1 Nov 2007 - November Newsletter
Dear Parent(s),
Newsletter ? November 2007
In response to a couple of enquiries the reasons I did not issue an October Newsletter is that the September one was quite late and, of course, it was half-term.
Firstly I have been asked to let you know that on 27th November at 4.15 p.m. The Royal Latin School is holding an hour long firework lecture / demonstration presented by Dr Jacquie Akhaven from Cranfield University. Apparently the chemistry / physics of fireworks will be explained using some ?lively? demonstrations. The event is free and open to all ages from 5 years onwards. If you are interested in attending please let me know numbers of adults / children so that I can inform The Royal Latin School. In addition I have been asked by Chris George, Head of Science Specialism at the RLS to mention that on Wednesday 12th December the RLS are running an evening of Science Fun from 6pm until 9pm. The evening will consist of experiments that you will be able to carry out at home with your children and a few that you can?t !!! The evening is aimed at adults and free to attend. If you wish to attend please either email Chris George on cgeorge@bucksgfl.org.uk or write to Chris George, Head of Science Specialism, The Royal Latin School, Chandos Road, Buckingham, MK18 1AX, TEL: 01280 827326.
Many thanks to all of those who returned questionnaires. A separate letter will be sent as soon as we have evaluated the responses. I will also be writing individually to those parents who have requested a response. In addition I will send a separate letter on the subject of hot meals and the lunchtime system in general.
A copy of the School Improvement Plan 2007/08 will be displayed in the entrance area. The main priority areas are:
? To ensure rigour in monitoring, learning and in improving the quality of learning
? To implement and evaluate a new system for managing curriculum areas
? To maintain and improve standards in all aspects of school life, linking with The Whitchurch Way
? To work towards achieving the actions identified in twelve areas for development.
However, the issues arising from the questionnaires will also be incorporated, as appropriate and any further suggestions are always welcome. Feedback cards should already be accessible but if you have mislaid it or indeed have never received one please contact the school office. We are always happy to receive feedback but, and I have to be up front on this, we may or may not act on it. Several parents have mentioned things to me over the years but to be honest our policy is that we are only interested in taking on initiatives / ideas which will improve the learning of the children. Any new initiative will need to be in place of existing activities and therefore must be better. The timetable is full and staff are working all hours as it is now. We must not lose focus on what is after all our core purpose, the quality of learning of the children here and now at Whitchurch School. It?s so easy at the moment to get sidetracked into following the latest craze or applying for yet another plaque to display on the wall, but I?m not interested in this. We just want to do the best we can for the children who come here.
One initiative we are looking at is the virtual learning environment. I am due to attend a few sessions before Christmas to have a look and to introduce the concept if appropriate.
There have been a number of events already this year. Year 2 and Year 3 enjoyed a very interesting ?Rainforest Day?, Year 5 have been to St. Albans and Year 6 to The British Museum. MK Dons FC has been running an after school club for children in Years 5 and 6, which will continue until Christmas. Children from Key Stage One are due to participate in a Multi Skills Festival at Waddesdon CE School. These events result from our membership of The Buckingham Sports Partnership. We also benefit from our similar links with The Royal Latin School, Waddesdon CE School and Aylesbury Grammar School.
We now have poppies available from the school office. We are asking for a minimum donation of 20p, please. We will be holding our two minute silence during assembly on Friday 9th November. A book fair will also be visiting the school as is usual at this time of year. The fair will be in the school hall from Monday 5th to Friday 9th November and will be open at playtimes and lunchtimes. It will also be open after school between 3pm and 3.45pm and be open during the parent consultation evening on Wednesday 7th. Unfortunately we will not have it on the following parents? evening (13th). Also can we remind parents that we are collecting old mobile phones for recycling. Letters and leaflets went out last half-term explaining how you can claim your prizes. Please contact the school office if you wish to know more about this. Lastly Mrs Shields has asked me to mention that the ICT room will be open during both parents? evenings. She will be on hand to discuss the various units your children will be covering this year in ICT.
I have been asked to remind parents about forwarding any Tesco / Persil vouchers and Nestle box tops. We are always very appreciative of any vouchers collected.
DATES FOR THIS TERM
Friday 2nd November - School Association Salsa Night
Wednesday 7th November - Parents Consultation Evening
Tuesday 13th November - Parents Consultation Evening
Monday 19th November - M & M Productions to stage ?Cinderella?
Friday 23rd November - Blue Cross to hold an assembly
Friday 30th November - Years 2 / 3 to a Science Fair at RLS
Saturday 1st December - Christmas Fayre 11am ? 1 pm
Thursday 6th December - Reception Christmas Activity Afternoon
Tuesday 11th December - Nativity to Parents ? 2 pm
Wednesday 12th December - Nativity to Parents ? 7 pm
Thursday 13th December - Nativity to Parents ? 7 pm
Friday 14th December - Year 5 / 6 Technology Sale in support of Thembalitsha
Wednesday 19th December - ?Carols in the Hall? 6 pm ? 7 pm
School dates
School Year 2007/2008
Autumn Term 07
Open Wednesday 5 September Close Friday 19 October
Monday 29 October Friday 21 December
Spring Term 08
Open Tuesday 8 January Close Friday 15 February
Monday 25 February Friday 4 April
Summer Term 08
Open Tuesday 22 April Close Friday 23 May
Monday 2 June Tuesday 22 July
Staff training days ? Monday 3 September, Tuesday 4 September, Monday 7 January,
Monday 21 April, Wednesday 23 July.
Easter - Friday 21 March - Monday 24 March
Early May Bank Holiday ? Monday 5 May
School Year 2008/2009
Autumn Term 08
Open Wednesday 3 September Close Friday 24 October
Monday 3 November Friday 19 December
Spring Term 09
Open Tuesday 6 January Close Friday 13 February
Monday 23 February Friday 3 April
Summer Term 09
Open Tuesday 21 April Close Friday 22 May
Monday 1 June Friday 17 July
Staff training days - Monday 1 September, Tuesday 2 September, Monday 5 January,
Monday 20 April and Monday 20 July.
Easter: Friday 10 April ? Monday 13 April (Easter within school holiday)
Early May Bank Holiday : Monday 4 May.
S.Blore
Newsletter ? November 2007
In response to a couple of enquiries the reasons I did not issue an October Newsletter is that the September one was quite late and, of course, it was half-term.
Firstly I have been asked to let you know that on 27th November at 4.15 p.m. The Royal Latin School is holding an hour long firework lecture / demonstration presented by Dr Jacquie Akhaven from Cranfield University. Apparently the chemistry / physics of fireworks will be explained using some ?lively? demonstrations. The event is free and open to all ages from 5 years onwards. If you are interested in attending please let me know numbers of adults / children so that I can inform The Royal Latin School. In addition I have been asked by Chris George, Head of Science Specialism at the RLS to mention that on Wednesday 12th December the RLS are running an evening of Science Fun from 6pm until 9pm. The evening will consist of experiments that you will be able to carry out at home with your children and a few that you can?t !!! The evening is aimed at adults and free to attend. If you wish to attend please either email Chris George on cgeorge@bucksgfl.org.uk or write to Chris George, Head of Science Specialism, The Royal Latin School, Chandos Road, Buckingham, MK18 1AX, TEL: 01280 827326.
Many thanks to all of those who returned questionnaires. A separate letter will be sent as soon as we have evaluated the responses. I will also be writing individually to those parents who have requested a response. In addition I will send a separate letter on the subject of hot meals and the lunchtime system in general.
A copy of the School Improvement Plan 2007/08 will be displayed in the entrance area. The main priority areas are:
? To ensure rigour in monitoring, learning and in improving the quality of learning
? To implement and evaluate a new system for managing curriculum areas
? To maintain and improve standards in all aspects of school life, linking with The Whitchurch Way
? To work towards achieving the actions identified in twelve areas for development.
However, the issues arising from the questionnaires will also be incorporated, as appropriate and any further suggestions are always welcome. Feedback cards should already be accessible but if you have mislaid it or indeed have never received one please contact the school office. We are always happy to receive feedback but, and I have to be up front on this, we may or may not act on it. Several parents have mentioned things to me over the years but to be honest our policy is that we are only interested in taking on initiatives / ideas which will improve the learning of the children. Any new initiative will need to be in place of existing activities and therefore must be better. The timetable is full and staff are working all hours as it is now. We must not lose focus on what is after all our core purpose, the quality of learning of the children here and now at Whitchurch School. It?s so easy at the moment to get sidetracked into following the latest craze or applying for yet another plaque to display on the wall, but I?m not interested in this. We just want to do the best we can for the children who come here.
One initiative we are looking at is the virtual learning environment. I am due to attend a few sessions before Christmas to have a look and to introduce the concept if appropriate.
There have been a number of events already this year. Year 2 and Year 3 enjoyed a very interesting ?Rainforest Day?, Year 5 have been to St. Albans and Year 6 to The British Museum. MK Dons FC has been running an after school club for children in Years 5 and 6, which will continue until Christmas. Children from Key Stage One are due to participate in a Multi Skills Festival at Waddesdon CE School. These events result from our membership of The Buckingham Sports Partnership. We also benefit from our similar links with The Royal Latin School, Waddesdon CE School and Aylesbury Grammar School.
We now have poppies available from the school office. We are asking for a minimum donation of 20p, please. We will be holding our two minute silence during assembly on Friday 9th November. A book fair will also be visiting the school as is usual at this time of year. The fair will be in the school hall from Monday 5th to Friday 9th November and will be open at playtimes and lunchtimes. It will also be open after school between 3pm and 3.45pm and be open during the parent consultation evening on Wednesday 7th. Unfortunately we will not have it on the following parents? evening (13th). Also can we remind parents that we are collecting old mobile phones for recycling. Letters and leaflets went out last half-term explaining how you can claim your prizes. Please contact the school office if you wish to know more about this. Lastly Mrs Shields has asked me to mention that the ICT room will be open during both parents? evenings. She will be on hand to discuss the various units your children will be covering this year in ICT.
I have been asked to remind parents about forwarding any Tesco / Persil vouchers and Nestle box tops. We are always very appreciative of any vouchers collected.
DATES FOR THIS TERM
Friday 2nd November - School Association Salsa Night
Wednesday 7th November - Parents Consultation Evening
Tuesday 13th November - Parents Consultation Evening
Monday 19th November - M & M Productions to stage ?Cinderella?
Friday 23rd November - Blue Cross to hold an assembly
Friday 30th November - Years 2 / 3 to a Science Fair at RLS
Saturday 1st December - Christmas Fayre 11am ? 1 pm
Thursday 6th December - Reception Christmas Activity Afternoon
Tuesday 11th December - Nativity to Parents ? 2 pm
Wednesday 12th December - Nativity to Parents ? 7 pm
Thursday 13th December - Nativity to Parents ? 7 pm
Friday 14th December - Year 5 / 6 Technology Sale in support of Thembalitsha
Wednesday 19th December - ?Carols in the Hall? 6 pm ? 7 pm
School dates
School Year 2007/2008
Autumn Term 07
Open Wednesday 5 September Close Friday 19 October
Monday 29 October Friday 21 December
Spring Term 08
Open Tuesday 8 January Close Friday 15 February
Monday 25 February Friday 4 April
Summer Term 08
Open Tuesday 22 April Close Friday 23 May
Monday 2 June Tuesday 22 July
Staff training days ? Monday 3 September, Tuesday 4 September, Monday 7 January,
Monday 21 April, Wednesday 23 July.
Easter - Friday 21 March - Monday 24 March
Early May Bank Holiday ? Monday 5 May
School Year 2008/2009
Autumn Term 08
Open Wednesday 3 September Close Friday 24 October
Monday 3 November Friday 19 December
Spring Term 09
Open Tuesday 6 January Close Friday 13 February
Monday 23 February Friday 3 April
Summer Term 09
Open Tuesday 21 April Close Friday 22 May
Monday 1 June Friday 17 July
Staff training days - Monday 1 September, Tuesday 2 September, Monday 5 January,
Monday 20 April and Monday 20 July.
Easter: Friday 10 April ? Monday 13 April (Easter within school holiday)
Early May Bank Holiday : Monday 4 May.
S.Blore