A Review of Last Half Term

Traditionally this is the term of much hard work and teacher assessment; the children are now half way through this school year. But there have been a number of other events to broaden the curriculum.

The PTA pantomime was enjoyed by a large number of families; an event well worth repeating. Year 6 had a Tudor visitor who thrilled them with a huge amount of detail of life in Tudor times. A number of our string players enjoyed a day making music with many players from other schools at the West Park Centre. Years 4 and 5 each spent a half-day working with representatives of the Northern Ballet. Year 6 spent the last day of the half term at Elland Road stadium.

All the school has been involved with the setting up of our School Council. Nominations were received and then an election held to select a boy and a girl to represent each class. The council will give the children a voice and so an opportunity to have their say in many aspects of school life. You will receive more details about school council in the next Healthy Schools newsletter.

Vaughan Westbrook

We have all been greatly saddened by the death of Vaughan Westbrook. Vaughan has been a great friend and supporter of the school for a number of years. He has been active on the PTA, helped with the teaching of swimming and been a huge support to the cross-country squad. He will be greatly missed. We are very grateful and moved by the family's request for donations in lieu of flowers at the funeral to be in aid of our school.

School Bank

Our school bank closed down some time ago when The Yorkshire Bank ceased to run the scheme we used. We have now received information form Leeds City Credit Union about their "Bobatoo Young Savers' Club".

Are you interested in your children saving through a school based scheme? Are you willing to run such a scheme? Please see Mrs Davies if you are interested.

Security and Safety

Thank you for your support with the closure of the car park. We are meeting with representatives from Health and Safety, Highways and Planning and the diocese this week to take the issue further. We will keep parents informed. As the better weather comes, it would be good to see an increased number of families enjoying a walk to and from school.

Holiday Absences

You may remember some time ago receiving a copy of our Attendance Policy and a copy of the form that must be used to apply for a term time holiday absence. Spare copies of this form are available in the entrance lobby.

Unfortunately, term by term, we are failing to meet the attendance targets given to us by Education Leeds. We are asked to reach an attendance level of almost 96%, this is less than 8 days absence per child per school year. Term time holidays are clearly affecting our averages. Every day missed from school has a detrimental effect on a child's education. Please try to avoid all term time holidays. It is not always possible for us to authorise such absences.

Do you still want an active PTA?

The PTA organises at least one event per half term and gives a great deal of support to whole school events. Over the last few months they have spent over £3000 on much needed equipment for school; IT equipment, a sound system and many books. As a school, we are extremely fortunate to have this support and are extremely grateful.

But, at the AGM last term there were just 5 parents present; at the committee meeting just before half term there were just 3 parents present. These parents and the school need your help and support if our PTA is to continue being as successful as it has been in the past. Please support their events and committee meetings.

This half term there are 2 events; the Family Quiz evening this Saturday at 6.30pm (tickets from the office) and the Mothers' Day Coffee morning on Saturday 20 March, 10am to noon. We hope to see you there. The next committee meeting is on Wednesday 28 April at 7.30pm. We need new ideas for a summer term event.

Contact Details

Please ensure that our emergency contact details for you are up to date. It is important to your child that we can contact you at work in case of emergency. Also we need addresses of any parents who do not live with the family.

Prayer Group

Meetings this term will be on Thursday 11 March at 1.45pm and Tuesday 20 April at 8.30pm.

For further details and venues, please ring David and Julia Thompson on 0113 2402036.