Updates

Monday 7th September, 2020

Isolating Pupils and Remote Learning

We are starting to get more children isolating as they have, or a family member has  a new, continuous cough or temperature – which we would expect at this time of year. The procedure is to book a coronavirus test as soon as possible and inform the school, and then the family isolates until the results come back – which are usually within 24 hours. We are expecting to see more and more of this as we head into the Winter months.

The expectation from the government is now that any child who is isolating and is fit and well has to continue with their learning.  Therefore, on being notified that a child is isolating, a member of the class teaching staff will ring home and inform you of what work needs to be done as well as ensure that we have an accurate email address for you.  The class teacher, when possible, will then email any work requirements and resources for your child to do at home.

Work can then be emailled in to the Class email addresses that we had set up in the ‘lockdown’:-

class1@brownclee.shropshire.sch.uk

class 2@brownclee.shropshire.sch.uk

class3@brownclee.shropshire.sch.uk

class4@brownclee.shropshire.sch.uk

Please bear with us – as this is all very new to us too – and often we are only informed of an absence first thing in the morning and the teacher is in Class teaching the children.  However, it is important to be aware that remote teaching and learning is not optional – and is very important, especially as most children have been at home since March.

Monday 7th September, 2020

Reflection Time and Prayer of the Day

Good Morning Brown Clee!

We are now at the start of our full first week, and we are now getting used to all the new and different routines around school – and that goes for staff and parents too!  Today is also the first day that we have all our new reception children in school after their half day sessions last week. I do have to say how impressed I am with the confidence  of these new reception children as they all managed to enter school independently and quickly settled down into ‘big’ school!

Today I would like to introduce our Christian value of the half term – and it is the value that I think is one of the most important – as it kind of over-arches above all of the others – and that is RESPECT.

When we hold our normal assemblies I usually ask – what is respect?  So maybe you could have a think now and see what answers you come up with?  You might all have a different idea or description……

In the past I have had answers like…”Respect is being kind to people”, or “Respect is when you help your friends” – but the one answer that I think sums it up very simply, is “Respect is when you treat each other as you would wish to be treated yourself”.  So how would you like to be treated?  Would you like other people to help you if you have a problem?  To make you feel better if you are sad?  Would you like people to be careful with your belongings?  To be careful with you and play gently with you at playtimes, and respect your personal space?  Here is a short song about Respect which shares some examples at school…

Can you think of any other examples of how you can show respect in school?

So as you go through today, and the week’s ahead, try and think about how you can show respect – to your classmates, your teachers and your parents – and to yourself!

It is now Worship Time, where we pause and reflect – have a think about times when maybe you haven’t been as respectful as you could have been….or when someone wasnt respectful to you – how did it make you feel?  What could you do in future to ensure that you can be the best version of you that you possibly can be?

Prayer of the Day

Dear God,
Thank you that you value each one of us.
Please help us to treat others with respect.
Help us to embrace differences between us.
Help us to love others, even if they are very different from us.
Help us to see the value in each individual person.
Amen.

Friday 4th September, 2020

Reflection Time and Prayer of the Day

Good Morning Brown Clee!

We would normally be holding our Well Done Assembly in the hall this morning, but sadly we are unable to do this at the moment.  However we intend, starting next Friday, to hold an online Well Done Assembly, where each class teacher will aware 2 certificates for achievements that week – so please check the school news next Friday to find out who will have earnt our first Well Done certificates of this new school year.

Today I thought we could have a short quiz about feelings!  I am sure that we have all (staff and parents included!) had a mix of feelings about the start of this new school year – you might have been worried, excited, happy or sad.  All feelings are important and all are ok to experience and feel – emotions are part of what make us human!   The important thing is that we learn to manage them so that we can work and play together in harmony.  But how can we manage feelings unless we can identify them?

So enjoy the quiz – maybe your teacher can pause it at the end of each countdown and you could guess which feeling is being demonstrated!   I will give you a clue to the first one – it is how I felt yesterday when the school was full of children!

Did you guess them correctly?   Did you feel any of them before you came back to school yesterday?  Did these feelings change once you had arrived at school?

Did you spot how I felt yesterday?   Yes, I was happy – because the school was ‘alive’ again with the sound of happy children!  So as we go into the weekend, have a think about how you feel now that you are back at school – and think about what you can do to make it a happy place to be!

Prayer of the Day

Dear God

Thank you for our wonderful school.

Help us to be good learners.

Help us to look after each other.

Help us be respectful and kind and to make everyone welcome.

May our school be a happy, safe place where learning is fun.

Where we all work together to be the best we can be.

Amen

 

Thursday 3rd September, 2020

Self-Isolation Procedures

We thought it would be helpful to provide a simple summary of the steps you need to take if anyone in your household develops symptoms of coronavirus – which are:-

  • a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
  • a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
  • a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

In simple terms, if you or anyone in your household develops these symptoms, you all need to self-isolate for 14 days and book a coronavirus test (as soon as possible).  It would also be important to keep us informed.

Here is a summary of the more detailed Self-Isolation Procedures as well as how to get a coronavirus test.  We are not the experts at all, but there is a lot of complicated information out there and wanted to help keep things as clear and simple as possible.

Self-Isolating Procedures – 03 Sep

Thursday 3rd September, 2020

End of Day Collection for Class 3 and 4

It would make the process of collecting children much easier if parents could please stand 2m distanced along the pavement that runs along the road at the Top Gate and not line up in the alley way through from Station Rd.

Also, can we please remind parents not to drive and park up this road and that you need to park off school site and walk to the collection point.

Many thanks for your help and co-operation.

Thursday 3rd September, 2020

Reflection Time and Prayer of the Day

Good Morning Brown Clee!

Well what a great start to the new school year yesterday was!  It was just wonderful to see all the children arrive at school yesterday morning, and then to see and hear them through the day just put a massive smile on my face!

There is so much for children to learn at the start of any normal new school year, but at the moment there is almost double the amount with all the new routines and procedures.  Yet everyone was brilliant!  So I just want to say how proud I am of all the children with their positive and enthusiastic attitudes to being back in school!  Well done Brown Clee children.

Sadly, we don’t have all children in as some are self-isolating in order to protect the community – but we are looking forwards to welcoming them back next week.  I would also like a huge thank you to parents for their commitment to knowing the new ‘Start and End of Day Procedures’ as they aren’t exactly simple – your support and positivity is very much appreciated.  So please continue to bear with us as I am sure there will be tweaks and changes – but it has been an amazingly proud start to the new year – and I feel very proud and lucky to be headteacher at Brown Clee!

the words “Well Done” are said to reward and praise….they can be used to praise good work, a kind deed, an demonstration of determination and perseverance or for over-coming adversity. I’m sure you’ve all been told “Well Done” many times for many different things. How did it make you feel?…….happy? Warm and fuzzy inside? Buzzing? Confident?

So I thought a song entitled ” Well Done” might be good to listen to….listen and have a think of who you could say well done to today….and what for??  Then think that you will have made them feel “warm and fuzzy” and out a smile on their face!

Prayer of the Day

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom,
the power and the glory are yours.
Now and for ever.
Amen.

Wednesday 2nd September, 2020

We’re back!!!

It has been so lovely welcoming all the children back into school – and it has been wonderful to see their happy, smiling faces and hear their lively chatter!

Wednesday 2nd September, 2020

Care Club Booking

An email has gone out today reminding parents that there is a numbers limit and that parents should only book Care Club if absolutely necessary. We also ask that all bookings are made by Thursday at noon, a week in advance, to allow us to manage numbers safely.

Tuesday 1st September, 2020

Reflection Time and Prayer of the Day

Good Morning Brown Clee! (This is so not the same as welcoming everyone back in the hall in person, like normal – so here is a more ‘real time’ version!)

It is a shame that I cannot welcome everyone back like I normally would in the school hall – but we have to put safety first, and one of the safety measures we have to do is keep each class apart.  This is all to do with reducing the risk of spreading coronavirus and to keep vulnerable people safe – and your teachers will be teaching you more about the procedures that we need to follow as we go through the week.

One of the things I value most about Brown Clee School is the sense of team – and teamwork is so very important at the moment.  Being back together is something that we have really looked forwards to!

We need to look out for and care for each other – we need to work together to follow the new rules ( as well as the usual school and class rules!) – as rules are there to keep everyone safe and happy. And that is what we want school to be – a happy, safe place for everyone to learn and be the best person that they can be.

Prayer of the Day

Dear God

Thank you for our wonderful school.

Help us to be good learners.

Help us to look after each other.

Help us be respectful and kind and to make everyone welcome.

May our school be a happy, safe place where learning is fun.

Where we all work together to be the best we can be.

Amen

 

 

 

Tuesday 1st September, 2020

Photographs of School

I thought it would be helpful to ‘see’ what school looks like to help children be familiar before tomorrow, so here are some photos of the inside and access points.

Class 3 and 4 enter through their normal door into Class 4’s cloakroom area.

Sunday 30th August, 2020

September 2020 – New School Year

We are nearly at the start of a new academic year, where we will be welcoming new pupils into Reception. However this year, it will be the strangest start to a new academic year ever – as we are also welcoming children back, many who haven’t been into school since March – and it is sadly, a very different looking and feeling school due to the current circumstances.

There are lots of changes in place, to the physical environment, as well as routines and procedures.  These have all been made to try and minimise the risk of spreading coronavirus, which could then spread out into the community and put ‘vulnerable’ family members at risk, and could also impact on future class or school closures. The key measures for reducing risk of infection are staying away from school if anyone displays symptoms, thorough hygiene and cleaning measures and keeping class groups apart and socially distancing – so please help us by ensuring that you have read through all procedures which can be found on this website here:

Key Information about School Procedures and Measures (Coronavirus)

I am attaching here a copy of the email that was sent out last week as a reminder, as well as the letter emailled out in September, which detail many of these changes. There is also a letter from Shropshire Council about School Transport, and I have attached here the ‘Start of School Day’ and ‘End of School Day’ procedures.

Welcome back letter

Letter to parents regarding opening Sep 2020

Start of Day Procedures

End of the Day Procedures

Parent Letter re Sept School Transport 140820

I know that there is a lot of information, but it is vital that everyone is aware of all the changes and guidance – so please do share with other parents, so that we can all work together to ensure that the new school year is a smooth, calm, happy and safe one for all children.

Please do bear with us, as it is all new for school staff too!  I am sure that there may be many questions, and we will be here to answer them.  Sadly, this will have to be by email of phone mostly, as with the increase in numbers at the start and end of the day, there won’t be opportunity to have the normal face-to-face communication.

To help children ‘see’ some of the changes, I am hoping to post photos/video of the routes into school, and of the layout of the new one way systems on Tuesday – so please keep an eye on the website!  The school news section of the website is the main source of information and route for us to communicate – so please do keep an eye or even better subscribe here for notifications…

Subscribe to School and Class News and Posts

By subscribing, you will be notified of any daily class or news posts, as well as receive a weekly newsletter on Friday afternoon.

Again, apologies for information overload – but it is important!  Enjoy the next few days and we are very much looking forwards to seeing all the children next Wednesday – we have missed them!

Friday 17th July, 2020

Thank You Miss Relph!

The staff and children at school wanted to give a massive thank you to Miss Relph for the incredible amount of effort and work she has done over this tricky time to keep the school running as smoothly as possible.

 

It’s easy to forgot the effort involved in running a whole school – let alone running a school through a pandemic, but Miss Relph has quickly adapted the school to multiple changing situations, read through masses of time-consuming guidance, written up plans and risk assessments (and re-written them… again and again with each change in circumstance) – all while ensuring the school is still a warm and welcoming place for those within it.

 

The school has gone from being normal in March, to children and families completing work at home (with the school remaining open for children of key workers) through April and May, to the return of some year groups (under very difficult circumstances) in June and July, and have now put in place plans for the return of all in September. All of which have only been possible thanks to Miss Relph’s fantastic leadership, hard work and dedication.

 

Here’s a short clip of thanks from the children who have been in school:

20200717_140633000_iOS

Friday 17th July, 2020

Reflection Time and Prayer of the Day

Good Morning Brown Clee!

What a year this has been – who would have thought that this time last year we would have most of our children at home and have small groups of Mice, Rabbits and Foxes in School!  2020 has been a very strange year indeed!

Friday is usually our Well Done Assembly day – but it is absolutely impossible to select any individual children for certificates, as every single child who has returned to school since June 1st has been exceptionally outstanding in all aspects!  We are all immensely proud of every Rabbit, Fox, Mouse and Year 6 pupils!

We are all immensely proud of the children who have had to stay at home, and have engaged with the remote learning activities and posted their work and photos into school – we we are missing all of you and it has been so lovely to see you all, even if it is by photo!

As we break up for the summer holiday, I can’t help but think about the immensely powerful and wonderful Brown Clee Team!  This includes everyone – children, staff, parents and governors, and I can’t thank every single member of this team for their support and hard work this past year, and past term in particular!

So teamwork is the theme of the day – and I know how much the children (and staff!) have enjoyed the recent video clips – so here is one focused on teamwork – enjoy and see what you learn from them!

Today is also the last day for our current year 6s at Brown Clee!  They have experienced a very special last 7 weeks – with lots of laughs and fun!  Each and every year 6 (in and out of school!) is well and truly ready for secondary school, and we wish them all the very best in their future. We held an impromptu outdoors Leavers Assembly yesterday, where we listened to the year 6’s memories (see Class 4 Class News) and shared the following poem (with a few adaptations!)….

NEW BEGINNINGS

Now enjoy some year 6 memories…

 

We wish everyone a wonderful summer, a relaxing break and are looking forwards to welcoming everyone back to school in September!

Enjoy our Leavers Song now, especially for our year 6s!!

Prayer of the Day – Our School Prayer

Dear God

Thank you for our wonderful school.

Help us to be good learners.

Help us to look after each other.

Help us be respectful and kind and to make everyone welcome.

May our school be a happy, safe place where learning is fun.

Where we all work together to be the best we can be.

Amen

 

Thursday 16th July, 2020

Leavers’ Assembly and Memories Video

This morning, Year 6 shared their memories from their time at Brown Clee in a socially distanced assembly on the playground.

 

It’s obviously disappointing that parents and children at home did not have the opportunity to see this; therefore, I have put together a video sharing some photos and videos of the Year 6s‘ time at Brown Clee – which you can view below:

Thursday 16th July, 2020

Pirates and Peas!!

What a fun day we are having!  We have pirates in Reception, demure Mice in Year 1 and the Year 6s have proclaimed themselves as Peas in a Pod!!!

Thursday 16th July, 2020

Reflection Time and Prayer of the Day

Good Morning Brown Clee!

Yesterday we saw the story of a young boy who had a great adventure with his Grandpa – without actually going far at all!  Today I have the story of Molly, a goldfish who has big dreams and wants to travel beyond her goldfish bowl.  Have a watch and see what it makes you think about….

It made me think of a number of different things….

  1. How surprising that a cat was a fish’s friend – just goes to show that we can all be friends no matter our differences.
  2. How kind the cat was – and how brave – all to help Molly!
  3. Molly had aspirations of exploring a wider world than her goldfish bowl – she had hopes and dreams but appreciated her own goldfish bowl world!
  4. The cat never gave up on her mission to save Molly and take her to the ocean – no matter how scary or challenging the task!

So many messages from one short film!   What messages did you pick up from watching Molly’s story?

Here’s a song to sing to remind us of the wonders of the world we live in – hopefully we will get opportunity to explore it a bit in the summer break coming up!

https://youtu.be/RiqOsZh4bpk

Prayer of the Day

Dear Lord,

We thank you, Lord, for flowers and trees and sunshine
and for all your living creatures.
We thank you for families and friendships,
for our homes and our school.
We thank you for giving us our daily bread
and for all the food we eat.
We thank you, Lord, for everything wonderful in the world.

Amen.

Wednesday 15th July, 2020

Socially Distanced Sports Day!

The children in school are having fun, despite the damp day, on our socially distanced Sports Day!

Wednesday 15th July, 2020

Reflection Time and Prayer of the Day

Good Morning Brown Clee!

We are nearly at the summer holidays – and I hope that everyone manages to escape for an adventure or two, even if it’s in your own garden!  Life has definitely been an adventure this year, with all the challenges that coronavirus has brought to school!  Adventures come in many forms – whether they are part of a challenge like Archie’s Kenyan Safari Challenge, or whether they are facing something new, like starting a new school.

Here is a short film, about a little boy who has the most unexpected adventure with his Grandpa – have a watch and see what you think of their adventure…..

Sometimes the best adventures are the ones that you create yourself!  I wonder what adventure you might have today?

https://youtu.be/lje_lxuR6kA

 

Prayer of the Day

Dear God,
Please help us to appreciate each day.
Please help us to enjoy the wonder of your creation.
Help us to be aware of all those we engage with in conversations.
Help us to be thoughtful.
Help us to take the time to consider what are the most important things in life.
Help us to have good priorities.
Amen.

Tuesday 14th July, 2020

September: School Packed Lunches – New ordering system!!!

Children are eating lunch in their classrooms and so a school lunch will be a packed lunch comprising of cheese or ham sandwich, vegetable sticks, cake/traybake and fruit.  There may be other options added such as hotdogs or fish fingers – watch this space!

It will also be important to book a school packed lunch a week ahead (so by Thursday midday for the following week) via email directly to Pippa (our wonderful chef!): u98180@compass-group.co.uk

A school packed lunch is free for all children in Class 1 and 2, and for any FSM children, otherwise it costs £2.30.  Payments are to be sent in (cheque payable to Chartwells or cash) a named, sealed envelope with children, who will then hand it in, in class.

 

Tuesday 14th July, 2020

Reflection Time and Prayer of the Day

Good Morning Brown Clee!

Yesterday we enjoyed watching La Luna and thought about how the young boy had the courage to find his own way – to be true to himself and not feel he had to copy his father and Grandpa.

Today I have a different story for you to enjoy – it is called Tin Toy.  Have a watch and think about any messages that you can pick out of it…

The Tin toy goes through a range of different emotions, from happiness to fear, to sadness and joy – can you explain why?

The message that I picked out from this film (and your message might be very different!) is that sometimes it is ok to be scared and worried about something – but often we don’t need to be – we just need to find the right solution.  The tin toy was scared that the baby was going to break him, so he ran away and hid.  But actually he didn’t need to be scared, he just needed to help baby to find a different toy to play with.

What was your message?

So here’s a song that might have helped Tin Toy not to worry too much….

https://youtu.be/HnuxWdesxI0

 

Prayer of the Day

Dear God,
We pray for those who are worried about things today.
We pray for those who are worried about things that have happened in the past and for those who are worried about what might happen in the future.
We ask that you be their friend and help them.
We pray also that you will help us to be good, kind friends to those who are worrying today.
Amen.

Monday 13th July, 2020

The Final Map for Archie’s Kenyan Safari Challenge!

Around Kenya in 7 days – we did it!!!  Well done everyone!!  What a fantastic achievement!  I thought you might like to see the final map, and the fabulous young man that inspired this mammoth challenge!

I also have an update on how the fundraising is going….

So with Gift Aid you have all helped Archie raise nearly £900 so far!  We will keep the Giving Page open until the end of the week to allow any last minute donations!

Archie arrived at school this morning with a big grin and also a big thank you for everyone at Brown Clee!

What a super star!!!!!

 

Monday 13th July, 2020

Summer Reading Challenge

Take time out this Summer with a good book!

The Challenge encourages children aged 4 to 11 to enjoy the benefits of reading for pleasure over the summer holidays.

This year, the Summer Reading Challenge’s Silly Squad will celebrate funny books, happiness and laughter. Children taking part in the Challenge will join the Silly Squad, an adventurous team of animals who love to have a laugh and get stuck into all sorts of funny books!

The Summer Reading Challenge website is free to access and features games, quizzes and downloadable activities that encourage children to take part in reading related activities.

https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/