Broadford's Quest for 100 Likes!

Using the webpage and Facebook feed to keep in touch with parents can be a very effective way of improving communications. It is also a great way for us to let lots of people know about what is happening here at Broadford Primary.

Our target is to get our Facebook following up to 100 by the half term. Please encourage parents and friends who use Facebook, Twitter or the internet to follow our school's posts. The feedback we have had from parents, Governors, pupils, staff and friends of the school has been very positive. We would like to share what your children are doing with as many people as possible.

Publishing a number of positive stories, the Romford Recorder has also been a great supporter of the school as well. In addition we have been able to benefit from free resources - a sand pit and giant jenga set - just by publicising companies on our newsfeed. It has also been a great tool in helping to pull in sponsorship. So far that total is resting at over £4,700!

We are committed to making Broadford Primary the 'best school on the Hill' and we are very keen to tell anyone who will listen how proud we are of your children. 100 Likes on Facebook, let's see if we can achieve that by half term - spread the word!

First Silver Pencil Awarded!

Spurred on by the challenge of completing his Silver Tracker before anyone else, David S (Year 5) has already managed to achieve his Silver pencil. That is the new prize for reaching 15 merits on the Silver Tracker card. Congratulations David... a tremendous achievement in such a short time!

Spring Term Dates

Please make a note of the following dates in your diary:
January
Wednesday 11th 9.05am - Ash Sharing Assembly
Wednesday 18th 9.05am - Birch Sharing Assembly
                                          Year 5&6 trip to Tower of London
Thursday 26th 9.10am - Parents Training on Fronter, Mymaths, Linguascope and Website
Monday 30th 2.30pm - Parents meeting with Governors

February
Wednesday 1st 9.05am - Willow Sharing Assembly
Tuesday 7th - Year 3&4 Roman Day
Wednesday 8th - Dance Club Sharing Assembly (Year R, 1&2)
Thursday 9th - BFG Valentine's Ball KS1 4.15-5.45pm and the KS2 6.30-8.00pm
Friday 10th - Break up for half term

Half term - Feb 13th to Feb 17th

Monday 20th - Children return to school
Wednesday 22nd 9.05am - Rowan Sharing Assembly
                                           Parents Open Afternoon 2.15-3.00pm
Thursday 23rd 2.15-3.00pm - Parents Open Afternoon
Monday 27th 3.30 -7.00pm - Parents Evening
Tuesday 28th 3.30 - 5.00pm - Parents Evening

March
Friday 2nd - Year 3&4 visit to Colchester Castle
Wednesday 7th 9.05am - Pine Sharing Assembly
Wednesday 14th 9.05am - Mulberry Sharing Assembly
Wednesday 21st 9.05am - Cedar Sharing Assembly
Wednesday 28th 9.05am - Dance Club Sharing Assembly
Thursday 29th 9.10am - Parents Training on Fronter, Mymaths, Linguascope and Website
                                      Last day of term
Friday 30th - INSET Day (School Closed)

Collecting Your Views - Pupils & Parents

Next week you will recieve a curriculum update letter from your child's Phase Group. Within the letter you will find information on the topics your child will be covering this term.

This time we are starting a new intiative, which we hope will further include you in what your children do in school. On each letter there will be a slip for you to return with any ideas for areas you would like your child to cover within the topics suggested.

For instance Year 5&6 are studying the Tudors. Perhaps you would like to know more about how Henry VIII executed his wives? Maybe you have always wondered what the 'Tudor Rose' is or are you just curious about the Queen who only ruled for nine days. Just jot down any questions you would like answered or areas you'd like your child to explore and we will do our best to use them in our planning.

Combine this with parent information meetings, parents training sessions, questionnaires, regular newsletters, open days, parents evening, yearly reports, an improved website and an open door policy and it means you should feel involved in what your child is studying. At Broadford we are committed to empowering parents to feel able to support their child/children so that they have the best chance for success. Together we can make a real difference.

Look out for the diary list which will give dates for computer training and chances to meet with Governors this term.

More Bronze Award Winners

Every time the children complete a piece of outstanding work they earn a merit. To recognise this they get a sticker for their tracker cards. Currently there are three levels to complete: bronze, silver and gold! Amazingly we have a number of children who have already completed their Bronze trackers... some have even begun collecting stickers towards their Silver ones.

The latests superstars to have completed their Bronze trackers are: Shope, Elsaf, Samantha and Dara. Wel done to all of you. Without a doubt you have worked very hard to complete your first tracker.

When the children get onto the Silver they have to collect 25 stickers (instead of the 20 on the Bronze). They also get to earn a Silver pencil. The Gold is even harder - 30 stickers. Will anyone be able to complete the Tracker Challenge?

Keep an eye on the website for regular updates on pupils who have completed their cards.

League Winners & Weekly Champions

At Broadford we are trying to build a sense of friendly competition in to our everyday practise - which we believe motivates the children. One of the best successes has been the weekly attendance league. All the children (and some of our competitive staff) look forward to finding who will gain weekly ownership of the glittering attendance trophies. Gradually the scores build up towards an overall champion. What is the prize for winning? The class at the summit of the table at the end of the term wins a morning at The Brewery. Bowling, Kidspace or the cinema: these are the three activities they can choose from.

After an incredible attendance rate (which included five perfect 100% weeks) the top class managed to win the Autumn league by 14 points! Willow - led by Mrs Higginson - will now have a class council meeting to decide what they want to do. Congratulations to all of them. Without a doubt they have earned their prize and they'll have a great morning out.

However Willow will have to work hard to repeat their success. This term sees the Reception classes enter into the fray. In addition to this Rowan and Cedar have improved the consistency of their attendance. This week both these classes lifted the respective KS1 & KS2 trophies, leaving Willow with some catching up to do.

Here's to another great competition. Remember, all you have to do to win is turn up every day... it's that simple!

Attendance On The Rise!

Congratulations to all of our children, parents, governors and staff because the efforts made over the last year are showing a real impact. We have worked together to ensure there are many measures to encourage and reward good attendance: a weekly attendance league, certificates for 100%, prize draws, trips to the Brewery, first day phone calls, breakfast club, after school clubs, an exciting curriculum and a supportive Educational Welfare Officer. As a consequence we have managed to make a huge improvement on the attendance registered from the Autumn term 2010 (which was just 92.28%). With everyone's hard work this has now reached 95.33%!

If we can continue to increase this, then pupil achievement and attainment will continue to improve as well. Attending school on time, every day is a sure way to improve performance.

However the work is far from complete. 95.33% is only marginally above the target set by Ofsted. At Broadford Primary we have high expectations for everyone and it would be great if we could push this mark upwards to 96%.