January 2006 Newsletter
A belated Happy New Year to you and welcome to the spring term. During this term you will have an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher to discuss your child’s progress and what your child needs to do to improve. We usually get very good attendance at these evenings and this is a reflection of the excellent support you give your children.
SEAL (Social & Emotional Aspects of Learning)
Has got off to a good start with the theme, “Going for Goals” The children are being encouraged to take more responsibility for solving their own problems and there are many reminders round school to help them in this process This is…….
Ready
We know how we feel.
We feel calm enough to think together.
Steady
Take it in turns to talk about what went wrong.
Don’t butt in when it’s not your turn.
Think of ideas together.
Go
Try out your idea.
Replay
Think about how you did it.
Check if things are OK.
Writing: is your child reaching their potential?
As mentioned in a previous newsletter we are working across the school to develop writing skills. We have increased the opportunities for writing skills to be developed and the children are responding well. In particular children seem to enjoy knowing what to do to improve and working to their writing targets. Hopefully your child is sharing this information with you (ask them if they’re not!) so that you will know what they are working on.
Encouraging Punctuality
We are noticing that a number of children are arriving after the bell and this has a wide impact. We are understanding of times when, through extreme circumstance, a child may be late on an odd occasion but instances of persistent lateness cannot be acceptable. We wish to encourage good life skills and good time keeping and being responsible is part of that. As a result of monitoring the registers, letters will be sent to parents/carers of children whose punctuality or attendance is a cause for concern. Please take this in the spirit that it is intended – one of support so that your child can make the best of his/her chance at our school.
Please telephone the school office after 8:30 and preferably before 9:00 a.m.
- On the first day of any absence.
- If your child will be late in school because they have a medical / dental appointment. Where this appointment is already known, please advise in advance
School Meals
The new menu starts this week and we hope this goes down well with the children. During last week presentation evenings were held where the menu items for school meals could be sampled. Parents, staff, pupils and governors were among those who joined me on behalf of the school.
I can honestly report that the standard of the food was very good and very tasty. The children will get a report back from the School Council and as they say, ”The proof will be in the pudding”
The menu is fixed but a vegetarian option is available if ordered in advance. If your child is vegetarian please inform the school office and the correct number of meals will be ordered. We ask that a decision to take up the vegetarian option is kept for the whole term. If this changes please pass that information on before the start of the next term and numbers can be adjusted. If you require more information, please ring school.
New Parent Governor
As a result of the appeal for a new parent governor in the last newsletter, I can announce that Kate Day has come forward to take on this vital role for the school.
As the only person expressing an interest there has been no need for an election and she can take up office this term. We look forward to welcoming her to this very rewarding role of offering support and being part of the collective responsibility for the strategic work of the school.
Anni Morgan-Howells
Most parents will have heard the sad news that Anni died just before Christmas. She worked as a support teacher in our Infant School for many years, helping many of the children who are now in our school. She worked closely with our SENCO, Kath Mowforth, supporting those children who needed a little extra help to make the move from Year 2 to year 3.
Anni was diagnosed with cancer last May but never let things get her down. She was always interested to hear how children were doing and never lost her smile. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
Anni’s family has asked for all donations to be for St. Luke’s Hospice. Some of you may have already responded to a letter from the Infant School which was sent out recently. However, if anyone would find it easier you may send your cheque (made payable to St. Luke’s Hospice) or cash to the Junior School Office before Thursday 9th February and it will be added to our staff/ school donation.
Theme Week
We are currently planning a theme week for the week of 6th March. The theme is “Everyone Matters” and each year group will take a different focus. The week will have a focus on creativity and the arts. We will more than welcome your help during that week, especially if you can offer any craft / art /dance /drama/ whatever you can think of. The teams will be deciding their focus this week but please get in touch with your child’s teacher or come to talk with me if you see me in the playground.
Present Aid
Thank you for a wonderful response. The school in South Africa report that their toilets are now built and have sent letters and photos. We are going to put these up on display for theme week in March. The donations that were received meant that Hunter’s Bar Junior contributed:
A cow £165
A teacher for a month £30
A can of worms £15
As you can see a lot was collected to make a big difference. Thank you.
A reminder of the dates for the rest of the term:
February
10th Last day of half term
Half Term holiday
20th Return to school
27 – 28th Y4 Castleton residential
March
21st and 23rd Parents’ Evenings
31st Last day of Spring Term
Easter Holiday
April
18th Summer term begins
24th Y3 test week
May
1st Bank Holiday
Y5 test week
8th SATs week
Y4 test week
26th Last day of half term
Half Term holiday
June
5th INSET Day 4
6th Return to school
July
10th Y5 Performance during this week
20th Y6 Leavers Assembly a.m.
21st Y6 Leavers Assembly a.m.
Last day of term.
Visit the
