Tuesday 17 September 2013

Newsletter 4

IMPORTANT NOTICE - ICT SYSTEM FAILURE AT SCHOOL
We are STILL UNABLE TO ACCESS EMAILS which is why we are sending a hard copy of this letter. If you need contact the school please do so via phone (01728 723354)

JEANS FOR GENES DAY – REMINDER THIS FRIDAY (20 September)
Instead of wearing normal school trousers or skirts, the children can wear jeans, but they should still wear their usual school shirts, sweatshirt and shoes.  We ask that those who do wear jeans bring in a £1 donation to the charity. 

ADMISSION APPLICATIONS FOR STARTING SCHOOL 2014/2015
If you have a child born between 01/09/2009 and 31/08/2010 then please collect a letter and form from the office to apply for a Reception place for September 2014.
YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOCATED A RECEPTION PLACE UNLESS YOU SUBMIT A FORM.
Please note they must be returned to the Admissions Team either on-line or to the address on the form (not to the school office) by WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 at the latest.
If you have any admission enquiries please speak to Mrs Miller in the office.

WHOLE CLASS MUSIC – CLASS PLDD
SCC ‘Wider Opportunities’ scheme apologises that they were unable to fulfil our request for clarinets for class PLDD, and have delivered flutes instead. These are slightly harder to play than clarinets, but Miss Cochrane, the tutor, believes the children can manage them.

IS YOUR CHILD HAVING A SCHOOL LUNCH WHEN YOU HAVE MADE A PACKED ONE?
Some children are telling the teachers they have a packed lunch, but are then joining the dinner queue to have a school meal.  We are regularly finding a discrepancy between what the teachers are told by the children when doing the dinner registers and the number of meals the kitchen are serving.  Because of this we will be doing spot checks in the dinner hall.  Parents of any children having a school dinner (when they said they were packed lunch), will be asked to pay the £2.20 for that lunch. 
Please remind your child daily what their dinner arrangements are for that day.

EXCITING NEWS FOR MRS VENTON
We are delighted to let parents know that Mrs Venton is expecting a baby in February.  We are sure everyone will join us in congratulating both her and Mr Venton.

PARENT COUNCIL LAUNCH – Meeting for all parents – WEDS 25 SEPTEMBER
The parent council would like to invite all parents to join them in the hall next Wednesday between 8.30 and 9.15am where there will be a brief introduction by Mrs Picton, and members of the parent council.  This will be an opportunity to meet the parent council representatives and understand what role the Parent Council plays in the school.
A leaflet from the Parent Council will be distributed next week.

HARVEST FESTIVAL CONFIRMED DATES: THURSDAY 3 & FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER
Our services will take place on Thursday 3 October in St Michael’s church for classes KM, CA, LC & JC at 9:30am and Key Stage 2 at 10:30am. Then on FRIDAY at 9.30am for Nursery & class CH. All parents are welcome to attend either service. More details will follow next week. 

*****PLEASE REMEMBER*****
TO WRITE YOUR CHILD’S NAME & CLASS ON THE BACK OF CHEQUES
...and if they are for dinner money, also state the days you are paying for, thank you.

ROAD PARKING CONCERNS
We have to remind parents again that you must not park on the double yellow lines in Vyces Road, College Road or New Road, or in the school driveway, when dropping your children off.  Please find a safe place to park so that you do not cause a danger to other road users or pedestrians.  Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.

BACK PLAYGROUND - NO PARKING FOR COLLECTING FROM CLUBS
Due to a number of large cracks appearing on the back playground, we are afraid that parents CANNOT PARK THERE, for the foreseeable future, when collecting from after school clubs.  Parents will have to park offsite and walk to pick up their child/ren. 
We apologise for the inconvenience.

EMPTY SHOEBOXES NEEDED FOR DT PROJECT
Class KV are in need of empty shoeboxes for a project they are about to start, please drop them to class KV over the next week if you have any spare.  Thank you.

MEDICAL NEEDS
If your child suffers from asthma or allergies and you have not completed a medical form with details of their medication, it is essential that you ask at the office for a form.  The ‘Medical Needs’ policy can be found on the school website.

MORNING ROUTINE REMINDER...
Now the children are settling to their new class locations, please can we ask parents to encourage your children to gain independence in the morning, by bringing in their belongings on their own, wherever possible.

SUGGESTION FROM THE MIDDAY SUPERVISORS
KS1 & Foundation children have to check with the midday supervisors before they leave the dinner hall.  The supervisors do their best to encourage children to eat their packed lunches, however some parents are not happy for their child to be asked to try and eat a bit more.  It would help the supervisors if KS1/Foundation parents who are concerned that their child SHOULD eat all/most of their packed lunch put a card in the lunchbox that says “I expect my child to eat most of this lunch”, so they know who to encourage, and who not to.

ABSENCE PHONE LINE CARDS
With this letter please find a wallet size orange card with details of the school number to call when you need to report your child’s absence, we hope you will find these helpful.

 ------------ FRIENDS NEWS -------------
Publicity Help Required

The Friends need help from anyone with design skills.  They produce a couple of leaflets per term and are in need of someone with skills in design and creating printer ready files.  If you can help, or know of someone who can, please contact the chairperson as soon as possible on rupert@thedurrants.com or call him on 0779 381 255 33. 
------------ THANK YOU ! -------------