A Warm Welcome Back to Everyone at the Start of a New School Year. As I Am Sure You Will

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A warm welcome back to everyone at the start of a new school year. As I am sure you will have noticed there have been a number of changes over the holidays. We are delighted with our new reception and library area, the children (and staff) are particularly excited about their new library and we are looking forward to a grand opening in the near future. It is something which all the children will benefit from and we hope it will encourage their love of reading. Once again a huge thank you to FOES for providing the funding for the library, and to Mrs Freed and all the children in the library group for organising it all.

Welcome also to our new members of staff; Mrs Perks, Ms Willard and Miss Elliott on the teaching staff and Mrs Ambrose and Mrs Thurgood as midday supervisors.

The new starters in reception have enjoyed their first week of settling in to a newly refurbished Early Years unit. Many thanks again to Mrs Freed and the Early Years team for all their hard work preparing the area, and to Mr Bush for his hard work decorating and fitting it out.

School Dinners

A huge number of children enjoyed their first hot school meal last week. The meals looked delicious and for the majority of the children they were a resounding success. There will be an opportunity for those children who have not already signed up to do so ready to start after half term, but Meals Matter are no longer taking orders for this half term.

Security

Parents will have noticed they can no longer access school through the Early Years area. In the interests of every child’s safety, it is essential that school is a secure environment, particularly for our very youngest children. All parents are asked to call in at the office in Reception for any queries or to bring in any forgotten items for their children.

Contacting teachers

Our aim at Edlesborough is to ensure that parents feel able to speak to their child’s teacher whenever they have any concerns. All staff will, wherever possible, accompany their class out into the waiting area at the end of the day making it easier to have a quick word if needed. For longer appointments please call into the office to arrange a suitable time. Teachers are not available after 8.55 a.m. in the morning as they are out on the playground collecting their class, but may be available before then if parents need to speak to them urgently. To do this, please call in at reception or send a note.

Open afternoon

We are introducing open afternoons for parents on a half-termly basis this year. Our first one is Thursday 14th October from 2 p.m. Parents are invited to come and spend time with their child in the classroom, to have a look at their work and share in their learning. Parents can arrive at any time after 2 p.m. and stay until the end of school if they wish. Younger siblings are welcome but parents are asked to keep them under very close supervision.

Parents will be able to meet their child’s class teacher but there will not be any opportunity for in depth discussions. Any significant concerns should be discussed at parents’ evening or by making a separate appointment.

Good to be Green

I am sure that many of the children will have been talking about our Eddies, Merit cards and ‘Friday Break’. These are all part of our Behaviour system and are ways of rewarding and reinforcing good behaviour and provide additional means of gaining house points. The children have responded well to the extra incentives and are keen to have a personal record of the house points that they earn. We have also introduced Good to be Green charts in all our classrooms as a visible reminder of our School Rules.

There will be a parents’ information evening on Wednesday 13th October at 7 p.m. to explain our behaviour policy and answer any questions that parents may have.

AWARDS:

Lower school effort shield:Allan Fue

Middle School effort shield:Sam Carter

Year 6 leavers awards:

ArtAbigail Head

PerformanceAmber Wright

MusicJulia Raj

Sports (girls)Georgia Rigby

Sports (boys)Jonathan Evans

Continuous effortMelissa Sibley

James Pratt

CitizenshipCharlie Taylor

Courtney Duffin-Hall

Head boyJoshua Walley

Head girlRona Wright

A Creative Thinking award donated by the Wright family was given to Rob Mills.

Two Excellence in Singing awards donated by Barbara Morton were given to Stephen Tomlinson and Charlotte Owen.

Absences

May I just take this opportunity to remind you that you should not take your children out of school for holidays, trips or visits during term time unless authorised by the Headteacher.

The Headteacher will not normally authorise absence in term time unless she considers there are exceptional circumstances.

Advice from the Local Education Authority gives examples of exceptional circumstances as significant family occasions like weddings and funerals, or when one parent’s working arrangements dictate that holidays have to be taken in term time. Normal family holidays, cheaper flights or accommodation are not considered to be legitimate reasons for taking children out of school.

Parents wishing to take their children out of school in term time must complete an Application for leave of Absence form which is available from the school office.

If your child is absent due to illness please ring the office before 9 a.m., if we do not hear from you we will make our best endeavours to contact you to ensure the child is safe.

Jane Foster

Thank you!

We collected about 14,000 Tesco vouchers which enabled us to buy some MP3 records and digital microscopes, both of which operate conveniently from a USB port. We also banked some vouchers for next year.

Many thanks.

Catherine Hayden

We also collected 14600 Sainsburys’ Active Kids vouchers which we have banked to spend in 2011.

Harvest Festival

On Friday 8th October we will hold a special assembly just for the children, to celebrate Harvest time. We hope that you will support the community by sending in gifts for distribution to the elderly people in the area. To make the organisation easier, will you please send the harvest gifts, preferably boxed, into school with the children on Thursday 7th October.

Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate parents on the 8th due to lack of hall space.

If you know of anyone who is eligible for a gift, please let us know so that we can add them to the list.

School Photos

Attached is a form for you to complete to let me know if you want family groups or individual photographs on Tuesday 28th September.

Please ensure this is returned to school by Thursday 23rd September.

Operation Christmas Child

We will again be asking parents to fill a shoe box with suitable items to be sent to children in Eastern Europe. More details to follow.

Head Lice

Can we just remind you to check your child’s hair regularly for these little visitors, and if necessary treat as appropriate.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Any correspondence sent home asking for voluntary contributions towards trips etc. will have a payment envelope attached. Can you please write your child’s name on the envelope label, and enclose your cheque/cash and return it direct to the school office.

We are again asking parents for a voluntary contribution of £12.00 per child at the beginning of the academic year, which will cover the cost of craft/project money, food technology, non-uniform days and one theatre group for the 2010/11 academic year.

It will not include money for school trips, swimming or music tuition as these are more individual/class costs, nor will it include any costs for a themed curriculum week this year, as we are not in a position to cost this event at the present time, or a second theatre group should we decide to organise this.

It has proved a popular idea for the last 4 years and I hope you all found it easier too.

Only one payment envelope is attached, please use this to return your money for all of your children.

Cheques payable to ‘Edlesborough School Fund’please.

Marlene Bennett

DIARY DATES

Wed 22 Sept3.30 p.m Year 5 parents’ meeting regarding residential trip to Kingswood in 2011

Fri 24 SeptYear 3/4 visit Royal Opera House

Tues 28 SeptIndividual and family photographs

Wed 29 SeptYears 1/2 visit Frogmore Mill

Fri 8 OctHarvest Festival service (unfortunately there is insufficient room in the hall to invite parents).

Mon 11 OctYears 5 & 6 visit Holdenby House

Wed 13 Oct9.15-10.30 a.m. Open Morning for prospective parents

7 p.m. Parents’ Information evening

Thurs 14 Oct2 p.m. Open afternoon for parents to visit classrooms

Sat 30 OctFOES Masked Ball (details attached)

Thurs 4 NovM&M productions performing Pinocchio (included in your £12 voluntary contribution)

Mon 8 NovParents’ Evening to 6 p.m.

Tues 9 NovParents’ Evening to 7.30 p.m.

Wed 8 DecKS1 Nativity

Thurs 9 DecKS1 Nativity

Mon 13 Dec1.30 p.m. Carol Service in Edlesborough Church

Tues 14 DecKS2 Victorian Christmas (Years 5 & 6)

Wed 15 DecKS2 Victorian Christmas (Years 5 & 6)

Fri 17 DecNon-uniform day (50p for the privilege of not wearing school uniform unless you have paid your £12 annual contribution)

TERM DATES

Autumn Term 2010

Thur 21 OctSchool closes for half-term

Fri 22 OctSchool closed for In-Service training

23-31 OctHalf-term

Mon 1 NovSchool reopens

Fri 19 NovSchool closed for In-Service training

Fri 17 DecSchool closes for Christmas

Spring Term 2011

Tues 4 JanSchool closed for In-Service training

Wed 5 JanSchool opens

Fri 18 FebSchool closes for half-term

18-27 FebHalf-term

Mon 28 FebSchool reopens

Fri 4 MarSchool closed for In-Service training

Fri 8 AprSchool closes for Easter

Summer Term 2011

Tues 26 AprSchool closed for In-Service training

Wed 27 AprSchool opens

Fri 27 MaySchool closes for half-term

28 May-5 JuneHalf-term

Mon 6 JuneSchool reopens

Fri 22 JulySchool closes

Autumn Term 2011

5/6 SeptemberSchool closed for In-Service training

Wed 7 SeptSchool opens

Fri 21 OctSchool closes for half-term

22-31 OctoberHalf-term

Mon 31 OctSchool reopens

Fri 16 Dec School closes for Christmas

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INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY GROUP PHOTOGRAPHS

Tuesday 28th September 2010

In order to ensure everything runs smoothly on the day, it is imperative I know how you would likeyour children photographed. They can have a picture taken on their own, in a family group with brothers/sisters at the school; in a family group with pre-school children or in a family group with older brothers/sisters not at Edlesborough School - or any combination of the above! The latter may be more difficult as it depends on the number of people wanting this option and the time scale.

** The family groups with pre-school children will be held from 2.30 p.m.

For parents of children in the Reception class who want family groups, we can accommodate

you when you drop your children at school at 9.00 a.m. so please come directly to the hall, the remainder of the Reception class will be photographed later.

I will try and give you approximate times for the ** family groups, but as I am sure you can appreciate, this does not always run as smoothly!!!!

NAME OF CHILD/CHILDREN AT SCHOOL: …………………………………………….

CLASS/ES: ……………………………….

On their own

Family group with brothers/sisters at the school

Family group with pre-school siblings

Family group with older siblings not at school

(You can tick more than one box)

PLEASE RETURN BY THURSDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER AT THE LATEST.

I know that however I try to explain it, there are always questions so please do not hesitate to come and see me if you have any queries.

EDLESBOROUGH SCHOOL

High Street, Edlesborough, Nr Dunstable, Beds LU6 2HS Tel: (01525) 220431 Fax: (01525) 221819

e-mail: Website:

Jane Foster, Headteacher

September 2010

Dear Parents

Edlesborough School has always welcomed parental involvement as part of our constant endeavour to provide the best educational opportunities for our children. Parental help is vital, it is always valued and contributes to the high standards and the supportive and caring ethos we aim to achieve.

There are many different ways of helping within school: reading, library, art, cookery, administrative support to name but a few. We are particularly keen for parent helpers to support children in the library this year. Some parents choose to have a regular weekly involvement, others volunteer to help on a more occasional basis. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill in the attached forms informing us of your interests and availability. We will then endeavour to make the best possible use of your talents.

In keeping with our School Safeguarding Policy, all volunteers need to undergo an advanced CRB check before they are allowed to work in school. Arrangements for this are made through the school office. All volunteers are also required to abide by the guidelines outlined in the Parental Involvement Policy.

Thank you for your support. We look forward to welcoming many more parent helpers into school this year.

With Best Wishes

Jane Foster

Headteacher

EDLESBOROUGH SCHOOLPARENT HELPERS

Key Stage One Key Stage TwoHappy to work

Rec/Yr 1/Yr 2 Years 3 – 6in KS1 or KS2

Areas of Interest:Administrative

School Library

Reading/Literacy

Numeracy

Science

I.C.T .

Art/Craft

Cookery

Gardening

Book Fair week

Other relevant information (please specify): …………………………..………………......

……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Days/Times/ frequency of availablity: ……………………………………………………………….

......

NAME: …………………………………………………… DATE ......

TELEPHONE NO: …………………………………..

CHILD’S NAME...... CURRENT CLASS: …………………

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