Newsletter September 16th 2016
Welcome and Settling in
It has been a lovely start to the new year. We have welcomed 32 new children, and 3 members of staff to join the Akaal team. Mr Pearson has joined as Executive Headteacher, Mrs Carr as Year 2 teacher and Mrs Penn as the School Business Manager. Mrs Asghar is now teaching full time. Mrs Arundel and Mrs Bassi remain with the Reception children and Mrs Chauhan is in the office. We have been delighted with the way our children have settled into school this week; they have quickly got used to routines, and have made friends with each other.
Baseline assessments
This week we have been assessing all of the children in Reading, Writing, Phonics and Maths so that we can put them into the correct ability groups. We have now completed this, and will be starting on the planned curriculum next week. You will be informed of your child’s progress and achievement on Parents’ Evening, but if you feel you want to talk to us before then, please contact the school office to make an appointment
Homework
Homework books are being sent home for the first time today. Homework is sent out on a Friday and returned 12 days later (on a Wednesday) ready for marking. I have attached a timetable – please put it somewhere handy.
Please record your child’s reading record on the ‘Reading Challenge’ page.
Reading books
Our children are taught phonics using the ‘Read, Write, Inc.’ approach. As they complete each book in the programme they will bring a black and white version of the book home with them. This is their book to keep. Please get them to read it to you and revisit it over the weeks, in order for them to practice their phonic skills. This is the equivalent of a book-banded reading book, and is correct for their reading level.
In addition to this the children will be bringing home a book for you to enjoy together. This may be in advance of their reading level, or maybe something which may appear too easy for them. Reading a book for pleasure is an important part of learning to read – please could you support this by sharing the book together, talking about the story and helping your child to understand the storyline.
Friday Afternoon – Enrichment
Starting from Friday September 23rd, we will be offering the children some different learning experiences, as part of an enrichment afternoon. The children will take part in 4 activities during the afternoon, each lasting for 30 minutes. The 4 activities will be:
· Archery
· Yoga
· Balanceability Bikes
· Sikh Studies
Please ensure that your child has their PE kit in school on a Friday. They must have jogging bottoms rather than shorts.
Snack
We are now receiving free fruit and free milk for all pupils. Therefore, for this school year there will be no charge for snack. Every child has their own water bottle and is able to access a drink at any point during the day.
Attendance
We will be monitoring attendance from this week. Letters will be issued at the end of term informing you of the attendance % for your child. Children with 100% attendance will receive Bronze, Silver, Gold and Akaal Rainbow awards at key points during the year. The class with the highest attendance % each week, will have George as an extra class member for the following week.
Illness Procedure
If your child is ill and unable to come to school, please can you telephone school – 01332 499011 – and, if no one is able to answer your call, please leave a message. We listen to all messages before 8:30.
You MUST also telephone the transport contact so that they know not to come to collect your child.
Bus 1 – Ravinder – 07928 780293
Littleover Minibus – Jaswinder 07830 419314
Clubs
School clubs will be taking place at lunchtime, from 12:30 – 1:00. These clubs will start on Monday 3rd October. Further details will follow, with the next newsletter.
Flu Immunisations
YEAR 1 and YEAR 2 Children ONLY.
Your child will receive the Flu immunisation on Monday 17th October. The Flu Immunisation team have sent an information letter and permission form to you (this is included with this newsletter in a separate envelope). You can return this directly to them, or return it to school and the health team will collect them from us.
One of the ingredients in the flu immunisation is gelatine. The decision as to whether or not to have the vaccine is the choice of each individual family. Public Health England have released a number of publications which give more detail about the make-up of the vaccine. Here is a statement from them, which may help you:
‘But doesn’t Fluenz contain ingredients that come from pork? What does that mean for children from some faith groups?
The nasal flu vaccine does contain gelatine that comes from pork as one of its additives. Gelatine is commonly used in a range of medicines, including many capsules and some other vaccines. The gelatine used in Fluenz is a highly purified product used to stabilise this live viral vaccine.’
The following link will enable you to read the complete document. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/386842/2902998_PHE_FluPorcine_QAforParents_FINAL_CT.pdf
Uniform
If you would like to order new uniform, please let Mrs Chauhan know.
If you have any uniform that is too small, we would be very grateful to receive it as a donation to our ‘spare’ box.
Please can you make sure you have put your child’s name in their uniform, on the label.
Vacancy – Lunchtime Supervisor
We are looking for an additional Lunchtime Supervisor. We require someone between 11:45 and 1:45, Monday to Friday, TERM TIME ONLY. If you would like to apply, please come into the office for details.
Thematic Learning
Our theme for this term is:
Reception: Transport and Travel
Year 1 and 2: Timetravellers
As in previous terms there will be an end of theme ‘learning challenge’, in December, where the children would like to invite you to come and be part of what they have been learning.
Travel Arrangements Questionnaire
We have included a questionnaire which we have been asked to complete by Derby City Council. Please could you send this back to school by Tuesday 20th September. Thank you.
Guru Nanak Birthday Celebration
If you would like your child to be part of the Guru Nanak birthday celebration service, please bring them to the Singh Sabha Gurdwara, on a Sunday, from 11 - 12, in Hall 3. The school will not be doing anything additional/separate.
J Fellowes – Head Teacher
IMPORTANT DATES
Term dates
Term 1 - September 7th- October 21st
Term 2 - October 31st- December 16th
Term 3 - January 4th- February 10th
Term 4 - February 22nd- April 7th
Term 5 - April 24th- May 26th
Term 6 – June 5th – July 26th
School holidays
The school is CLOSED on the following dates:
October 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th
December 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th
January 2nd, 3rd
February 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 20th, 21st
April 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st
May 1st, 29th, 30th, 31st
June 1st, 2nd
July 14th
Please note, weekend dates have not been included.
Important Dates – Autumn Term
Wednesday 5th October, 2.45pm - Harvest Festival
Thurs October 13 – School Trip – Crich Tramway Village
Tuesday November 8, 3.30pm – 6pm – Parents Evening
Wednesday November 9, 5pm – 7.30pm – Parents Evening
Thursday December 1, Learning Challenge Outcome
Friday December 16th – Christmas Assembly
Homework Dates
Come Home / Hand InFriday September 16th / Wednesday September 28th
Friday 30th September / Wednesday October 12th
Friday October 14th / Wednesday November 2nd
Friday November 4th / Wednesday November 16th
Friday November 18th / Wednesday November 30th
Friday December 2nd / Wednesday December 14th
Friday December 16th / Wednesday January 4th