1 Dec 2007 - December Newsletter

 

Dear Parent(s),

 

Newsletter – December 2007

 

As we come to the end of 2007 I would like to thank you all again for your support.  As I have often said in the past, it would be silly to think that each and every parent is happy about everything.  However, the staff at the school work incredibly hard to provide excellent learning opportunities for all the children as well as offering super pastoral care.  I am very grateful that parents really seem to appreciate this and, therefore, I do feel that it is a real partnership in which parents feel able to share concerns with the school in the knowledge that the school will treat these with respect.  On this positive note I thought I would share with you the fact that in terms of average points score in the 2007 Key Stage Two SATs the school achieved the highest score in the County.   In addition, in terms of value added in English, the school was placed in the top 1% nationally. I have also been informed that in terms of the percentage of children achieving Level 5 in Maths, Science and English in the Key Stage Two SATs, the school was placed 28^th in England . There was particular improvement in the children’s achievement in writing where 89% achieved level 5 compared to 19% nationally.  In fact at the end of Key Stage One SATs and end of Key Stage Two SATs the school surpassed the national focus at all levels.  I would therefore like to thank all the staff for their achievements.  Whilst acknowledging the academic standards achieved I was delighted to be informed that the school had also been named as Aylesbury Sports Council (South) School of the Year for sport, in recognition of the children’s achievements last year in winning inter-school competitions in football, cricket, rounders, cross-country and athletics.  Twelve children from Year 6 attended a Presentation Evening on 26^th November to receive a shield. 

 

I would like to thank all of you who provided donations for the Christmas Fayre.  I thought it was a very successful event and I would like to thank the School Association for all their hard work.  I have also been asked by the School association to see if any parent is able to help with Santa’s Float on 17^th December.  For further details and/or to volunteer please contact Mrs Smethurst, Chair of the school association, on 01296 640758.  I would also like to mention that there are three scooters in the bike shed which have been there for several months.  Please see Mr Ridgeway if you think that one of these may belong to you.  The gentleman who lives a few doors down from the school has also requested that I pass on that on several occasions cars have actually parked across his drive, blocking him in.  I do appreciate the problems of parking outside the school and it is an issue the Governing Body are considering but in the meantime I would ask that you avoid parking across driveways.  I have just been informed today, by a member of the Parish Council that the gate leading to the recreation ground carpark, at the bottom of Ashgrove Gardens , is now open between daylight hours.

 

I would also ask your help in a few other school matters.  Firstly I appreciate that you receive lots of pieces of paper requesting this or that but sometimes teachers have to chase up the return slips and it would really help if these could come back on time.  Also you know the classes operate a little home / school book which allows important communication to take place which the staff really value.  However sometimes one or two comments are a little inappropriate and can sometimes cause upset at the beginning of the school day.  If there are issues about which you feel strongly may I suggest you arrange to pop in to see the teacher either at the beginning or at the end of the day.

 

On the same theme I feel the school is so lucky to have Mrs Blackman as secretary / bursar.  As the first point of contact I believe she presents such a positive face to the world.  However I have become aware that she is being asked to do more and more in terms of taking messages from parents, delivering packed lunches / PE kits and various other errands.  She does all of these so willingly and with such good grace but it does take more and more of her time.  All I would ask is if at all possible please ensure your child has their kit, their packed lunch etc with them as appropriate.  However, if a crisis arises, please do contact us.  It would just be great if it could be avoided.  May I also request that PE kits go home regularly and could they, please, be named.  It really helps if all items of clothing are named as we can then ensure that any missing items are returned to their owners.

 

We are also encouraging all children to wear coats at playtime and lunchtime.  Whilst admiring some children’s hardiness I would be grateful if you would stress they really ought to have a coat in school.  I would also like to warn you of an issue which recently arose concerning MSN.  To be honest this whole area is a complete mystery to me even though my sons tell me that’s rather ‘sad’, but I understand it is some sort of ‘chat room’ facility on the computer.  I was recently informed of a situation whereby a child’s password was obtained somehow and as a result some distress was caused.  I mention this as I just wish to advise you that you may wish to monitor your child’s use of MSN. 

 

Out of interest I would like to let you know that over 150 children now have hot school meals.  For those of you yet to decide whether to take them up next year you may be interested to know what types of meals are provided.  For instance the first six weeks next term will see a variety of meals provided such as, pepperoni pizza, roasted vegetable pizza, minced beef pasta bolognese, vegetable bolognese, pork and apple casserole, squash and potato layer bake, chicken korma, salmon and tuna fishcakes, cheesy vegetable patties, sausage hotpot and spicy bean hot pot.  As well as these dishes, the children have the option to order jacket potato, soup and of course various desserts.  I am aware that many of you have paid or are thinking of paying, for meals without seeing the quality of the food provided.  In view of this, I am happy for parents to visit on Wednesday 16^th January, 23^rd or 30^th January, between 12pm and 12.50pm, to observe how the system works.   Can you please return your ‘menu choices’ to the school office no later than Tuesday 11^th December.  If you did not receive a letter and ‘menu choices form’ then please collect one from the school office.

 

There are one or two other things I would like to mention.  Firstly Years 2 and 3 enjoyed a really successful visit to a Science Fair organised by the Royal Latin School .  The RLS are also holding a ‘Science Fair’ evening on 10^th December from 7pm to 9pm at the RLS.  A Tesco gift card has also been handed in.  If you have lost one recently please contact the school office.

 

I would like to thank all of you who returned questionnaires.  We will be analysing the feedback and incorporating the various systems into the School Improvement Plan as appropriate.

 

Thank you for requesting tickets to the Yr 1 and Yr 2 Christmas Production.  Any spare tickets will be available from the school office from Wednesday 5^th December.

 

Lastly, the final day for sending in the green ‘Tesco Sports Vouchers’ is Friday 21^st December.  Please can you check cupboards and drawers for any vouchers you may have forgotten to send in.  Also you could ask grandmas, granddads, aunts, uncles and neighbours for any vouchers they may wish to donate.

 

Forthcoming Dates:

Thursday 6^th December               -           Reception Class Christmas Event for parents / families

Tuesday 11^th December              -           ‘Nativity’ – 2 pm

Wednesday 12^th December         -           ‘Nativity’ – 7pm 

Thursday 13^th December             -           ‘Nativity’ – 7pm

Friday 14^th December                 -           Yr 5 & Yr 6 Christmas Technology Sale

Monday 17^th December               -           Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 Parties

Tuesday 18^th December              -           Year 3 and Year 4 Parties

Wednesday 19^th December         -           ‘Carols in the Hall’ – 6pm to 7pm

Thursday 20^th December             -           Year 5 and Year 6 Parties

Friday 21^st December                 -           Hot Dog Day      -                      TERM ENDS

Tuesday 8^th January 2008           -           TERM STARTS

 

 

 

Yours sincerely,

 

S. Blore

 

Finally may the staff and I take this opportunity to wish you and your families

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.