Year 6 Trip to Secret War Tunnels, Liverpool War Museum

As part of this term’s curriculum work on World War II, we have arranged for Year 6 to visit the Western Approaches HQ’s secret war tunnels in Liverpool on Wednesday 16th October.   These secret tunnels were only re-discovered in recent years having been abandoned at the end of the war – a true time capsule for that significant time in our country’s history.

In order for us to arrive at the tunnels on time, we will be setting off from school earlier than usual. The coach will leave school at 8:00am prompt, so children need to arrive at school by 7.50am. We will leave Liverpool at 2:00pm, and expect to arrive back at school around 4.00pm. If we encounter any significant delay on our return journey, we will do our best to keep you informed.

Your child will need to bring a packed lunch and plenty to drink for this trip – no glass bottles or fizzy drinks please. Those pupils entitled to free school meals will be given a packed lunch by our school meals provider before departure. Please also ensure that they wear school uniform and have a lightweight coat with them. As the day will be packed with activities, there will be no time to visit the souvenir shop so no spending money is required.

The cost of the trip is £26.60, which includes transport, workshops and insurance.  Payment for this trip should be made via your child’s Arbor account prior to the date of the trip. We hope that everyone can contribute to the trip in some way.

Please note that this visit is covered by the Annual Consent Form for Trips/visits & Medical Information. Please notify the school immediately if there are any changes to your contact/emergency contact details or medical information.

 

Year 6: Pupil Walking Home Alone

Parents of children in Year 6 may understandably wish to encourage independence prior to their child going to Secondary School and allow their child to travel (walk or cycle) home alone, or with a friend.

Please complete this form if this is the case.

This is for our information only. It is the parent’s responsibility to talk with their child and ensure their child understands the parent’s wishes regarding the end of the school day as to how they get home.  It is the parents responsibility to put in any place any safety measures they deem necessary to check their child has arrived home.

Pupils will independently leave school at the end of the day and we expect these older children to be responsible and walk straight home or wait to be collected in accordance with their parent’s instructions.

PLEASE NOTE ALL YEAR 6 PUPILS SHOULD BE COLLECTED FROM ALL AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS and CANNOT WALK HOME ALONE

https://forms.office.com/e/vNSLMAvf1x

 

 

Year 6 Reminders

Coming soon…

Friday 12th July– Leavers Assembly @ 1.30pm

Monday 15th July– Yr 6 Airhop Party

Please make payment of £17.40 on Arbor for the Yr 6 Leavers Party.

Coleham Sweatshirts– We would be really grateful for donations of Coleham School Sweatshirts if you have no siblings to pass them down to. The children can pass these onto Miss Dovey or Mrs Lord.

Year 6 It’s Your Move transition session

Shrewsbury Youth For Christ Group came into school today to carry out their annual It’s Your Move transition session with our Year 6 pupils. It was a great session and the children had the opportunity to discuss how they are feeling about their move to secondary school and watch some films where Year 7 pupils share how the transition to secondary school was for them. They were  also presented with their own book packed full of information about secondary school and we would like to say a big thank you to Coleham Prayer Group for purchasing these.

Year 6 End of Year Party – Air Hop Trampoline Park

We have arranged a party for our Year 6 Leavers to mark the end of their time with us – a momentous milestone in their growing up and moving on. Following the success of previous years’ celebrations at the Trampoline Park in Harlescott we have arranged for this year’s Year 6 to attend the same venue.

The children will be leaving school around 12.30pm on Monday 15th July and travelling by coach to the trampoline park where they will have a one-hour session on the trampolines followed by a meal and a drink. They should be back in time for normal end of day collection time, depending on the traffic they encounter on their return journey.

The cost of the event is £17.40 per child including transport, activity (and a pair of special trampolining  socks), pizza and a soft drink.  Payment should be made via your child’s Arbor account by Wednesday 10th July please.  We hope that everyone can contribute to trips in some way. If you are concerned about making payment, please contact the office who can support with payment options.

 Please note that this visit is covered by the Annual Consent Form for Trips/visits & Medical Information. Please notify the school immediately if there are any changes to your contact/emergency contact details or medical information.

We very much hope the children will have an enjoyable and memorable afternoon at Air Hop Trampoline Park.

Year 6 – Crucial Crew

The children in Year 6 have been fortunate to be accepted for the Crucial Crew which takes place this year at the Flaxmill Maltings, Shrewsbury on Friday 14th June.  This is a very popular event which all schools in Shropshire would like to take part in but for which places are very limited.

Crucial Crew is run by the West Midlands Police Force and the aim of it is to give older children an insight in how to deal with safety hazards, such as fires and accidents, and also to make them aware of the dangers of drug/alcohol abuse.

The children will be transported by coach, leaving school at 9.00am sharp, so please ensure they arrive a little earlier that morning so that registration can be taken at 8.50am. They will return to school at approximately 3.00 p.m.

Please ensure that your child wears their school uniform – especially their sweatshirts/cardigans – as this will enable them to be identified more easily whilst there. As many of the activities take place outside, they will also need a waterproof, lightweight coat in case of inclement weather.

Children will need to bring a packed lunch. Those entitled to free school meals will be provided with a packed lunch by our caterers but you may want to supplement this with additional refreshments.

Crucial Crew request that parents ensure that their children have had something to eat before they embark on the day’s activities, especially if it is hot: children will not have a mid-morning break at this event so the earliest they will get to eat will be approx. 12.15pm. Over the years, a number of children have had to attend the first aid centre because of feeling faint, which has usually been because of lack of food or dehydration. They are allowed to carry a bottle of water around with them during the day, which they will be able to top up during their lunch break.

The cost of the trip is £5.00 per child including transport, insurance and activities.  Payment should be made via your child’s Arbor account, in the usual way prior to the date of the trip please. 

We hope that all our Year 6 pupils will attend this trip. However, if you do not want your child to attend, please notify your child’s class teacher as soon as possible so that they can make alternative arrangements for your child for that day.

 

 

Swimming – Year 6 Elephants

As part of the National Curriculum your child will be going to the Quarry Swimming Baths for swimming lessons.  Each lesson will take place on a Tuesday afternoon for 6 weeks, starting 11th June and ending 16th July (inclusive).

Mr Edwards and supporting staff will walk with the class to and from The Quarry Swimming Baths for these sessions so no payment is required for this activity.

 Please could you ensure your child remembers to bring their swimming costume (no bikinis), goggles and towel in on the day they go swimming, as they will only be disappointed if they have to stay behind or sit and watch!  Thank you.

Year 6 Pioneer Trip – Final Reminders

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The SATs are now over and we just wanted to let you know that the children have worked incredibly hard to do their absolute best in each of the tests completed. We are very proud of the resilience and effort shown by everyone throughout the week.

As you know, the first week back after half term, we head to Pioneer for our two-night residential; everybody is excited and it feels perfectly timed after SATs.

Here is some final information so that you and your child can feel prepared on the morning of Monday 3rd June:

Packing

Please use the kit list to help with packing. Do aim to let your child be as involved as possible in this process; it is important for your child to know what is in their bag as this will allow them to be as independent as possible during the stay.

Don’t forget to pack a water bottle and reading book – these may be useful to have in a smaller bag which can be kept with your child on the bus.

Remember not to pack mobile phones, electronic devices and extra snacks or sweets.

Medication

It is vital that we have the correct information about any medication that your child will require while we are away. With this in mind, we would like any medication to be given to an adult (Mrs Morgan, Mr Edwards or Mrs Jeff) on Monday morning. Please put any medication in a container with your child’s name written clearly on the front along with clear instructions and dosage.

If your child has any specific allergies please make sure we know about them.

If your child requires travel sickness tablets, please give them their tablet at home or send it into school for us to give before we head off. Remember to also include another tablet for the return journey so we can make sure they take it before we set off on Wednesday.

Other bits to remember

You will need to send your child to school with a packed lunch on Monday 3rd as our evening meal will be the first meal provided by Pioneer.

Please encourage your child to practise putting on a duvet cover and pillow case as that will be the first challenge set when we arrive.

The coach will leave school at approximately 10:15am on Monday morning.

We will return at approximately 3:30pm on Wednesday afternoon.

As ever, thank you for your ongoing support in preparing your child for the trip.

Best wishes,

Mrs Morgan, Mr Edwards and the year 6 team 😊

Pioneer Details

During the next few weeks, we will be going through Pioneer arrangements with the children.  Here is some additional information and clarification to help you prepare your children for what we are sure will be a very positive and exciting experience for them.

Packing & Preparation – kit list provided separately

  • CLEARLY NAME ALL CLOTHING AND PROPERTY
  • If possible, choose a soft hold-all rather than a rigid case as this makes storage in the dorms easier and gives the children more space. Please DO NOT WORRY if this is not possible
  • Please allow your children to be as involved in the packing of their bag as possible; this will help them to be more aware of what they have and where it is – it will also help them when packing for the return home
  • Please help your child to practise putting on a duvet cover as this will be their first task when they arrive at the centre
  • Include a NAMED plastic bag for the children to put wet clothes in as some groups will be doing a wet activity on the last morning
  • Your child will need an easily accessible reading book in their bag
  • Please provide a refillable plastic or metal water bottle
  • If necessary, give your child travel sickness tablets for the journey and provide us with the return journey tablets 

Packed lunch for Monday

Your child will need to bring their own packed lunch with them to school on Monday morning (Monday 3rd June) as the first meal provided by The Pioneer Centre will be tea on Monday evening.

Medication

Put any medication in a container with your child’s name written clearly on the front along with clear instructions and dosage. Please let us know some time prior to our visit if your child will be bringing medication.

Monday morning departure

  • We suggest that the children to do the ‘big’ hugs and goodbyes at home before leaving for school
  • Please allow your child to bring their own bag into the classroom
  • Only come into class if you have to provide us with your child’s medication or if you have to tell us some new information
  • Please be aware that if you wish to wave off your child, the coach will not be leaving until approximately 10.15 am

Wednesday afternoon return

  • The coach will return at approximately 3:30 pm and we will phone ahead if delayed for any reason. Please watch the noticeboard outside school for any changes
  • PLEASE WAIT INSIDE THE SCHOOL GATES UNTIL ALL BAGS HAVE BEEN UNLOADED – you will be able to greet your children before collecting bags
  • Be aware that your child’s wellies/wet clothes bag may have become separated from their main bag – please ensure that you collect ALL of your child’s belongings

Please remember that the follow items are not permitted

  • Mobile phones
  • Electronic games/devices
  • Extra snacks/sweets
  • Cameras – school will be taking plenty of pictures/videos

Hopefully, this information will help avoid any last-minute worries, questions or queries.  Your cooperation in these matters will be greatly appreciated and will contribute to the smooth running of the week.

Many thanks in anticipation,

Mrs Morgan, Mr Edwards and the Year 6 team

kit list 2024

Swimming – Year 6 Giraffes

As part of the National Curriculum your child will be going to the Quarry Swimming Baths for swimming lessons.  Each lesson will take place on a Tuesday afternoon for 6 weeks, starting 9th April and ending 14th May (inclusive).

Mrs Morgan and supporting staff will walk with the class to and from The Quarry Swimming Baths for these sessions so no payment is required for this activity.

Please could you ensure your child remembers to bring their swimming costume (no bikinis please), goggles and towel in on the day they go swimming, as they will only be disappointed if they have to stay behind or sit and watch!  Thank you.

2024 Year 6 National Curriculum Tests (SATs)

Dear Parents/Carers,

The KS2 SATs will take place during the week commencing 13th May 2024. Below are the SATs dates for each test throughout the week.

1)Timetable for SATs week

Date

 

Test Timings
Monday 13th May English grammar, punctuation and spelling

Paper 1: questions

45 minutes
English grammar, punctuation and spelling

Paper 2: spelling

Approximately 15 minutes (not strictly timed)
Tuesday 14th May English reading test 60 minutes
Wednesday 15th May Mathematics Paper 1: arithmetic test 30 minutes
Mathematics Paper 2: reasoning

 

40 minutes
Thursday 16th May Mathematics Paper 3: reasoning

 

40 minutes

2) Year 6 SATs revision/practice books

 In response to the large number of requests from parents for SATs revision materials, the school has purchased a reading, maths and grammar, punctuation and spelling practice book for each child. Your child will soon be given these and will have a suggested schedule to complete the practice questions.  The schedule will be published on Dojo for reference each week.

3) MathsBot

In the run up to the SATs, we will be using the MathsBot site more and more to improve arithmetic skills. The site can be visited here : https://mathsbot.com/ We will be focussing on the primary school maths skills sections and will show these sections to the children.

As always, thank you for supporting your child with their learning.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Edwards and Mrs Morgan

Year 6 Residential Trip – 3rd to 5th June 2024

We are very excited to announce that we have organised a residential trip for our Year 6 pupils for June 2024 at The Pioneer Centre, Cleobury Mortimer.  Children will leave school on the morning of Monday 3rd June (the first day after the May half term break) and return in time for normal end of day collection time on Wednesday 5th June.

We are great advocates of the benefits a residential trip can give to those pupils who attend. These include:

  • team building skills, co-operation and respect (through a series of safe but challenging activities);
  • developing greater independence;
  • learning new skills and taking part in new and enriching experiences;
  • discovering more about themselves and their capabilities and becoming more motivated as individuals; and
  • (last but not least) having fun!

The Pioneer Centre is a relatively new purpose-built activity venue, with excellent modern facilities, designed to meet the diverse needs of both staff and children alike, and we have stayed there on a number of occasions now. Each occasion has been very successful and, as such, we plan to take our Year 6 pupils there again in the Summer term.

The centre provides a “home from home” atmosphere and offers a wide range of exciting activities, with experienced and qualified staff on hand at all times. To find out more about the Centre’s facilities and to see a plan of the site, please visit their website at https://activity-centres.naycacuk.co.uk/pioneer-centre/

The cost of the excursion is £230.00 per child, including transport, food, accommodation, supervised activities and equipment. We recognise that this is a large sum of money so have broken it down into four instalments of £57.50. We would be grateful if you could pay the first instalment by 29th February, sooner if possible, and the remainder of the trip balance by Monday 20th May. Of course, if you wish to pay this sooner that would also be appreciated.

If you are worried about making full payment by the given deadline, please do come and talk to me or contact the office: we can extend the payment schedule to give you more time to cover the cost.

If your child is worried about any aspect of the residential trip, please do not worry as class teachers have plenty of time to prepare the children.

An information evening for parents and Year 6 pupils will take place nearer to the trip to go over the finer details and address any outstanding queries you or your child may have.

This trip will be an amazing, once in a life-time, experience for our pupils and we hope very much that all our Year 6 pupils will attend. If, however, your child WILL NOT be attending the trip, please do let the class teacher know as soon as possible.

 

Chinese New Year workshop for Years 1, 4 and 6

On Thursday 1st February, we will be celebrating Chinese New Year in school. We have arranged for Years 1, 4 and 6 to take part in a Chinese New Year workshop in school on this day. During the day, the children will take part in a number of activities to learn more about this celebration. The workshop involves 15 metre dragons and a range of Chinese instruments and will allow children to experience some of the traditions associated with Chinese New Year.

We would be very grateful if parents could contribute £3.70 per child towards the cost of the workshop. Payment is to be made via your child’s Arbor account prior to the date of the workshop.

Many thanks,

Miss Melville

EYFS Teacher/ R.E. Leader

Year 5 & 6 Swimming

 

As we continue to prioritise the safety and well-being of our students, we are conducting an assessment of each child’s swimming abilities to enhance our swimming program. Your input is invaluable in ensuring that we provide the best possible experience for your child.

To streamline this process, we have created a Microsoft Teams link for you to fill out a brief questionnaire regarding your child’s swimming skills. The information gathered will help us tailor our swimming lessons to meet the specific needs of each individual student.

Please click on the following link to access the questionnaire: https://forms.office.com/e/vbGVhUKpD2

We kindly request that you complete the questionnaire by Monday 22nd January. Your prompt response will enable us to plan accordingly and make any necessary arrangements to accommodate your child’s requirements.

If you encounter any technical difficulties or have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to receiving your valuable input.

Thank you for your continued support.

 

Many thanks,

Miss Lewis

PE Co-Ordinator

Parents Evening – Booking Appointments

You are now able to book you Autumn Term Parent Consultation meeting.  Parent Consultations will be held in your child’s classroom, and the dates for all parent consultations are:

  • Wednesday 8th November: 4:00 pm – 7:20 pm
  • Thursday 9th November: 4:00 pm – 7:20 pm

To arrange your appointment, please follow the link below (which can also be found in the Parents’ Area section of our website).  Each consultation will last for 10 mins.  If you arrive a little early, you will have the opportunity to look through your children’s books while you wait for your meeting.  You are welcome to stay after the meeting to carry on looking through books if you wish.

Book an appointment here:

Click HERE to book your appointment

Where possible, we ask that you book one meeting per child.  For separated parents, we will be able to accommodate separate meetings if they are required.

Please do get in touch with the school office if you have any questions.

Yr 6 letter Secondary School Application Deadline

Dear Year 6 Parent/Carer,

The closing date for secondary applications is 31 October 2023, which falls in the half-term holidays. If you have not already done so, we encourage you to submit your online application as soon as possible but before the deadline date. This will ensure that, should you encounter any problems, you can be supported/helped to submit your application on time. Please note: There is no grace period for late applications.

The link for the website and online application – Transferring to secondary school | Shropshire Council

The School Admissions Team strongly encourage parents to name three preferences, particularly if you reside in the Shrewsbury area.  Please see the Parents’ Guide to Education in Shropshire Booklet for further information.

If you have already made an application and wish to add additional preferences please contact school-admissions@shropshire.gov.uk

Kind regards,
Jane Hilbert
Office Manager
Coleham Primary School Logo

Elephants Careers Trip

For Careers Week, we have arranged for Elephants Class to go out of school for a Careers Trip on Friday 20th October.  Elephants Class will visit Moneypenny call centre in Wrexham.

Moneypenny is an award winning workplace and will really inspire the children and get them thinking about future work places.  Moneypenny started in 2000 with a business idea to manage other businesses communications when owners were on holiday.  They are now a leading communications company with a 1000-strong team working from state-of-the-art headquarters in Wrexham.  We’ll be visiting their £15 million headquarters which was built with the staff ultimate wish list in mind.  Their business ethos centres around happy staff and so staff came up with some interesting design ideas including a giant Gorilla and a Treehouse meeting room.   We will have a personal tour from Hannah, a Q&A session and visit the staff ‘pub’ for lunch before we head back to school.

We will be leaving school around 9:20am and will return to school at approximately 1:30pm.  Your child should wear school uniform and bring their water bottle and a snack.  Moneypenny is kindly providing sandwiches for us all and so no packed lunch or school dinner is required.

The cost of the trip is £10.15.  Payment for this trip should be made via your child’s Arbor account prior to the date of the trip. Although costs for trips are voluntary, the school has no other means of funding these trips and the budget for resources and activities is very limited this year.  We hope that everyone can contribute to the trip in some way.

 

Please note that this visit is covered by the Annual Consent Form for Trips/visits & Medical Information. Please notify the school immediately if there are any changes to your contact/emergency contact details or medical information.

 

Year 6 Trip to Secret War Tunnels, Liverpool War Museum

As part of this term’s curriculum work on World War II, we have arranged for Year 6 to visit the Western Approaches HQ’s secret war tunnels in Liverpool on Wednesday 25th October.   These secret tunnels were only re-discovered in recent years having been abandoned at the end of the war – a true time capsule for that significant time in our country’s history.

In order for us to arrive at the tunnels on time, we will be setting off from school earlier than usual. The coach will leave school at 8:00am prompt, so children need to arrive at school by 7.50am. We will leave Liverpool at 2:00pm, and expect to arrive back at school around 4.00pm. If we encounter any significant delay on our return journey, we will do our best to keep you informed.

Your child will need to bring a packed lunch and plenty to drink for this trip – no glass bottles or fizzy drinks please. Those pupils entitled to free school meals will be given a packed lunch by our school meals provider before departure. Please also ensure that they wear school uniform and have a lightweight coat with them. As the day will be packed with activities, there will be no time to visit the souvenir shop so no spending money is required.

The cost of the trip is £24.15, which includes transport, workshops and insurance.  Payment for this trip should be made via your child’s Arbor account prior to the date of the trip. Although costs for trips are voluntary, in reality the school has no other means of funding these trips. We hope that everyone can contribute to the trip in some way.

Please note that this visit is covered by the Annual Consent Form for Trips/visits & Medical Information. Please notify the school immediately if there are any changes to your contact/emergency contact details or medical information.

 

Secondary School Open Days

The Secondary Schools are starting to have their open events for Year 6 pupils.

IMPORTANT: If your child is going to any open mornings, please can you let us know

Email:  absence@col.318education.co.uk 

Priory

Tues 26th Sept open morning  9-11am

Weds 27th Sept open evening 6-8pm

The Priory School Open Morning Parents Letter Radbrook and Coleham Primary Schools 26th Sept 23

Meole Brace

Open Mornings 10th to 13th October 9.30-11 – book via online form on website, see link below

Weds 11th October open evening 5.30-8pm

Meole Brace School – Open Mornings and Evening: October 2023

Shrewsbury Academy

Thurs 28th Sept open evening 5-7.30pm

No open mornings

Belvidere

9th October open evening 6.30-8.30pm

The Priory School Open Morning Parents Letter Radbrook and Coleham Primary Schools 26th Sept 23

Shrewsbury High School for Girls Senior Open Day Flyer

Moreton Senior School Open Day Flyer September 2023

Girls High School Senior Open Day Flyer

Swimming -Giraffes

Girafffes have swimming lessons on a Tuesday afternoon. Due to the secondary school transition day this Tuesday we had to cancel the session on 4th July and instead we have booked another session for 18th July.

Thank you

Year 6 End of Year Party – Jump In Trampoline Park

Dear Parent/Carer,

We have arranged a party for our Year 6 Leavers to mark the end of their time with us – a momentous milestone in their growing up and moving on. Following the success of last year’s celebration at the Jump In Trampoline Park we have arranged for this year’s Year 6 to attend the same venue.

The children will be leaving school around 12.30pm on Thursday 20th July and travelling by coach to the trampoline park where they will have a one-hour session on the trampolines followed by a meal and a drink. They will return to school around 3.15pm, in time for their normal end of day release.

The cost of the event is £16.60 per child including transport, activity (and a pair of special trampolining  socks), pizza and a soft drink.  Payment should be made via your child’s ParentPay account by Monday 17th July please.  We hope that everyone can contribute to trips in some way. If you are concerned about making payment, please contact the office who can support with payment options.

Please note that this visit is covered by the Annual Consent Form for Trips/visits & Medical Information. Please notify the school immediately if there are any changes to your contact/emergency contact details or medical information.

We very much hope the children will have an enjoyable and memorable afternoon at Jump In Trampoline Park.

Yours sincerely,

Jane Hilbert

Administration Manager

Year 6 Bikeability Cycle Training

Dear Parent/Carer

Our school is to receive Free Bikeability Level 1 & 2 Cycle Training which takes place on the following dates:

  • Giraffes – Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th June
  • Elephants: Thursday 8th and Friday 9th June

What is Bikeability?

Bikeability is the national cycle training programme supported and funded by the Department for Transport. The skills your child will learn will help boost confidence and independent thinking thus helping them to be a safer road user. Learning the rules of the road when young is a real boost to confidence and a very positive experience of true travel independence. So, whether your child cycles regularly or not, the course will prove beneficial. Shropshire’s Bikeability Scheme is delivered by Learn Cycling, a national training company who employ qualified, professional, DBS checked National Standard Instructors. Visit www.bikeability.org.uk for more information.

 

To take part, pupils will need Bikeability Get Ready!
A Roadworthy Cycle and a Cycle Helmet that fits securely. A roadworthy cycle has:

 

●      Inflated tyres (as hard as an apple)

●      Two working brakes

●      A well-oiled chain

●      A saddle and handlebars which are fixed on tight

We train in all weather conditions! On cold or wet days make sure pupils have coats and gloves.

Please scan the QR code below for more information on getting ready for your course

 

 

URL: https://bikeability.org.uk/bikeability-training/get-ready/

This course develops the cycling skills and confidence of children who can already cycle. For group and individual learn to ride courses please contact Bikeability via admin@learncycling.com

To sign up for the Bikeability training taking place at Coleham School please click on the link to the virtual form below (please note, the replies are being collated on our behalf by Coleham School Admin) by no later than Thursday 25th May:

https://forms.office.com/e/3ntgpY1auu

The school will confirm your child’s place on the course on Monday 5th June.

Year 6 – Crucial Crew

Dear Parent/Guardian

The children in Year 6 have been fortunate to be accepted for the Crucial Crew which takes place at the Nesscliffe Training Camp on Monday 22nd May.  This is a very popular event which all schools in Shropshire would like to take part in but for which places are very limited.

Crucial Crew is run by the West Midlands Police Force and the aim of it is to give older children an insight in how to deal with safety hazards, such as fires and accidents, and also to make them aware of the dangers of drug/alcohol abuse.

The children will be transported by coach, leaving school at 8.55am sharp, so if they can arrive a little earlier than usual – 8.40am would suffice – that would be very helpful. They will return to school at approximately 3.00 p.m.

Please ensure that your child wears their school uniform – especially their sweatshirts/cardigans – as this will enable them to be identified more easily whilst there. As many of the activities take place outside, they will also need a waterproof, lightweight coas in case of inclement weather.

Children will need to bring a packed lunch. Those entitled to free school meals will be provided with a packed lunch by our caterers but you may want to supplement this with additional refreshments.

Crucial Crew request that parents ensure that their children have had something to eat before they embark on the day’s activities, especially if it is hot: children will not have a mid-morning break at this event so the earliest they will get to eat will be approx. 12.15pm. Over the years a number of children have had to attend the first aid centre because of feeling faint, which has usually been because of lack of food or dehydration. They are allowed to carry a bottle of water around with them during the day, which they will be able to top up during their lunch break.

The cost of the trip is £4.00 per child including transport, insurance and activities.  Payment should be made via your child’s ParentPay account, in the usual way prior to the date of the trip please.

This trip is covered by our annual consents procedure.

Yours sincerely,

Jane Hilbert

Administration Manager

Year 6-Pioneer Arrangements

Dear Parents,

During the next two weeks, we will be going through Pioneer arrangements with the children.  Here is some additional information and clarification to help you prepare your children for what we are sure will be a very positive and exciting experience for them.

Packing & Preparation – kit list provided separately

  • CLEARLY NAME ALL CLOTHING AND PROPERTY
  • If possible, choose a soft hold-all rather than a rigid case as this makes storage in the dorms easier and gives the children more space. Please DO NOT WORRY if this is not possible
  • Please allow your children to be as involved in the packing of their bag as possible; this will help them to be more aware of what they have and where it is – it will also help them when packing for the return home
  • Please help your child to practise putting on a duvet cover as this will be their first task when they arrive at the centre
  • Include a NAMED plastic bag for the children to put wet clothes in as some groups will be doing a wet activity on the last morning
  • Your child will need an easily accessible reading book in their bag
  • Please provide a refillable plastic or metal water bottle
  • If necessary, give your child travel sickness tablets for the journey and provide us with the return journey tablets

Packed lunch for Monday

Your child will need to bring their own packed lunch with them to school on Monday morning (Monday 15th May) as the first meal provided by The Pioneer Centre will be tea on Monday evening.

If your child is eligible for Free School Meals, we can provide a packed lunch, plese order via the following link by 9th May please.

https://forms.office.com/e/CfwSta7hLp

Medical Information and Medication

Please let us know as soon as possible if your child has any medical conditions that we may not already be aware of/ prescribed medication that is normally managed outside of school by clicking on the link below and completing the Medical Update form.

 https://forms.office.com/e/Fjk2TELLhW

 Any medication to be taken on the trip should be put in a container with your child’s name written clearly on the front along with clear instructions and dosage and handed to the school office or class teacher in advance of the day of departure.

Monday morning departure

  • We will ask the children to do the ‘big’ hugs and goodbyes at home before leaving for school
  • Please allow your child to bring their own bag into the classroom
  • Only come into class if you have to provide us with your child’s medication or if you have to tell us some new information
  • Please be aware that if you wish to wave off your child, the coach will not be leaving until 10.15 am at the earliest

Wednesday afternoon return

  • The coach will return at approximately 3:30 pm and we will phone ahead if delayed for any reason. Please watch the noticeboard outside school for any changes
  • PLEASE WAIT INSIDE THE SCHOOL GATES UNTIL ALL BAGS HAVE BEEN UNLOADED – you will be able to greet your children before collecting bags
  • Be aware that your child’s wellies/wet clothes bag may have become separated from their main bag – please ensure that you collect ALL your child’s belongings

Please remember that the follow items are not permitted

  • Mobile phones
  • Electronic games/devices e.g. PSP
  • Extra snacks/sweets
  • Cameras – school will be taking plenty of pictures/videos

Hopefully, this information will help avoid any last-minute worries, questions or queries.  Your cooperation in these matters will be greatly appreciated and will contribute to the smooth running of the week.

Many thanks in anticipation,

Mrs Morgan, Mr Edwards and the Year 6 team