This week we have been notified by the LINCOLNSHIRE CONSORTIUM OF GRAMMAR SCHOOLS about the slight changes to the 11+ tests scheduled for this September.  They have changed the test dates.  The new test dates are:

• First 11+ Test – Verbal Reasoning 19 September 2020
• Second 11+ Test – Non-Verbal Reasoning 26 September 2020

These dates are one week later than originally planned.  Parents of Year 5 children who wish to work on 11+ at home can access free online resources by CLICKING HERE.

Parents might find it useful to watch the 11+ presentation which was shared at the beginning of the year, to re-familiarise themselves:  PLEASE CLICK HERE to view the presentation.

Parents supporting their children with 11+ may also wish to visit our school website: 11+ Information where they will find the newly published Revised Key Dates for 2021 Entry, as well as information from both King’s School and KGGS and a series of answers to Frequently Asked Questions. 

Next week, I plan to upload some helpful tips for those Year 5 parents working at home with their children on the 11+, as well as look at creating some 11+ Video content which can be used at home.  This content will be available on our school website.  I will inform parents via the daily Updates, when it is available.

Also, this week, we have been busily completing the transition paperwork for our Year 6 pupils, required by each of the secondary schools.  This includes:

• Belvoir Academy
• Bluecoat Meres
• KGGS
• King’s School
• Priory Ruskin Academy
• Walton Academy

Over the course of the next few weeks, I imagine the parents of the Year 6 children and school will be contacted as the Secondary Schools begin to share the transition processes for each school. 

This week, Walton Academy has confirmed they intend to:

• Send all year 6 children and their parents a transition pack.
• Send a transition video for children and parents
• Send a link will  to parents for them to access a Transition tab on our website

I understand that these are uncertain times for us all.  However, I also understand that the Prime Minister is due to announce the ‘next phase’ of the lock-down on Sunday as part of the Governments Daily Briefing.  Perhaps after Sunday, we might have a better understanding of how the lock-down or the next steps will affect schools and of course our children and their families.

We will continue to share information and keep you up to date.  Thank you for your patience, understanding and resolve.

Don’t forget, tomorrow we will award Home Learning:

• Star of the Week Certificates for children/families who have shared good quality work with their class teachers, across the week-paying attention to the above areas. 

• NEW THIS WEEK: Times Table Rockstars Certificates to celebrate the hard work and achievements of our children using the Times Table Rockstars App!

• NEW THIS WEEK:  PB + 1 Certificates to recognise the effort completing Mr Batey’s Daily Challenges (see below).

It is wonderful to hear how you are getting along at home, with your ‘Home-Learning Work’, and the variety of activity that seems to be happening.  A real ‘pick n mix’ approach covering all aspects of the curriculum.

Please could we ask that parents continue to support their children with:

• Mental Arithmetic skills, using the Times Tables Rockstars App.  The children will then have the opportunity to practice recalling of the multiplication and associated division facts which is appropriate for their age;

• Reading fluency and stamina, using a range of reading material e.g. reading books or wider.  The children should be encouraged to read at length for over a period of 10-15 minutes per day and parents should add written comments to their child’s Reading Record;

• Spelling proficiency, using the online resources on the Class Pages or the Home Learning Guidance.  All children should continue to practice spelling the Curriculum Word Lists which can be found in the Spelling Jotters, there are word lists for: Year 1 and 2, Year 3 and 4, Year 5 and 6;

• ​​​​​​​Handwriting:  produce written work, at home, using a joined handwriting style.  Their writing should be evenly sized with clear ascenders (h, k, l) as well as descenders (j, g, p, q).  When working at home, please remind your children about their handwriting and encourage them to do their very best.

NEW Today:

Tokyo Challenge

Barrowby Church of England Primary School is invited to join our virtual Travel to Tokyo Challenge, brought to you by Team GB and ParalympicsGB.

The Tokyo 2020 Games might not be happening this year, but we’re continuing to support schools and families during this difficult time to get active together, build healthy habits and be part of our free, virtual Travel to Tokyo challenge.

Do you want to compete as part of our School Team?   

Simply click the link below and log all the fun physical activities you do with your family at home.  Stay healthy and active: Barrowby CE Primary School's School Team-Tokyo Challenge

NEW: Daily Challenges by Mr Batey

You can choose from challenges 1-28. This week:  Mr Batey would like you to choose any of the Daily Challenges Videos and:

• Complete once (count your score)
• Repeat Challenge (count your score)-can you beat your first score.

Email your class teachers to share the outcome of the Challenge.  Class teachers will forward your Challenge results to Mr Batey.  Good luck everyone!

Virtual Competition

Our Lincolnshire School Games Organiser, Mr Plumb has created a series of virtual competition, available to Primary pupils, during the forced school closure.  You can still enter.

The first competition is Virtual Athletics:

• ATHLETICS Primary Virtual Competition
• 60 Active Minutes Document

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Below, you will find the 2nd Competition available for you:

• Healthy Happy Heptathlon

Why not give them a go?  

I know that these are uncertain times for us all but we will continue to support our school community as best we can.    

Stay safe.