we need to change things
- Discuss alternatives with PH and BCP when staff numbers are down or cases are rising
We can assure you we explore all other avenues before we postpone an event or switch to remote learning. Please stay in touch about symptoms and we will access support for you at the start of term.
If you need to take time off in the holidays or in term times, there is support for families still available here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/test-and-trace-support-payment-scheme-claiming-financial-support/claiming-financial-support-under-the-test-and-trace-support-payment-scheme with isolation periods.
Thank you and warm regards,
Julia Coleman.
Service Manager School & Provider Standards & Support 0-19 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP)
Quality & Commissioning Directorate, Children’s Services
-
Digital Leaders - E Safety Visit from South West Grid for Learning
Fri 03 Dec 2021A message from the Digital Leaders
Dear Parents and carers,
We are the Digital Leaders and one of our roles in school is to increase the awareness of e-safety for all the children in our school. We need your views and questions!! On Thursday 9th December, we are lucky enough to be having some training from Andrew Williams- a consultant for Southwest grid For Learning.
As part of our role in promoting e-safety, we would like to invite you to e-mail in any questions you might have for Andrew about e-safety. We will be presenting the questions to him in our training session and he will be creating a video presentation for parents about the latest e-safety issues. He will provide answers to your questions in this presentation. Please could you e-mail these to year3@mudefordjs.co.uk. by Tuesday 7th December. We are really look forward to hearing from you!
The Digital Leaders MJS
-
December Newsletter and Christmas Arrangements 2021
Mon 29 Nov 2021Mudeford Junior School
All dates for the term can be found on the school calendar.
Dear Parents/Carers,
As we approach the end of the Autumn term I would like to thank you for the incredible support shown by the parents of the school during what has continued to be a challenging time for everyone. In fact, yesterday the Department for Education sent us out information regarding the use of face coverings in school for staff and further mitigating safety protocols. Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Local Authority have also sent us guidance on festive performances and gatherings to share with families and as per their guidance we will be sending out a small Christmas video of the children sharing a few festive carols.
As last year, in this time of giving, we have decided to support the local food bank in the run up to Christmas. During the period of advent, from Wednesday 1st December, this is an opportunity to give rather than receive. We will be collecting tinned items such vegetables, tuna or tomatoes, biscuits, dried beans/pulses, tea, coffee, sugar and everyday toiletries such as shampoo, shower gel, soap, toilet rolls, toothpaste, toothbrushes, nappies, baby wipes baby formula, washing up liquid, cereal bars, flour etc. There will be a box in each shared area for the children to put their donated items in. The food bank will collect all donations on Wednesday 15th December so you can bring your donations any day until then.
Christmas arrangements
As always, we want to make the last week of the term a memorable and exciting week for the children.
Elfridges (Christmas Shop for the children) will be open for business on Friday 10th December for children to purchase a gift for someone special.
Festive activities will be taking place throughout the week. There will be Christmas parties for each year group.
Party days – Year 3 - Monday 13th December
Year 4 – Tuesday 14th December
Year 5 – Wednesday 15th December
Year 6 - Thursday 16th December
On party day, the children are invited to come in to school wearing mufti for the whole day.
We’re excited that Merlin and Okey Dokey the dragon will be visiting to give a special performance of magic, mystery and entertainment to all the children on Wednesday 15th December. All classes in Year 3 (Tuesday 14th) and Year 4 (Thursday 16th) will also enjoy a Christmas craft session. Years 5 and 6 will have the opportunity to participate in a Christmas Handball tournament organised by Mr Dan Moody, Christchurch Sports Partnership Manager.
Each class will also have the chance to undertake some festive cooking with Mrs Hills (our cookery teacher) to produce some edible Christmas treats, something to share with all the family!
In addition to children wearing mufti on the day of their party, we also invite the children to wear a Christmas jumper into school on the last day of term (Friday 17th).
M & M Productions who tour the country will be bringing us their version of Aladdin in the new year - “Oh yes they will!” on Friday 7th January.
On the last day of term, Friday 17th December, we invite children to bring in games to play, (no tablets or lap tops please). On this day we are also offering a hot Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.
School will finish at the usual time for each class on Friday 17th December and we return on Tuesday 4th January 2022.
May I take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and happy Christmas.
Best wishes
M Partridge
Headteacher