Newsletter 18th December 2020

  

Dear Parents and Carers

    

On behalf of the governors and all of the school staff, I would like to say thank you for your support and understanding this term.  The past few months have been challenging for us all and I am so proud that we have been able to work together with you to keep the children in school as much as possible and ensure that they are safe, happy and learning.  This is thanks to your trust in us as a school and your willingness to support and follow our safety procedures and guidance.  

The home-school partnership is more important now than it ever has been and I'm sure that, although next term will be equally as challenging as this one, we will be able to work together to make sure the children continue to get the very best support and care, pastorally and academically.  

I hope you all have a restful and happy break over the Christmas holidays and very much look forward to welcoming you back to school on Tuesday 5th January 2021.

Yours faithfully

 

Mr Dickinson

   

Headteacher & Deputy Headteacher Awards

Some children are sent to the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher for a special award.  Congratulations to:

  • Nathaniel S for excellent Maths work and the highest test score in Year 4
  • Olivia E for her fantastic writing and beautiful presentation
  • Rebecca S for working extremely hard to improve in all areas of her learning
  • Inayah R for working super hard all term and improving her mathematical skills, as well as being a model pupil
  • Kyra H for always being helpful and kind to everyone
  • Naryan S for his impressive work on Reading Plus - well done!
  • Daleen S for her impressive work on Reading Plus - well done!

   

Goodbye Mrs Wycherley

Mrs Wycherley, one of the teachers in RB, will sadly be leaving us at the end of term to start a new job at another school. We would like to thank her for the care and support she has given to our children and for her hard work over the past year and wish her all the best in her new school.

  

Beyond the Book Day

A huge thank you to parents, school staff and children for being so enthusiastic about our 2020 Beyond the Book Day. Our school Twitter was full of wonderful pictures and videos of the children doing a variety of fun tasks from tornadoes in a bottle to collages, learning 'Welcome' in lots of different languages to Starry Night artwork. They all looked fantastic!

   

Wellbeing at Uplands Manor

At Uplands Manor, we are embarking upon a journey to improve our well-being provision for staff, children and parents within our community. We would love to hear your views, if you would like to take part in our parent focus group please click the link below.

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/UMParentsurvey2/   

    

Nursery - places available

We have places available starting in January 2021 for children who are 3 years old. 

Any children who attend the Tiny Steps 2 year old nursery and will be 3 before 4th January 2021 should move to the school nursery.

If you would like to apply for a place at our Nursery, please ask the school office staff for an application form and more details. 

    

Are you entitled to Free School Meals?

Children who are isolating will be emailed supermarket vouchers worth £2.30 per day. You will need to inform the school office that your child is isolating and entitled to free school meals so that we can make sure the vouchers are provided.  

It is important that we have your correct contact details, so please ask the person who answers the phone to check our records.

 

  

Winter information - how to check if school is closed due to bad weather

   

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Dates of all events happening at Uplands Manor can be found on the calendar at https://uplandsmanor.sch.life/Page/Calendar

  • Monday 4th January 2021 - School closed for staff training
  • Tuesday 5th January 2021 - School reopens for all children

   

COMMUNITY NEWS AND EVENTS

   

A letter from Chris Ward, Director of Education at Sandwell Council

   

Sandwell Council Covid Winter Grant Scheme

The Covid Winter Grant Scheme is a new government initiative, paid through the council, specifically to support households suffering financial hardship as a direct result of the impact of Covid-19.

The government has awarded councils money under the Covid Winter Grant Scheme designed for vulnerable households and families, with or without children, who are particularly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

This means they are struggling to afford essential food and utility bills throughout the winter period and have no other available support.  

For more details, click on this link to the Sandwell Council website https://bit.ly/37TnUWX 

   

The Reading Agency Winter Mini Reading Challenge

The Winter Mini Challenge is run through our year-round children's website.

To take part, children simply read three or more books - these can be any books of their choice. Every time they finish a book, they add it to their Challenge website profile and leave a short book review.

Reaching their online reading goal will unlock a virtual badge and a special Everyone Is A Hero certificate to print off and keep!

We'll also have a whole host of fun activities, videos and reading recommendations, plus an exciting competition.

Children can visit the Winter Mini Challenge website at  www.wintermini.org.uk  from 1 December 2020 to start rating and reviewing their books and enjoying the online activities.

   

News from Smethwick & Thimblemill Libraries

Smethwick Library

We trust you are all staying safe and enjoying being back in school with the children around you. No doubt, as you are all busy preparing for Christmas, you are having to find creative new ways of doing things.

We have missed having the children in the library and, although we are not yet able to welcome classes in, we want to make you and your families aware that Smethwick Library is now open to the public, albeit with a new way of doing things.

Smethwick Library opening hours are:

Monday 10am-4pm,

Wednesday 10am-4pm

Friday 10am-4pm

Sunday 12-3pm

 

Books can be ordered either online or by phone. In addition, 'Grab bags' are available.  These are selections made by staff from whatever category of book is requested.  This includes selections of books for schools which support topics being covered on the curriculum.

Computers can be used for a maximum slot of 45 mins., again by prior appointment. We regret that at present we are unable to offer printing facilities. 

Visits are not to be made except by appointment.  Please call 0121 569 4940 for all appointments and enquiries.

 

   

Thimblemill Library - a message from Julie McKirdy

We have some good news - we will be opening in January! It will run in the same way as Smethwick Library.

It has been a very difficult year for everyone.  I have missed all the children and families coming into Thimblemill, but we will get through this and continue to make the community a great place to live.

I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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