Welcome back to school after a super long summer break. All the children seem to have had a wonderful holiday, but they are also pleased to be back with their friends in school and keen to face the challenges of a new school year. Welcome to parents who are new to our school. These newsletters come out within a week of each half term starting and contain news and information that you may find useful in the forthcoming half term. Please keep them somewhere safe so that you can refer to them again, especially to confirm dates of holidays and training days. A Curriculum newsletter should also have come to you from the class teacher by now. We hope that you find those useful too.
Staffing
As you will know from a letter last term, staffing for this year is the same as it was last year. In addition, we welcome Mrs Matthews to our team of Special Needs support staff. She will initially be working in year 4 and Reception.
Parent Helpers
As always, we welcome parents helping in the classroom and value the
support given in this way. All parent helpers have been criminally vetted
to ensure the well-being of all children. If you would like to help in
school, please contact your child's class teacher or return the Parent
Helper letter that will be coming shortly. Criminal vetting forms are
available from the office. The process takes a few weeks, but there is
no cost.
Prayer Group
A group meets regularly to pray for the school. The next meetings are on Thursday 18 September at 8.30pm and Wednesday 8 October at 1.45pm. For further details and venues please contact David or Julia Thompson (Tel. 0113 2402036).
Walking Bus
The walking bus is still "running" on Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday of each week.
It leaves:-
Ø 27 Grange Park Road at 8.25am;
Ø Dib Lane shops at 8.30am;
Ø Adrian Social Club at 8.35am;
Ø Belle Vue Avenue / Hollin Park Mount at 8.40am.
If your child(ren) would like to join the bus, please contact Mrs Hodges
at school.
The bus is "manned" by parent volunteers and we are very grateful to the ladies who "drive" the bus in all weathers. If anyone feels they would be able to give their time to walk with the bus (Mums, Dads or Gandparents) please contact Mrs Hodges.
Child Minding
A registered child minder (NVQ level 3) has vacancies and can pick up
from school. Please contact Jane or Sue on 0113 2402956 for more details.
School Meals
Dinner money is: £7.00 a week for Reception to Year 4
£7.25 a week for years 5 and 6.
Please send money in a named envelope on Monday morning each week. With
the exception of reception children, changes to lunch arrangements may
be made after any school holiday. Please let us know before the holiday
if you wish to do this.
Parent Governor
There is a vacancy for a parent on the governing body. A letter giving more details will be sent to you shortly, but in the meantime, please consider if this is a way in which you can support our school.
Extra-Curricular Activities
The following activities will be available during this year with details
being given to children and parents as appropriate.
Violins - yrs 3-6 Chess - yrs 4-6
Brass - yrs 4-6 Banner group - yrs 5-6
Recorders - yrs 4-6 Cross country - yrs 4-6
White Rose Soccer - yrs 2-6
Other activities may be set up as the term progresses; we particularly want to put some in place for key stage 1. If you have any other suggestions for extra-curricular activities or are willing to assist in running any such activities, please see Mrs Davies or Mrs Custance.
Absence from school
Last June you received a copy of our Attendance Policy and a form to
request leave for holiday absence. Further copies of this form are readily
available in the rack in the entrance porch. Please note that holidays
taken without prior agreement are classed as unauthorised. May we remind
you that no term time holidays can be authorised for children in years
2 and 6 until SATs are over and that no holiday
absence can be authorised for children in years
3, 4 and 5 for SATs week (see below).
Entry Into School in September 2004
Applications for entry into Reception class for next school year are due very soon with a closing date of 24th October 2003. Preference forms must also be sent to the local authority. Unlike previous years, parents will not automatically receive the local authority preference form. Parents who have any queries about the process should contact school.
Parent Helpers
As always, we welcome parents helping in the classroom and value the support given in this way. All parent helpers have been criminally vetted to ensure the well-being of all children. If you would like to help in school, please contact your child's class teacher or return the Parent Helper letter that will be coming shortly. Criminal vetting forms are available from the office. The process takes a few weeks, but there is no cost.