Homelink
#6 – February 2012
We recently celebrated ‘Chinese New Year’ in school during our colour team day. The children enjoyed their activities and learnt about traditions in exciting and engaging ways. Thank you for your support in providing their house team coloured tops for the day.
On-line payments
From April 2012 we will be offering on-line payments to parents for school dinners, trips and school-led clubs. Similar systems are being used in schools nationally and there are clear benefits for all. We will be sending out more detailed information soon. At the same time, class teacher letters will be sent home by e-mail (in addition to whole school letters). If you haven’t done so already, please make sure that you have shared your e-mail address with the School Office.
SATs meetings (Year 2 and Year 6)
Thank you to those parents who recently attended our Y2 and Y6 parents’ meetings. There is a collective effort to do the best for our pupils and it is only with your help that we will be able to achieve the highest standards possible.
Absence & attendance
There has been a surprising increase in the number of requests for term-time absences. Also, children are being taken out of school for dental and medical appointments during the school day - a small minority of which are unavoidable - but there are even cases of children being taken out of school to attend leisure activities such as the cinema, theatre and other ‘social’ events!
In-line with our attendance policy, which states that:
- The school and parents should work together in order to achieve high standards of attendance and punctuality
and parents will:
- Understand the importance of good attendance and punctuality and promote this with their child
Please note that requests may be treated as unauthorised absences. Unauthorised absence may result in a penalty fine being issued by the Education Welfare Officer.
This applies to all pupils, in all years, but particular emphasis is given to pupils and parents in Year 2 and Year 6. Please work with us in ensuring that your child has the best chance of success through consistent attendance at school.
School Library Books
Our school library houses approximately 4600 books to which our children have almost daily access to. We give our pupils the opportunity to borrow these books, to increase their love of reading and to widen their knowledge. Along with that opportunity comes the responsibility to care for and return our library stock. We encourage our children to scan their own books in and out of the library using our computerised system, although we do offer age-appropriate help and support.
If a book has been on loan for more than 28 days a we send out a note asking for the swift return of that item. If the book is still not returned we send another reminder and ultimately a letter asking for the replacement cost of that book.
Currently we have 270 books on loan, at an average price of £7.50, that equates to a total value of approx £2000. Please help us to maintain our library stock so we can enable our children to have access to a ready supply of quality literature.
School Sports
Congratulations to our Year 5/6 football teams. Our boys beat Greenfields Junior School 6-3 with a stunning performance from the whole team. Our Y6 girls have found the league a little more difficult this year and lost 7-1 to Greenfields. Despite the result they enjoyed the fixture and everyone celebrated a great goal from Sophie.
Our Y5/6 rugby team is still unbeaten. Our Y3/4 team is due to attend the Fleet & Aldershot festival soon.
Curriculum
Safer Internet Day 2012 takes place today - Tuesday 7th February. Year 4 went to Fishbourne Roman Place on Monday 6th February. The Royal Shakespeare Company will again be working with our Year 4 pupils on Tuesday 21st February. Year 1 pupils visit Sparsholt Education Centre as part of their topic on ‘Pets’ and Year 2 visit Porchester Castle.
World Book Day
We will be celebrating World Book Day on Thursday 1st March this year. Pupils (and staff) will be coming to school dressed as their favourite book character. Please note the day in your diaries!
FONDS
There will be a cake sale taking place on Thursday 9th February. The next FONDS meeting will be on Thursday 1st March at 7.30pm.
The last day of this half-term will be Thursday 9th February as school is closed for INSET on Friday 10th February.
Mr. C. M. McCarthy
Headteacher
Spring Term 2 Diary Dates - 2012
Week 1
Monday 20th February6.30pm Y4 Cuffley residential trip information evening
Tuesday 21st FebruaryRoyal Shakespeare Company workshop (Year 4)
Wednesday 22nd FebruaryFrom 3.15pm - Police bike marking
Thursday 23rd February4.00pm – 6.00pm Y5/6 Tag Rugby tournament
Friday 24th FebruaryBook Fair – 3.15pm to 4.00pm
Week 2
Monday 27th FebruaryBook Fair – 3.15pm to 4.00pm
Tuesday 28th FebruaryBook Fair – 3.15pm to 4.00pm
Wednesday 29th FebruaryBook Fair – 3.15pm to 4.00pm
Thursday 1st MarchWorld Book Day – dress up as favourite book character
Book Fair – 3.15pm to 4.00pm
Friday 2nd MarchCelebration Assembly
Week 3
Monday 5th MarchY2 visit Porchester Castle
Wednesday 7th MarchWorld Maths Day
Thursday 8th MarchY4 performance of ‘Merchant of Venice’ at Yateley School
Week 4
Thursday 15th MarchY1 visit to Sparsholt Education Centre
Friday 16th MarchCelebration Assembly
Week 5
Monday 19th March Y6 residential visit to Osmington Bay – return Friday 23rd March
Tuesday 20th MarchWorld Storytelling Day
Wednesday 21st MarchY3 residential visit to Avon Tyrrell – return Friday 23rd March
Friday 23rd MarchMothers’ Day event for Infants
Week 6
Monday 26th MarchDecorated eggs in for competition
Thursday 29th MarchFONDS Easter discos
Friday 30th MarchDecorated Hat Parade – Infants & Celebration Assembly
Y1 – Y5 children’s reports sent home
School closed for the Easter holidays – school re-opens on Monday 16th April
Parental feedback - Homelink 6 FAO Mr. McCarthy