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Cancer Fund for Children
Wed 06 Oct 2021

Last week each class in school completed their 180 challenge to support Rory Best in his Miles2Mayo walk. We had great fun completing the different challenges and at the same time, we raised £690 for the Cancer Fund for Children which is fantastic. A huge thanks to all who donated via our Just Giving page. Rebecca called into our assembly this morning and she told how the money raised would be used to fund a new centre in Mayo for families who have been affected by cancer.
Our new School Council!
Tue 28 Sep 2021

On Monday morning the results of our School Council elections were announced in each classroom at the same time.

The elected candidates are:

Year 5: Shane Wortley, Ellie McClure, Samuel Winter and Phoebe Cordner

Year 6: Evan Nesbitt, Jonah King, Poppy Hannath and Arthur Taylor

Year 7: Ollie Major, Beth Breheny and Jonno Johnston

A huge well done to everyone who put themselves forward for the election - the standard of speeches and posters was exceptionally high.

The School Council are already hard at work - today they are recording a video to promote our first Active Travel competition!
A Big Thank You From Romania
Fri 24 Sep 2021

The shoes that you gave us at the end of June arrived in the orphanage in Romania just this week. Have a look at the photos - the children are really delighted with their new shoes. Thank you all very much!
Macmillan Green Day Success
Fri 24 Sep 2021

A BIG thank you to all of our pupils, parents and staff who donated so generously to our Green Day fund raiser today in aid of Macmillan Cancer Fund.

To date we have raised £968.60 which is the largest total for Macmillan we have ever had at Bocombra in recent years.

We are absolutley thrilled with this amount and thank everyone for your amazing support.
School Council Elections
Fri 24 Sep 2021

There was much excitement this morning as our School Council Elections took place - for the first time in 3 years! We had candidates from Years 5, 6 and 7 who had to do a 1 minute speech to their year gropu about why they would make a good School Council member. Each pupil from that year group then voted for 3 different people.

Mr Vallelly and Mrs Craig were amazed at the standard of the speeches and the number of fantastic new ideas put forward. Every single candidate should be very proud of their efforts.

Votes will be counted and verified over the weekend and the results will be announced in each classroom on Monday morning at 9am!
Rory's Miles to Mayo
Thu 16 Sep 2021

Rory Best is almost at Mayo where he will complete his 180-mile walk for Cancer Fund for Children Ireland. We have started planning our own 180 challenge in each class, check the Bocombra Miles to Mayo Just Giving page to find out what we will be doing!

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bocombra-ps
Letter to Parents 6/9/21
Tue 07 Sep 2021

B OCOMBRA PRIMARY SCHOOL AND NURSERY

1 Old Lurgan Road, Portadown, Co. Armagh, BT63 5SG

Telephone: Portadown 028 3833 6749    Covid Mobile (Out of Hours): 078 5022 6063

Email: mvallelly562@c2kni.net

Website: www.bocombraps.co.uk

                        Principal: Mr MD Vallelly B.Ed.(Hons.) M.Ed.

6^th September 2021

Dear Parent/Guardian,

A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE

I would like to thank all of our pupils, parents and other carers who have helped us re-commence our new school year so smoothly. It has been great to have happy and enthusiastic children in our building, clearly relishing being back for a new school year.

Thank you also for helping us keep our school safe, by practicing social distancing and wearing face coverings whilst on the school grounds. All of these small measures help keep classrooms open and infection free and minimising disruption to education.

EMERGENCY COVID CONTACT NUMBER

Arrangements for informing the school of positive Covid cases outside of school hours remain the same. The school mobile phone number is: 078 5022 6063. This number will be managed by school staff outside of school hours from 5.00pm – 8.00pm Monday to Friday and calls will be monitored over the weekend from 8.00am to 8.00pm. Text or voice messages can be left and will followed up. This should only be used to report a positive PCR test result, allowing the school to take the appropriate action and inform close contacts.

Any other queries can be addressed during school hours 8.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday.

PLANS FOR NORMALISATION

Having reviewed the current arrangements, we are content that from the week commencing 13/9/21 we will commence a naturally staggered drop-off in the mornings. Children will continue to socially distance upon arrival in the mornings and stand in their class lines. They then will go directly to classes at 8.45am in the usual manner. Hand sanitising/hand washing upon arrival will also continue.

In the week commencing 20/9/21 we will introduce our longer school day with afternoon classes for the relevant Year groups.



It is anticipated that the arrangements will be as follows:

Year 1 – Group 1: 1.10pm Group 2: 1.20pm

Year 2 – All finish at 2.00pm each day.

Year 3 – Monday to Wednesday Group 1: 2.50pm Group 2: 3.00pm (Thursday and Friday Group 1 and 2 2.00 pm)

Year 4-7 – Group 1: 2.50pm Group 2: 3.00pm

These arrangements will be continually reviewed in light of EA/DE Guidance and the rates of Covid infection in the local and wider community.

AUTUMN FUNDRAISER

Despite the disruption to school life as we would know it, we would like to lend support to Rory’s Walk as part of our Autumn fundraising efforts.

Former Ireland Rugby Captain, Rory Best will be taking on a mammoth challenge to walk 180 miles across Ireland to raise funds for Cancer Fund for Children. As a school would like to support Rory in his efforts and we will be encouraging each class, parent and member of staff to embark on their own 180 challenge to raise funds for this cause. Further information to follow.

TRAFFIC AND PARKING AT BOCOMBRA PS

We once again would appeal to all visitors bringing cars onto school grounds to be mindful not to block parking spaces, preventing others from leaving. We also would remind visitors that the staff carpark should only be used by those with mobility or specific reasons for being in that area. This ensures the safety of our pupils and unnecessary exposure to moving vehicles. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Yours faithfully,

MD Vallelly

(Principal)

Letter to parents 31/8/21

Tue 31 Aug 2021

BOCOMBRA PRIMARY SCHOOL AND NURSERY

1 Old Lurgan Road, Portadown, Co. Armagh, BT63 5SG

Telephone: Portadown 028 3833 6749 Covid Mobile (Out of Hours): 078 5022 6063

Email: mvallelly562@c2kni.net

Website: www.bocombraps.co.uk

Principal: Mr MD Vallelly B.Ed.(Hons.) M.Ed.

31^st August 2021

Dear Parent/Guardian,

WELCOME BACK

It is a privilege to be welcoming everyone back to the new school year, I hope you all had a restful summer break. As I outlined in my last letter on 23^rd August, we will be approaching the first few weeks cautiously but optimistically. It is our sincere hope that we will be able to extend our school day safely as soon as it is possible. See below for further details on our plans for normalisation.

You will no doubt be aware that there have been some changes in the guidance from the Department of Education (DE) in relation to restrictions in place due to Covid-19.

Clearly our aim as a school is to keep all of our pupils and staff as safe as possible while reducing the spread of the virus. The measures recommended by DE are also to keep close contacts to a minimum in the event of a positive case.

COVID-19 SYMPTOMS

If your child has any Covid-19 symptoms they should isolate and arrange a PCR test. If the test result is negative your child will be able to return to school. If the result is positive your child will need to isolate for 10 days. Symptoms remain unchanged:

A high temperature
A continuous cough
A loss or change in sense of taste or smell

CLOSE CONTACTS

If your child has been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid-19, they will need to isolate and arrange a PCR test (not a lateral flow test). If the test is negative your child can return to school but will need to have another test on Day 8. If they test positive they will need to isolate for 10 days. Nursery children are to be encouraged to take a PCR test, but do not have to isolate unless they develop symptoms or have a positive PCR test result.

EMERGENCY COVID CONTACT NUMBER

Arrangements for informing the school of positive Covid cases outside of school hours remains the same. The school mobile phone number is: 078 5022 6063. This number will be managed by school staff outside of school hours. Text or voice messages can be left and will be acknowledged and followed up. This will be particularly useful if children present with Covid-19 symptoms or to report a positive PCR test result. This will allow the school to inform close contacts.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

Following DE and PHA Guidance all adults are to observe 2m distancing where possible, both inside and outside the school building. DE also advise that all adults wear a face mask when on school grounds and inside school buildings.

CLASS GROUPS

Schools have been asked to keep pupils in a consistent group to reduce the spread of infection and assist with contract tracing. Consequently, pupils will be with their own class groups throughout the school day and will travel together to the school dining hall at lunchtime where they will eat in their socially distant class groups.

DROP-OFF AND PICK UP ARRANGEMENTS

Please find below a reminder of the Drop-off and Pick-Up times that we will operate for the first few weeks of September. This will be subject to on-going review and change.

Years 1-7 Drop-off time: Group 1- 8.45am Group 2 - 8.55am

Pick-up times:

Year 1 F - 1.10pm Year 1 T - 1.20pm

Year 2B and A/N 2.00pm

Year 3 R and M 2.15pm (until further notice)

Years 4-7: Group 1- 2.30pm Group 2- 2.40pm

HAND HYGIENE

Hygiene is a top priority in fighting the spread of the virus and as a consequence, every child will be encouraged to wash their hands or sanitise regularly throughout the school day.

When they arrive at school
Before and after they eat
Before they go outside
After they come in from outside

Pupils will be encouraged to place tissues in the bin immediately after coughing or sneezing. If a tissue is not available, children will be asked to cough or sneeze in to the crook of the arm. It would be helpful if this was practiced at home, particularly with younger children.

Where possible PE lessons will be conducted outside. Children will be informed by their class teachers of their PE days and what PE kit to wear.

SCHOOL MEALS

School meals are priced at £13.00 per week or £2.60 per day. It is a great help if the correct amount is sent on a Monday morning in an envelope indicating the child’s name, amount enclosed and days they intend to take school dinners. Cheques should be made payable to the ‘EA- Southern Region’. It is also very helpful for class teachers if you can inform the school in advance of a ‘late arrival’ to school for a medical appointment or festival performance, this will ensure accurate school dinner numbers and attendance coding.

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS

Whilst most special dietary requirements and food allergies are known to the school, it is of vital importance to inform your child’s class teacher if you have not done so already. Registration forms will be distributed to known pupils. If this form has not previously been completed, please request one from the school office. Please also note that a Doctor’s counter-signature is required to confirm the type of dietary requirements. Our school kitchen will in turn make appropriate adjustments to their menus. It is of paramount importance that this form is returned as soon as practicable.

PUPIL DATA FORMS

It would be greatly appreciated if all Pupil Data Forms (Year 2-7) could be returned to the class teacher as soon as possible. This will help ensure all of our information regarding contact details and medical conditions are up to date. We will be using contact ‘1’ as the emergency contact in all cases.

ASTHMA AND EPIPEN REGISTER

The Asthma/Epipen arrangements in place last term will continue, we will also continue to hold emergency ‘salbutamol’ inhalers and Epipens in school for administration to those pupils who have one prescribed to them but may have forgotten to bring it to school. Please ensure that the appropriate section of the Pupil Data Form has been completed to update our ‘Salbutamol list’ for 2021/22. If you have not done so already, please also ensure that if your child requires any type of inhaler, that they have a clearly labelled one in their school bag and one for emergencies in their teacher’s possession. Children who have Epipens will have a separate Care Plan drawn up between the school and the school nurse.

PLANS FOR NORMALISATION

As outlined previously, it is our hope that we will be able to return to a greater normalisation of the school day as quickly and safely as possible. As you will be aware we have continued initially with our staggered drop off and pick up arrangements. Returning to a full school day for our children is a priority area. It is envisaged that following an initial settling in period to determine the level of community transmission, we will conduct a review of our arrangements within the first two weeks of term. Being mindful of DE and EA guidance and the impact on our school family, we inform you of our plans with reasonable notice of changes. In the medium term we also hope that swimming and outdoor after-school activities can begin again safely.

BOCOMBRA PS SCHOOL APP

It is hoped that we will continue to reduce the amount of ‘paper based’ communications sent out from school. To this end we are encouraging all of our parent body to download our free Bocombra Primary School App, available on both Apple and Android platforms. This will not only reduce our administration costs but provide each parent with up to date information regarding school events, holidays, menus and closures, direct to their smart phone or tablet. Year Group and Class specific messages can also be sent directly to parents. It is also important to register for the new school year (within the ‘Notifications-Tools’ section) to have access to on-line class related activities, particularly should pupils need to self-isolate. If you would still prefer to have a paper copy of the weekly letter, this can be requested from our school office or alternatively they are also available on our school website.

SUMMER UNIFORM

As in previous years we will allow pupils to wear our optional summer uniform until the end of September. In warmer days the polo shirts and summer dresses can be more comfortable but full school uniform can also be worn.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS

Staggered drop-off and pick-ups will operate initially for the first two weeks subject to review
Pupils will continue to have lunch in the school dinner hall each day
Pupils can continue to use a school bag and carry resources to and from school
If a child has symptoms they must stay at home and get a PCR test (Year 1-7)
If a child (Year 1-7) is a close contact, they must isolate until they have a negative PCR test
Pupils will be kept in their consistent class groups
All adults must continue to keep 2m apart and wear a face covering within the school grounds
Regular handwashing and sanitising is of paramount importance

Yours faithfully,

MD Vallelly

(Principal)

BOCOMBRA PRIMARY SCHOOL AND NURSERY

HOLIDAY LIST 2021-22

Thursday 26^th August 2021	Beginning of Autumn Term Induction day 1 (Group 1)
Friday 27^th August 2021	Induction day 2 (Group 2)
Monday 30^th August 2021	Bank Holiday
Tuesday 31^st August 2021	Baker Day (Staff)
Wednesday 1^st September 2021	All pupils in school
Monday 25^th October Tuesday 26^th-Friday 30^th October 2021	Staff Development Day (1 Day) (4 days) Half Term Holiday
Tuesday 21^st December 2021	Last day of Autumn Term Staggered finishing times 11.00am-12.10pm
Wednesday 22^nd December 2021 – Monday 3^rd January 2022	(9 days) Christmas Holidays
Tuesday 4^th January 2021	Staff Development Day
Wednesday 5^th January 2022	Beginning of Spring Term
Wednesday 16^th-Friday 18^th February 2022	Half Term Holiday (3 days)
Thursday 17^th March 2022	St Patrick’s Day Holiday(1 day)
Friday 8^th April 2022	Last day of Spring Term Staggered finishing times 11.00am-12.10pm
Monday 11^th April- Friday 22^nd April 2022	(10 days) Easter Holidays
Monday 25^th April 2022	Beginning of Summer Term
Monday 2^nd May 2022	(1 day) Bank Holiday
Tuesday 3^rd May 2022	Staff Development Day
Wednesday 1^st June 2022 Thursday 2^nd and Friday 3^rd June 2022	Staff Development Day (2 days) Bank Holiday-Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Wednesday 29^th June 2022	Last day of Summer Term Staggered finishing times 11.00am-12.10pm
Thursday 30^th June	Staff Development Day
30^th June – August 2021 (Date TBC)	Summer Holidays
Note: Removing pupils during term time is not recommended; please try not to book holidays or other trips during the school term. Staff cannot prepare work in advance for children who are on holiday and very often these children miss vital work during their absence. The school are also required to inform the EA when a child is removed from school for a holiday. This information is recorded and may be used by the EA in appropriate situations, i.e. Special Educational Needs assessments or in relation to child protection issues. We hope this information is of use to you as you attempt to plan family holidays for the year ahead.

Letter to Parents 23/08/21
Mon 23 Aug 2021

BOCOMBRA PRIMARY SCHOOL AND NURSERY

1 Old Lurgan Road, Portadown, Co. Armagh, BT63 5SG

Telephone: Portadown 028 3833 6749    Fax:028 3839 1109

Email: mvallelly562@c2kni.net

Website: www.bocombraps.co.uk

                        Principal: Mr MD Vallelly B.Ed.(Hons.) M.Ed.

23^rd August 2021

Dear Parent/Guardian,

WELCOME BACK TO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR

I would like to take the opportunity to say how delighted I am to be back in post at Bocombra PS after my recent secondment with the Education Authority. I am indebted to both Mrs Taylor and Mrs Maxwell who skilfully guided our school in my absence, in what has probably been the most challenging time in education. I will continue to draw on their professionalism and knowledge as we navigate the next number of months.

Many things still remain the same, namely our super staff team and fantastic pupils. However, the last 18 months have brought many changes to how we operate as a school. It is to that end I am writing to you prior to the commencement of a new school year.

Guidance was recently provided by the Department of Education and this will continue to inform our decision making going forwards. In the short term, we have decided to operate a cautious approach for our initial few weeks of term. This will involve retaining distinct class groupings and the ‘drop-off’ and ‘pick-up’ arrangements from the last school year. You will have received notification in June regarding your child’s class and grouping. This will help you plan your arrangements for the first number of weeks in September.

I will be communicating our longer term plans in due course. It is our intention to return to a greater normalisation of the school day as quickly and safely as possible. This will involve adherence to DE Guidance and taking cognisance of the current public health conditions, balanced with the need to provide the best offering for our pupils including a full school day and after-school activities.

Please find below a reminder of the Drop-off and Pick-Up times that we will operate for the first few weeks of September. This will be subject to on-going review and change.

Years 1-7   Drop-off time: Group 1- 8.45am   Group 2 - 8.55am

Pick-up times:

Year 1 F - 1.10pm   Year 1 T - 1.20pm

Year 2B and A/N 2.00pm

Year 3 R and M 2.15pm (until further notice)

Years 4-7: Group 1- 2.30pm   Group 2- 2.40pm

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we start our new school year.

Yours sincerely,

Mr MD Vallelly

(Principal)
Welcome to Nursery and Year 1 September 2021
Thu 01 Jul 2021

Please see Nursery and Year 1 Class pages for welcome information. We look forward to meeting all our new Nursery and Year 1 pupils in August.

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