Latest News
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Create a routine to keep things as normal as possible
Tue 21 Apr 2020Dear Parents and Carers
As the lockdown continues I know many parents are finding it a struggle to keep things normal. We have today sent out some resources via the gateway app which might help you and your child to agree daily routines and keep them entertained. I hope you find them useful. We will send out the Juniper education parent timetables every Monday as well as continue to update the home learning pages on the school website each week. BBC bitesize are also producing additional content to help with home learning.
I hope you are all doing well and staying safe!
Mrs Driver
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/search?q=bitesize
https://junipereducation.org/wp-content/uploads/juniper_folder/Week-comm-20.04-KS1-timetable.pdf
https://junipereducation.org/wp-content/uploads/juniper_folder/Week-comm-20.04-KS2-timetable.pdf
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Stationery packs to support home learning
Mon 20 Apr 2020Dear parents and carers
We received a donation of money from Greggs to use as we thought necessary during the Coronavirus shut down. We decided to put the money towards making up some stationery packs for those children who need them. We are offering these packs initially to children who are entitled to benefits related free school meals. If you would like a pack please call at the school office between 9.00am and 12.00pm Monday to Friday. Please ensure you observe social distancing when coming in and out of school.
Regards
Balliol Primary
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Issues with FSM vouchers
Mon 13 Apr 2020Apparently Edenred are having technical issues with their website, I have tried to ring them this morning and got a automated message saying they are upgrading their system so they can process all of the orders at a faster rate, they are hoping this will be completed by the end of the bank holiday weekend. The Department for Education says it is "working tirelessly" with Edenred to resolve technical problems.
In the mean time we are still handing out packed lunches all of this week
Many thanks for your patience
Mrs Thompson
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Advice for critical workers during the Easter Break
Mon 06 Apr 2020Dear parents and carers
Due to the current Covid 19 pandemic, school is currently only open for identified groups of children as identified by the Department for Education in this document, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers
If you think your child is eligible to attend school, please contact school by email at: info@balliolprimary.co.uk We can discuss eligibility and organise access for provision. If you are already using the emergency childcare provision and need to access provision on different days to those already arranged please email or telephone the number sent via the school gateway app.
In the holidays, schools would usually be closed. In line with DfE guidance, we will be offering provision as it is needed by identified parents/carers, meaning we will be physically open on some days and closed on others based on the needs of those parents/ carers. However, if your circumstances change and you need care for your child/ren, for example if you are called into work, please contact the telephone number sent to you via the gateway app and we will arrange provision for your child/ren, irrespective of whether or not we have planned to be open on that day or not as we appreciate that everyone’s circumstances are ever changing
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Moving to FSM shopping vouchers instead of packed lunches 20th April
Fri 03 Apr 2020Dear parents and carers
Re; Moving to Free School Meals shopping voucher provision from 20th April 2020
You will have heard a lot on the news about shopping vouchers for families who are eligible for Free School Meals. We have been providing packed lunches for collection from school (breakfast club/quiet garden entrance) between 11:30 and 12:00 Monday to Friday
for families and will continue to do so over the Easter Break. The shopping voucher scheme is not available over the Easter break and we want to ensure our families are still supported over this period.
From Monday 20th April we will be moving to the shopping voucher scheme. It is essential that we have your email address to be able to send vouchers to you. Please ensure that you keep the school office updated of any changes to your email address at: info@balliolprimary.co.uk
The voucher scheme is only for families who are eligible through means testing, not universal free school meals (which is for all Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils). If you are
unsure whether you are eligible you can apply using the following link.
https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/category/238/free-school-meals
From Monday 20th April the voucher system will replace the daily packed lunch provision and vouchers can be redeemed in a number of supermarkets (Asda, Morrison's, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose and M&S). Please check your email for a 16-digit eCode and the amount you have been sent. You will also find a link to the redemption website: www.freeschoolmeals.co.uk
We suggest ordering your eGift card at home when connected to WIFI before you go to the supermarket. Take a screenshot of the eGift card barcode before going to the supermarket as this should still scan ok in-store even if you have no mobile data on your mobile.
Further details/guidance can be found regarding how eCodes can be redeemed from:
https://www.edenred.co.uk/Documents/DfE/DfE_FreeSchoolMeals_ParentCarerFAQs.pdf
Kind regardsMrs Driver
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Seven Stories 10am today
Fri 03 Apr 2020Seven Stories 10am Friday A fox called Herbert
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Free coding activities for Y3 - Y6 pupils
Wed 01 Apr 2020We have been told of a website offering free coding activities at present with lesson plans that pupils can follow independently.
Why not sign up and learn along with them?
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Bedtime stories by Mrs Hennessy
Tue 31 Mar 2020Check out our video resource centre on the home learning page to hear Mrs Hennessy Reading bedtime stories for KS1 and KS2.
Also have a look at www.eyfshome.com fir daily activities to keep our youngest pupils busy!
Stay safe everyone!
Team Balliol
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Seven Stories - Tony Ross reading I don’t want to wash my hands’ 10am Friday 27/03/20
Thu 26 Mar 2020Tune in to www.facebook.com/7stories at 10am on Friday 27/03/20 related activities on Year 1 and Year 2 Home Learning pages!
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Online home learning resources
Thu 26 Mar 2020Dear parents and carers
I hope you are all settling in to new routines during this strange period. I know some of you found the Steve Backshall resource enjoyable yesterday. We are adding resources to support you every day and will continue to let you know what we find. The BBC are also putting additional educational programmes on iPlayer so you should always be able to find something to keep your children busy.
Please remember that we acknowledge you are not teachers and we do not expect you to have your children doing school work every day from 9am - 3pm. See our previous newsletter for our daily expectations for KS1 and KS2.
However, if you do want educational activities to keep your children busy here is a selection of what various celebrities are offering you while schools are closed: 👏🏼9.00am - PE with Joe Wicks https://youtu.be/6v-a_dpwhro
10.00am - Maths with Carol Vorderman www.themathsfactor.com
11.00am - English with David Walliams https://www.worldofdavidwalliams.com/elevenses/
12.00pm - Lunch (cooking with Jamie Oliver) https://www.jamieoliver.com/feat…/category/get-kids-cooking/
1.00pm - Music with Myleene Klass https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQh2wgJ5tOrixYBn6jFXsXQ
1.30pm - Dance with Darcey Bussel https://twitter.com/diversedance…/status/1241098264373592065
2.00pm - History with Dan Snow (free for 30-days) https://tv.historyhit.com/signup/package
4.00pm - Home Economics with Theo Michaels (Mon/Wed/Fri) https://www.instagram.com/theocooks
Non-daily events include:
Science with Professor Brian Cox, Robin Ince & Guests https://cosmicshambles.com/stayathome/upcoming-schedule
Steve Backshall - Facebook, Twitter and Instagram live streamingWe will continue to update you as we find more and remember to check the home learning pages on the school website too.
Kindest regards and Stay safe!
Mrs Driver
