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Newsletter - Wednesday 20th March 2002

Just to remind you - we are in school next week for two days! Many schools finish this Friday but we are not one of them. We return for the start of the Summer term on Wednesday 10th April: many schools return on Monday 8th April but this is our official 'day off' for the Queen's birthday. Tuesday school is closed for staff training so we will expect to see our pupils 'bright-eyed and bushy tailed' on WEDNESDAY 10th April. Back to top

Chess

Four of our chess players travelled to Reading last Saturday to represent Gloucestershire in a Chess tournament. They did exceptionally well and to be chosen to represent your county is a remarkable achievement. We are very proud of Thomas Bartlett, Chris Tully, Matthew Smith and Jessica Jones and hope their achievements will inspire others. Thanks must go to the two parents who gave up their Saturday to accompany the children to Reading. Back to top

Clubs

There will be no clubs taking place next week.
During the summer term all clubs, except for Chess, will finish at 4.00 p.m. Chess will continue to finish at 4.15 p.m. Clubs re-start during the week commencing Monday 15th April. Back to top

Music Evening

This was a great success with compliments coming from all directions. Many parents were astounded at the high standard of singing from the choir and the quality of the playing from the instrumentalists. Did you notice how many pupils play both the recorder and a second instrument? All of our performers last Wednesday demonstrated what a powerful combination commitment and talent is. We are all very proud of you.
Donations for the Music department amounted to £70.66. Back to top

English Curriculum Evening

We were very pleased with the support that the parents showed on the curriculum evening. The pupils did really well in 'unnatural' conditions to show you the range of activities that are undertaken during our Literacy hour. We hope you found the evening informative. If you feel there are other areas that you would like 'explored', please let us know. It is terribly important that you know what happens during the time your child is at our school. Knowledge is a powerful tool: this allows you to offer support outside of school. Learning never stops! Back to top

Staff Leaving

Mrs Harber will be leaving us at the end of this term. We wish her well with the rest of her teaching career. We will be interviewing for the job-share position during the last week of term.

I know the parents of Class 4 will be anxious about a change of teacher mid year but we will endeavour to make the changeover go as smoothly as possible. Back to top

Year 6 Booster Groups

We are feeling quite confident about our booster groups. The Year 6 are very committed to their morning attendance and their responses have been very encouraging. Thank you to the children for all their hard work and enthusiasm.
There will be no booster classes next Monday or Tuesday and they will resume on Monday 15th April.
Just to reiterate to Year 6 parents - please do not book your holidays for SATs week - Monday 13th to Friday 17th May. Back to top

Summer Fayre: Saturday 25th May

Our Summer Fayre is growing into a huge event as the parish council are working with us to make this date a celebration of the Queen's Jubilee. The 'Friends' will be extending the time of the Fayre so that it naturally runs into the ongoing celebrations. I don't want to give too much away but there will be fairground rides during the afternoon, a disco during the evening and a firework finale. Make sure you have the date earmarked on your calendar.
It's getting closer! Back to top

Cycling Proficiency

We have earmarked the week beginning Monday 20th May for cycle training. If you are in Year 6 and you have signed up for this, use the Easter holiday to get your bicycle into a roadworthy state. Reminders with details will be going out at the beginning of next term. Back to top

Third Year Students

Tomorrow we shall be saying goodbye to our Year 3 students from the University of Gloucestershire. They have put in a tremendous amount of work during their stay with us and we wish them well for their future careers. Back to top

Behaviour / Discipline Policy

This policy should be ready for viewing during the early part of the Summer term. We are, however, very concerned at the rough play that many of our pupils engage in during their break and lunchtimes. What starts off as friendly play, often ends up with a less than friendly altercation where the rules of a game are forgotten: indeed, many of the playground rules are transgressed.
During the Summer term we will have the services of a member of the Primary Behaviour Support Team who will be advising us on adapting playground behaviour. In the meantime, please could you reinforce our school policy of:

'NO TOUCHING WITHOUT PERMISSION'.

Pupils who do not adhere to our rules will be issued with a warning that could result in exclusion from school for a fixed period of time. We sincerely hope this does not become necessary. Hopefully, when we spend the sponsorship money, it will go some way to providing quality play experiences. I have already purchased four games called 'Rush Hour' for use in the 'Quiet Area'. For those children who like a challenge, 'Rush Hour' is a must. Mrs Hamblett is hooked! Back to top

New Midday Supervisor

We have recently appointed a new Midday Supervisor, Mrs Armitage. We welcome her on to our staff and hope she enjoys working at our school. Back to top

Caretaker

We will shortly be advertising for the position of caretaker. This position will start from 21st May and will be for twenty hours per week. If you think this could be for you or you know someone who might be interested, please contact the office for details. Back to top

Lost property

Please will check your child's uniform as we frequently have enquires about:
· Child bringing home garments that do not belong to him / her
· Being unable to find correct garment
Please could we ask you to make sure all items of clothing are named as this makes it easier for us to locate the owner of garments left around the school.
Please check all white shirts - one has gone missing!
You will be able to purchase woven name tapes from school. Information will be sent out after Easter. Back to top

Headlice - Still in evidence

We have many, many parents who are very thorough at checking their child's hair but we also have parents who don't examine their child's hair as frequently as we would wish. We do not enjoy having to ring parents up and tell them that we have seen headlice crawling in their child's hair. This is not fair to their child and it can be very upsetting for them. Please check every Sunday before the start of a new week. Back to top