1 Feb 2008 - Newsletter 7

As many of you know FOCJS have for many years been active on behalf of the children and have added a great deal to the facilities and opportunities enjoyed by our children, the most recent examples being the Gazebo and the school digital piano.  As with all committees they regularly need new people to lead and help.  On     behalf of our children I would urge you to support FOCJS at their next Committee meeting on 7th February where they are looking for new and additional committee members and also people to help at events.  Please seriously consider if you can support the school in this important work.  The meeting will take place here at school on Thursday 7^th February at 7pm.  I look forward to seeing many of you there.

Every Child Matters 

ENJOY AND ACHIEVE

Parents’ consultation evenings will take place on Tuesday 12th February, Wednesday 13^th February and for  4b on Thursday 14^th February [ not 12^th]. The appointments last 10 minutes between 4 and 7pm. The                arrangements will be as last time – staff will be in the hall, pupil books will be in the classrooms [yrs3/4] or the library [yrs 5/6]. Appointment sheets will be posted on classroom doors on Monday 4^th February where you can sign up. We are updating our home/school agreements and those pupils and parents who have not had one will be given one that evening to be completed and returned to school.

Extended schools project

On parent’s evening there will be an opportunity to sign up for workshops in school this year which will offer parents the opportunity to learn more about the following areas:-

Reading development and how parents can encourage their own child

Creating healthy meals without breaking the bank!

Local opportunities to share with your child, including ‘chill time!’

Family friendly discipline

------ any other areas will be considered!

The extended school group will be led by Mrs Maggie Sugden, a recently retired teacher who is also a mother of four. The groups will be flexible, fun and run in school time on school premises. There may be opportunities for parents who are interested to include their children in suitable activities- e.g. the cooking workshops. This project is funded directly by Government ‘extended schools’ money. We hope to start the first group in term 4. 

The school councils of both schools met recently to discuss progress towards the creation of a shared allotment. You should have received a letter from the council asking for some items and    volunteer helpers to assist the initial set up of this exciting venture. Do contact Mrs Haddock if you are interested in getting involved with the school allotment.

Eco-schools group

Mrs Bess and her ‘green warriors’ have now created an action plan and are working on various projects to help the environment. These include developing composting, attracting more wildlife to the school grounds and conserving energy at school. The group are working towards ‘blue flag’ eco-school status.

KEEPING SAFE

The school has been undertaking a major review of health and safety and school security recently. We are proposing to tighten up security at the back door entrance of the school. Please can I remind all those on school premises of the following-

· All people coming into school must sign the visitor’s book on entry and on leaving- this is in case of a fire. They should also wear a visitor’s badge.

· The back door must remain closed throughout the school day unless children are outside at break. If you wish to see a member of staff after school, please enter via the main office area.

· Non-staff cars are not permitted on school premises, those dropping off children for Kids Klub are not permitted to drive in to the school grounds.

· If you are late picking up children please contact the school- these children will be kept outside the school office as necessary until collected or suitable arrangements can be made.

Finally, it is important that we can contact parents in case of emergency. If you change address, telephone number or work contact numbers please inform the school office so we can amend our records accordingly.

The playrangers have now held two sessions on a Thursday lunchtime with our children. After a muddy start the children are looking forward to the range of structured play opportunities and are enjoying the chance to play alongside infant age pupils. The project continues for another three weeks.

ECONOMIC WELL-BEING

The school has now planned and will soon undertake a major refurbishment project. We are updating the   cupboards, tables, chairs, sink units and storage facilities over the next four years starting with the year 6 classrooms.  We also plan to refurbish the area outside the school office and make it suitable for family meetings [see extended schools above] as well as pupil small groups. Subject to South Glos Council agreement and funding we also hope to update our school heating system during 2008.

Dates for your Diary

Thursday 7th February         Playrangers Project - 3W/5E

Tuesday 12 February            Parents Evening 4-7pm

Wednesday 13 February      Parents Evening 4-7pm  

Thursday 14 February          Parents Evening 4B - 4-6pm

                                               Playrangers Project - 3M/5J

Friday 15 February               Term 3 Ends - Cakes

Monday 25 February            Term 4 Starts

Wednesday 12 March           Inset Day

The end of term 3 is rapidly approaching marking half-way through the school year! 

We finish on 15^th February and term 4 starts on Monday 25^th February.