Newsletter No. 1 4th September 2014

 A very warm welcome back to you all, especially our new children in Reception! I do hope that you all had a wonderful break and enjoyed the lovely weather. As always, the children have returned with great enthusiasm.

School Values and Motto We have started the year by reminding ourselves of our school values -

Respect, Friendship, Courage, Determination, Inspiration, Equality and Excellence.

Our school motto remains as,

‘Our Children Today, Our Future Tomorrow’.

I would ask all parents and carers to support us in promoting these with your children throughout the year.

Priorities For The Year These will include the following:

·         Improving attendance to 96%

·         Ensuring 100% of teaching is good or outstanding

·         Ensuring all stakeholders have high expectations at all times.

Please visit our school website for more detailed information about these priorities.

Attendance We must achieve 96% this year, so that our children achieve the best outcomes that they are capable of. Last year’s assessment results have shown that children whose attendance was not good, did not achieve as highly as others.

Clubs Clubs will begin week beginning 15th September. If you would like your child to attend any of the clubs offered, please read the accompanying letter and return the slip by Monday 8th September to the clubs post box in the school lobby. Please do not send the slips to class

Year Group Workshops As usual these sessions will take place at 9-9.30am in the main hall on the relevant dates below. Please can you make a note of when it is your child’s year groups’ turn. These sessions provide an opportunity for parents to hear and try out what is planned for the year group. I hope you will take the time to attend.

10th Sept - Year 2                                                  

11th Sept - Year 6                                                    

15th Sept - Year 1                                                  

17th Sept - Year 3                                                    

18th Sept - Year 4                                                  

19th Sept - Year 5                                                    

Colour Assemblies Colour assemblies will begin on Thursday 11th September. However, instead of running assemblies every week, they will take place fortnightly as follows:

11th September                                       

9.10-9.35am Dance Studio - Blue & Rainbow classes
9.10-9.35am - Main Hall - Green classes

18th September

9.10-9.35am Dance Studio - Red classes
9.10-9.35am Main Hall - Yellow classes

Thereafter, we will repeat the above pattern.

Reception classes will join after Christmas.

Uniform/Jewellery As always I would ask for your support in ensuring that children follow the school’s uniform policy each day and that they wear no jewellery to school. All children should wear sensible shoes or trainers. No sandals please, as these are unsuitable for the playground. Uniform can be purchased from Rupens (98/100 Meads Lane, Seven Kings, Essex IG3 8QN).

Year 5 Swimming Pupils will be beginning swimming lessons this term. A letter will be sent to parents shortly. I would like to remind you that swimming lessons are an entitlement for every child and no one can be withdrawn from these lessons.

 

School Lunches The cost of a school meal for your child has been frozen by the provider at £2 per day or £10 per week. Please remember that all monies must be paid in advance at the beginning of the week. Envelopes for lunch are available from the school office which should be clearly labelled with your child’s name and class.

If you child’s account is in arrears from last term, your child will not be able to have a school lunch. It is your responsibility to ensure that you send your child to school with a packed lunch until full payment of the arrears have been made.

 

Universal Free School Meals For all Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 Please remember that your child in these year groups will get a free school meal, so you will not need to send in a lunch. However, families on low income still need to apply for free school meals, so that the school continues to receive the funding to pay for these lunches.

 

Donations For Gardening Tools etc. If you have old, child size wellies and gardening tools that you do not need, Claire Shaw would be very happy to receive them.

 

Recycling Project We will be starting a major recycling project in the sensory garden, for which we require empty 2 litre plastic bottles, such as those for cola and lemonade etc. If you have any or buy any in future, please save them and send them in, as we   require hundreds!

 

Nursery Nursery re-opens on 15th September. However, we will induct the children in gradually so that they have a smooth start. If you are not sure of your child’s start date, please speak to Rhonda in the school office.

 

Free Flow into School from Monday 8th September As previously, from Monday all children will be required to make their own way up to class where the teachers will be ready to receive them from 8.45am. Please be punctual.

 

Dates For Your Diary

4th-5th Sept  New Reception classes start (9-12pm only)

8th-12th Sept Reception classes (in until 1pm)

10th Sept       Parent workshop Year 2

11th Sept       Parent workshop Year 6

15th Sept       Parent workshop Year 1

15th Sept       Reception classes in all day

15th Sept       Nursery re-opens for identified children

17th Sept       Parent workshop Year 3

18th Sept       Parent workshop Year 4

19th Sept       Parent workshop Year 5

9th Oct           Year 5 Eid Performance

27th - 31st Oct Half-term (school closed)

3rd Nov          Inset (school closed to pupils)

6th Nov          Year 3 Diwali Performance

22nd Dec - 4th Jan Christmas Break

5th Jan           Pupils return to school       

16th-20th Feb Half-term (school closed)

23rd Feb        Inset (school closed to pupils)

3rd - 17th April Spring Break (school closed)

4th May          Bank Holiday (school closed)

25th-29th May Half-term (school closed)

1st June         Inset (school closed)

23rd July        School closed