Head's Blog

3rd December 2021

Good Afternoon Everyone,

We have had a busy week in school and we are starting to get into the festive spirit.

Firstly our Christmas Market was a great success and we raised a whopping £1,402.90. This is amazing and we are very grateful for every penny raised.

It is lovely to see the classrooms decorated and the children loving the Christmas Trees in the school. They loved the decorations and were very helpful in hanging the baubles on the trees.

We look forward to the next 2 weeks!

Have a great weekend,

Sarah

5th November 2021

Hi

This week we had our outdoor learning day – and what a great day it was! Luckily we had a bit of sunshine and we had classes outside painting Rangoli patterns for Divali, reading, doing science experiments and much more. It was lovely to see all the children enjoying the day, so thank you for sending your child into school dressed to learn outside.

Red base has also had a very exciting week with diggers and workmen outside their classroom creating our wheelchair friendly playground. It’s still under construction, but hopefully by the time parents come for parent’s afternoon on the week beginning the 15th November, you will be able to see it in action!

Dates for your diary:
Friday November 19th - we are going to be dressing up in sparkly clothes for the Strictly Come Dancing Themed Children in Need day. Don't worry if you haven't got sparkly clothes - just send your child in bright clothes, or if you prefer - school uniform.

Friday November 26th - Training day - school is closed to children.

Have a great bonfire weekend - stay safe.
See you all on Monday

22nd October 2021

Hi

Hope you have all enjoyed the first day of your holidays. It was great that nobody turned up 'by accident' this morning!

As you know, today has been a training day for staff, and it has been brilliant that staff have been trained in Rebound, NARS - for swimming, and in the curriculum. A big thank you to staff who have worked so hard today because it is really going to benefit what we do in school.

Thank you so much for your harvest gifts this week. We had an amazing zoom assembly during which I went round school with my supermarket trolley to collect all the food for our homeless friends. We talked about how some people don't have a house and have to live on a bench, how others don't have a bed, and have to sleep on the pavement, and how others can't go and buy food and have to be helped by people by us. The trolley was so full by the time all the classes had put their contributions in that we couldn't even push it! Green base will be contacting the Salvation Army to arrange for it all to be picked up and we know that our homeless friends are going to enjoy it.

The other thing you have supported us with this week was sending your child to school in non uniform or hallowe'en outfits. The children loved it and it was fantastic that staff took part too. Even the kitchen staff joined in. It felt like the school was back to the community feel we used to have and it was lovely to see.

As you know Kate has left us from Yellow base this week, and so from after the holidays Caroline will be the teacher in there. She already works in a different part of school and knows the children well so I know that they will still enjoy their learning. From later in the term, we then have Sarah who will be new to our school and who will be starting with us to take on the lead of that base.

After the holidays, we are joining in with the National Outdoor classroom day on Thurdsay November 4th. This means that every class will have at least 1 lesson outside on that day. Please send your child in clothes so that they will stay be dry and warm outside.

And don't forget - the week beginning November 15th will be parent afternoon - so your child's teacher will be in touch when we get back about how that will work in your child's base.

Thank you so much for your support this term - especially to our new parents. We do not take the privilege of teaching your children lightly, and we are so glad that you are all working with us.

Have a lovely half term
See you on Monday 1st.

Rachel :)

15th October 2021

Hi

Hope you've all had a good week.

Dates for your diary:

On Wednesday we are going to be collecting for harvest. Please send your child to school with a can/tin of food or dried goods, eg. pasta so that they can put it in the harvest trolley.

Thursday is going to be a dressing up day and since we are so close to Hallowe'en, if children want to come dressed up in Hallowe'en costumes they can, or if not any costume or non uniform is fine.

Advance notice - week beginning 15th November is going to be a parents week, either in person or on zoom or phone. This is a chance to find out how your child is doing and catch up with your child's learning. Your child's class teacher will be getting in touch soon.

Please remember that next Friday - 22nd October - is a training day, so school closes for half term on Thursday 21st October.

Other news

This week our new CEO - Shirley Watson - came to visit our school for the first time. She, and the Trust's school improvement director - Nikki Flynn - went into classes, met children and staff and learnt about our school - they thought it was lovely. They thought your children were brilliant and they were very impressed with how calm and purposeful every class was. Great feedback.

Many of you will know Kate Hobbs, one of our teachers who has worked at Beckfoot Phoenix for the last 10 years and who has brought so much to our school. It is with great sadness that we say that Kate will be leaving us on Thursday for a whole new adventure, when her and her lovely family will be moving to Scotland to start her new job. I am sure like us, you will miss her and want to wish her well.

Helina - who you may also know is also leaving us on Friday to start her maternity leave. We all hope that you enjoy your new baby when he/she comes Helina.

Today was school photos day. We had children with plaits, spiked hair, gelled hair and ribbons. And we had staff working very hard doing silly dances, singing songs, jumping up from behind a screen and even turning on bubble machines to entice your child to look at the camera and smile! Hopefully you will be pleased with them! It was very busy - but also lots of fun.

Have a lovely weekend
Rachel :)

8th October 2021

Hi

It is great that despite the fact that COVID infections appear to be rising in some schools, we as a school are managing to keep ours down.

As you know, we came back to school with some restrictions still in place, eg. separate entrances, bases not mixing, assemblies still on zoom, whilst also relaxing some parts by sharing spaces and the removal of social distancing.

Whilst we have had a few people around school catching COVID, our COVID outbreak management programme has so far been successful in reducing the spread round school which is great news. Thank you for all you are doing to help us.


As parents you are really important to everything we are doing in school and we are looking for parents who would like to join our Local School Committee to help us even more. If you would like to come to 4 meetings a year and work with us to make sure that we are doing everything we can to help our pupils, families, staff and community, I would love to hear from you. We already have some parents who do a fantastic job, and it would be great to have more. Please message me privately and I will get back to you.

Have a lovely weekend
Rachel :)

17th September 2021

10th September 2021

Hi

I cannot believe that we have already been back a week. It feels like we've never been away.

Hopefully your children have all had a great week and you are all getting back into a routine.

It has been lovely to start to meet you all and I cannot thank you enough for your patience with transport and with picking up and dropping off your lovely children.

Enjoy the weekend.
Any problems, just get in touch.

Rachel :)

23rd July 2021

19th July 2021

Dear Parent/Carer,

Re- BECKFOOT PHOENIX SCHOOL VISION

Thank you to those parents who have already completed the below questionnaire. We would really appreciate it if everyone could look at this when they get time and contribute with their thoughts and opinions regarding our SCHOOL VISION.

https://form.jotform.com/211942875474364

Thank you

Jessica
School Office



Previous message from Rachel Stirland-
We are currently writing our school vision for the next 3 years and would love your input, thoughts and ideas.

As a school that is part of the Beckfoot Trust, our Trust mission is to ‘create remarkable schools where no child is left behind’. We do this through our Trust values of wanting everyone to work and learn in an environment where everyone enjoys, learns and succeeds.

Over the last 3 years, we feel that we have done loads of work on our curriculum, on our classes and on our work with families. Our school has always tried to put your child at the centre of everything we have done. Over the next 3 years, we would like to think wider and so we are putting the ‘24 hour child’ at the centre. I know that we already do a lot of work with families, however, we would like to know from you what else you need and want from us, both for your family and for especially for your child.

Attached is a jotform for you to complete and I would be grateful if you could fill it in with your thoughts and comments and return it to us before the end of term-
https://form.jotform.com/211942875474364

Thank you,

Rachel Stirland

11th July 2021

Morning.
A few parents have asked about their child having a lie in in the morning after watching the football tonight. I know that some schools are saying children can come in later if they want. With our children at Phoenix, coming in later can really upset them and others in the class because everyone needs their routine, however if you feel your child needs to sleep longer because they have been up late watching the football, please do what you would normally do if they have had a bad night, and either decide to bring them in a little bit later if they will be able to cope or keep them at home because they would struggle with the day because of tiredness.
Thank you
Rachel 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿⚽️

6th July 2021

Morning. As I sit here listening to the news this morning, I know that all the discussions of ‘freedom day’ when there is talk of all restrictions because of Covid, being dropped on the 19th, might be causing some of you some anxiety.

As far as school of concerned, there will be no changes to our risk assessment regardless of what the Prime Minister says. Until we break up for the summer, we will still be adhering to our 2m rule, still wearing masks on site and still doing temperatures on arrival even after the announcement on the 19th.
Thank you for your support
Rachel

2nd July 2021

Hi

This week, we have found that even though we haven't had any cases in school since returning to March - touch wood! we have still had to partly close some bubbles because of the track and trace Government system. This has meant that staff have had to self isolate through the Government's app, but because supply agencies are running out of staff because they are also isolating because of the app, then we have not had enough staff in school in some bubbles to keep everybody safe. I cannot thank enough those parents who have volunteered to move to remote learning for a day or two - it has really helped out. Thank you.

This week, we have had a WONDERFUL week travelling around the world. Children have taken part in all sorts of activities this week, including barbecues and scavenger hunts in Australia, visiting volcanoes and Northern lights in Iceland, going on safaris and elephant hunts in Africa, celebrating Chinese new year and making Chinese music in China, windmills and clogs in the Netherlands, and swimming in the coral reef in India.

Each day a base has travelled the world with their passport and collected stickers from each country round school. Whilst we have all kept separate in our bubbles, it has been lovely to get out of our bubble classrooms and see what other classes are doing.

The only thing missing from this was ... YOU! - but each class has made a video that will be uploaded to our website this weekend - so have a look and see what you missed.

Next week, we are starting our Beckfoot Phoenix Olympics which will run over the next couple of weeks. Children will be taking part in lots of different sports activities with the aim of improving their personal best to become the best Olympic champion they can.

We can't wait!

Have a lovely weekend - see you on Monday
Rachel :)

25th June 2021

18th June 2021

Hello Everyone,

Another busy week has finished and even though Boris didn't give us the go ahead to return to normal we have had lots more activities taking place in school. It is fabulous to see!

The weather looks changeable next week so we need to be prepared for sun and rain. Can we remind you to send your child into school with a sun hat for those hot days.

As football fever takes over I am sending my luck to the England team tonight, I hope the 3 lions bring the lads some goal scoring skills!!

It is Father's day this weekend so we hope everyone who has a Dad in their lives has a wonderful day celebrating.

See you on Monday,

Sarah

11th June 2021

Hi

Hope you have had a lovely week enjoying the sun. We’ve definitely been making the most of the weather in school with lots of outside activities this week.

This week assembly has been about being SunSmart. We learnt about slipping on summer clothes, slopping on the sun cream, slapping on a sun hat, seeking out some shade and sliding on our sun glasses. It would be great if you could share the video again with your child to help them understand what to do.
https://youtu.be/Fwa49vPr-3I

As the hot weather continues, it would also be good if you could help us by applying sun cream to your child before they come to school as well as sending your child with a sun hat each day.

Some of you may remember that next Friday 18th June was originally a training day when the holiday dates were set. In March, we made the decision to move this training day to prepare for reopening school after lockdown and so Friday 18th June is now a school day. If any families booked something for this day thinking it was a holiday, please contact the school office for a leave of absence form so we can look at whether we can authorise it or not.

Have a lovely weekend and don’t forget to keep slipping, slopping, slapping, seeking and sliding to help your children to learn about keeping safe in the sun.

See you all Monday
Rachel 😀

28th May 2021

Hi

In one last attempt to get more parents to complete our survey, if you haven't done so already, please click on the link below and tell us what you think about our school. It is great that 68 parents have already done it, but that means there 34 who haven't - it doesn't take long so please have a go.

Parents/carers
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BeckfootTrustFamily2021

As you know, we are now closed for the holidays until the 7th June.

Enjoy the sun that's been forecast this week, and please remember to keep following the guidance that the Government keeps telling us to do - washing hands, keeping 2m and wearing face coverings. We have done really well this half term with no bubble closures, and we'd like to keep it that way. If your child or anyone in your household develops COVID over the week, please let me know as we still need to do the track and trace through the holidays.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support since we came back in March. You are an amazing group of families and your lovely children are so lucky to have you. I know it's been hard, but we are getting there - slowly, and carefully, but surely.

See you on the 7th :)

21st May 2021

Hi

This is the time of year when we want to find out what you think about Beckfoot Phoenix. It is really important to us that we hear what you have to say so that we can build on what we are doing well, and address what might need changing.

Thank you to the 20 parents who have already completed the survey, however we have over 100 families in school, so we really need more to fill it in. It is really easy to do and doesn't take long.
Please click on the link and tell us what you think! - oh! that rhymes! Maybe that should be our new catchphrase! - anyway - just click on the link .... please!
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BeckfootTrustFamily2021

Despite the very wet end to the week, we have had a great week in school.

It was lovey that on Wednesday, we had lots of children and staff wearing bright clothes to celebrate Eid. Everyone looked amazing. For those who came in more traditional Eid clothes, you looked beautiful. Thank you to all of you for making such an effort.

The school was decorated with Eid celebration bunting and lanterns, and the children took part in lots of activities and learnt about praying, fasting, and what it is like to be Muslim.

Thank you also to all of you who sent food in for our Eid parties in the afternoon. Together, with all the Asian food that the kitchen cooked for us, everyone agreed that it was a great day and we cannot wait to celebrate ‘big Eid’ in July.

Don't forget that we have 5 more get-ups next week before we break up on Friday 28th May for a week's holiday.

Enjoy splashing in the puddles this weekend.
See you all Monday.

Rachel :)

14th May 2021

Hi

I hope that everyone who celebrated Eid this week had a lovely time. At last, you could meet with your families and even have fun in your gardens. It has been so long coming, but the wait has been worth it.

As the Prime Minister moves the road map further on from Monday, we want to assure you that we are still keeping lots of things in place. Although bubbles will be remaining in place, there are a few things that will be changing. From Monday, if staff feel comfortable enough, they will not longer have to wear their mask/visor when working with children. Wearing a mask/visor has not been something that many schools have introduced, however we wanted to be extra safe throughout all of this. Now that the incidence has decreased and people have had their vaccines, we feel that now is the right time for us to feel safe when working with children without face coverings. Staff will however still be wearing coverings on transport, in corridors and offices and when adults are within 2 metres of each other.

The other things we are beginning to look at is re-opening hydro for those who need it, and whether we can start to go back to Keighley pool. Blue base is going to be the first ones to start having their dinners in the dining room and we are beginning to consider visits out of school.

To help us all to keep safe, we would like you still to wear face masks when dropping off or collecting children, still keep 2 metre distance and still keep your child off if they have any symptoms, before taking them for a test.

I know that some of you may have concerns about these changes - so if you have, please message me directly, however I think that most of you would agree that these are small changes and please be assured that if we need to, we will soon revert to introducing more measures.

Thank you for your continued support.

Enjoy the weekend - and don't forget that Wednesday is our Eid celebration day - so wear bright clothes.
Rachel :)

7th May 2021

Hi.

Today our friend Lenny came to visit us again.

He played out with green base, went for a walk with purple base and tried to eat the toys in Orange base! He even sat through some of Elliot’s phonics lesson - he has been a star pupil!

As Ramadan continues, we are busy making preparations to celebrate Eid on the 19th May. This is the day that we will be decorating the school and doing lots of different activities, trying different food and having Eid parties in class. It would be lovely if children could come in brightly coloured clothes on this day so that we can all celebrate Eid together. Make sure you put it in your diaries!

Have a lovely weekend. See you all on Monday👍

Rachel 😀

30th April 2021

Hi

This week in our zoom assembly, we talked about who were our superhero friends in school. We wrapped up 2 members of staff from head to toe so that their identity was a surprise, and then unwrapped them - to the delight of the children - to find Tracy, our care team lead, and Robert, our caretaker, both with superhero capes on. The children loved it!

Each class then had to say who was a superhero friend in their class. We had Umar in Orange base, Kyle and Katie in Purple base, Cameron and Georgiana in Red base, Kulsuma and Leo in Yellow base, Maison, Sam and Lucas in Blue base and Matthew and Isaac in Green base. It was lovely to see our superhero friends, each with a superhero cape on, standing in front of their class webcam for all of us to see, with staff telling us that they had been chosen because they were kind, helpful and lots more besides. It was also brilliant to see Isaac adding a long flowing red wig to his superhero outfit!

Your children really are a credit to you, and I know that these were the ones chosen on Wednesday, but every child in our school deserves to wear the superhero friend cape.

Thank you so much for your support in coming back to school and for working with us to get the best out of your children.

Remember that this weekend is a bank holiday weekend - so no school on Monday, so see you all on Tuesday.

Enjoy the weekend
Rachel :)

23rd April 2021

Hi

We have had so much fun in school this week. There is so much happening - we're growing flowers in purple base, splashing in water in red base, playing rugby in green base and everyone has enjoyed being outside.

This week, we have also had animals in school. In Blue base, we have been watching tadpoles growing into frogs, and in assembly this week, we had Sarah's dog visiting us as our special friend. Lenny Lloyd was amazing - so lovely with the children, so happy to be here, and so well behaved. In fact, we're thinking of putting him on the payroll! The children thought he was so brilliant, that we are asking the Trust if we can adopt him as our school dog! So watch this space!

On Monday the Children's Commissioner, launched the ‘Big Ask’ survey that has been created to give young people a chance to have their say on the things that matter to them or for parents to speak on their behalf.

The Big Ask is for children and young people aged 4–17 in England. If you would like your child to have a voice in this survey, please complete the survey using the link below.

The Big Ask | Children's Commissioner for EnglandChildren's Commissioner for England (childrenscommissioner.gov.uk)

One last thing to tell you .... according to one of our lovely children who has returned from lockdown all grown up, I am now officially 'old'! I thought I was hiding it well - but since he tells me every day 'you're old' - I'm starting to believe it! If any of you would like to know what he thinks of you, just get in touch, and we'll ask him! - according to him, no-one is older than me, so I think you'll be okay!

Have a lovely weekend.
See you all on Monday
Rachel :)

16th April 2021

Hi

At last .... we are all back! We are all still in our bubbles, but it has been amazing to see children who we haven't seen for the last 12 months come back to school with confidence. It is also amazing to see how much they have grown! Apart from their change in size, it's as if they have never been away!

So life is getting back to normal at Phoenix.

Although we haven't yet got everyone walking round the corridors, it is lovely to hear and see everything that is going on in the classes.

And it is comforting that some things haven't changed, like a child shouting at me - 'see you smelly' as they left for home tonight, or another wanting to come and play in my office.

So - all is becoming well in the Beckfoot Phoenix world!

Have a lovely weekend and enjoy the sun.

See you all on Monday
Rachel :)