Headteacher Update

School has been busy as usual, with trips, the book fair, and rehearsals for the performances next week. At this time of year, it is especially important to keep routines in place so that children don’t feel overwhelmed by the many activities taking place, and so that our high expectations for learning remain consistent., all staff have been working hard to achieve this. We are pleased to share some positive feedback from a recent Trust review, which highlighted that our  pupils stay focused, manage transitions smoothly, and remain engaged in lessons. The review also noted that classroom practice is inclusive, with children with additional needs  learning alongside their peers while receiving targeted, out-of-class support when needed. Additionally, high expectations from adults have contributed to improved presentation in books. As shared previously, one of our next steps is to implement a set of school learning behaviours. Please share any thoughts or suggestions by emailing me at head@bletchingleytlt.co.uk. The learning behaviours we are considering were listed in last week’s newsletter.

We are looking forward to seeing you at our performances next week. Taking part in these events offers wonderful curriculum benefits for the children: they build confidence in speaking and listening, develop teamwork and cooperation, and strengthen their understanding of music, drama, and literacy. Performing also helps children improve memory, express creativity, and practise important skills such as following instructions and communicating clearly. We are very proud of their hard work and can’t wait for you to enjoy the results!

I hope that you have a lovely weekend and I hope to see you soon

Denise Coady

Upcoming Key Dates
8.12.25 – EY & KS1 Nativity Dress Rehearsal (for parents with siblings under 3)
9.12.25 – EY & KS1 Nativity Performance for parents
10.12.25 – EY & KS1 Nativity Performance for parents
11.12.25 – Choir singing at Coppice Lea (no parents)
12.12.25 – Music and Mince Pies (for elderly relatives, Reception–Year 6)
16.12.25 – Pantomime Day (visiting pantomime for all year groups; see calendar for timings – no parents)
17.12.25 – Christmas Comes to Bletchingley: Children to wear uniform with a Christmas jumper; Christmas lunch; Disco; DT Christmas Sale for parents
18.12.25 – Christmas Carol Concert at the church (KS2, starts 2pm – parents welcome)

Roblox Security Changes - South West Grid for Learning 

The introduction of the Online Safety Bill earlier this year has brought welcome controls over what we and our children can access online. As internet speeds have increased and the digital world has expanded, the ability for anyone of any age to reach almost any content has grown at a pace far beyond our capacity to safeguard against it. The risks have become unmistakable. Adults now face increasingly sophisticated attacks from hackers and scammers, while children remain acutely vulnerable to online predators.

Although some internet services initially resisted tighter regulation, the government’s commitment to reducing online harms has ultimately prevailed. For children, one of the most persistent avenues for predatory behaviour has been online video games. These are spaces where young users gather, communicate, and interact, often with limited verification or oversight.

Roblox, a platform widely associated with younger players, is now beginning to address this by introducing facial analysis age checks and optional ID verification for users over 13. These real-world verification measures are designed to confirm a user’s age more accurately and to restrict interactions that could place children at risk. In practice, they signal an important shift in how major platforms are starting to manage online safety and respond to the expectations set out in the Bill.

You can read more about these checks on the SWGfL website:
https://swgfl.org.uk/magazine/roblox-announces-facial-age-checks-for-chat-features

Count Down to Christmas and Help Families in need

This Christmas, Loveworks (a local food bank charity), is asking everyone to take part in their Reverse Advent Calendar. The calendar is a simple and meaningful way to make a difference in our community.

Instead of opening a door and taking out a treat each day, they are asking you to give one. Each day of Advent, place an item, such as a tin of soup or jar of pasta sauce into a box at home. By Christmas, you’ll have created a wonderful parcel of essentials that can help a local family or individual in need. Your parcel can then be delivered to a Loveworks donation point in the New Year.

For more information and to download your Reverse Advent Calendar follow this link Reverse Advent Calendar