May Newsletter 2009

Staffing changes

We are congratulating Dawn Harrison for her move to  Ryegate (Children's Hospital) at the end of this half term. Her skills both with children with SEN and in sewing and design will be put to really good use in her new role. We will miss her at Hunter's Bar, she has made a real difference to children here and we all wish her well.

This term we have welcomed Sajida Khurram (nee Anwar) back to school following her maternity leaves. She has slotted seamlessly back into the team of Teaching Assistants and it is lovely to have her back.

 

Playground development
A lot of activity has been going on behind the scenes in different groups and we are starting now to pull things together. A working party is formed and beginning to move this project on. The H.S.A. is keen to support and the money raised already is going to help and make a difference.

 

Primary School Athletics

The heats for the Y5/6 outdoor athletics will be held at the Woodbourne Road Stadium on Tuesday 2nd June at 4pm.

The finals will be held on Thursday 25th June. If you would like to come along and support our athletes you would be most welcome. Any parents interested in being an official on the night please see Mr Timbers.

 

INVITATION

Rhyme & Reason book shop is celebrating its 10th birthday this year. Parents of children at Hunter's Bar Junior School who would like a family invitation to a Rhyme & Reason party at a venue near Hunters Bar on the evening of Saturday 6th June should ask at the shop or email: enquiries@rhyme-reason.co.uk

 

Garden

As you may have noticed the EcoHunter's in school have been working on the garden. Our wheelbarrow and watering can arrived from Morrisons (thanks to everyone who collected vouchers for us) and off we went! We have planted flowers like pansies and tulips etc but we have also started growing potatoes, beans and strawberries. If you have any extra plants you would like to donate to the school garden or if you have time and you would like to help please  see Mrs S Harrison .

So, please help look after our garden - and watch out for our new bird table donated by Hallam University Volunteers.

 

Fixed playground equipment

We currently have very little fixed playground other than the basketball hoops - but this is set to change soon. Please note that these are for use during the school day and when children are supervised.

This also applies to fixed structures, including the annexe building which has a very tempting ledge; children are not allowed to climb on them during the school day and the same should apply after the school day has finished.

We'd appreciate the support from all parents / carers who collect children from the yard to make sure that children respect the school grounds.

 

Don’t forget…..

We welcome your suggestions and have a suggestion box in the office reception area where you can leave your comments.

 

Easter Monday Duck Race in Endcliffe Park - Update

As many of you will know the Friends of Porter Valley held a duck race in Endcliffe Park on Easter Monday to raise funds for the Shepherd Wheel Restoration fund. Ducks were available to buy from a number of local shops and the school supported this event by selling ducks from the office.

The event was hugely popular and raised £2548.17!

 

Flu advice

We will be maintaining a ‘Business as usual’ approach and children should attend school as normal at this time. However, as part of our planning we have recently asked you to make sure we have your correct contact information. If you have not already done this please do so as a matter of importance.

We are making sure that school is kept clean and that there are adequate supplies for thorough handwashing. Government advice on hygiene and symptoms is followed:

“Always use a tissue to catch your sneezes, throw away used tissues where germs can linger and regularly wash your hands."  

“If you have flu like symptoms and are concerned, stay at home. If you can go online check your symptoms on the symptom checker on www.nhs.uk.or call the swine flu information line on 0800 1 513 513. If you have taken these steps and are still concerned call your GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647.” 

For information, ‘Flu like symptoms’ can be sudden onset of fever, cough or shortness of breath. Other symptoms can include headache, sore throat, tiredness, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, runny nose or loss of appetite.

During normal school opening times you should send your children to school unless they have any symptoms. If this is the case parents/carers should call NHS Direct or their GP. Please note that if a child has recently returned from Mexico (or elsewhere abroad) they should attend school as normal unless they develop flu like symptoms or unless there is specific advice to the contrary from a medical practitioner.

In the event of a child being diagnosed with swine flu the Health Protection Agency (HPA) will notify the school immediately and with the Executive Director of Children and Young People’s Services will take the decision whether to close the school.  Staff will attend school as usual even if it is closed to pupils and organise access to learning materials to give as much continuity to children as possible.

 

Sports Day will be on the morning of Friday 19th June. 

We are keeping to the same format that has worked for the last two years for our whole school Sports Day. 

It will mean we will be asking you to arrange for your child(ren) to arrive at High Storrs on the morning of the Friday 19th June and hope this does not present too much of a problem. 

Staff will set up at High Storrs in the morning and will be there to receive the children from the normal time. Sports Day however will start at 9:15 which we hope will allow sufficient time for parents with children at a different school.  

We hope for an exciting event, the morning’s sport will be followed by a walk to school along the Porter Valley with staggered stopping places to eat a packed lunch before returning to school. We very much hope you can join us for this – the more parents / carers the merrier and it will help make the event more special if you can be there. Then all we need is fine weather! 

I know getting your child to High Storrs may present a creative problem solving challenge, especially if you are not available yourself to join us for the morning. I hope, in that case, that we have given you sufficient time to make arrangements with people you know. If you anticipate an insurmountable problem please let me or your child’s teacher know as soon as possible. 

Please note:-

We have just been alerted to the fact that this is the same day as High Storrs are holding their own sports day at Don Valley Stadium which some of our parents may wish to attend. I have contacted High Storrs to see if an alternative date can be arranged and will inform you of the outcome.

 

We are still collecting Tesco vouchers and Sainsburys Active Kids vouchers, these schemes enable us to buy equipment for children.

Thank you for your support and HUGE thanks to the Y6 Job Squad who are counting the vouchers

School Governors

Governor	Role	Governor	Role
Mr Steve Randall	LA/Chair	Ms Farzana Camran	Parent
Mr Richard Deeks	LA	Mr Mike Woolley	Parent
Ms Kate Quail	LA	Ms Sue Whittaker	Parent
Mrs Jill Hallsworth	Headteacher	Ms Diane Wilkinson	Parent
Mrs Shirley Harrison	Teaching Staff	Ms Auriel Majumdar	Parent
Mrs Lynnette Glossop	Teaching Staff	Vacancy	Parent
Ms Nicola Sawyer	Support Staff	Mr Yogi Amin	Community
Ms Jane Lovett	Associate	Mr Zahid Saleem	Community
		Mrs Sylvia Yates	Community

Governors can be contacted through the school office.

There is currently an election to fill the vacant parent governor role; parents should receive voting papers and return their votes by Wednesday 3 June.