Term 2

Wear Blue Day – Friday 10 November 2017

The Shetland Community Safety and Resilience Board and the Shetland Planning Partnership want to give a strong and clear message that there should be a zero tolerance approach to any form of bullying behaviour that harms children, young people and adults.  The focus is on keeping people safe, supporting those harmed and challenging any form of bullying behaviour.

National Anti-Bullying week for 2017 takes place on 13^th to 17^th November 2017.  At Bell’s Brae we are keen to show our support for a ‘Bully Free Shetland’ and will be doing so by discussing anti-bullying at assembly, following this up with class work and taking part in ‘Wear Blue Day’ on Friday 10 November 2017.   We hope you and your child(ren) will be willing to also show support by coming to school next Friday wearing something blue.   We have blue wrist bands available for pupils to wear who wish to show support but have nothing blue or happen to forget on the day.

Parents are encouraged to take part in a survey on ‘bully free Shetland’ which focuses on adults.  If you wish to participate please find the link below:

http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/antibullying2017/

Thank you for helping us to support National Anti-Bullying Week in Shetland.

This morning was the launch of our new breakfast club. Pupils enjoyed having their breakfast with their friends and there was a lovely atmosphere in the canteen.

All pupils are welcome to come to the breakfast club which will run on Monday and Wednesday mornings.

November info

Bells Brae Parent Council Halloween Party

Breakfast Club/Study Club

From previous correspondence you may recall that the school received £48,000 of Pupil Equity Funding. Pupil Equity Funding has come to Bell’s Brae to help us provide the best possible opportunities for children’s learning.  In particular, it is there to help us support children who experience barriers to learning and who might be falling behind or not getting the same chances in their education because their family is experiencing poverty or other financial difficulties.

As part of our School Improvement Plan we have three specific PEF action plans which can be viewed on our school website.  A large proportion of our funds have been spent on employing additional staff.  We have appointed a Learning Support Worker, Mrs Alanda Anderson, and, from week beginning 30 October, will be providing children with the opportunity to attend the following:

Breakfast Club – Mondays and Wednesdays  0840 – 0900

Our breakfast club will be in the school canteen and will offer a cold drink, cereals and toast. Mrs Anderson will be on hand to support but we will be promoting independence with self service.

Study Club – Tuesdays and Thursdays 1500 – 1545

Our study club will also be in the school canteen and will provide a quiet place after school for children to complete homework, read, play board games, colour or any other quiet relaxing activity they wish to take part in. There will be no use of personal technology during this time e.g. mobile phones and ipods.  Mrs Anderson will be on hand to support children but once again the promotion of independence skills will be a focus.   Parents/carers will need to book their child(ren) in to the study club at least a day in advance and they must ensure they know the arrangements for going home at 1545.  Bookings should be made by phoning the school office.

 We will be carefully monitoring the success of these clubs to see if there is value in running them on more days.

The P5/6 choir is starting up on Monday 30^th October.  Rehearsals will take place in the GP Room from 3.00-3.40pm.  There will be a public performance in December as well as visits to local care homes.  This year, to help cover the cost of new choral music, we are asking for a one-off contribution of £2.00 from each pupil.

Please inform the school if you wish your child to attend.