1. family and parenting
2. children

Blean Primary School
‘Learning together to enjoy and achieve’
Whitstable Road, Blean, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 9ED
Headteacher: Mrs Lynn Lawrence BA Ed (Hons), NPQH
Telephone: 01227 471254
Fax: 01227 787247
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bleanprimary.org.uk
Newsletter 9 – 15th May 2015
Dear Parents/Carers,
It has been a delight this morning to call into classes to see the engagement and enthusiasm of the children for Jamie Oliver’s Food
Revolution Day. Jamie believes that by educating children about food in a fun and engaging way they will be equipped with the
skills needed to eat healthily… we will share photographs and the children’s views in our next newsletter.
If your child is in receipt of free school meals or universal free meals (for children in the early years, and years 1 and 2) we would
be grateful if your child could have a school dinner on Thursday 21st May for census purposes as this will have an impact on the
funding that the school receives.
If you are not already in receipt of free school meals and you feel that you may qualify for these we would encourage you to apply
for them. As well as your child receiving a nutritional meal the school also receives additional funding, which makes such a
difference to what we can provide for the children. Further information and application forms are available from the school office.
Lynn Lawrence
Headteacher
Governor Report
Part of the role of the governing body at Blean Primary School is to support the staff in implementing the School Plan. Individual
or groups of governors take responsibility for focusing on each part of the School Plan. We look at the way in which the staff
develop approaches to learning and teaching, maintain high standards in children’s behaviour and ensure their safety, and
implement changes and improvements.
I recently visited the Foundation Stage classes and talked to Mrs Oliver to see how the team are developing the Early Years
Curriculum as part of the School Plan. One of the areas the team wants to focus on is the way in which the children themselves
direct their own learning. This was very evident in the displays in the classrooms, where the children are encouraged to make
decisions and to share their work. The children also choose which work should go in to their ‘Learning Journey’ books. This helps
them to reflect on what they have learned. Their confidence is increased by the way in which they are encouraged to take roles
and responsibilities in the EYFS Unit. They are able to ask questions and learn independently. The Foundation Stage teachers plan
activities which reflect the children’s interests and questions, to ensure that all children are motivated and make good progress.
The aim is that when they enter Year 1, the children are ready and confident to engage with new experiences and subjects within
the National Curriculum.
Over the year, governors will continue to support staff as they ensure that they provide the best possible experiences for all the
children in the school.
Gina Donaldson
e-Safety tips for parents from thinkuknow.co.uk:
Know what connects to the internet and how. Nowadays even the TV connects to the
internet. Make sure you’re aware of which devices that your child uses connect to the
internet, such as their phone or games console. Also, find out how they are accessing
the internet – is it your connection, or a neighbour’s wifi? This will affect whether the
safety setting you set are being applied.
For more advice and guidance visit thinkuknow.co.uk
Staffing Update
We welcome Mrs Sarah Vickers as a Class Teacher to the Early Years Team.
Sadly, we will say goodbye to Mrs Crocker at the end of this term. Mrs Crocker has worked at Blean for 26 years as a Teaching
Assistant but is looking forward to her retirement. Mrs Crocker will continue to support the school in a volunteer capacity. I am sure
you will want to join us in thanking Mrs Crocker for her contributions over this substantial period and in wishing her a long and happy
retirement.
Mrs Kreeger will also be moving on to take up a position as a teaching assistant much nearer to her home in Herne Bay; we thank
her for all her hard work and wish her every success for the future.
We will also be saying goodbye to Mr Richards who is leaving to take up a new post. I am sure you would like to join with us in
thanking him for his work over the past year. We wish him every success for the future.
Mr Bish has been successful in his application for a Visa to work in Canada and will also be leaving us in October for this exciting
opportunity!
Nepal Appeal
Staffing News!
Our congratulations go to Mrs Whiteside who
is expecting her first baby in October.
Blean Village Hall
Dear Supporters,
We need to rally the troops to support Blean Village Hall's
application for an Aviva Community Fund award, as nominated by
Kevin and Meg, who are dedicated and local supporters of the
village hall. The aim is to get enough points to secure £1000 which
will enable us to install a hearing loop in the hall to enable those
with hearing loss to hear better.
You will need to register your email in order to vote, or you can do
this direct via Facebook, by going to the link below as it appears
on the Aviva Community Fund website.
10 points are allocated to each voter and I've used all of mine to
vote for Blean Village Hall - https://communityfund.aviva.co.uk/voting/Project/View/225
Voting is open now, please can you share/forward this link with as
many colleagues, friends, family, community supporters as
possible to secure their votes.
Please remember – the more support our project gets, the better
our chances of securing funding for a much needed hearing loop.
And everyone you tell can cast 10 votes.
Thank you for your help.
Carol Sturgeon – Blean Village Hall
Thank you to everyone who has supported our Nepal
Appeal so far! Through the cake sale and your generous
donations, we have so far raised a fantastic £343.70,
which will go directly to support the relief effort in the
communities I will be working with in the summer. We
would like to continue to raise money to support this
cause and will be holding a raffle in the last week of
term. There will be a children’s raffle and an adult raffle.
Tickets will be available both on the playground at the
beginning and end of each day. The raffle will be drawn
on the last day of term. We have already had some
fantastic donations to the raffle, but are now appealing
for further prize donations to make the raffle a real
success. We would like both children’s and adult’s
prizes. If you have anything you are able to donate, or
are able to donate vouchers or experiences through
your workplaces for adult places (e.g. days out,
treatments) then please send in prizes to Mrs Buckley
next week ready for the raffle to begin on Monday 18th
May.
Thank you for your continued support,
Mrs Buckley, Amethyst Class
Photograph Competition
Schools’ Personnel Service has recently released a
calendar for use in Schools and Academies. It is the
first time they have produced a calendar, and due to
its success they plan on producing another for the next
academic year (September 2015 – August 2016).
They are therefore launching a competition to find
images for their next calendar. The competition will be
open to school children 18 years of age or under.
If you would like to more information, please see the
link below:
https://thesps.co.uk/pdf_resources/SPS_Photography_Com
petition.pdf
Memorable Moments
Year 4 Visit to Kingswood
On Friday 1st May 2015, Year 4 returned from their residential trip to the Kingswood Outdoor and
Adventurous Activities Centre. The children’s behaviour, politeness and manners, enthusiasm, and
support for each other and team work were exemplary throughout their stay.
One of our children felt that the activities
helped them feel more courageous!
One child felt that the new experiences
that Kingswood offered has made him
grow in independence.
Two birthdays were celebrated while we were away. One of our pupils felt it was
a nice surprise when his cake was bought out!
The children experienced a great many challenging but fun activities in their three
day stay and these included: Zip lining, fencing, laser tag, quad biking, archery and
assault courses.
Staying safe while supporting our friends was very important to us.
We were determined to give everything a go!
The adults supervising the children took an enormous number of photographs of all the children, which we are currently collating
so they can be copied to disc and given to the boys and girls as a permanent souvenir of their adventure.
Enrichment week year 4
The Year 4 children, who had called themselves “Team Amber Eye” had a varied
and action packed few days, beginning in earnest on Wednesday morning when
they opened the Spanish café in Amber class to prepare delicious tapas to share
with their peers.
Mrs Gonzalo was the
coordinator and the whole
experience was thoroughly
enjoyed by all Amber Eye
children.
Just like this! Look out for this vase filled
with flowers in the Lobby.
The children showed super
organisational and teamwork skills to prepare the tapas, even making a
Spanish flag tablecloth.
Mrs Lawrence challenged the children to make a 3D display for the entrance
lobby – and what a challenge that was….
Look out for our papier mache vases, 3D flowers, butterflies and ladybirds,
they will be on display very soon
How can a sticky mess become a work of
art?
At the end of the week we named our mini Blean teddy bears, dressed them
and had a teddy bear disco.
We all learned a variety of new skills… from how to play dominoes to playing table tennis.
The highlight for some children was the visit to Blean woods where the children were able to explore and wonder at
the beauty of nature and help build some dens.
It was lovely to see the money box in the woods which had birds nesting in it, and also
the very young foal in the field.
Thank you for your amazing enthusiasm and excellent behaviour Team Amber Eye.
Here are some of their own opinions:
“My favourite activity was when we had the freedom with
the adults to explore the woods…. Walking, looking,
listening, exploring. Brilliant” (Alfie)
Jia “I loved learning how to make all the different types of
flowers. It was challenging, but I didn’t give up”.
Rose: “I loved exploring the different dens we found in the
woods, and moving some of the logs to add to them”.
Lucy, “My favourite activity was deciding on a Teddy Bear’s
disco and planning the different things we would do.”
Esha: “My favourite thing was The Spanish café – it was
such fun preparing and tasting all the tapas!”
Football Tournament
On May 6th Blean were invited to a football tournament at Joy Lane Primary School. With Joy Lane being our ‘main rivals’ this year,
we were especially excited about playing Joy Lane once again. With every team having to play each other in the group, we knew we
had to get off to a good start to progress into the semi-finals. Our first two games went according to plan, with Blean winning both
games against Whitstable Juniors and Chartham, respectively. In our third game, we played Davington School, who we knew very
little about in footballing terms. This game was very tight, with both teams pushing hard to get that all important goal, but it was
Davington that managed to squeeze the game 1-0. Our next game was against Joy Lane and you could tell both teams wanted this
from the off. After end to end football and a lovely bit of play from Joy Lane, they scored late on in the game, giving us no time to
find an equaliser. The game finished 1-0 to Joy Lane. Our fifth game saw us play Joy Lane’s 2nd team. This was as equally as hard as
the previous game, with Joy Lane 2nds being strong and committed in every challenge. With both teams constantly cancelling each
other out, the game finished 0-0. In our final game, we knew that we would have to get a win against Hernehill to progress to the
semis. With the players knowing this, Blean turned on the style and dominated the game. Although the game only finished 1-0, it
could have been a much more comfortable result. The semi-final draw came through and of course, we’d get Joy Lane 1sts. We were
determined to get a better result against Joy Lane. The game was again so open, with both teams attacking hard and fast. It was
looking like the game would go to extra time, when Joy lane managed to squeeze the ball in, sending them into the final. 1-0 Joy
Lane. Our last game was in the 3rd place playoff and again we’d have to play Joy Lane 2nds. Blean scored early on in the game and
looked comfortable in the game, when suddenly, Joy Lane 2nds cross found its way into the Blean net to take the game to extra
time. Blean however, didn’t take their foot of the gas and out played Joy Lane 2nds in extra time and scored the all-important goal to
win the game 2-1 and secure that 3rd place spot.
Although we didn’t come back with a trophy this time, we were all still proud of our achievement. This season has been a fantastic
one and the level of football has improved every week. This was the last football tournament for some of the boys, and I would like
to wish them good luck for next year with their secondary school football teams. I would like to thank the parents once again for
their fantastic support all season, and this tournament was no different. It really does make all the difference having supporters there
every match. We are already looking forward to next season in the hope we can replicate this season’s success.
Mr. T. Bish
Interhouse Football
This term, we have been running an interhouse football tournament at lunch times for Years 4,5 &6. The captains were selected
and they had to pick their squads and select their starting line ups from the children in their house. The first games were Beech v
Rowan and Chestnut v Maple. Both games had some brilliant quality on show and everyone knew this was going to be a good year
for interhouse football. The first games finished Beech 4-2 Rowan and Chestnut 4-2 Maple. The next day it seemed the quality had
improved even more and the goals were flying in. The games finished Beech 7-2 Maple and Chestnut 5-0 Rowan. This meant that
the winners of interhouse would be determined from the result between Chestnut and Beech. The game between Rowan and
Maple was very end to end and both teams desperately wanting to get the win, and after lots of good play from both teams,
Rowan came out winners of that game 2-0. The final game was the big match between Chestnut and Beech. Chestnut started the
faster of the two teams, scoring very early on and kept pushing, finding themselves 3-0 up at half time. Was there any way back
for Beech? In the second half Beech looked a different team and came charging out the blocks, scoring their first goal within a
minute, closely followed by their second. 3-2 Chestnut. Beech kept pushing and pushing and it looked like Chestnut would crumble,
but they remained solid at the back and after a few goal line scrambles, the final whistle sounded and Chestnut were crowned 2015
Blean Interhouse Football Champions. Well done to everyone that took part.
2015 BLEAN INTERHOUSE FOOTBALL LEAGUE
TABLE
P
W
D
L
GF
G
G
POI
A
D
NTS
1
CHESTNUT
3
3
0
0
12
4
+8
9
2
BEECH
3
2
0
1
13
7
+6
7
3
ROWAN
3
1
0
2
4
9
-5
5
4
MAPLE
3
0
0
3
4
13
-9
3
Going for Gold: Blean School sporting competitions
As part of our Sport Premium and our attempt to achieve the Sainsbury’s School Games Gold Award, we have been
entering as many sport competitions as we can over the year. Every entry, result, placement and award for fair play
gains us points in the challenge cup. Last year we didn’t place on the table at all. Well done everyone: we are
currently second!
After 4 terms, the results of the challenge cup currently stand as:
PRIMARY
Points
Bridge & Patrixbourne CEP School
320
Blean Primary School
199
Sheldwich Primary School
155
Barham CEP School
151
Canterbury Primary School
138
Wickhambreaux CEP School
100
Term Dates 2015/16
Term 1
Staff Dev. Day
Mid Term
Break
Term 2
Christmas
Holiday
Term 3
Staff Dev. Day
Mid Term
Break
Term 4
Good Friday
Easter
Monday
Easter Holiday
Staff Dev. Day
Term 5
May Day
Mid Term
Break
Term 6
Staff Dev. Day
03.09.15 – 22.10.15
23.10.15
26.10.15 – 30.10.15
02.11.15 – 18.12.15
21.12.15 – 01.01.16
04.01.16 – 12.02.16
05.02.16
15.02.16 – 19.02.16
22.02.16 – 24.03.16
25.03.16
28.03.16
29.03.16 – 08.04.16
11.04.16
12.04.16 – 27.05.16
02.05.16
30.05.16 – 03.06.16
06.06.16 – 22.07.16
08.07.16
Cup Winners
Obsidian
Tanzanite
Aquamarine
Topaz
Amber
Tiger’s Eye
Emerald
Onyx
Amethyst
Quartz
Jet
Moonstone
Ruby
Sapphire
Citizen of the
week
Rachel, Edward, Jessica, Yasemin
Channice, Anna, Charlotte, Lottie,
Milly, Megan
Izzy, Aryana, Whole Class, Louis,
Freya
Ed, Marvin, Eric, Henry, Emily,
Hugo, Meaghan, Whole Class
Andrew, Oscar, Whole Class,
Tommy, Jia, Rheanna
Whole Class, James, William,
Caitlyn, Barnaby
Whole Class, Joe, Kiki, Michelle,
Jack
Isaac, Henry, John, Lois
Ethan, Abbie, Ruby, Evan
Lottie, Poppy, Theo
Lydia, Boe, Daniel, Federico
Luke, Star, Sophia, Elijah, Laura
Holly, Fern, Holly
Priscila, Abigail, Amy
Jemima (Emerald), Helena
(Aquamarine)
Dates for your Diary
20th May
25th-29th May
1st June
4th June
8th June
10th June
12th June
15th June
16th June
17th June
19th June
22nd June
24th June
29th June
30th June
1st July
6th July
9th July
10th July
13th July
14th July
20th July
21st July
23rd July
24th July
3rd September
10:00am Moonstone Class Assembly
Mid Term Break
Term 6 Begins
PTFA Gifts – Non-Uniform Day
Yrs 3&4 9-10.30am Dads, Granddads &
Uncles Morning
Yrs 3&4 1:45-3.15pm Dads, Granddads
& Uncles Afternoon
10:00am Jet Class Assembly
Year 2 trip to National Maritime Museum
PTFA Bottles – Non-Uniform Day
Yrs 5&6 9-10.30am Dads, Granddads &
Uncles Morning
Yrs 5&6 1:45-3.15pm Dads, Granddads
& Uncles Afternoon
6pm New Parent’s Meeting
10:00am Amber Class Assembly
3:30-6:30pm PTFA Summer Fair
New Entrants – Teddy Bear’s Picnic
10:00am Aquamarine Class Assembly
Infants Sports morning
11:00am New Entrant’s, Parents & Yr. 5
Buddy Lunch
Story & Lunch for New Parents & New
Entrants
Junior Sports Day
Year 2 – Tea party for parents
Staff Development Day – No school
for the children
Reserve Junior Sports Day
9:15am Class Visits – New Entrants
1:45pm Class Visits – New Entrants
Open Evening
7pm Yr. 6 Production
7pm Yr. 6 Production
10:00am Year 2 Celebration assembly
7pm Yr. 6 Ball
10:30am Leavers Assembly followed by
lunch with parents
2:30 School Ends
Term 1 Begins
Polite Reminders
Summer Uniform:
Girls can wear black shorts under their summer
dresses. No cropped leggings please.
Please do not send your child in open-toed sandals.
Please remember that nail varnish is not permitted.
Thank you.