Newsletter - November 2013 (b)

Dear Parents

SCHOOL CLOSURES

Whilst every effort will be taken not to close the school, emergencies do happen and I need to make sure that you are informed as soon as possible. In the event of bad weather, boiler failure or other such events there is now new advice form the local Authority as indicated below:

“Schools now need only to contact Shropshire Council by e-mail, telephone or text message and not Radio Shropshire.  The Council’s website will be immediately updated upon receipt of school contact.  All radio stations will be linked to this so that they can all relay the most up-to-date information out to the public at the same time.  Therefore, you can advise parents to listen to any of their regular local stations or look at the Council’s website at (new.shropshire.gov.uk/school-closures).”

Additionally, we will use our texting service and this may prove to be the most effective way of keeping in contact with you. Texts will be sent out, if the school will be closed, as early as possible on the day of closure – hopefully before 7.30 am. Can you, therefore, please ensure that you have given your current mobile number to the school?

FORGOTTEN ITEMS

Could I ask for your assistance in ensuring that children arrive with the right equipment, lunchboxes, water bottles, letters… on the right day? A considerable amount of time can be wasted trying to sort out problems with forgotten items – both by children and by staff.

COMPETITIVE GAMES

I am delighted that Miss Rowson has, with support from Mr Wilson and Youngstars, revitalised our participation in competitive sports.  A number of our teams have had considerable success. Recently our Y5/6 Football A team came equal first in their tournament and our Y5/6 netball team have won through to the county play-offs. All of our other teams have played very well, with notable successes in the Cross-Country Team as well as B and C teams for netball and football. All of our children have been commended for their sportsmanlike behaviour and teamwork. As the number of competitions grows, it would be very helpful if a named group of parents could volunteer too support these sporting events and, in certain circumstances, take a lead when teaching and coaching staff may not be available. If you are interested in helping out, could you please contact the school, by completing the form below?

SICKNESS AND ABSENCE

Can I remind you that a note needs to be provided if a child is absent through illness, also children must be reported on the first day of absence by 9.30 am either by text or telephone message? Subjects like PE and Forest School are compulsory (as all National Curriculum subjects are) and a note needs to be provided addressed to the class teacher, signed by a parent, if parents do not wish their child to take part in these lessons because of illness. We always adjust PE and Forest School sessions if there is bad weather. In the case of PE, children have their lessons in the school hall. In the case of Forest School, sessions may be shorter and activities adjusted. Normally, the only reasons for cancelling a Forest School Session entirely are extreme weather conditions such as torrential rain and high winds. There is an expectation that, under normal circumstances, if a child is well enough to attend school then they should be well enough to take part in these outdoor activities. Obvious exceptions would be if a child has sustained an injury which would allow access to a classroom environment but not an outdoor one. In all events, children must be provided with a signed note explaining why a request has been made to exclude the child from an area of the curriculum.

 

DATES FOR THE DIARY

This really has been a busy and productive term. Every child has been offered a visit or taken part in an activity in school with a visitor. I am grateful to all parents for supporting these events which have been essential to children’s learning. There have been a number of changes to dates for the remaining part of this term and I would like to make sure that you are aware of everything that is taking place between now and Christmas.

Christmas Services

This year, we have decided, particularly in KS2, to hold a traditional Carol and readings service. For a number of years we have followed a specific theme, but I would like children to experience a children’s version of the service that is always held in St. Andrew’s Church at this time of the year. It is also my intention to send a copy of the readings and carols to Bilibili School so that they have a clear picture of one of the services that is held in England at this time of the year.

PTFA Christmas Parties:     KS1 3.30 – 5.30 pm on Thursday, 5^th December

                                 KS2 6.00 – 8.00 pm on Thursday, 5^th December

Children in KS1 can come in sensible party clothes for the whole of the day. Children in KS2 should come in school uniform before returning home at the normal time to change into their disco clothes. Santa, food and gifts will all be there! The PTFA will be sending out a letter giving more details very shortly.

Christmas Lunch Day:             Friday, 13^th December

(For new parents, this is another traditional event at the school when staff, guests and pupils join together and share a Christmas Lunch, before celebrating Christmas with carols around the Christmas tree in the afternoon)

Foundation & KS1 Carol Service and Nativity:   2pm in church on Tues 17^th December

KS2 Carol Service:                                               2pm in church on Thurs 19^th December

Parents and relatives are welcome to these services at St Andrews Church. At the end of the service, we ask parents if they will go home from church with their children. Services are designed to end to give parents sufficient time to return to school to pick up siblings from different KSs. Staff will bring children back to school if parents are not able to attend the services. This includes children attending Kaleidoscope and children who need to be picked up from school owing to transport or other reasons. If you would like your child to be walked back to school, I would be grateful if you could complete the form below.

There are also special occasions for some children who will be taking part in the Christmas Tree Festival at St. Andrew’s Church and the Frost Fair at Attingham. These children and their parents will be notified of the arrangements closer too each event.

Many thanks for your continued support

I am interested in helping with the support and care of children taking part in competitive sports and would like

someone to contact me on:………………………………………………………     (tel.no.)    or by email:………………………………………………..           

Name:……………………………………………………………………………….      Child’s Name/Class:………………………………………………………………….…          

 

Signed……………………………………………………………………………

 

Please could you walk my child/ren …………………………………………………………………..…………… Class/es …………………

back to school on Tues 17^th /Thurs 19^th December (delete as applicable).

 

Signed ……………………………………………………………… Parent/Guardian

Content