Newsletter

8th September 2010
Newsletter No: 26

Dear Parents/Carers,

I would like to welcome all of our new children, parents and staff, and of course, welcome back all of our existing children and parents. This is an exciting year for our school and it has been lovely to see children and staff return with such enthusiasm.

This week we have focussed on establishing key routines and I would particularly ask for your support in ensuring that teachers have sufficient space in the playground to hand over children safely to parents and carers at the end of the school day. To ease the congestion by the door for Years 1 and 2, we will be dismissing Year 2 classes from the seating area. Please do not take your child until the teacher has dismissed him/ her to your care.

Pupil Achievements A belated well done to Meenakshee Sungalee for achieving her Gold Award at the end of last term.

Uniform/ Jewellery This year I would like us all to ensure that we have a smart school, and I would remind you that it is school policy that all children wear uniform every day unless it is an agreed non-uniform day. If headscarves are worn they should be plain black or white and no jewellery should be worn except for religious observance. Flashing trainers and shoes with heels should not be worn to school.

Breakfast and Afterschool Childcare Provision These sessions are now full. Please note that After School Club is open until 5pm with a view to increasing to 6pm when we are Ofsted registered. This provision is based in the Children’s Centre.

Clubs Although Karate has already begun, other school based clubs will begin the first week of October. A letter will be coming home early next week with details of the clubs we will be running and a slip for you and your child to express your preferences.

Healthy Schools Week Next week, we are celebrating Healthy Schools Week. We would like to encourage you to walk to school if possible and to send in a healthy packed lunch. The Food in Schools team will be giving class talks and leading assemblies on Wednesday. As a school we are working towards the Healthy Schools Award and hope to obtain it this year.

Information Sessions
Year 1 14th September 9.00-9.30am
Year 2 15th September 9.00-9.30am
Year 3 16th September 9.00-9.30am
Year 4 17th September 9.00-9.30am

These sessions are for parents only and we will look after the children in a separate room.

Pakistan Appeal We will be fundraising for the Pakistan Appeal on Friday 17th September. Children and staff are invited to pay £1 to come to school in non-uniform. All parents are invited to come along to our cake sale at 3pm in the Small Hall. Donations of cakes are very welcome and can be given in that morning.

Grounds Development We are really excited to be developing our grounds further this year and are looking for CRB’d volunteers to help us dig and plant. As part of Children’s planned learning experiences, all classes will be developing an identified outdoor area. Please contact the School Office if you would like to help us. Any donations of plants or bulbs will be very welcome as soon as possible so that we can make the most of the planting season.

Security Update I am pleased to report that the work to secure the school was completed during the Summer Holidays. If you wish to visit the School Office or are dropping off/ collecting a late child please buzz the School Office to be let in. Please note that parents will not be able to drive into the small car park.

Attendance It is very important that the children attend school every day and that any absence is reported to the School Office. The national average for attendance is 95% and last year Cranbrook’s average was 93.2%, which was very disappointing and largely due to holidays during term time or Reception parents not bringing their child to school regularly. We really need to see an improvement this term.

Rosh Hashanah/ Eid Please note that only one day will be authorised for the Rosh Hashanah/ Eid celebrations. School will be open as usual for all other children.

Lost Property Please collect any lost property from the Small Hall after school.

Yours faithfully


Jas Leverton
Head teacher

Dates for your diary:
Healthy Schools Week 13th- 17th September
Open School 11th- 15th, 18th- 22nd October
Half term break 25th- 29th October
School re-opens 2nd November
Last day of term 20th December
Staff training day 1st November
School re-opens for pupils 4th January