Newsletter – September 2016

Welcome back

It was good to welcome the children on Tuesday. They all looked ready for coming back to school after the summer break and it was interesting listening to their talk about the holidays. It was lovely to see our new F1 children settle so quickly.

Curriculum

On the website you can find a curriculum overview term by term of what your child will be studying and learning about.

We will send a curriculum newsletter giving general information and a more detailed breakdown of the learning taking place in the classroom, which will be distributed in the near future.

We welcome Mrs Brooke our visual arts specialist who will work with Miss Marson’s and Mrs Grant’s classes each week. She has a wealth of experience and we are sure the children will quickly develop their artistic skills and have a great time working with her.

Collective Worship

Our Christian value for this half term is Generosity and will be the focus for our daily worship. This will link to our focus as we celebrate Harvest at the beginning of October. We look forward to welcoming Rev Andy as he shares leading worship on a Wednesday.

Sport

We welcome Mr Dyson as our PE specialist this term. He will be working with the children in Miss Marson’s and Mrs Grant’s classes.

Extra-Curricular Activities

A very kind volunteer has come forward and offered to run a poetry or film making club for us this term. We will contact all parents in the near future to see if we have enough interest to run this club.

Drama club will continue to run on a Tuesday evening after school and is open to children in years 3,4,5 and 6. This has a small charge of £2.50.

Also a reminder that our breakfast club and after school club run every day with a wide variety of activities for the children to take part in. Wednesday is bingo night and Friday movie night, with popcorn!

Breakfast Club – £2.00 a day per child
After Schools Club – £2.50 a day per child

Staff News

We welcome Mrs Grant as the Head of School and class 3 teacher, Miss Marson who is teaching class 2 pupils and Mrs Paddison who is the Higher Level Teaching Assistant. All are settling in and delighted to be part of the new team.

Governor News

Following the resignation of Drew Wilson last term an election for a new parent governor was held. Mrs Liz Kemp was the only person nominated and was duly appointed. We are delighted that she will be bringing her skills and commitment to the school. The school and governing body welcome her as a governor.

School Uniform

Please ensure your child has all their uniform labelled, as it makes it easy to return lost property and helps after changing for PE, especially for the younger children.

Whilst we have returned to some fine weather, it is important that your child has a coat in school each day, as we know the weather can change very quickly.

Uniform continues to be available for you to order from the website and can be delivered free to the school or your home at an additional cost: http://www.pbparentsonline.co.uk/sigglesthorneprimary

Wellies and Waterproofs

Mrs Wrightson has asked that if anyone has any old wellies or waterproofs that are too small but may fit our Foundation Stage pupils if you would kindly donate them. This will enable the children to play outside in poorer weathers and keep dry.

Data and Permission Sheets

At the same time as the newsletter you should have all received permission slips and data forms. Please ensure these are completed and returned no later than Friday 23 September.

Reminders

All dinner money for pupils in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 should be sent to school on a Monday in an envelope marked with your child’s name and the days meals are required. The price remains at £2.20 per day or £11.00 for a full week.

Envelopes containing money and letters to be returned to school should be handed into the class teacher by your child and not at the office.

If your child wears earrings please ensure they are the plain small stud type and that they are removed on PE days or plasters/tape sent to school with your child so that they can be covered for safety reasons. Pupils should bring their PE kits on a Monday to leave in school until Friday as sometimes additional opportunities during the week may mean they need their PE kits.

Arrangements for the school day

At the beginning of the day the doors will open at 8.50 and the children are free to come into school from this time. The school day will officially begin at 9.00, by which time children are expected to be in class and ready to work. After 9.00 your child will have to enter by the main office and this will result in a late mark.

At the end of the day F1 and F2 pupils, as well as children in Years 1 and 2, will be handed over to parents, so please come into the school grounds when the gate is opened at 3.30pm. For pupils in Years 3 to 6 they are allowed to meet you on the playground or walk home alone, if this is what you arrange with your child. Please inform staff of any special collection arrangements. We appreciate that sometimes arrangements change at the last minute, please inform the school if someone else is collecting your child and then we can ensure that everyone is safe.

PTFA

The PTFA work extremely hard every year to raise money to give back to the children. They are always looking for and are keen to welcome new members, so do come along and support your school and find out about the work of the PTFA and how it has a positive impact on your child’s school life.

Please contact Mrs Nikki Simmonds – Chair for further details of PTFA events and if you wish to volunteer.

The PTFA are holding a meeting tomorrow (Tuesday 13th September morning at the Garden Centre) to make arrangements for their AGM. More details to follow shortly.

Benefice News

With this newsletter we are sending out a leaflet, providing information of all the different activities that are available to children of all ages across the Benefice. If you want to know more Rev Andy can be contacted on 01964 564634.

Dates for the Diary

• Thursday 15th September – Topic afternoon beginning at 2pm. Everyone welcome.
• Thursday 15th September – McMillan coffee afternoon. Donations of cakes are welcome. Coffee and cakes will be on sale as well as a fund raising game.

Future Dates

• Wednesday 12th October – Harvest Festival at St Lawrence at 10.30am
• Monday 24 October – half term commences.
• Monday 31 October – pupils return to school.