Latest News
Keep up to date with all the news happening in school at the moment.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Year 4 Summer term Trip Ancient Technology Centre, Cranborne
Thu 11 Nov 2021Year 4 Summer term Trip
Ancient Technology Centre, Cranborne
Dear Parents,
We are delighted to have the opportunity for Year 4 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.
Both Year 4 classes will be visiting the Ancient Technology Centre on Thursday 19th May 2022. We will leave school at 9am and return to Mudeford for 4pm. The later return time will ensure the children can maximise the opportunities provided throughout the day.
This trip is such a valuable and exciting experience for the children that the school governors have kindly agreed to subsidise the cost and this is now £15.00. We are therefore seeking a voluntary contribution of £15.00 by no later than Friday 1st April 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. The school is happy to accept payments in instalments in the period between details being sent to parents/guardians and the final date for receipt of voluntary contributions. Payment 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 on going support of the parents and guardians in continuing to make contributions, enabling us to provide a range of opportunities for the children.
Yours sincerely
Year 4 teachers – Mrs Miller Mrs Lee
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Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal
Fri 05 Nov 2021We will be supporting the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal again this year. The children will be able to purchase Poppy items costing up to £1.50, including snap bands and wrist bands, alongside the usual paper poppies from Friday 5th November until Friday 12 November.
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Whole School November Newsletter 2021
Thu 04 Nov 2021Dear Parent/Carer
I hope you enjoyed the half term break.
We will be supporting the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal again this year. The children will be able to purchase Poppy items costing up to £1.50, including snap bands and wrist bands, alongside the usual paper poppies from tomorrow, Friday 5th November.
Please can I remind you that the deadline for Photograph orders is tomorrow, Friday 5th November. Orders are made online with Fraser Portraits. Any problems, please contact the school office.
Back by popular demand, The Elves of Mudeford Junior School are partnering with the School and are pleased to be able to open a Christmas Secret Gift Shop 2021. Children can come and buy a present for a special adult in their lives. This will take place on Friday 10th December during the school day. More information to follow.
Thank you to all those parents who have ordered the Christmas cards and festive items. We look forward to distributing them in the run up to Christmas.
COVID : Over the last week BCP Council have been in contact with all schools. They have advised us that the number of Covid cases in the BCP locality are of a concern.
Schools, Early Years and educational settings in BCP and Dorset have been given scope to enhance the measures they use to protect children and staff from Covid during the coming weeks.
They are encouraged to do this by BCP and Dorset Councils and by Public Health Dorset, with several measures being added to support a reduction in cases in schools and the community in BCP and Dorset.
Why are they being asked to consider enhancing measures?
· In the south west and pan-Dorset there is agreement that more measures need to be at the disposal of schools and settings following the case load in half term one, which saw many schools having outbreaks and a rise in cases in school age children
· Public Health Dorset write that case rates in those aged 11-16 year olds are a particular concern, although we have seen cases in Early Years and primary phase too.
· Whilst the immediate health risks of COVID-19 infection to children and young people are low; the present high case numbers harms children and young people by their missing or having disrupted education and is also disrupting the vaccination programme for older pupils.
What measures will the school use?
These will include;
· Extending daily LFD testing for close or household contacts (identified by NHS Test and Trace) while awaiting PCR results to a minimum of 5 days, increasing to 7 days as necessary to ensure the final test is taken on a school day. Note: this can be applied in secondary, middle and in primary, at parent/guardian discretion. So if a case arises in a primary or middle school setting, parents can support safer return to school by using LFTs on their asymptomatic children.
Mudeford Junior School Specific
During the first half of the autumn term the school has maintained significant Covid safety protocols. Attendance has been 95.6% during the first half of term with a low number of pupil Covid cases reported (14 children).
A number of staff have contracted Covid 19 over this period, however the Governors and Senior Leadership Team of the school had foreseen this and implemented plans which we knew would ensure we could continue face-to-face education rather than revert to home-based learning. The school has an extensive risk assessment which kept the outbreak amongst staff within a certain year group. Safety protocols will continue, with children continuing to eat lunch in their own classrooms, enhanced cleaning taking place, no assemblies in the hall and the only mixing in the year groups outside the building. Public Heath Dorset have asked schools to keep these measures in place.
How can parents/carers help to support less infection in school?
· If a case arises in a primary, junior or middle school setting and you are notified, parents can support safer return to school by using LFTs on their asymptomatic children, which many have been doing/asking if they can do this.
· Support school by observing isolation and getting PCR tests when asked
· Adhering to new requests for mitigation and encouraging eligible family members to get vaccinated/boosters
· Observe close contact advice from NHS Track and Trace and do not send children to school with symptoms of the virus.
Over the next few weeks the school will be sending out notification of positive PCR cases to the relevant year groups to raise awareness and Inform the wider community.
If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 at any time, please isolate and book a test, even if you have already taken a test. The main symptoms of COVID-19 are:
- A new, continuous cough, and/or
- A temperature, and/or
- A loss of, or change to, sense of test and/or smell.
Further guidance on COVID-19 and what you need to do can be found at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
Yours sincerely
M Partridge
Headteacher