March 2006 Newsletter

We had another excellent response to Parents’ Evening and teachers reported a high turn out. We notice the positive difference it makes to children’s happiness and well being at school when there is a good partnership between school and parents / carers. Teachers are very keen to meet with any parent/carer who for whatever reason was not able to attend on those evenings.

Safeguarding our children

A number of government recommendations have been made and clear expectations placed on schools with regard to security. We take the safety of our children seriously and wish to respond to the recommendations and consider any issues particularly related to our site.

We respectfully ask all parents / carers to support us by following the correct procedures:

ALL visitors must enter by the main entrance. Children should not be permitting anyone to come in any other entrance…please be fair to the children and do not place them in this awkward position. 

Anyone wishing to enter the main building must sign in and have the correct visitor badge. We ask this of everyone -  even if you are ‘only going to be a minute.’

In order that both home and school know your child is safe, please notify school, before 9:00 a.m. if possible, if your child is going to be absent.

Please make sure the contact details we hold in school are up to date. If you wish to update your details please return the tear off slip to request a contact details form.

SEAL (Social & Emotional Aspects of Learning)

The new theme on “Relationships” starts after Easter. Please read the attached letter for more information about the topic that will be covered.

Green Travel Plan

A Green Travel Plan has been prepared in consultation with children staff, governors and parents. It has been received enthusiastically by children and the School Council has contributed some excellent ideas. The benefits of producing the plan are two-fold:

It attracts an element of funding which will be used to provide a waiting area for parents which can be used as an outdoor classroom during the school day.

The plan will encourage children to walk as much of their journey as possible which will reduce the dangers of the traffic situation outside school every day.

We will be letting you know how you can support us and your child in this as soon as the plan is approved and implementation of the plan can begin.

Self Evaluation

We wish to know what you think about our school. We are focusing on both the welcome and the atmosphere you experience when in school - and hope that you take the time to complete the attached questionnaire. I’d be grateful if all returned questionnaires can be in school by 21st April.

Lost property!!

There seems to be an almost permanent collection of unclaimed clothing and children often can’t find their belongings. Monitors try as far as possible to get things back to the owner and items that were clearly marked with the child’s name would help enormously. If you could check over the Easter holiday that your child’s belongings are marked and this will help us to manage the lost property more effectively.

Sometimes children misplace things because of the limited space in the cloakrooms. This is especially the case if there are large bags which take up too much room and are therefore inappropriate for the space in the cloakrooms...please can children bring as small a bag as is necessary for the items they need to bring to school. Packed lunches are stored separately and can hopefully be carried separately to school. On occasions there may be a need to have a larger bag and children can take those to Mrs Machan's office for safe keeping.

Staff changes

We say goodbye in May to Miss Rose who has been an excellent part of the Y6 team as a Teaching Assistant. Mrs Zena Sorsby has been appointed as the new Y6TA and will start at the beginning of May to work alongside Miss Rose before she takes over. Mrs Sarah Scott joins us after Easter supporting a child in Y5 and will also supervise at lunchtimes. Mrs Riffat Khan joins us for the summer term and will take over the role of Y3 TA and will also support children with English as an additional language.

We anticipate a few further changes in staffing, some of them for delightful reasons and some for other positive reasons. Mrs Ismay and Mrs Brocklesby are both expecting babies this summer and I’m sure you’ll join me in wishing them well for the happy events! Going further afield is Mrs Warburton who intends to return to live in New Zealandat the end of the year and Miss Pearson who is to experience living and teaching in Australiafor a year before returning to us here.
Mrs Machan is to change her role in school. She wishes to remain at Hunter’s Bar in a part time capacity in a teaching role. I’m pleased that this can happen because the school can retain the considerable strengths that Mrs Machan brings to the school. She is an excellent deputy headteacher and governors are currently rising to the challenge of finding another excellent deputy.

Encouraging Punctuality

Most children arrive at school in good time but we are noticing that a number of children are arriving after the bell and the negative impact this has on their confidence and ability to learn. For some children it means that they find it difficult to settle and concentrate as well as they should.  It also has an effect on the class when the routines are interrupted. I understand the difficulty in getting through the traffic but ask that every effort is made for your child to be here before the start of school.

Assemblies

Religious Assemblies / Festivals Summer 2006

Date of Assembly	Festival	Religion	Leader	Actual Date of Festival
21.4.06	EASTER	Christian	JH	16.4.06
24.4.06	BAISAKHI	Sikh	MM	14.4.06
8.5.06	WESAK	Buddhist	MM	12.5.06
22.5.06	ASCENSION	Christian	MM	25.5.06
9.6.06	SHAVUOT	Jewish	JH	2/3. 6 06
12.6.06	PENTECOST	Christian	JH	4.6.06
16.6.06	Dragon boat festival	Chinese	PG	11.6.06