The Week Ahead weekly newsletter

Growing Lives that Bear Fruit

This week...

Quick Stop Notices

One of our parents has shared a radio interview with the founders of 'Smart phone free childhood'. She found it was really interesting, and good to hear as a parent of children who don't have smart phones, that there are other parents out there doing the same.

Their website is https://smartphonefreechildhood.co.uk/ and there was an article in the Guardian a couple of months ago about the thinking behind the movement and their collective approach to the issue. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/feb/17/thousands-join-uk-parents-calling-for-smartphone-free-childhood

Nursery & Reception & Y1 - 4 Places 2024, - tell your family and friends about us

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.

Fees update - Applications for bursaries - DEADLINE: 10th May 2024

Thanks to all who have submitted their applications for fee adjustment based on low incomes. We have already communicated decisions with most of you who have done so.

Fee increase and applications for bursaries

Can we remind you that applications for fee reduction/ bursaries and accompanying evidence must be submitted by May 10th, and forms are available in the office. We can not guarantee being able to process applications made after this date.

If we do not receive applications the annual fee will be charged as per the table below.

Parents have been emailed information regarding fees. Please check your emails for these. If you have not received an email with information about fees, please let the office know.

office@bxs.org.uk

From September 2024:

Fees - increased to:

1 child 5520 (£460 per month)
2 children 9540 (£795 per month)
3 children 13560(1130 per month)

PLUS monthly supplements

Reception remains as on the website

Political actions on VAT policy - SIGN THE PETITION

Petition link - https://chng.it/8rPHW9FDHg

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.

Deeper Conference 24

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Next Week➡️

Week commencing 29th April 2024

Monday

GCSE Exams start

Children's Story & Art Workshops - 15:30 - 16:45 details below

Homework Club - 15:30 - 16:30

Tuesday

SLB Vaccinations Y9 - 13:00 - 14:00

Middle School Drama club - 15:30 - 16:30 - BFG tickets

Wednesday

Homework Club - 15:30 - 16:30

Thursday

Autism Provision trip to Xscape - 8:45 - 14:45

Homework club 15:30 - 16:30

Friday

Y11 Leavers assembly - 13:30 - 14:30

Autism Provision trip to Ilkley park - 9:00 - 15:00

School lunches

Lunches and puddings MUST be pre ordered because Mrs Trice Parkin cooks according to order size. She shops for food on Monday mornings, buying enough to feed those who have ordered. Please make sure you order through MIS, and if you haven't ordered, make sure you send packed lunch for your child.

If you struggle with MIS, please contact the office staff who will help you.

Lunch orders --> mis.bradfordchristianschool.com/login

After School Clubs - Details

Children's Story & Art Workshops - Details

Middle School Drama, The BFG - 16th - 18th May 2024 - Details

Dates for your diary

May

3rd - Y11 Leavers assembly 13:30 - 14:30
7th - Staff PD - SCHOOL CLOSED
14th -Year 1 and 2 Trip to Toy Museum at Abbey House
15th - Geography trip Yr 9/10
22nd - 24th - DofE Silver / Bronze
24th - Break up for Half-Term

June

10th - School Reopens
14th - GCSE Exam finish
24th - 5th July - Y9/10 End of Year Exams

July

4th - Staff PD, School CLOSED to Students
11th 18:00 - 19:30 - Whole School Celebration - Church on the Way, Idle
15th - 19th - Activity Week
19th - School closes for Summer

BCS Live Calendar

⭐️Stars & Students⭐️ of the week

Primary

EYFS

Abigail for amazing identification of her phonic sounds.
Seth for settling in extremely well.
Nina for amazing detail and great imagination in her story work.

Peace class

Jake for writing a fantastic story in English.
Yarnaa for super skills working with clay and creating a fantastic clay frog.

Kindness class

Ethan for great work on fractions and a brilliant test score.
Charlie for fantastic work on his Mr Stink.

Silver award

Eirik
Zebedee
Thandiwe
Violet

Gold award

Joshua P

Middle

Semmy for Consistently focused work across the curriculum
Daniel for Consistently participating in class discussions.
Marley for Excellent 'cold writing' last week

Rebecca for Always aiming higher and better in English

Eileena for Continual engagement in music outside of school and performing with the Ukuke in front of her class
Joy for Thoughtful, mature attitude in English
Preet for Excellent focus in English

Upper

Y10

Ethan for Excellent focus in English

Autism Provision

🧑‍🎓Classroom News

Music at BCS

Not only are we successfully running Music lessons for the first time in BCS history, students have completed their song recording for the ISA music competition!

Year 8's take a lead in devotions

Year 8's are taking turns to lead a devotion on a Monday morning. Joy shared this week on why prayer is so important to her and her faith journey.

The Junior Maths Challenge

Some of the Year 7 and 8s enjoyed taking part in the Junior Maths Challenge on Thursday. We look forward to getting our results in a few weeks time. Well done everybody!

Helpful Links

Online Safety

Parent Resources

Prevent Stratergy

Chromebooks for school & home

Fundraising

We are excited to announce the the release of our new Fundraising platform - Stewardship!

Stewardship are a Christian charity organisation who have been helping charities raise crucial funds since 1906! You can read more about them here.

If you or anyone you know feel able to give regularly to the work of Bradford Christians School, click the button below to get started and thanks you!

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!

giveasyoulive-asset-new-supporter-giveaway-2024-twitter-post

Regular campaign link - https://www.giveasyoulive.com/charity/bradford-christian-school

£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.

This week we had the privilege of meeting most parents to discuss your children. We had a great turn out and staff enjoyed talking about the children they teach, and hearing about them at home.

We realise that one of our strengths at Bradford Christian School is that staff know it is not just a job, and articulate calling and commitment to their roles, caring deeply about the children they work with. We also appreciate that we are relational people, and whilst relationships can bring great joy, they also bring challenges.

As staff have reflected this week, it has been apparent, once again, that there is a strong desire to work with parents, in partnership, to educate their children. We share the best interests of the children, although acknowledge that the outworking can be different at times.

Our vision and mission are central to our partnership:

Christian Community - Through partnership with parents, churches and the wider community, all BCS students are loved, valued and respected. Each child is accepted, nurtured, challenged and encouraged. They are inspired to discover and develop their unique God-given abilities as they grow in confidence to see themselves the way Christ sees them.

We have a partnership agreement with parents and with older students, published on the website and shared during the enrolment process. Our desire is to partner with all of our families who are choosing Christian education for their children.

Thanks for supporting our parent evening, for showing up, engaging and partnering with us as we try to do a great job with your children.