1
(Houghton Conquest Lower School and Early Years Centre Newsletter (Week beginning Monday 22nd April 2013)
Newsletter 28: Value of the Month: Trust
The Governing Body – A Focus on Special Education Needs
Special Educational Needs (SEN) is a term that describes pupils who require intervention with their learning, either long term or on a short term basis. This also includes pupils considered ‘Gifted & Talented’ in a particular area, e.g. Art or sport. These children may have specific needs or disabilities that affect their ability to learn. For example:
· behavioural/social (e.g. difficulty making friends, self confidence)
· reading and writing (eg dyslexia)
· understanding things
· concentrating (eg Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
· physical needs or impairments
As a Governing Body we have dedicated "link governors" for specific subjects like, RE, Literacy, numeracy and SEN, etc. These are not statutory requirements for a Governing Body but are good practice. A good working relationship between the subject specialist within the school and the subject link governor will enhance the success of the initiative. Being the link Governor for special educational needs is about doing your best to make sure pupils with SEN get the help they need to access the curriculum and to participate fully in the life of the school.
As the SEN Governor at our school, I am the link between the governing body and the school in relation to pupils with SEN. It's my role to help raise awareness of such issues at governing body meetings and give up-to-date information on SEN provision within the school. A SEN Governor does not intervene in the teaching of individual pupils. A SEN Governor does not have the right to see a pupil’s statement of SEN without parent permission.
I review the school's policy on provision for pupils with SEN with the co-ordinator (Miss McCarthy) and ensure that parents have confidence in this provision. As such parents with SEN children will be invited to an informal open afternoon on 23rd May at 2.30pm, where you can discuss your thoughts and experiences of SEN with the Headteacher and the SEN Governor over a cup of coffee and a biscuit. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Anna Harvey
SEN Governor
Houghton Conquest Lower School
Grafham Water
After a short coach trip the children arrived at the centre full of excitement and apprehension. After meeting their instructors, Rob and Becky, and going through some ground rules the children got stuck into their activities. The first activity that they had a go at was rock climbing. The children and staff all had a go, many of them overcoming their fears and reaching the top. The next activity that the children took part in was the Grafham Challenge and team building. Many of the children found the Grafham Challenge hard as they were blindfolded and the not knowing made them unsure but again they all had a go!
On the Friday the children took part in bush craft where they learnt to build a shelter and a fire and then tried out Archery. The final activity was canoeing. Even though it was raining and windy all the children still took part and enjoyed the games and finding fossils on Fossil Island.
The trip was a huge success and children were a credit to the school. A big thank you to Mrs Hunter, Mrs Randall and Ms Roberts for all the help and support and I am looking forward to planning the next one!
Miss Trotter
Horticultural Show Winners
Mr and Mrs Rose joined us in assembly this week and presented the Horticultural Show prizes to the following children:
· Robins: Aaron Bracher, Sydney Pilsbury and Daisy Edwards
· Owls: Rosie Flint, Millie Edwards and Joshua Pestell
· Hawks: Ruby Woods, Ella Blow and Alfie Anderson
Well done to all.
Rugby Stars at Houghton Conquest Lower School
As some of you may already know we have many pupils in school who are leading members of the Ampthill Rugby club. We have some great news following key fixtures during the Easter holiday.
Alfie Anderson played in his second MOBBS cup final on Wednesday evening. The Ampthill U9 A team played against arch rivals Bedford in the East Midlands regional cup final. An absolutely enthralling game of rugby saw Alfie and his team put four tries past a deflated Bedford team. Bedford fought back in the second half with two well deserved tries. However Ampthill dug deep and defended their two try margin. The game ended up at 4-2 to Ampthill.
Last Sunday James Randall and Ethan Harvey played for the Ampthill U9 B team in the Olney Festival and beat off teams from towns such as Harpenden and St Neots to win the tournament. Both boys scored lots of tries with great running from Ethan and powerful drives from James.
All three boys and Rhyan Clark also went on the Ampthill Mini Rugby tour to Norfolk in the Easter holidays and all played very well over a busy weekend of rugby.
We have many proud mums and Dads :)
Early Years
Could you please put a sun hat and sun cream, if you wish us to apply it, into your child's bag as we seem to be having a few sunny days and it gets warm in our playground. Please ensure that all items are labelled with your child's name.
Caterlink payments in Early Years Centre
Please note that Caterlink operate a strict “no money, no lunch” policy and all parents who have had debts previously in the Centre must pay in cash for dinner in advance. All other parents can also pay by cash if they so wish, although we would rather the invoice system was used as this works well.
If your child will not be requiring lunch, due to a holiday etc, we do need a week’s notice, so we have time to cancel the lunch order with Caterlink. In these cases you will not be charged and you will receive a credit on your next monthly invoice. If your child is ill then you mustring the Centre by 9.30am so we can cancel your child’s lunch otherwise you will be charged for the meal not taken.
Thank you.
Teresa Davies - Senior Early Years Practitioner
Water bottles
Now that the weather has warmed up can you please ensure your child has a water bottle in school. Just to remind you, we do have school logo water bottles for sale at £3 each and replacement lids for just 50p.
Application for leave of absence for your child during term-time
Please note that these forms should be completed and returned to the school at least 6 weeks before the date when you would like the period of absence to start.
Scholastic Book Club
The latest catalogue will shortly be in book bags. If you would like to order any books please return your order form and payment to the School Office by Friday, 10th May.
Mrs M Millington – Office Manager
Website address: https://www.houghtonconquest.beds.sch.uk/
Dates
· 26th April: PTA Ladies Pamper Night 7pm
· 6th May: Bank Holiday
· 1st May: PTA Meeting, 7.30pm at The Royal Oak, Houghton Conquest
· 8th May: KS1 Family Festival (information sent to selected children)
· 10th May: Robins Class: “I Want To Be…” Challenge
· 22nd May: Kwik Cricket Festival (information being sent to selected children)
· 23rd May: SEN children, parents informal open afternoon at 2.30pm
· 27th May – 31st May: Half term holiday
· W/b 3rd June: ‘Dance’ (6 weeks) – Year 4
· 6th June: Year 3 pupils Values Activity Day with other values school children in Bedfordshire
· 13th June: Fathers Day Tea Party 2-3pm for Early Years Centre
· 19th June: Head of Year 5 from Marston Vale Middle in school to talk to Year 4 children
· 28th June: PTA CHUMS dress down day (£1 for charity)
· 9th July: “Dance” Performance for Year 4 parents (2.45pm)
· 13th July: Houghton Conquestival: A relaxed, fun and music-filled event for all the family (PTA)
· 19th July Leavers Presentation Afternoon at Early Years Centre 2-3pm
· Wednesday 24th July: Last day of summer term
· Thursday 5th September 2013: School year begins
Celebration Assembly Awards for week ending Friday, 19th April 2013
Robins: Taylor Lock for super story planning.
Owls: Megan Smith for working with effort.
Teaching Assistant Rewards:
Callum Day: for super spellings in phonics.
Rosie Flint: for asking the children if they needed any help with their work.
Jack Foreman: for good listening and showing he is ready to learn.
Midday Supervisory Assistant Award:
Catie Crowe: for always co-operating and setting an example to others at lunchtimes.
Values Award:
Patrick Huxford: for showing he can be trusted to care for the work of others.
Reading Rewards:
Robins: Alex Abood, Annabelle Sexton, Evie Anderson, Lillie Hailes, Sommer Bathers, Summer Nightingale and Sydney Pilsbury
Owls: Erin Huxford, Ben Abood, Patrick Huxford, Ryan Huxford, Joshua Pestell, Rosie Flint and Libby Matthews
Hawks: Mackenzie Morris, Kyla Riley, Jemma Slaughter and Luca Perkins
Miss C McCarthy
“Our vision is to be an outstanding school in all that we do. We will inspire and nurture a love of learning through a challenging and creative curriculum. Every individual will be recognised for their achievement and feel safe, secure and valued within our school family”