Dear parents,
A warm welcome to all of our new families. It is lovely to see so many of our children's happy, smiling faces!
The children all really enjoyed their forest school experiences including Longridge. The new children have settled in beautifully and their parents will be receiving this message in hard copy just for this week. Next week there will be more information on how to log into 'eschools', our communication system. Thank you to all the parents who attended the class meetings. I hope that you found them useful.
At the start of every new school year there are always lots of reminders. This year does feel a little different though, as we aim to get back to normality, whilst still grappling with Covid. All of Braywood Extra sessions are up and running and parents are taking advantage of either Breakfast Club from 7.45am; 'Kiss and Drop' from 8.20am; 'Grab and Go' for 25-30 minutes after school and our After School Club until 5.30pm (unless it is a Friday as we close at 4.15-30pm. Football on a Friday is set up to help the school with our After School staffing issues. Don't forget to book onto the extra-curricular clubs as they are filling up fast. Most clubs are independent of the school and have their own procedures on payment etc.
The main gates are open at 8.35am in the morning and again at 2.50pm at the end of the day. They are closed for the safety of the children so please do not arrive too early. Don't forget the Traffic Code of Conduct as we have had several complaints already. There should be absolutely NO 3-point turns on this busy road, nor reversing/parking over driveways/school entrances and the passing places need to be kept clear at all times. Any parent unhappy with any situation should take a photograph and send it into school. I do not have the manpower to patrol the streets, but if any parent has any good ideas, do please pass them onto the office.
The children are having their first school photograph on Monday 13th September. We advise parents to put their children in their winter uniform please as they look so much smarter. The company we use is Braiswick Photographic.
There is a second-hand uniform sale in the Church House after school for a few weeks with an honesty box. We have so many good quality garments do please come along. Any uniform donations please leave on the Church House porch. We are also collecting Happy Bags which can be dropped off just inside the main school entrance on Wednesday 22nd September before 10am. Do have a sort out as this will go straight to our PTA 'Friends of Braywood'.
Whilst we have had a difficult time last year, we have lots of exciting events planned this year. We aim to add 'Colour after Covid'. The overarching idea is to bring our outside environment alive through colour. We plan to plant 2021 bulbs, additional shrubs and flowering trees and to resurrect our pond. On Friday 15th October (a provisional date), we hope that as many parents and children can join us to put these plans in motion. If any parents have any ideas or can donate plants or bulbs, please do let the office know.
We have been busy through the holidays getting some building projects up and running. Government funding has allowed new energy efficient electrical lights to be fitted throughout; the main toilets have been redecorated; our gates have been repaired and the school thoroughly cleaned. We are getting there slowly! Any family who has an old double wardrobe at home and can donate this to school that would be very much appreciated.
Kind regards
Susan Calvert