Newsletter - Summer 2010


Summer Term Dates

Annual Reports issued to parents                             9th July

Yr 6 Leavers Service at church                                12th July at 2.15pm

Junior Summer Concert                                         19th & 20th July at 1.45pm

Leavers assembly                                                  22nd July at 10am

Break up for summer                                            Thursday 22nd July

Staff Training Day                                                 Friday 23rd July

Autumn Term starts                                              Thursday 2nd September

* all year 6 children must attend school this week to take the tests



Staffing

Mrs Kenway will be returning from maternity leave on Monday 12th July. On behalf of everyone at the school I would like to thank Miss Bartlett for the hard work and dedication she has put into Tiger Class over the past two terms and wish her every success and happiness for the future.

Attendance

These were the attendance figures for May 2010:

Lion        93.8%                                   3/4Sm       97.9%

Tiger       94.5%                                   3/4T          92%

Seahorse 93.6%                                   5/6I           93.7%

Turtle      96.9%                                   5/6M          95.3%

Starfish   91%                                      5/6T           95.8%

3/4S        94.3%

This gives an overall attendance rate of 94.1% for the whole school (including the Nursery at 89.3%). Our DCSF target is 95%. Please note that holidays in term time will not be authorised if a child's current attendance is below 90%.

Sports Days

Because the field is out of action due to the rebuilding of Harris Academy we will not be holding our annual sports days, with the exception of the Nursery who have theirs on their grassy area.

Footpath

The observant among you will have noticed that an electronic barrier was installed recently to stop unauthorised vehicles driving onto the school site. We are currently getting quotes to have the footpath widened without losing the greenery. Hopefully this work will be carried out over the summer break. In the meantime I would ask everyone to be patient when using the path.

Book Fair

A big thank you to everyone who supported this terms book fair. We sold an impressive £860.97 worth of books and made £400 in commission for the school.

Training Day

I would like to remind parents and carers that our final staff training day which will be the 23rd July. The children will therefore break up for the summer holidays on Thursday 22nd July.

Attendance
These were the attendance figures for March 2010:
Lion 93.2%            3/4Sm 94.6%
Tiger 93.2%           3/4T 95.7%
Seahorse 96.2%     5/6I 94.1%
Turtle 96.2%          5/6M 92.8%
Starfish 92.4%       5/6T 96.1%
3/4S 97.1%
This gives an overall attendance rate of 94.3% for the whole school (including the Nursery at 88.6%). Our DCSF target is 95%.


Sunny Days

Now that the warmer weather is upon us (apprently) I would remind parents to send children to school with a sunhat and a water bottle. Suncream can be applied before coming to school but not in school. The pergolas provide plenty of shade in the playgrounds. Sunglasses are only allowed for medical reasons: parents should seek permission for their child to wear them by writing to the Head Teacher. 


School Uniform

Just a reminder that trainer socks and open-toed sandals are not suitable for school.


Friday Achievements Assemblies
Parents and relatives are invited to our special assemblies held every Friday at 10am when classes take turns to show good work and we celebrate achievements. This is the rota for this term:
23rd April      Starfish        11th June       5/6I
30th April      3/4Sm         18th June       Tiger
7th May        5/6M           25th June       Seahorse
14th May      Turtle           2nd July         Lion & 5/6T
21st May       3/4S           9th July          Nursery & 3/4T

Please note that not all the children in each class will necessarily be showing work. We look forward to seeing you there.


Open evening feedback

Thank you to all parents of junior children who sent in comments and suggestions about the new-style open evenings. They were overwhelmingly positive, with some points for us to consider next year.

Driving into school

Parents should not drive onto the school site at the beginning and end of school day without permission. This includes parents of children attending the nursery. We are closing the school gates in the afternoon for the safety of our children and would greatly appreciate the co-operation and understanding of all parents.

School  Security

I would also like to remind parents and carers that in the interest of security they should not come into school in any way other than through the reception area. We have recently had adults coming into school through the doors at the front and going round to classrooms. All staff are instructed to challenge unauthorised visitors.

Reporting Absences

Please remember to leave a telephone message on the first day of your child's absence and to confirm the reasons for the absence in writing once your child has returned to school.

Adverse Weather
In the event of the school having to close due to bad weather a notice will be put on the Council’s website (www.bexley.gov.uk). Parents without internet access can phone 020 8408 7508 and enter the school’s DCSF number (303/3510) to get the same information, or can phone the Contact Centre on 020 8303 7777. A voicemail message will also be left on the school answerphone giving an update.