Newsletter September 2008
We hope you enjoyed your summer break and feel refreshed. As usual, there are numerous activities in school and we thought you would like to know about them.
Contact details
Please remember to update your contact details if you change address, telephone or E-mail details. This is really important in case of emergency.
Let's Grow vouchers
We are collecting vouchers issued by Morrisons for schools to be able to obtain seeds, gardening tools etc. Please bring them into the Office.
Uniform
At the start of the new academic year, the children look very smart in their new clothes and we would like to thank you for supporting our uniform policy. It helps to make all the children feel included and prevents children feeling any peer pressure to dress differently. We have included a uniform list with this newsletter just to remind you that trousers should be grey not black, and that skirt lengths should be appropriate for walking up and down steps decently.
Music
Following the success last year when we purchased violins, flutes and keyboards for school, we are trying to find out how much demand there would be for children to learn to play the trumpet. We will then ask the Music Service to provide a teacher and purchase some trumpets for loan to children at very low cost per term. This will help offset the initial outlay on something they may not like. Please let us know as soon as possible if your child is interested.
Extended School Questionnaire
We are also interested in finding out if we can improve our communication to parents on places or people to contact if you would like support and on activities you would like to see happening in school. Please tell us if you feel we could tell you more about areas of school you may feel unsure about eg information on classes and curriculum other than Reception where leaflets are already available.
Topics for this term
Reception: Minibeasts, Senses, Christmas
Y ear1/2: Florence Nightingale, Ourselves, African art
Year 3/4: Egyptians, Teeth & Eating, Moving & Growing, Weather around the world
Year 5/6: Victorians, Healthy food and balanced diets
Independence
We try very hard to help the children become not only good learners but independent, helpful people. One of the ways you can really help us is to let your child come into school on their own in the morning. During the first week or two of term, there is always some settling down but, as our cloakrooms are so busy and crowded, we hope you will not feel you need to come in every day. Thank you.
Fruit
If your child is in classes 3 and 4, they are no longer part of the scheme which provides fruit at morning break. However, your child is very welcome to bring some in if you would like them to have a morning fruit snack.
Tuck shop
The School Council are keen to start up their tuck shops again as the money they raise to goes to a Charity of their choice. If you have any suggestions for what sort of foods you would like them to sell or are willing to support them, please let school know and we will pass on your names.
Harvest in Croft
The Harvest weekend in Croft begins on Friday, 10th October with a concert in Croft Church at 7.30 pm (tickets £6, £4 for concessions, children free). The main church service will be on Sunday, October 12th at 11 am. This will be for all ages and hopefully as many pupils as possible will sing a harvest song as part of the service.
Our school Harvest Festival will be on Monday 13th October at 2.45 pm in the School Hall followed by a sale of produce. We hope children will bring gifts of produce to either the church or the school and all proceeds will be sent to Chassa Basic School in Zambia.
Murder/Mystery Evening!
On November 14th a murder/mystery evening will be held in Croft School Hall. All proceeds will be given to St Peter's Church fund. Tickets are £7 to include pie and peas. (Tel: 01325 720489 for more details)
Out of School Club
The Out of School Club is busy once again with a wide programme of art/craft/sporting activities. If you would like to book your child in, there are one or two spaces after school most nights although Tuesday is very busy. Please let Coral or Kerry know if you will be needing a place for half term as soon as possible as they are beginning to put together an exciting programme of all sorts of different activities. (Tel: 01325 722615)
Parents Association
An interesting term is already planned! On Friday, October 17th, there will be a disco for the children run in two separate sessions: Reception and KS1 from 5.30 to 6.30 and KS2 from 7.00 to 8.30 pm. This is always a fun occasion. For parents, there will be a Quiz Night on Friday, November 7th.starting at 7.30 pm and then the Christmas Fair is on Saturday, December 6th from 10.30 - 12.30 pm. Funds this term are going towards providing sport related activities including helping to fund the football club on Mondays.
Holiday absence
The Department for Children's Services and Families (DCSF) have once again asked schools to remind parents and carers that children should be absent from school only for medical reasons or unavoidable special occasions. The maximum amount of time which can be authorised by the Headteacher is ten school days. Beyond this, the absence is unauthorised and has to be reported.
Water Bottles
A further reminder: please remember to wash your child's water bottle regularly and send it back into school. Every child was given a water bottle and it is much more hygienic for them always to use their own bottles rather than use plastic cups which can spread germs quickly. We can supply replacements for £1.50.
Health and Safety
Please remember to enter only by the pedestrian access gate. Taxis, delivery vans and cars frequently use the car park gates and this is not a safe way to enter the school premises.
Punctuality
Please would you remember that school starts at 9.00 am promptly and children should, unless in the Out of School Club, be picked up at 3.30 pm. We understand that there can be emergencies and we would always take care of your child on these rare occasions. However, some children are regularly not being collected on time and this delays staff meetings and essential tidying up at the end of the day.
Photographs
Individual children's photographs and family groups will be taken on 4th November in the afternoon. A slip will be sent to indicate whether you wish your children to be taken as a family group and/or individually.
Governors
This term we welcome Rev. Alan Glasby to the Governing Body following the retirement of Rev. Graham Smith. Rev. Glasby will be visiting school on a regular basis to take Collective Worship.
As you know, Mrs Barr will be going on maternity leave at Christmas so we are currently in the process of appointing someone to cover her absence. In the meantime, we will be reviewing the School Development Plan. A busy start to the year as usual.
