Newsletter October 2020

October 2020 Parkside Middle School Newsletter Dear Parents/Carers, Well, we’ve reached the end of our first half term this year and I’m pleased to reflect on such a successful start, particularly given the challenging circumstances that the country continues to find itself in. I’m sure we’ll all agree that with winter looming and with the virus sadly on the increase again there will inevitably be many challenges that lie ahead but as always we will find the answers with a determination to always put the safety, well-being and educational development of all our pupils at the heart of everything that we do. All our pupils have adjusted to new routines so well since the start of the year and it has been so satisfying to see them return, reunite with their friends and show such resilience as they move on with their learning. As always the staff give their all, each and every day and work as part of our close-knit team to achieve the best possible outcomes for the children and it’s been very reassuring to see how well the pupils have re-engaged with the curriculum and how much progress they have already made. Wishing you a safe and enjoyable half term break. Mr N. Mills

We look forward to welcoming everybody back on Monday 2nd November. #HELLOYELLOW CAMPAIGN On Friday 9th October, Parkside pupils and staff took part in #HelloYellow in support of World Mental Health Day. Pupils wore a yellow accessory alongside their uniform to show their support. This year's theme was centred around resilience. During our whole school Thrive session in the afternoon, pupils learnt how to identify the resilience they already have in their lives and recognise why building resilience is vital to help them cope with difficulties and failures. Pupils looked at various famous people from all backgrounds and learnt how they suffered setbacks and failures and how they overcame them in order to succeed. Pupils really enjoyed the day, and it was lovely seeing them in their yellow accessories. LIBRARY NEWS The library is running smoothly under the current situation with pupils accessing Junior Librarian to choose their reading books which has been most effective in allowing pupils to choose books that they would like to read. This half term we have had our Monster Character Competition, what a fantastic response and well done to all those who entered. All entrants showed us what brilliant creative skills they have! A big thank you is also due to the Year 5 & 6 pupils who took part in the interclass competition to source and donate books to the library. We have been able to restock our Library with more of the pupil’s favourite books. KS2 & KS3 ENGLISH Well done to Year 5 for their Roald Dahl Day. We loved seeing your Roald Dahl potatoes and your work on this topic has been fantastic! Year 5 text for next half term: The Train to Impossible Places by PG Bell Year 6 text for next half term: The International Yeti Collective by P. Mason Mrs Wright's book recommendation for KS2: Malamander by Thomas Taylor Year 7 will be studying: An Introduction to Dickens (with A Christmas Carol as their class text) Year 8 will be studying: Poetry with the theme of relationships. KS2 MATHS Well done to all year 5 and 6 pupils for the amazing improvements on the '66' times table test on Wednesday afternoon. We had lots of brilliant scores and massive improvements in the speed the pupils could recall their times table facts. Thank you to all parents that have supported their child practising times tables at home - knowing them fluently is vital! On another note, the Times Table Rock Star 'Battle of the Bands' commenced on Wednesday at 4pm and will last for 4 weeks. Every time your child plays on TTRS the score is added to their band (maths class) to help them battle against another band in KS2. Every pupil in the winning bands at the end of the 4 weeks will earn 10 achievement points each, as well as a certificate and much sought after inflatable guitar for their band! Get battling!

REMINDERS High School Applications The national closing date for high school applications is 31st October 2020. Please visit https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/schooladmissions to make an online application or contact 01905 822700 if you need support in making an application. Bikes We’re pleased to able to announce that from immediate effect, pupils who wish to ride their bikes to school can once again do so after the half term break. We have had the chance this week to review safe COVID protocol in the bike shed area and so are confident the children are safe to lock their bikes away before entering school. To ensure social distancing can be maintained moving forward we will continue to ban children from riding scooters to school. In addition to reducing the number of pupils using the bike shed area there were also reports that some pupils were not showing a due regard for others when riding their scooters to school. It is essential at all times to show respect to other pedestrians. School Start/Finish Times Please could we remind parents and carers of the start and finish times for each year group; Year 5 and Year 6 8:40am—3:05pm Year 7 and Year 8 8:50am—3:15pm Please also ensure that you follow social distancing guidelines when around the school site. Equipment Please check that your child has all of the essential equipment required ahead of next half term. Please visit the Letters to Parents section of the school website for more information. Thank you. Dates for your Diary • Monday 2nd November—School reopens • Tuesday 3rd November—Year 5, 6 and 7 Flu Vaccinations • Thursday 26th November—Whole School Individual Photographs • Thursday 17th December— School closes • Friday 18th December—TE Day For further information and regular updates please visit our school website: https://www.parkside.worcs.sch.uk/