Week 2 Update 

Our first full week is now complete and what an amazing 5 days  it has been!!! 

We are so so pleased with how the children have settled into routine, timetable and the general demands of the school day. It’s been an incredible start, and I want to thank my staff teams for making it go so smoothly, plus our families, carers and extended partners who have facilitate and supported this transition into the new school year. 

I am able to share a brilliant piece of data with you all. Our attendance is sitting at 92.9 %. What does this figure tell us? Students love coming to New Bridge. They want to be here, learning, making friends, being happy and safe. We know that it’s not always possible to attend school, especially when its flu or cold season (coming soon), but our children love coming to school to the point where someone asked me last year whether they could come in on a Saturday!

Over the past week, we have worked with the children around our school ethos. The 3 b’s. 

Be safe  

Be ready to learn  

Be respectful  

Our bees are important and while they could be seen as our school rules, they actually are part of our student’s destinational journey. In life – we want our young people to be safe, ready and respectful – at home, at school and whatever path they take after leaving us.

Our bees are everywhere around school – on boards, in classrooms and in students work. Some of our older students are familiar with our bees and it was wonderful to hear some of our year 7 students to tell me about the bees and what they meant to their class.  

This week, we have sent out information regarding the use of mobile phones and smart watches.

As a school, we always encourage our learners to be at the forefront of technology – through working on iPads, through interactive communication and other ways of digitally learning.

At times, the use of phones in school has led to significant issues – where students have not been ready to learn due to distractions on their phone.

At times, they have not been safe or respectful – mainly due to their phone, or through sites which are unsafe.

We are aware students use their phone on the bus or other transport, or, in some cases for medical intervention and that’s fine – but when we enter school, phones are handed into the pastoral team, where they are kept securely and signed in and out by a member of the team.

We are also asking – if you as parents and carers can work through this process and ensure that you are aware of everything your child is looking at online. Our student’s safety is imperative to us here at New Bridge. 

So that’s it from me.

There’s definitely a change in season here in Failsworth. I am sure this autumn term is going to packed full of learning, exciting activities and fun.

Mrs T