Dear Parents,
NOVEMBER UPDATE
It’s been another busy month at school and it really feels as though we are on the Christmas countdown already! We have an exciting announcement about a new ‘learn to read’ scheme that is going to be introduced in the school in January as well as some more dates for your diary and other news below.
Introducing Read Write Inc. (RWI)
The government is currently funding up to 72 schools in the country to introduce this research-proven ‘learning to read’ scheme. We are pleased to announce that we have been accepted as one of these schools. Read Write Inc. is a method of learning to read that is used in some of the top primary schools in the country and we know that it’s going to make a real difference to the speed that our children learn this essential skill. All children in our younger classes (FS2 to Y2 mainly) will be individually assessed before the end of this term to find out where in the programme they need to start. Children will then begin the programme in January, working in small groups on specially designed exercises for one hour per day. We will hold a parents’ information evening about RWI in due course and information will shortly be put on the school website about the programme. In the meantime, we have had to change around our planned staff training days to enable the staff to be fully trained in using the programme. Please see the diary dates section for full details of these.
Website Revamp
We are actively working on the school website to improve the amount of information available and to make it more user-friendly. We have now completed the parental information section where you can find out a wide range of information about the school as well as dealing with a range of health issues that are common in primary school. The school news section is updated at least weekly with general issues of interest. We are on course to have the entire website completed by the end of term. If you have any comments or suggestions about the website and its content, please don’t hesitate to let us know as this is very helpful to us.
Ordering of School Lunches
School lunches at KS2 will remain at the value cost of £2.00 per day. However, in order to keep costs down and avoid food waste, we are changing the system a little from January 2018. From this time children will be unable to choose between a school lunch or a packed lunch on a daily basis, but will instead need to give at least half a term’s notice if they wish to change from one to the other. Of course, we will always try to accommodate unexpected situations for you so that no child is left without a lunch, but would appreciate it if we can keep these to an absolute minimum.
Becoming a School Governor
We are still looking for some more people to join the school’s governing body and are very keen for interested parents to apply. Alternatively, if you know anybody that you think would make a good governor, please encourage them to contact the school for a visit. We will provide full training, so please do not worry if you are not clear about the role, but it is important to understand that being a
Governor is about supporting the school strategically rather than representing any particular group of people. For more information, please ask at the school office.
Forthcoming Diary Dates
PLEASE NOTE THE NEW TRAINING DAY ON 19TH DECEMBER SO THAT LAST DAY OF TERM FOR PUPILS IS NOW MONDAY 18TH DECEMBER.
Thursday 16th November – Author Nicholas Allan will be visiting the school and officially opening our revamped school library.
Friday 17th November – Children in Need Day (children can come dressed in their pyjamas – please ensure that they will be warm enough during the day though). Autumn Fayre starting at 15:30 in school.
Monday 4th December – Full governing body meeting
Thursday 7th December – Nursery and FS2 Xmas production, Y4 trip to Magna
Monday 11th December – Flu vaccinations for FS2 to Y4 children
Tuesday 12th December – School choir at Davenport Road
Wednesday 13th December – KS1 Xmas production
Friday 15th December – School Xmas dinner
Monday 18th December – Xmas parties, last day of term for pupils
Tuesday 19th December – Staff training day, school closed to pupils
Wednesday 3rd January – Staff training day, school closed to pupils
Thursday 4th January – First day of term for pupils
Friday 2nd February – Staff training day, school closed to pupils
If you have any further questions or issues, please do not hesitate to contact me. I will be in touch again in a few weeks with a further update.
Yours sincerely
Mrs Wendy Baxter
Interim Head Teacher