Please see the attached newsletter for the end of Autumn term 1, from all the staff at Smith's Wood, thank you for the first term back, have a wonderful half-term, and we hope to see everyone back soon!
Over the last 2 weeks, year 3 have been participating in a D&T project of building bridges! Last week, we researched different kinds of bridges and designed a bridge which could cross a small body of water. This week, we have made these bridges from lolly sticks, spaghetti, straws, tape and glue and tested them using a toy car. Whilst some bridges weren’t as successful as others, all children understood how to add strength to their bridges when we evaluated how to improve them for next time.
Our overall attendance this week was 94.3%
Pupils from Year 5 attended John Henry Newman Catholic School last evening to participate in a School Games Value Dodgeball Event. It was the Smith's Wood Values that were displayed with excellence that ensured all participants had a thoroughly enjoyable evening competing against other local schools. Friendship and Honesty was displayed throughout with the demonstration of respect for the opposition and the rules of the game. A great evening's entertainment matched by enormous enthusiasm to be back competing again on an interschool basis. Well done to all our pupils who represented Smith's Wood Primary Academy.
As part of our drive to increase punctuality levels at Smith’s Wood Primary Academy we will be launching a ‘Late Gate’ process from Monday 18th October until Friday 22nd October 2021
This means that members of the Senior Leadership Team will be on the school entrance from 8:55am speaking directly to parents and carers who are arriving at school late with their children.
They will be asking parents/carers and children the reason for their lateness and this will be logged on their attendance records.
Any child arriving after 8:55am must report to main reception. Where a pupil arrives after the register closes, this will be classed as an unauthorised absence (U Code). School registration closes at 8:55am.
Pupils who have 10 or more ‘U codes’ will be referred to the Education Enforcement Team for the issue of a penalty notice.
Arriving late to school can be both stressful and embarrassing for children. It affects their mindset at the start of the school day and subsequently has an impact on their learning. To highlight this, if a child is five minutes late every day then it will equate to 3 days lost learning time over the course of one academic year.
We are open for breakfast club from 8:30am each morning. In addition, Key Stage II pupils have the opportunity to play ball games with Mr King on the MUGA at this time. Classroom doors open promptly at 8:45am where the children begin learning immediately.
Please ensure your child has the best possible start to their school day by arriving on time, every day.
Our overall attendance this week was 94.1%
Recently we were visited by Bev from The Gambia Project who met with SWAG to discuss all the wonderful things that Project Gambia do to help people who are less fortunate than us.
She told us about some of the people from The Gambia and what Smith’s Wood Primary Academy could do to help this amazing charity.
SWAG will be meeting again soon to discuss what we can do as a school to support The Gambia Project.
Reducing Vehicle Crime
1900 – 2030, Wednesday 20th October
West Midlands Police invite you to attend a Webinar to discuss Vehicle Crime, the actions that West MIdlands Police are taking and the role we can all take to help reduce it.
The intention of this event is to reach out to vehicle owner’s and explore how we can work together to reduce crime.
Agenda
Once you have registered you will be sent a link to join using Chrome, Firefox or Safari browser.
To book your free place please click:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reducing-vehicle-crime-tickets-188163320557
Last week, we took part in this year’s #HelloYellow campaign to support young people’s mental health and raise money for Young Minds charity.
Staff and children accessorised with a little something yellow and enjoyed taking part in a fitness for mental health and mindfulness activity.
Thank you for all donations!
Last night Smith's Wood saw the explosive matches of our House Dodgeball competition for Year 3. With some phenomenal teamwork and skills Super House managed to power through to victory with all houses narrowly missing out on the highly contested first place trophy. Our school values were on full display from all houses showing monumental quantities of respect, determination and perseverance. Well done to everyone who competed!
Our overall attendance this week was 94.6%
On Friday 1st October, pupils at Smith’s Wood Primary Academy were visited by Saqib Bhatti, the Member of Parliament for Meriden. Some of our pupils had impressed him so much with their manners and respect, when they met him outside of school, that he had promised to come in and visit them in their school.
Mr Bhatti spent the morning visiting pupils in the classrooms and walking round the school. He also made a guest appearance at our Friday celebration assembly. As always, our pupils represented the school beautifully, when our visitor was in, showing respect and manners at all times. A special thank you to Demi-Leigh & Macorley (Year 6) for spending time showing Saqib Bhatti around the school and sharing all they know and love about Smith’s Wood Primary.