‘At Newbridge Primary School we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of our pupils. Each pupil’s welfare is of paramount importance and we will always take a considered and sensitive approach in order that we can support our pupils in the best possible way.’ NPS Child Protection Policy.
In the light of the heightened response to child protection and safeguarding procedures in the media, I want to inform you of how we operate some of our school’s safeguarding and child protection procedures.
In my role as Designated Teacher for Child Protection I have a number of duties to fulfil. One of these is to work positively with parents/carers to support you with any issue or concern you may have. If there is any way we can help please do talk to us. In the same way if we have a concern then we will approach you. I feel strongly that ultimately we all want the same outcomes for your children; for them to be happy, healthy, to enjoy and achieve, and to keep themselves safe. We are committed to working with you openly and honestly whilst respecting your rights to privacy and confidentiality. It is however important for you to be aware that there may be exceptional circumstances when the school will have to discuss concerns with Social Care and/or the Police without your knowledge (in accordance with Child Protection procedures).
Through particular lessons and assemblies we ensure that pupils are aware of the sorts of behaviour towards them that is not acceptable and how they can keep themselves safe. All pupils are made aware of adults they can talk to, both in and out of school. They are told that they have a right to be listened to and heard and the steps that can be taken to protect them from harm.
In my role I ensure that all staff receive the relevant child protection training to support them in responding to any concerns they may have. In this I feel confident that we have a staff who are truly committed to our children and have a good understanding of their needs. A staff who respond appropriately and are able to support individual children and their families in the best way possible.
In terms of visitors, contractors, outside providers and volunteers on site we operate the locked site system and request every visitor to report to the school office to be signed in. On this note may I remind you that on entering the site through the bottom pedestrian gate you need to push this closed behind you.
As you may know, all staff, providers and volunteers are subject to a Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure before they can work regularly at the school. At a time when we are actively requesting the support of volunteers I would like to try to put your minds at rest concerning this. I do understand that having a CRB check carried out may be a fearful experience; however, this is the world in which we live and we would not be fulfilling our safeguarding duties if these were not in place. It is best practice that a CRB should be in place if you volunteer in school, however briefly. This will also then allow for you to support a class whenever possible or at short notice i.e. a school trip. Please do not be offended if your offer of support is not accepted if you do not hold a valid CRB. I must also remind you that CRBs are not portable and that if you work or volunteer at our school, you need to gain one for this establishment. There is no cost for volunteer CRBs. If you would like to apply for one, then please contact Mrs Miles in the school office.
As I have said this is only a brief synopsis of some procedures. You will soon be able to view the school’s Child Protection Policy on the school’s website. If you would like to see a paper copy or ask any related questions then please contact me.
Please be assured that we are here to work with you and to support you; do not hesitate to contact me for any support or advice you may require. Gill Kennaugh
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY W/B 14/09/09:
Wednesday 16th September
ü Deadline for return of club choices forms
Friday 18th September
ü Year 6 pupils involved in Playleader Training pm
FRUIT SCHEME
Volunteers required to help with the Fruit Scheme. If you can help, please see Dawn Worthington in the Lower School Dining Hall any morning. Many thanks.
INDIE’S FREE PET MINDING SERVICE
Do you have pets in cages/tanks (eg hamsters, guinea pigs, rats, gerbils, rabbits, reptiles) and need someone to look after them when you go away? Indigo (4PB), whose mean parents won't let her have a caged pet of her own, is offering to mind your pets for free at her house, as long as she's not away when you are! Contact Indie direct or via Mr Baigent.
(‘Bring on the crocodiles, eh. Indie!’ Mr Croker)
MESSAGE TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
The induction sessions arranged for this week had to be postponed due to Mr Day’s absence from school. Mr Day, our Community Links Coordinator, has been suffering from severe back problems over the holidays but the good news is that he is on the mend. He hopes to return next week and he will then be back in touch with our volunteer network. This includes everyone who put their names forward to be involved in the Better Reading Partners programme. We would like to thank all our parents, relatives and members of the community who attended last term’s information sessions on how we would like to develop our volunteer network for the benefit of all. Mr Croker
WANTED: BATH BLITZ SPEAKERS
Year 5 are studying World War II this term, with a particular focus on the Bath Blitz. We would love for anyone with first hand experience to come and speak to the children about living in Bath during this time. Please contact Miss Amies or Miss Wells if you or someone you know could volunteer.
MUSIC CLUBS
It would be lovely to see some new faces at all the Music Clubs as well as all the lovely experienced musicians. I would especially like to see brass and flute players at orchestra. (Please no absolute beginner instrumentalists). Take the plunge, join in!
SUPPORTING CHARITIES
At the first school council meeting of the year in two weeks, we will be deciding on which local, national and international charity we would like to support this year. Each school rep will bring their class’ ideas to this meeting. Any ideas our families may have on this, please discuss with your child at home, so that we can make the most informed decision possible. Thank you.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
I would just like to say a big thank you to all of you for organising your children’s PE kits. I have been really impressed this week with how smart they have all looked. It makes such a difference and put a huge smile on my face. Mrs Bartlett.
A message from the School Crossing Patrol Coordinator
SCHOOL CROSSING PATROL SERVICE – “Using your Lollipop”
School Crossing Patrol is here to ensure the safety of you and your children as you cross the road on your way to and from school. To help the “Lollipop” help you, please observe the following
rules:
- Always use the Patrol! Getting your children into the habit of using the “Lollipop” will help ensure their safety when they walk to school on their own
- Please cross close to, and walk in front of the Patrol where he/ she can see everyone using the crossing, please do not walk behind the Patrol
- Everyone using the Patrol should wait on the pavement until the Patrol instructs you to cross. He or she will judge when it is safe to cross and when the traffic has stopped. Please do not allow your children to follow you into the road. They must wait for the School Crossing Patrol to beckon them across the road.
- Never let your children run near to, or across the road, even in front of the Patrol
- If your child cycles to school, ensure they dismount and push their bike or scooter across the road.
- Be patient. Your Patrol has a difficult job to do and her first concern will always be the safety of the children. There may be times when he / she may be cautious about entering the road, especially during very busy periods. Please encourage your children to rely on the judgement of your Patrol.
Please be aware the law allows School Crossing Patrols to stop the traffic for All Pedestrians, including adults, during their duty times at their appointed site only. The Patrol must not change their appointed site or take responsibility for crossing pedestrians away from their site.
WANTED: Relief Lollipop Person to cover the patrol on Newbridge Hill whenever Mr Cross is unavailable. If interested please contact Irene Stewart, School Crossing Patrol Co-ordinator – Tel: 01225 394922 or email Irene_Stewart@bathnes,gov.uk
ORIENTEERING – Come and Try it
Bristol Orienteering Klub (BOK) welcome families and individuals to try orienteering on Saturday 12th September at Kingsweston House, Bristol BS11 0UR. Arrive between 1pm and 2pm. Park at the house. Cost: juniors £1 (accompanying adult free) adult courses £3. For more information see www.bristolorienteering.org.uk or contact Celia on Tel 07907778865
NPSA NEWS
For those of you who are new to the school, NPSA stands for Newbridge Primary School Association. It is made up of both parents and staff and its aim is ‘to advance the education of the pupils of the School by providing and assisting in the provision of facilities at the school’.
In other words, it is the NPSA who runs various events throughout the school year in order to raise funds and promote a community feel within the school. Some of the events we usually run include Christmas Fairs, Quiz Nights, Cake Sales, Coffee Mornings and Summer Fairs. Last year we raised an impressive £13,500 thanks to the great support we received!
You might be wondering how you can join in and become a member? Well – you are automatically members of the NPSA if your child attends the school but, if you would like to become more involved, we will be publishing a list of committee roles in next week’s newsletter.
And the Annual General Meeting with Cheese and Wine Reception will take place on Thursday 8th October at 7.30pm in the Blue Room. This is open to all our parents, carers and staff.
Barn Dance – Friday 25th September - Upper School Hall
8.00pm - 11.30pm
Book a babysitter, dust off your cowboy hats and buy a ticket to our first event of the year! This promises to be a good one with the Upper School Hall turned into a barn, the blue room into a saloon and live folk and rock band ‘Rock ‘n Reel’. Tickets cost £7.50 and include a Ploughman’s Supper and free glass of wine and are available from your class reps. Alternatively, fill in the tear-off slip below and hand it in to Reception. So, come and have some fun and raise some money for the school at the same time!
Help wanted!
Due to popular demand, we are hoping to publish another Newbridge School Calendar this year. If you would like to be involved in either the admin or the sourcing of printers – please email npsa@hotmail.co.uk or pop a note in the NPSA tray in Reception by Friday next week. Your help will be very much appreciated.
(‘I would like to let all our new parents and families know that we have the best School Association in the world! The members of the NPSA committee organise a fantastic variety of events throughout the year. We raise loads of money to help provide our school with first class facilities and resources (eg the new adventure trail) and, on top of that, everyone gets involved to help run activities and events or support them on the day. There is always lots of laughter and we pride ourselves on the sense of togetherness that we have, whether it be helping out at Groundforce on a Saturday morning or scratching our heads at a Quiz Night! An excellent example of this was the Summer Fete at the end of last term. The NPSA Chair, Steph Massie, and a hugely committed team around her, organised the best Summer Fete I have attended (I have been to a few in my time!). It was packed with people of all ages, we all had a lot of fun and we raised over £ 6000 as well! Of course, any school association is only as good as the people in it and we always need more willing hands, more ideas and more energy to help us continue to grow and develop. Why not come along to the AGM and find out about the best in the world!’ Mr Croker)
