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The Week Ahead weekly newsletter

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Growing Lives that Bear Fruit

This week...

    Thanks for the positive feedback about ISI, it was lovely receiving your comments and encouragement.

    Quick Stop Notices

    Raise Some Praise

    St James's on Bolton Road are trying a new thing at church and wondering if anyone at BCS might enjoy it.

    There’ll be a live band and food, Rev'd Tracy is doing a quick talk too so it should be great.

    Uniform update

    Thanks to all who filled out the uniform questionnaire.
    The results showed clearly that:
    95% parents want to keep uniform with no real changes
    92% parents like the change from primary to middle to upper
    90% parents like PE day uniform, though some would like it to be stricter and more modest
    Most like the logo on the blazer or jumper, but not the T shirts or polos

    Some parents would like a summer uniform
    M and S is expensive for the quality
    Logos make uniform expensive
    Most would like second hand uniform
    Some parents made comments about the need for modesty in terms of skirt length, PE attire, and own clothes days

    We are moving to partner with a different uniform provider in the future, but they will keep the same uniform for us. They are owned by Tesco but source from other places myclothing.com More details will follow.

    We are introducing an optional summer uniform across school, which will be summer dresses up to year 4, and from year 5 will be grey or black school shorts, trousers or skirts with a white shirt or polo shirt (no ties, jumpers or blazers necessary) This will be an option from April to July. Obviously on cooler summer days children can still wear jumpers and blazers.

    We do run a second hand option. Suzanne Wells, one of our parents, collects clean used uniform and has regular stalls, the main one being at primary sports day in the summer. She does have a stock of second hand items.

    We are tightening up the PE uniform, so it is a plain white T shirt, plain black joggers or sports leggings, and a plain black sweatshirt or school hoodie (Middle school onwards) Fashion leggings are not appropriate school wear.

    Skirts should be knee length

    We do require a logo on blazers and prefer them on the blue school jumpers, but do not require them on polo shirts, T shirts, fleeces, PE sweatshirts, or other uniform items.

    The full updated policy will be shared before the Easter holiday.

    Update on Mrs Hutcheson

    Mrs Hutcheson shared some excellent news that her latest scan showed no visible signs of cancerous cells - a miraculous healing and the result of lots of prayer!

    Exams update

    Year 11 completed mock GCSEs with some pleasing results, and providing knowledge of where they need to concentrate revision efforts in the next few weeks. Thanks to all who have taught them, not just this year but throughout school.

    They have attended a transition residential this week, concentrating on leaving BCS well. Thanks to Mr Prothero, Mrs March, Mr Stannett, and Mrs Wells for facilitating this.

    Playground...

    Thanks to Mr Peckover and Mr Stannett who are working with the DT class to develop a grassed area in our concrete play space. There has been a lot of hard work going on digging, preparing and clearing rubbish so we can have a shaded outdoor space that is pleasant to be in.

    Nursery & Reception

    We are enrolling into nursery and reception. The government funds children until they turn 4, then part funds places for reception children until their fifth birthday.

    We are one of the only Christian nurseries in North Bradford at the moment, please spread the word that we are open for enrolment and  love to give children the opportunity to have Christian input from the age of 3.

     

    We are looking ahead and already planning an AP residential, a  London residential trip for year 7 and 8 in September/ October, a York residential for Year 5 and 6 at a similar time, and a trip abroad for 9 and 10 in Spring term - possibly to Berlin or Budapest.

    Political actions on VAT policy - take action

    From the ICS:

    All schools should be in touch with local politicians to make them aware of the impact of Labour’s tax proposals. We encourage you to focus on the impact on your parents, local state schooling, and your school operations. Stress whenever possible your school’s public benefit work, and existing links to the local community – as well as any specialised provision. While we still expect to see the tax proposals in the next Labour manifesto, our combined efforts are necessary to provide the best possible basis for conversations with Labour if they form the next government.

    The ISC and associations are working at a national level to engage with the Labour VAT/charitable tax policy – but schools also have a vital role to play as local advocates. We are speaking to political parties, education groups, and unions – making them aware of the unintended consequences of the policy, but also the hugely positive role independent schools play in UK education. We are also highlighting the diversity of independent schools, the specialisms schools provide, and myth-busting about the true nature of our sector.

    Missed last weeks Week Ahead?

    Go to our Parent Zone page to view the archive.

    Next Week ➡️

    Monday 4th March

    Primary Drama Club - 15:30 - 16:30

    Homework club, 15:30 - 16:30

    Tuesday

    Y11 Final PC Issued to parents via email - 13:00

    Middle School Drama club, 15:30 - 16:30

    Wednesday

    Staff PD - CLOSED to Students

    Thursday

    Homework club 15:30 - 16:30

    Friday

     

    Dates for your diary

    • 22nd March - School CLOSES at 12:30 for Easter break
    • 8th April - School OPENS for Summer term
    • 10th April - Y1 - 10 Spr2 Progress Checks published to parents

    ⭐️Stars & Students⭐️ of the week

    Primary School

    Love class

    Emilia for being kind and great writing about the Little Red Riding Hood
    Maia for settling into nursery

    Alisha for some amazing syllable work

    Kindness class
    Ruth for having courage and reliance and being brave
    Abigail for always putting in 100% effort into her work
    Peace class
    Leia for Geography and her thoughtful poster about saving water
    Alyssa for geography and her amazing poster on saving water
    Bronze awards
    Eric
    Oscar
    Silver awards
    Maya
    Angel

    Middle School

    Y5

    Nyomi for excellent testimony about her recent baptism
    Amelia for extra science work done at home.

    Upper School

    Y10

    Cristina for great support on the Barcelona trip and helped others to use Spanish and connect with the culture.
    Jude for great cross cultural engagement with others on the Spanish trip.
    Brayden for improvement in his Maths work, and excellent support with Y56

    🧑‍🎓Classroom News

    World Book Day!!

    Upper school girls enjoying their Tennis lessons at Heaton tennis club

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    Helpful Links

    Fundraising

    It's free to sign up to and start supporting us with Give as you Live. Send our unique campaign links to friends and family so they can support us for free too!

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    £15 raised so far!

    To say it's only been a short time we've been apart of the Stikins campaign, this is an incredible achievement. Please continue to engage with this campaign. Thank you!

    Marks & Spencer Uniform

    £120 raised so far!

    Every time someone purchases a BCS school uniform through our affiliate, M&S, we receive a small commission. So far this year we have receive £120. Thank you for your support.  

    Headteacher's Message

    Our Mission

    To provide a holistic Christian education for all and to inspire discipleship.

    Our Vision

    To be a Christian community in which everyone grows in character, faith, knowledge, understanding and wisdom.

    I work with some incredibly competent people at BCS, all of us trying to work together to fulfil our mission and vision:

    Our mission is to provide a holistic Christian education for all and to inspire discipleship
    Our vision is to be a Christian community in which everyone grows in character, faith, knowledge, understanding and wisdom.

    This term I have been especially thankful for the work of our student support team (SST) This team of people work with our students across school to provide additional social, emotional and academic support.

    Recently, I have seen those struggling with exam pressures, those who need a little time out to regulate, those who have nurture sessions, those who need a quiet room, those who are having friendship struggles, and those who just want to tell staff good news. We can give them a space to be, help is available, and they can grow as individuals made in the image of God.

    Our support team in school is really special. Not only do they work alongside children, but they also cover lessons, teach some parts of the curriculum, go on residentials, cover many many playground duties and enhance the life of BCS.

    Thank you all, and to Mrs Kershaw, Mrs Horton and Mrs Walker for leadership in this area.

    Jane Prothero

    Thank you for your continued support of Bradford Christian School

    Have a blessed weekend