December 2023

Dear Parents and Carers,

At this time of year we are often thinking about Christmas presents and expensive treats, but Christmas need not be about the material things. We know that Jesus was a poor man himself, but was rich in so many other ways. He was rich in love. Christmas is a time for celebration and reflection and as we draw to the end of another great term, we are assured that our community is one rich in love, supported through strong collaboration, leading to wonderful achievements.

Spreading joy and goodwill

Our Christmas Community Service on 13^th December was a joyous event bringing the school community together. Students from our local primary schools attended and performed, and our own choir displayed their singing talent, spreading joy, love and goodwill for Christmas. Speeches were given by our staff members and students. After the service everyone gathered together and shared Christmas cheer. A wonderful celebration was had by all!

Christmas Celebrations from our Choir (see the school’s website)

We are delighted to announce that there will be a wonderful display of songs from our choir on the school’s website for you to view, so please click on this link https://www.bishopstopfords.enfield.sch.uk/ and enjoy the joy they bring over Christmas.

Newsletter

For highlights of events and information, view our school’s newsletter on our website.

https://www.bishopstopfords.enfield.sch.uk/newsletter/

Support during the holiday

We know that with the cost of living crisis and the increase in energy prices mean some families may find the Christmas period difficult. All those in receipt of Free School Meals should of received an eCode Payment Voucher for the Christmas holidays – this is £55.  The e-code is issued by Edenred and will have been sent to your e-mail address. Please note this code must be redeemed by Sunday 14^th January 2024 (it cannot be reissued) but the supermarket voucher can be spent after this date. If you have any queries please contact the school by e-mail generaloffice@bishopstopfords.enfield.sch.uk.

This voucher is from the Household Support Grant which the local authority issues on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions.

Organisations for Support throughout the Christmas Period

Remember that you are never alone and can lean on a number of different organisations throughout this period if you are struggling. Websites for these organisations can be found attached to this letter.

End of Term Arrangements and Return to School in January, 2024

• Our last day of term is Wednesday, 20th^th December.
• The students will leave the premises from 12.15pm

Spring Term Arrangements

We look forward to our return to school in the New Year on Monday, 8^rd January 2024. Students will arrive at 9.30am and attend registration with their form tutors. Lessons will then return to normal from Lesson 2. This will facilitate a staff training session to further develop staff professional development and continue to raise standards in our teaching. We will be returning to a week 1 timetable. Please do ensure that your child arrives on time and that they are well prepared for the year ahead with correct uniform and the required equipment to facilitate learning.

Finally, I would like to wish all of the Bishop Stopford’s family, present with us, absent from us, or gone forth among us, a very merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

Mrs Day, Headteacher

BA (Hons), NPQH

Food Banks

Listed below is some useful information on food banks within the Enfield Area: -

North Enfield Food Bank

Address: 2, Jubilee Central, Lumina Way, Enfield EN1 1FS

Phone: 07826 542119

Solidarity Food Point

Address: Great Cambridge Rd, London N9 9LE

Phone: 020 8245 8482

The Trussell Trust Food Bank

Address: 2 Lumina Way, Enfield EN1 1FS

Phone: 07826 542119

https://www.itsgoodtwotalk.co.uk

https://www.childline.co.uk

https://www.kooth.com

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/

https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/

Our core Strive for Five values of consideration, respect, loyalty, responsibility and success were on show for all to see at the recent athletics event at Trent Country Park.  Cross country running is a physically and mentally tough event and we were very proud to see the resilience of our students across all year groups competing at the highest level.

Lower school students ran 3,000m and upper school students a 3,500m distance through wild terrain and dense forests.  With four major uphill climbs the race was challenging and extreme.  All of students competed well in the strong field of competitors with outstanding performances from Year 7 Sheldon (7^th), Year 8 Julia (16^th), and Year 11 Yevhennia (8^th).  Students ranking in the Top 10 are considered exceptional performers.

Exciting News! Bishop Stopford's School achieves the Bronze Award for Racial Equality this year, signifying our unwavering commitment to tracking and improving racial equity. Our journey towards a more inclusive future continues. Thank you for your support! #RacialEquality #BronzeAward #Inclusion 

At Bishop Stopford's School, we are supporting pupils with DLD by wearing purple on 20.10.23.
We will also be reading DLD facts at #Raddld2023 #DLDday2023 #DLD #ECASS #DLDandMe #EnfieldandDLD #GrowingwithDLD #SLCN #EnfieldEdUK The ECASS team from the LA will be posting facts one every hour.
DLD

Around 1 in 14 children are affected by Development Language Disorder (DLD). Probably between one and two young people in every classroom.
Young people with DLD have difficulties understanding language, they might mix words up in a sentence or misunderstand what you are asking them to do.

DLD is a 'hidden disability', as it is not always obvious that someone has this disability.

What are the signs of DLD?
A young person might struggle to say the words they want to say.
They have a limited vocabulary.
They mix their words up in a sentence.
They don't understand what you are asking them to do.
They might find it hard to follow more than one instruction at a time.
They find it hard to tell a story or sequence events.
They don't have names for things and may just point at something or say 'that one' etc
They might have difficulty reading.
They might not use proper grammar.
They get upset when routines change.
They might find it difficult to make and maintain friendships.

DLD is not Dyslexia
A young person struggling to read the words on a page of text may have dyslexia.
A young person with SLCN (Speech Language and Communication Needs) or DLD may struggle to understand what is happening in a story.

How to help your DLD child
Use simple sentences.
Give one instruction at a time.
Check they have understood - ask them to repeat what you have said.
Use new words when talking to them.

For further information on DLD:
https:rdld.org/about/did/did-fact-sheet

Carol Hart (SENCO)

Hosts of this event the paralympiam Ellie Simmonds MBE and ex-Tottenham captain Ledley King were in awe of the leadership skills of our students who ran this primary school event.