Latest News
Keep up to date with all the news happening in school at the moment.
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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
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Parents Evenings for all year groups - Week beginning 18 October
Mon 18 Oct 2021Dear Parent/Carer
Parents' Evening - Online Appointment Booking for Virtual Video Meeting
I would like to invite you to attend our virtual video call Parents' Evening on Tuesday 19th and Thursday 21st October. This is an important evening which provides you with an opportunity to discuss your child's progress.
The school will continue to use a new and easy to use online appointment booking system for your virtual online video meeting. It allows you to choose your own appointment times with teachers and you will receive an email confirming your appointment.
Appointments can be made from Tuesday 12th October at 19:00 hours and will close at 15:00 hours the day before the last Parents' Evening for each year group (Wednesday 20th October). Please visit https://mudefordjunior.schoolcloud.co.uk/ to book your appointments.
A short guide on how to add appointments can be found on the website -click here to view.
It is essential that you are logged in ready for your meeting as the allocated ten minutes begin to count down from your appointment time. The programme will only allow ten minutes from the time of the teacher opening the video call with yourself.
Yours sincerely
M Partridge
Headteacher
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Parents Evenings - How to book an appointment. This will be an online (virtual meeting) video meeting with class teachers.
Tue 12 Oct 2021This will be an online (virtual meeting) video meeting with teachers.
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September Whole School Newsletter
Sun 12 Sep 202110 September 2021
Dear Parents / Carers,
I’m extremely pleased at how the children have settled back into school. The school has planned for the full re-implementation of the National Curriculum, details of which can be found on the school website (Curriculum Section). Year group newsletters will be sent to parents over the next two weeks with details of the learning within each year group.
Dates for the term, visitors coming into school and trips can all be found on the calendar on the school website. At present these include dates for swimming for Year 3, free Bikeability sessions for Year 4, both Year 6 trips to Osmington Bay and Hengistbury Head and the visit from Coram Life Education who will be educating all year groups about healthy living.
Our hot school meal service will be resuming from Tuesday 14 September. Orders can be made in advance on a weekly basis through the form on ParentMail.
Parents who receive Income Support or Income Based Job Seekers Allowance or Child Tax Credit AND NOT Working Tax Credit AND an assessed annual income not exceeding £16190 are entitled to free school meals and clothing grant. Further details are available from the school or by telephoning the Free School Meals team on 01202 123222 or email fsm@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.
You will have received information from Teamtheme and Harry Lund Tennis after school clubs. We highly value the opportunity for the children to take part in sporting activities after school. Alongside these seven sessions, teachers will be leading further after school clubs.
School Governors have a very important role helping the school run effectively – they don’t get involved in the day to day running of the school, instead supporting and challenging the school’s leadership team to drive school improvement. Governors usually attend around six meetings a year. Being a School Governor is a commitment and responsibility but offers you the chance to see first-hand the impact you can have in improving education for the children in your community. If you are passionate about your child’s education and would like to help support the school, please contact the school office for more information.
We would like to remind parents that any child showing symptoms of Covid should not be coming into school and ask you to contact the school office on the first day of absence, as with any other absence
Dates for your diary:
Thursday 2 September - Return to school for the autumn term. Lining up from 8.40am.
Monday 13 September – INSET DAY
Monday 13 September – Year 4 children will be invited to undertake Bikeability Level 1
Tuesday 14 September – Hot Meal Service begins
Friday 17 September – Osmington Bay 2nd deposit due £40
Monday 20 September – Swimming (Year 3 only) is scheduled to begin
Monday 20 September and Tuesday 21 September - Coram Life Education visiting all year groups (previously known as Wessex Lifebus)
Wednesday 22 September – Friday 24 September – Dorset Road Safety visiting Years 4, 5 & 6
Tuesday 28 September – 6GT Hengistbury Head Trip - Model River System Study
Wednesday 29 September –6EN Hengistbury Head Trip – Model River System Study
Friday 1 October – INSET DAY
Tuesday 5 October – Bournemouth Water visiting Year 6 as part of Rivers topic work
Friday 15 October - School photographer – Individual Photographs
Monday 25 – Friday 29 October – Half Term
Friday 5 November – Flu Immunisation for all year groups
Friday 19 November – INSET DAY
Friday 17 December – Last day of Autumn term. School finishes 3.15pm
Tuesday 4 January 2022 – First day of Spring term
As always, dates for the year can be found on the calendar under the News and Events heading.
Yours sincerely
M Partridge
Headteacher
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Notification of PE Days for all classes and PE kit required.
Mon 06 Sep 2021 -
Information for parents (regarding all Year groups) returning September Opening 2021
Tue 31 Aug 2021 -
Letter to parents from Head of Programmes, Public Health Dorset
Wed 21 Jul 2021COVID-19 schools guidance: End of term letter for parents
Dear parent/carer,
Thank you for your co-operation during this summer term. We realise that self-isolating your child if necessary can cause disruption to family life but it is very important to follow self-isolation rules to help break the chain of transmission of COVID-19.
At Public Health Dorset we are working with schools in the Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council areas, to ensure children and staff stay healthy and safe while keeping schools open.
The latest government announcement has meant that we are changing the way we work with schools, but important infection control measures are in place. Here are the changes:
Class bubbles
You may have heard in the latest government announcement that from today (Monday 19 July) there is no longer a need for class bubbles.
In the Dorset and BCP Council areas we will support schools to continue to operate class bubbles until Friday 23 July, where possible, to keep children safe and well until the end of term.
Contract tracing
From Monday 19 July, schools will no longer be responsible for contact tracing. NHS Test and Trace will take on this responsibility and work with parents and carers to identify close contacts of a positive case. There is no change to self-isolation requirements from 19 July, so close contacts will continue to be asked to self-isolate for 10 days. NHS Test and Trace use the same criteria as schools have previously to identify close contacts and determine any self-isolation periods for adults and children.
It remains important to report any positive test results to schools until the end of term, to record absence accordingly.
Self-isolation
From Monday 16 August, children under the age of 18 years old and fully vaccinated adults will no longer need to self-isolate as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case. 18-year-olds will be treated in the same way as children until 4 months after their 18th birthday, to allow time for them to get fully vaccinated.
Instead of self-isolating, these close contacts will be identified using the same criteria as schools have used previously and will be advised to take a PCR test.
Adults who are not fully vaccinated and are close contacts of a positive case must self-isolate.
Testing
Summer Holidays
Regular asymptomatic rapid testing using Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests for staff and secondary aged children remains in place until the end of term.
Regular testing will pause in school over the summer except for in those that remain open such as summer schools, out of school settings and those that do not operate on a term-time basis.
We ask families to continue to do regular LFD tests at home over the summer. It is important to remember not to use LFD tests if anyone in the household is symptomatic. If anyone develops symptoms, they must book a PCR test and self-isolate until a result is received.
Secondary school testing
All secondary school pupils should receive two on-site lateral flow device tests, 3 to 5 days apart, on their return in the autumn term.
Secondary schools and colleges may commence testing from three working days before the start of term and can stagger return of pupils across the first week to manage this. Schools will update parents and carers on how they will be doing this.
Pupils should then continue to test twice weekly at home until the end of September, when national guidance will be reviewed.
Your school will advise you when your child will be tested on their return, and where consent has previously been provided, this will not be requested again from parents. New students will require parental consent for assisted testing at school.
What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19
If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, you should organise for your child to be tested via the NHS online portal or by calling 119. Your household should isolate until you receive the test results giving the all clear.
Symptoms of COVID 19
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
- new continuous cough and/or
- high temperature and/or
- a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
How to stop COVID-19 spreading
Whilst legal restrictions have eased, we would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the importance of following the key public health measures to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in our school and the wider community.
- Keep your distance from anyone who isn’t in your household or support bubble
- Wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds or more
- Wear a face covering in enclosed public spaces
- Self-isolate with your household and arrange a test if you have symptoms
Further information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Yours sincerely
Joanne Wilson, Head of Programmes, Public Health Dorset
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Information on September school opening - July Whole School Newsletter
Fri 16 Jul 2021