Good morning everyone,

I am sure like myself you are all left a little confused by the briefing from yesterday about what the next few weeks may look like particularly with regards to the reopening of schools.  We have been assured that over the next few days we will get further guidance from the government about this and as soon as we hear anything we will let you know.  I would like to take this opportunity to reassure you all that we take the safety of our school community very seriously and this will be our number one concern when it comes to reopening school.

In the meantime school is open this week and next week for the children of 'key workers' if you require your child to attend school then as before please contact us. 

Right about now, our year 6 children should have been sitting their first SAT paper and our thoughts are with them all.  What a shame that their final year at primary school has seen so much disruption and uncertainty.  I am sure that in years to come you will be able to look back and reflect on living through an unprecedented situation and smile at the memories it will provide. 

In terms of home learning, this will continue in the current format for the rest of this term and the teachers have planned activities for this week and will be available on Google Classroom and via the telephone to assist.  Once we know what the plans are for after half term we will review our provision and update you with any changes. 

I hope you all managed to enjoy the Bank Holiday weekend, the lovely weather on Friday and Saturday certainly helped. 

Take care everyone,

Mr Nicholson 

Good morning everyone,

How lovely it is to see the sun out again and I hope you will all make the most of it before some cold weather returns on Sunday.  With tomorrow being the 75th anniversary of VE-Day I know that you may have lots of exciting things planned, remember if you do get any good pictures or do some great work then please send me a copy and I will make a video to show them all.

Whilst I think about work, Mr Haigh has starting collecting together examples of your amazing 'lock-down' writing and he is going to make a display of these in school.  Remember keep trying to access the work your teachers are sending you and don't forget to keep those standards high! Your teachers are there to help and support, please ask if you need anything.  

11+ Information

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 visiting our 'Home Learning' page where we have added a link to the resources. 

In the 'home learning' section of the website we have also put the 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. 

Year 6 transition

Mr Haigh has been consulting with the secondary schools and he has been busy telling them all how amazing all of our year 6 children are.  Our understanding is that they are looking at alternative ways to complete the transition process and they will be in contact with families very soon to share these with you.  It may be worth checking out the websites of the secondary school as they have starting adding a transition page onto these. 

Virtual PE Challenge

Don't forget that it is not to late to enter the virtual Penthalon which is being arranged by Mr Plumb and the Lincolnshire School Games team.  The details have been sent out to you all and they are on the Home Learning page of our website.  It would be great if we could get some entries from our school. 

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 have begun making plans for the reopening of school so that we can make sure we can open as soon as possible in the safest way possible. 

Take care and stay safe, I hope you all manage to enjoy the Bank Holiday weekend the best you can.

Mr Nicholson 

Good morning everyone,

Here we are for another day of learning at home, as I type this I have George working upstairs, Stanley sat next to me doing some maths and Darcy scooting around in her baby walker.  I'd like to think that it is a scene of calm and orderly learning, however the reality is somewhat different! 

VE-DAY

We have had a communication from the Royal British Legion as they are leading the events to mark VE-Day in this new world we find ourselves in.  Here is the plan of events for the day they have put together:

Royal British Legion Schedule

1100-1102          – Two Minute Silence

1115-1200          – The Royal British Legion VE75 Livestream

2000-2110          – VE Day 75: The People’s Celebration, BBC One

2100                    – ‘We’ll Meet Again’ Singalong

Two Minute Silence

The Legion is calling on people to join in a national moment of reflection and Remembrance at 11am on Friday 8^th May and pause for a Two Minute Silence, not only in recognition of the service and sacrifice of the Second World War generation, but also to reflect on the devastating impact Covid-19 has had on so many lives across the world.

People are invited to take part in the Silence in whatever way they feel appropriate be that standing at their window, stepping outside their home, whilst remaining distanced from others, or taking the opportunity for a quiet moment of reflection. To build momentum towards this important moment, please share this with your communities and encourage everyone to come together in Remembrance at 11am.

The Royal British Legion Livestream

Following the Silence the Legion is hosting a VE Day livestream, sharing stories and memories from those who served and sacrificed during the Second World War. The Legion is inviting people to grab a cup of tea and join us for the livestream as we bring the World War Two generation together with today’s generation to chat about their experiences.

Hosted by TV presenter Sonali Shah, the programme will feature contributions from social historian Julie Summers and cook and influencer Melissa Helmsley. The stream will be live from 11.15am on the Legion’s website rbl.org.uk/veday75.

VE Day 75: The People’s Celebration BBC ONE:  20:00 – 21:10 

To mark the 75^th anniversary of VE day, in these unprecedented times, the BBC in partnership with The Royal British Legion will honour and celebrate the World War Two Generation with an evening of memories and music.  Featuring some of those who remember this historic day, together with Britain’s favourite performers who will entertain us with popular songs of the era.  In a fitting finale at 9.00 pm we will see the nation unite for a very special rendition of “We’ll Meet Again” as we all give thanks to our veterans and remember our loved ones.

‘We’ll Meet Again’ Singalong

Lyrics available on The Royal British Legion website https://www.rbl.org.uk/stories/ve-day-singalong

VE Day 75 Learning Pack

Designed for 7-14 year olds the learning pack includes first-hand accounts from the Second World War generation, veteran interviews and a range of activities to allow families to explore and commemorate VE Day 75 together. People can follow the activity on social media using #VEDay75 and #VEDay75Live during the livestream.

Branch led activities

Many Branches are organising online/virtual VE Day 75 activities so don’t forget to check what your Branch might have planned and join in.

This looks like a fabulous resource and I will be using some of them with my own family on Friday.

Resources and Library

Don't forget that we have put resources to support home learning and a selection of books in the foyer at school, you are more than welcome to call in and take whatever you need.

Future Plans

As you will be aware we continue to wait for guidance from the government as to what the future holds, as soon as we know anything we will share this with you.

Provision in School

We continue to provide childcare in school for those children whose parents are key workers and their is no alternative but to attend school.  If you do need to access this provision then please contact us through the enquiries e-mail address so that we can add you to the list and plan our staffing accordingly. 

Don't forget that we are all here to help and support you the best we can.

Stay Safe,

David Nicholson 

Good morning everyone,

As we now enter Week 7 of the forced school closure, isolation and lock-down.  This new situation is slowly becoming the ‘new normal’, working from home and ensuring social distance measures are in place. 

Yet, we are hopeful that soon, we can come back together as a school family.  There has been lots in the news recently about the potential reopening of schools.  As I write this, I know no more than all of you and I continue to wait with interest further information so that we can make concrete plans for the reopening of school. 

In the meantime, we continue as we have been with the teachers setting daily activities in maths, english and one other subject.  These activities are also supplemented by the various resources available in the 'Home Learning' section of the website.  As I am sure you are all aware by now, remember that:

• You do what is right for your families and pick and choose the activities to suit.
• Try if you can to reach out to your class teacher through the avenues available. 
• Remember we are here to help and support in any way we can.  Please get in touch if you need support with anything.

VE-Day

In school this week we would have been joining the rest of the country in celebrating the 75th Anniversary of VE-Day.  We know that you already know lots about WWII from our topics last term and there will be lots about VE-Day on the TV this week.  It would be great if you could produce something to celebrate this day, maybe you could:

• Create a fact page about VE-DAY
• Design a poster to celebrate the day or explain what it is all about
• Take a photograph of your front garden picnic (if you have one) 
• Be creative and think of your own idea

If you would like to send us what you have created then either upload it to your Google Classroom or e-mail them to enquiries@longbenningtonacademy.co.uk 

Resources

We have put some resources in our foyer area at school, feel free to come and help yourselves to anything that you may need.

Mr Buckeridge Collective Worship

Mr Buckeridge has kindly uploaded another Collective Worship and this is available in the home learning section of our website. 

Take care everyone

Mr Nicholson

Good morning everyone,

Who can believe that it is Friday again, the weeks seem to be whizzing by! Having spoken to the teachers this week, the overriding feeling we all have is one of frustration that we can't all be in school teaching the children.  They have enjoyed reaching out to our families this week and we all enjoy seeing what you have been up to through the photos, work and messages you upload.

I must reiterate again that in these times nothing can replace day to day school life and it is vitally important that you do what is right for you and your families  We are here to help and support in the best way we possibly can and please contact us if you need support,  That may be through an e-mail or a phone call, i know the staff are on hand to answer any questions you may have.  We have also been delivering paper copies of the work set to those families who request it.  Please contact school if you need anything like paper worksheets, reading books or we can even loan you our IT equipment.  

The teachers will continue to set daily work for you to complete, but remember there is always more suggestions of things you can do in the home learning section of the website.  We have just uploaded some more workbooks for maths and spelling.  In addition to this the Oak National Academy is a fantastic on-line resource with video lessons and accompanying work.

We all hope you manage to continue to enjoy this unexpected time with your families and it feels like we can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  

Have a lovely weekend and stay safe,

Mr Nicholson 

I hope all is well at home and the children are working hard.  Would you like to do something different today? 

Well, at 10am, the Archbishop of Canterbury will be taking part in the country's largest ever school assembly, partnering with Oak National Academy.  This promises to be an interesting watch and I know that it will be full of messages of support for us all. 

Talking of inspiration and support, I saw the flypast to mark the 100th birthday of Captain Tom Moore, what a remarkable man who has certainly inspired me in these difficult times. 

The staff have enjoyed the phone calls to you all, don't worry if you haven't heard from them yet they are working through their classes whilst also completing lots of other work.  Again we would like to reassure you all that it is fine to pick and choose the activities which suit you best.  We all enjoy seeing what you  have been up to and would encourage you all to share some work or pictures of activities you have completed at least once a week. 

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

Good afternoon everyone,

I hope you are all keeping well?  Personally I am pleased to get back to a 'weekday' as the weekends always seem a little more unusual to me! 

Hopefully by now you will have been sent the Lincolnshire Virtual Athletics competition information.  This is being run by the School Games Organisers and will allow the children to compete in an athletics competition against children from other Lincolnshire schools.  I have also uploaded the information to the home learning section of the website.

Hampers will again be delivered tomorrow for those eligible parents who ordered one. 

I know the teachers are busy communicating potential 'Home Learning' activities for you to be working on this week.  I do however want to reassure you all though, that this time is about keeping each other safe and well.  Please don't stress about what you are doing at home with your child or the progress they are/aren't making.  That is for us to worry about when school reopens and we will be working hard to ensure they slot back into school life effectively and from then we can continue our learning journey. 

I hope you all have a good week and fingers crossed we get some news soon as to when we can look to reopen school.

Mr Nicholson

Good morning everyone,

I can't quite believe it is Friday again, where has that week gone?  

I hope you have a good week completing the various tasks and activities that you are doing at home, as I said yesterday I love hearing about the amazing things you have been up to.  I have spoken to a few of your teachers today and I know that they are enjoying hearing from you so keep telling us what you have been up to.

As it's Friday its time to wish you all a lovely weekend, take some time to relax.  Remember even these times are difficult and unusual we should still remember our school value of joy and make the most of everyday and the time we are being given to spend with our families.  Remember the scripture we looked at which says " This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24.

Stay safe everyone and have a lovely weekend.

Mr Nicholson 

Good morning all,

A message for all of the children . . .

It is yet another glorious sunny day, I will be out on my bike again later.  Yesterday I took George on a long ride to Long Bennington, Westborough, Dry Doddington and Claypole! He was very tired by the time we got home and ready for his tea!  I hope you are all getting outdoors as much as possible and making the most of the weather.

I have just spent the last hour looking through all of your work and messages on the website and Google Classrooms.  It has really cheered me up seeing what you have been up to and you are certainly doing some amazing things.  I have also been seeing what the children who are in school have been up to and the staff are certainly keeping them busy! 

Remember keep in touch with your teachers, they are enjoying hearing from you and even speaking to you on the phone! It is also important for you to remember to do what works best for you, your teachers are providing lots of ideas of things you can do but if you find a resource you enjoy/benefit from more then please use that. 

Finally, I though I would reflect on something which has blown me away.  I have been enjoying hearing all about 'Captain Tom' and his remarkable fund raising efforts.  On the TV this morning he was presented with a Pride of Britain award followed by countless messages from people praising his efforts.  Throughout Captain Tom was simply repeating his message that he doesn't see himself as remarkable, purely a man trying to help.  I won't lie I ended up with tears in my eye, but I think they were tears of joy.  I reflect on our school values and Captain Tom is certainly living them out, remember when we talked about the value of service and we shared this scripture reference: "Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9-10.  I have learnt a lot in this period of isolation and I hope I will value what is important much more. 

Stay safe everyone and remember we are here to help, if you need anything printing out or there is more we can do then please get in touch.

We miss you all very much,

Mr Nicholson