5 Oct 2007 - Newsletter 2
Dear Parents,
The first month has gone by and we are now well settled into a new school year. Our new children in year three are confident and happy in their new mixed classes.
The design competition for the new school noticeboard has been won by Chloe Thorn 5E. The new noticeboard will be in place soon.
Every Child Matters
ENJOY AND ACHIEVE
Hillcrest Residential
The year six children had a wonderful time at Hillcrest PGA centre in September. Many outdoor activities were enjoyed including kayaking, abseiling, raft-building and even a disco! The children and staff had a super week together and no doubt will treasure the memories. Many congratulations to those who took on the challenges with enthusiasm and good humour!
Meet the teacher/Parents Consultations
Many parents attended the meet the teacher event which is an opportunity to find out what the classes will be learning this year. There will be an opportunity to talk with your child's class teacher on an individual basis between 4pm- 7pm on Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th October. All appointments are 10 minutes and the list for each class will go on the classroom doors one week before for parents to make an appointment.
Literacy Changes
As a school staff this year we are focusing on the teaching of writing. The inset day on 28th September was devoted to learning about recent developments in writing. There have been significant changes nationally in the teaching of reading, writing and speaking/listening. Our children are now learning literacy in longer planned blocks including significantly more opportunities for talk. Ideas and thoughts will be discussed shared and drafted on classroom whiteboards, as preparation for their writing activities in their literacy books.
Parents of pupils in year six are reminded that applications for secondary admission have to be with South Gloucestershire by 19th October.
Miss C Millar will be taking two termlets sabbatical to undertake voluntary work in Costa Rica from January to April. Miss S Ainscough, a regular supply teacher with the school who is familiar with the class, will cover this vacancy.
ECONOMIC WELL-BEING
FOCJS
The school shop is run by FOCJS on Mondays from 3.25-3.45pm. Items for sale include uniforms, pencils and reflective discs to attach to clothes. We need new volunteers to help with this so if you are available for half and hour occasionally on Monday afternoon please speak to myself or Mrs Kathy Stewart.
FOCJS have planned a cake sale for Friday 19th October. The Autumn Fair this year will be on Friday 23rd November.
BE HEALTHY
Football
Parent volunteers are wanted to provide a football club for our year five pupils. Staff are now fully committed to other football and sports clubs. If you think you could help with this please speak to Mr A Carrick.
PE kit
Please would you ensure that your child has a spare pair of socks as it is unpleasant for our pupils to remain in wet socks throughout the day after PE.
Chess club
Last year our chess club had a very successful year. We are now looking for a parent(s) or community volunteer(s) to run a chess club again this year either every week or on a rota/part time basis. The club would be one hour after school each week and we have all the equipment available. Please contact Mr Carrick if you feel able to help or would like more information about the commitment.
Supporting healthy lifestyles
Attached to this newsletter is an article promoting healthy habits at home and school for your information.
STAY SAFE
The cycle shed is being regularly used for both bicycles and scooters. I would like to remind children and parents that the children must wear cycle helmets when cycling to school. May I also remind you that scooters and bikes need to be dismounted before entering the school site and mounted after leaving. The main school gate should not be used for accessing or leaving the school but pupils should enter by the small gate. We are closing the main gate now throughout the school day in order to prevent cars being driven on to school premises to drop off children. Thank you for your cooperation in this.
Parking
Complaints have again been received by the school about dangerous and inconsiderate parking at the beginning and end of the school day. Please do not block entrances and exits to properties adjacent to the school.
POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION
Parents of year three pupils are invited to join us for the harvest assembly on Friday 12th October at 11am. We are collecting for 'Feed the children' charity and in particular their 'clean water' campaign for third world countries. The following items are welcome
Donations of money,
soap and shampoo,
toothbrushes and toothpaste,
hairbrushes and combs,
flannels and nailbrushes.
All donations should be brought in to school on the morning of the 12th.
Currently we are collecting the following:- Tesco vouchers, Sainsburys vouchers and yellow pages [given to Crossways Infant School]
Individual children's photos will now be taken on Friday 12th October.
OTHER
We are reorganising our maths games in the school library and would welcome offers of help with labelling plastic wallets. Please speak to the office or Mrs P Montgomery our librarian.
We are trialling money collection envelopes which make administration of money coming into school easier. The envelopes have the school name and are available to buy from the office priced £1.50 for 30 envelopes. If you would like a sample please ask in the school office.
Recently we have had a spate of lunch and toast payments using foreign coins - please ensure that any monies paid are sterling!
Finally if you have any concerns about your child or any other queries about school life please speak firstly to the class teacher and then myself. Our Chair of Governors is Mrs Kathy Fieldhouse and she can be contacted through the school office. We will shortly be putting up photographs of our staff and governors in the school entrance so that you are aware of who everyone is and what they do.
This term's sandwich money of £2 is now due.
Dates for your diary
Friday 12 October Harvest Assembly - 11am Y3 Parents
Individual Photos pm
Tuesday 16 October Parents evening 4-7pm
Wednesday 17 October Parents evening 4-7pm
Friday 19 October TERM 1 ENDS Cakes
Wednesday 31 October TERM 2 STARTS
Friday 23 November FOCJS Autumn Fair
Thursday 13 December Lower school party
Friday 14 December Upper school party
Wednesday 19 December TERM 2 ENDS
Thursday 3 January TERM 3 STARTS INSET 3
Friday 4 January Theatre visit - pm (whole school)
Friday 15 February TERM 3 ENDS Cakes
The first month has gone by and we are now well settled into a new school year. Our new children in year three are confident and happy in their new mixed classes.
The design competition for the new school noticeboard has been won by Chloe Thorn 5E. The new noticeboard will be in place soon.
Every Child Matters
ENJOY AND ACHIEVE
Hillcrest Residential
The year six children had a wonderful time at Hillcrest PGA centre in September. Many outdoor activities were enjoyed including kayaking, abseiling, raft-building and even a disco! The children and staff had a super week together and no doubt will treasure the memories. Many congratulations to those who took on the challenges with enthusiasm and good humour!
Meet the teacher/Parents Consultations
Many parents attended the meet the teacher event which is an opportunity to find out what the classes will be learning this year. There will be an opportunity to talk with your child's class teacher on an individual basis between 4pm- 7pm on Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th October. All appointments are 10 minutes and the list for each class will go on the classroom doors one week before for parents to make an appointment.
Literacy Changes
As a school staff this year we are focusing on the teaching of writing. The inset day on 28th September was devoted to learning about recent developments in writing. There have been significant changes nationally in the teaching of reading, writing and speaking/listening. Our children are now learning literacy in longer planned blocks including significantly more opportunities for talk. Ideas and thoughts will be discussed shared and drafted on classroom whiteboards, as preparation for their writing activities in their literacy books.
Parents of pupils in year six are reminded that applications for secondary admission have to be with South Gloucestershire by 19th October.
Miss C Millar will be taking two termlets sabbatical to undertake voluntary work in Costa Rica from January to April. Miss S Ainscough, a regular supply teacher with the school who is familiar with the class, will cover this vacancy.
ECONOMIC WELL-BEING
FOCJS
The school shop is run by FOCJS on Mondays from 3.25-3.45pm. Items for sale include uniforms, pencils and reflective discs to attach to clothes. We need new volunteers to help with this so if you are available for half and hour occasionally on Monday afternoon please speak to myself or Mrs Kathy Stewart.
FOCJS have planned a cake sale for Friday 19th October. The Autumn Fair this year will be on Friday 23rd November.
BE HEALTHY
Football
Parent volunteers are wanted to provide a football club for our year five pupils. Staff are now fully committed to other football and sports clubs. If you think you could help with this please speak to Mr A Carrick.
PE kit
Please would you ensure that your child has a spare pair of socks as it is unpleasant for our pupils to remain in wet socks throughout the day after PE.
Chess club
Last year our chess club had a very successful year. We are now looking for a parent(s) or community volunteer(s) to run a chess club again this year either every week or on a rota/part time basis. The club would be one hour after school each week and we have all the equipment available. Please contact Mr Carrick if you feel able to help or would like more information about the commitment.
Supporting healthy lifestyles
Attached to this newsletter is an article promoting healthy habits at home and school for your information.
STAY SAFE
The cycle shed is being regularly used for both bicycles and scooters. I would like to remind children and parents that the children must wear cycle helmets when cycling to school. May I also remind you that scooters and bikes need to be dismounted before entering the school site and mounted after leaving. The main school gate should not be used for accessing or leaving the school but pupils should enter by the small gate. We are closing the main gate now throughout the school day in order to prevent cars being driven on to school premises to drop off children. Thank you for your cooperation in this.
Parking
Complaints have again been received by the school about dangerous and inconsiderate parking at the beginning and end of the school day. Please do not block entrances and exits to properties adjacent to the school.
POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION
Parents of year three pupils are invited to join us for the harvest assembly on Friday 12th October at 11am. We are collecting for 'Feed the children' charity and in particular their 'clean water' campaign for third world countries. The following items are welcome
Donations of money,
soap and shampoo,
toothbrushes and toothpaste,
hairbrushes and combs,
flannels and nailbrushes.
All donations should be brought in to school on the morning of the 12th.
Currently we are collecting the following:- Tesco vouchers, Sainsburys vouchers and yellow pages [given to Crossways Infant School]
Individual children's photos will now be taken on Friday 12th October.
OTHER
We are reorganising our maths games in the school library and would welcome offers of help with labelling plastic wallets. Please speak to the office or Mrs P Montgomery our librarian.
We are trialling money collection envelopes which make administration of money coming into school easier. The envelopes have the school name and are available to buy from the office priced £1.50 for 30 envelopes. If you would like a sample please ask in the school office.
Recently we have had a spate of lunch and toast payments using foreign coins - please ensure that any monies paid are sterling!
Finally if you have any concerns about your child or any other queries about school life please speak firstly to the class teacher and then myself. Our Chair of Governors is Mrs Kathy Fieldhouse and she can be contacted through the school office. We will shortly be putting up photographs of our staff and governors in the school entrance so that you are aware of who everyone is and what they do.
This term's sandwich money of £2 is now due.
Dates for your diary
Friday 12 October Harvest Assembly - 11am Y3 Parents
Individual Photos pm
Tuesday 16 October Parents evening 4-7pm
Wednesday 17 October Parents evening 4-7pm
Friday 19 October TERM 1 ENDS Cakes
Wednesday 31 October TERM 2 STARTS
Friday 23 November FOCJS Autumn Fair
Thursday 13 December Lower school party
Friday 14 December Upper school party
Wednesday 19 December TERM 2 ENDS
Thursday 3 January TERM 3 STARTS INSET 3
Friday 4 January Theatre visit - pm (whole school)
Friday 15 February TERM 3 ENDS Cakes