‘All children, with support from parents, staff, Governors and outside agencies, will be

provided with the best education possible at RobinHoodJuniorSchool’.

Dear Parents/Carers

On behalf of the staff at RobinHoodJuniorSchool, can I wish you all a Happy New Year? The first week back to school everyone has struggled getting back into a routine after such a long break, but this week everyone seems back to normal! I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and thank you to everyone who sent me cards and presents.

In the next couple of weeks I will be sending out a questionnaire which will be asking you for your opinion on ‘communication’ between the school and parents. The current system I feel does not match your circumstances and I am anxious to meet everyone’s needs. I am aware that there have been many minor complaints about communication between the school and parents. I do apologise for any confusion or disruption this has caused.

We welcomed three new members of staff this term. Ms Laura Hedges is working full time in the office and she has had years of experience working in a school in Merton. We hope she enjoys working at our school. Miss Ricketts is teaching Year 3 & 4 providing additional support for groups of pupils in literacy and numeracy, which means that class sizes are smaller giving pupils more opportunity for attention. We also welcome Mrs Needham back into Year 4. She is covering Mrs. Collings whilst she is on maternity leave. Mrs Needham is well known to the pupils, staff and parents at Robin Hood.

We would also like to announce that Mrs. Collings gave birth to a healthy baby boy named Isaac over Christmas. We send our very best wishes to her.

I have given reminders to all pupils that they should be wearing black shoes and ties to school. This is not a change to our uniform policy. I have also asked the girls not to wear coloured scrunchies, flowers or headbands to school. The band that ties their hair back can be brown, green or black, but any additional items should be green. Unfortunately, brightly coloured fashion accessories for hair are not part of the school uniform.

Thank you all for bringing in your Christmas cards and stamps. We’ve had a marvellous response and have several large sacks full of cards. We are also now selling the few calendars that we have left for £2.50. Please enquire at the office if you would like one.

Thank you.

HOUSE CAPTAINS

Ash

Yellow - Kyra-Hope Lewis-Monto

Red -Robbie Rogers

Green - Georgia Ahearne

Blue - Tammy Breen

Beech

Yellow -Sara Aaga

Red -Michael Mugambe

Green - Alfie Bicknell

Blue - Melanie Marks

Maple

Yellow -Tommy Hicks

Red - Sean Cowan

Green - Luca Di Salvo Williams

Blue - Ellis Bassom

Elm

Yellow -Tendekayi Masere

Red - Joe Ellis

Green - Matthew Martin

Blue - Maddie Hough

Redwood

Yellow -Tiago Paulino

Red - James Wilson

Green - Neil Gawthrop

Blue - Kim Kynoch

Sycamore

Yellow -Leigh Potter

Red - Daniel Walker

Green - Mabintou Kolley

Blue - Harry Smart

Palm

Yellow -Rebecca Smith

Red - Chloe Hinchliffe

Green - Ellyess Benmoufok

Blue - William Neal

Pine

Yellow - Holly Sykes

Red - Sam Hitchmough

Green - Callum Ahearne

Blue - Natalie Painter

Willow

Yellow - Nile Cook

Red - Naomi Westlake

Green - Bethan Seager

Blue - Jamie Davis

Larch

Yellow -Charlie Matthews

Red - Bradley Sexton

Green - Daniella Brown

Blue - Amy Connelly

Oak

Yellow -Sam Burgess

Red - Melissa Biswamber

Green - Patricia Da Costa

Blue - Thomas Murdoch

Rowan

Yellow - Harry Hicks

Red - Aimee Sims

Green -Chloe Sedgwick

Blue - George Harris

TOPICS FOR THIS TERM

Year 3

Science – Rocks & soils, helping plants grow well

I.C.T. – Manipulating sound, Introduction to databases

Geography – Investigating our local area

Art – Investigating pattern

D.T. – Photograph frames

R.E. – Joseph

English – Fairytales, fables, oral & performance poetry.

Year 4

Science – Keeping warm, Solids, liquids & gases

Geography – Improving the environment

D.T.–Story books with moving parts

English – Books set in an imaginary world, Stories in series

I.C.T. – Modelling effects on screen

Art – Journeys

R.E. – Hinduism; the Church

Year 5

Geography – Water

History – What Sutton was like in the past

Science – Gases around us, changing state

I.C.T – Spreadsheets, control technology

Art – Still life, weaving

Music – Pitch & Rhythm

R.E. – 5 Pillars of Islam

Year 6

Literacy – Reading Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgu

I.C.T. - Multimedia presentation, control and monitoring

Science – Habitats, micro-organisms, reversible and irreversible changes

Geography – Investigating rivers

Art – People in action

D.T. – Cushions

R.E. – Judaism and the Jewish calendar

COMPLAINTS

I have had several complaints from parents about dogs outside the school gates at the beginning and the end of the day. The dogs are barking at each other or at the children which is causing distress to parents and children. Unfortunately the dogs are not allowed into the school playground even if they are on a lead. It is also very difficult for parents and children to walk past dogs without brushing past them as the front entrance of the school can become congested at the beginning and the end of the day. It would be helpful to everyone if parents did not bring dogs to school when they pick up children because so many adults and children are frightened that they might get attacked. Recent press over the Christmas holidays has not helped the situation.

I would appreciate everyone being supportive and sensitive over this matter.

Thank you.

Mrs. M. Fisher

SONGS, RHYMES AND STORIES

For Robin Hood parents who speak other languages…

Would you be interested in joining our new 6 week course to learn songs and stories for your children and improve your English at the same time? If you have any questions, please ask Miss O’Doherty via the school office.

FOOD FOR BIRDS

If possible please could you bring in some food for the birds who visit to our eco garden and allotment? During the winter months it is important to consider the birds who struggle to find food in the cold weather. We are looking for:

Fat balls, nuts, seeds, ends of cereal packets e.g. Muesli and dried raisins.

REMINDERS

Please continue to support the school in the recycling of textiles and shoes. The recycle bins can be found just inside of the front entrance to the main school building.

School Photographs

Individual school photographs are being taken next week on Wednesday, 17th January. Please make sure your child is in full school uniform, including a tie for girls and boys and hair is neatly presented.

Lost Property

Any lost property remaining at the end of the month will be recycled. Please come in and check all items if your child has lost any uniform. The reversible fleece jackets in lost property are all in excellent condition and will be re-sold as second hand for £7.50, original price £15.00.

Reporting a Pupil Absence

Please can you make sure that you call the school office on the first morning of absence to let us know if your child is unable to attend school for any reason? In the event that you are unable to call us, please ensure that your child brings an absence note in with them on their first day back. If you receive an absence letter from the office on your child’s return, we would be grateful if you could complete this and return it as soon as possible otherwise we are legally required to mark your child’s absence as unauthorised. Many thanks.

Lateness

Please be reminded that if your child is consistently late after registration closes you may be liable for a fixed penalty fine. Please make sure your child arrives no later than 8.50 am. The Education Welfare Officer is obliged to visit the school twice every half term to check on attendance records. Thank you.

Breakfast Club

We still have places available at our Breakfast Club. The cost is £3.00 per day which includes breakfast. The club runs from 7.30am-8.40am. If you would like to take advantage of this service please come to the office for further information.

NEWSFLASH

School calendars now HALF PRICE!!

£2.50 each, please see office staff.

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. We are always happy to talk to you about your child or anything that may affect your child’s education at school. Just come and talk to us. We are also pleased to receive your suggestions.

With very best wishes,

Mrs. M. Fisher

‘All children, with support from parents, staff, Governors and outside agencies, will be

provided with the best education possible at RobinHoodJuniorSchool’.