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6. Autumn Term 2006 Newsletters

Dear Parents and Carers,

A very warm welcome back to all members of our school community - friends old and new as the academic year 2006 / 2007 begins. A particular word of welcome to our new children and their families - great to see you! I have visited our new Reception class several times and am very happy to report that the only tears on the first day were confined to a parent or two, the children have settled very well and I am very hopeful that Monday proves to be the beginning of a long and happy partnership.

Though all the teaching and support staff were in for our first In Service day of the year it is only when the children return that we can really feel like a school and the place becomes fully alive. The children look fantastic, so well turned out in their uniforms and all fit and well to start the new term.

Thankfully I have some good news to report - Joseph Peterson, who had been gravely ill, though still poorly, is on his way to full recovery. This added to encouraging news from both Miss McNally - Bell and Michael Balfour means that our prayers have made a difference. We very much look forward to continued good news on these fronts.

Welcome also to our two new members of staff - Miss Tracey Watson in Y5 and Miss Joanne Simpson in Y4, both are very happy to be here and are very much looking forward to helping our children with their learning and contributing to the school in a wide range of other areas. Mr Outterside, I am sure you will be pleased to know, is busy in his new role but says that he is "missing us"!
No news as yet on Mrs McMullen's baby but action is imminent.

Unfortunately the builders, who were scheduled to commence the refurbishment of the Junior boys / girls' toilets / washrooms, have taken on too much work over the holiday period and the scheme will not begin until half term - October 20th being the new start date for what should be a three week maximum project. Work to create a new pedestrian / vehicular entrance at the Harton House Road East end of the school should also have been completed but the Local Authority Safe Routes to School programme is still hindering rather than assisting this project. The tender has been accepted and work will commence soon - this is a much needed project and will, along with anticipated parking restrictions, mean arriving and leaving the school is much safer for our children.

I will, of course keep you informed of developments.

Individual staff will soon be sending home their individual class planners / termly overviews, showing key curriculum coverage and details of excellence and enjoyment initiatives, trips and visits etc. Please note homework details and PE days - children must be appropriately kitted out for PE and it would be most helpful if parents / carers can note the days when kit needs to be in school - we don't want anybody to miss out.

Some after school clubs are underway this week but most will commence next week and Mrs Rochford and Mr Peacock will be organising these activities - I believe some sessions were booked at the close of last term. The Primary French class begins on the 20th and letters have been sent to all Junior Children - any parent of a KS1 child interested in the course should contact the school.

Incidentally, the holiday club and the LA sponsored outdoor sports week were both great successes and good examples of the school helping to meet community needs and interests - well done to all our children who attended - your behaviour was excellent.

A reminder that school dinners, so much in the news recently, are costed at £8.25 per week or £1.65 per day. Milk Money is £8.10 per year or £2.70 per term - this is coming in nicely - thank you for your cooperation.

Planning ahead our school opening evenings are scheduled for the week immediately before half term - October 16, 17 and 18 ? individual appointments nearer the date.

Holidays / In Service Training:

Friday October 20th - In service - School Closed;
Half Term - Monday October 23 to Friday October 27;
Friday December 22 - Christmas Holiday Begins.

Information relating to school performances / Nativity etc will be finalised in the near future. Can I remind you that further details, information about class activities and copies of all newsletters are available on our website: www.stgregorysrc.ik.org - Mrs Coates has set up a fantastic series of rolling photographs of the Y6 Belgium trip - well worth a view?

I look forward to seeing you all as the term progresses.

Best Wishes,

Yours Sincerely,

K.J. Smithson.
Head Teacher.

PS: We still have a range of unclaimed lost property, a lot of it new - some has been repatriated but we still have a number of items left. Please feel free to call in and look - we will donate the remainder to the clothing bank at the end of next week. Back to top

Autumn Term Newsletter 2: Monday September 18 2006

Dear Parents / Carers,

The new term has started well with the children responding well to their new teachers as they move onwards and upwards through the school. Staff have immediately commented that the children are as one in making an extremely favourable first impression with systems and practice underway in what bodes well for the rest of the year.

None more so than our new Reception children who are a lovely, cheerful bunch with energy to spare. We very much look forward to welcoming them full time from next Monday - September 25th.

Transport to and from school and indeed generally will be a relevant topic of conversation at the moment with the government?s new car seat law coming into practice today. There is no doubt that some confusion exists, certainly from our point of view as a school we are very much reliant upon parents / carers goodwill when it comes to transport to sporting fixtures. And what about the "School Run"?

In an effort to try to clarify the situation I completed a test on the BBC website, scoring a very mediocre 4/9 at my first attempt before deciding the best option was to get all of them wrong in order to be sure as to the correct answers (This is not an option I normally recommend children!), However the results, which do clarify the law are on display at both notice boards and the information can also be accessed on line at bbc.co.uk - follow the links. I hope this information is useful.

As regards our Sporting Fixtures (Football) Miss Watson, Mr Peacock and I will look to establish teams ASAP and letters will be sent very soon as there is at least one game this week. We have one selection / training session this evening and whilst we know that a large percentage of the younger children will be disappointed not to make the team this time, the interest level is fantastic and something we can take forward in the future.

The St Gregory's Safe Routes to School proposals have certainly caused some discussion throughout the community and once again the recent Community Area Forum meeting failed to progress the Local Authority recommendations despite a 70 % / 30% split in favour of the proposals. A small number of activists are allegedly being successful in tying up the LA Planning Department with request after request for clarification etc as they pursue their own personal agendas - the whole process seems to have degenerated into some sort of bitter game. Any comment I may make in newsletters and usually they are just of a general sort, updates and the like, is seemingly scrutinised by the group as possible evidence to support their views that the LA are "steamrolling" the scheme through - they must drive a very slow steamroller is all I can say!

In the meantime we see our children still in the firing line - will it take an accident to expedite the proposals? Thus far the school has preferred to step back from the arguments having been happy to accept the compromise proposals seemingly agreed after discussion with neighbours but it may be that we need to take a more active approach.

One way we can and should help ourselves to keep our children safe is to avoid parking so close to the school - this is something I have requested umpteen times and the children themselves asked some 18 months ago with a good deal of success. Since then we seem to lower our standards and return to what is the easy but more dangerous option.

Parents / Carers should be thinking ahead now as to what they will do when proposals restricting parking anywhere near to the school do come into place? Two suggestions made in the past were parking in the Old Ship Car Park perhaps and then walking their children along Harton House Road, similarly the Holy Rosary Car Park is an option, though there are more roads to cross. Walking is certainly one healthy option and I am delighted with the amount of children cycling to school during the warmer weather, though again I am concerned about the traffic.

It is not easy, nor convenient, and for some it may well be impossible to change - our disabled carers etc, but it will be necessary soon to employ some new thinking. This will be my last word on the matter for now, it is not my job to police the neighbourhood, all I can do is request that parents / carers park with consideration for others and great care is taken to ensure that our children are safe in the vicinity of the school. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding in this long process.

SAPA will be in touch soon to confirm details of our proposed Hallowe'en disco something for the children to look forward to later this term.

Best Wishes,

Yours Sincerely,

K.J. Smithson.
Head Teacher. Back to top

Autumn Term Newsletter 3: Tuesday September 26 2006

Dear Parents / Carers,
Harvest Festival

Thanks to our regular communication with Father Cornforth in Zambia I can now confirm that our annual celebration of the Harvest will take place at Holy Rosary Church on Friday October 6th at 11am. Please consider this an open invitation to attend, we look forward very much to celebrating as a community. Any parent / carer who can assist in escorting the children to and from Mass should meet with us at school for 10.40am.

The Harvest Festival is the first opportunity during the new school year to see our community spirit in action as we collect produce for Sister Elizabeth's mission in Zambia and for the homeless and disadvantaged here on our own doorstep in South Shields. Each year the school community pulls together to action the gospel message and the school's mission in showing care, courtesy and concern for those in need.

Can I ask that we are all as generous as we can be in collecting "good tins", that is meat / fish etc for Sister Elizabeth in Zambia - these will be transported later by container ship and tins of any sort alongside fresh fruit and vegetables for our local charity? It is amazing how much we can collect if we all contribute a few items.

As the timescale is short items can be brought immediately. They will be stored in school and transported across to church on Thursday October 5th. Fresh produce is better sent nearer the date. Thank you in anticipation.

Thanks also to the parents / carers who are assisting the school football teams with transport to and from fixtures. They seem to have taken careful note of the new regulations regarding children's safe seating arrangements in cars. Please note that Wednesday's fixture at St Benet's in Sunderland is a Bishop's Cup tie - the first time for several years we have entered this prestigious Diocese wide competition. It is for the A team only. Thursday's fixture at St Bede's, South Shields is for both A and B teams.

As an addition, could I ask you to note that because of the numbers, any team / squad selection will inevitably lead to some disappointment, for both children and seemingly some parents? It is not our intention to leave anybody out but there are a finite number of places and as I am happy with the current squads this is the way they will remain for the time being. To counter this, additional training / fun sessions have been arranged each Monday immediately after school, for those children not selected first time. It may well be that opportunities for some of these children to participate in organised fixtures may arise later this season and children will be notified should this be the case. Thank you for your cooperation.

The response to the request for Milk Money has been first class with only a few outstanding. Well Done.
A uniform order will be placed at the end of this week - any parent / carer wishing to order items should contact Mrs Rochford for an order form. The new suppliers seem to be very cooperative and orders seem to be good quality and promptly delivered.

Best Wishes.
Yours Sincerely,

K.J. Smithson.
Head Teacher. Back to top

Autumn Term Newsletter 4: October 10 2006

Dear Parents / Carers,

Thank you for your very generous support of our Harvest Festival collection and celebration. Holy Rosary was certainly full in more ways than one with the altar piled high with foodstuffs and the aisles filled with children and parents. It was certainly an excellent turnout with our new Reception children, ably looked after by their Y6 "friends", paying close attention most of the time! I thought they did very well considering it was their first visit and a full service. Well done to all the readers who had little time to practice some rather complicated pieces.

I am afraid I misled you in my last newsletter with regard to the destination of the tinned goods / fresh fruit and vegetables - all will be distributed locally. Father Cornforth is only recently returned from Zambia and he had already made arrangements with the South Tyneside Churches Key Project to distribute all tinned foodstuffs to young people in our neighbourhood who have recently set up on their own for the first time. All fresh and some tinned produce will be used in the soup kitchens for the homeless in South Shields. Until recent years, St Bede's in the town centre, ran the only such kitchen, now however, there are three in existence such is the need. Therefore your generosity will be much appreciated.

The teachers are looking forward to meeting with parents / carers next week and are currently working hard to complete assessment tasks in good time to share progress with you and discuss future targets in key curriculum areas. The children are increasingly aware of their own targets for numeracy and literacy and it is good to see how they progress these in partnership with their teachers and classroom support assistants. Parents / carers should use the forthcoming open evenings to engage the teacher in dialogue about the targets identified for their child (ren) in order that all can get a better understanding of the next steps on the learning journey. Naturally, the Autumn Term Open Evening is ideal for establishing a rapport with the "new" teacher and finding out how the children have settled down at this early juncture of the academic year. Our Open Evening attendances are always in the high 90's percentage wise and I look forward to a similar turn out week beginning October 16. Teachers will send individual appointment times prior to the end of this week. (Tuesday is usually sibling's night)

Many thanks to the parents / carers, who are supporting our football teams with transport to matches, support for organisation and tactics etc. At the minute the majority of results have not gone our way - this is not for the want of trying! The school is in a period of change as regards staff, with recent appointments under considerable pressure to take on board a great deal of information and practice - please bear with Miss Watson as she gets to grip with the football - only one of a wide range of after school activities she is trying to coordinate. I would like nothing better than to be there for all the games to assist but I need to be here in school for the vast majority of evenings until late, it is just the way things are these days. The first half of the season will soon come to a close giving us all a chance to put plans in place for the Spring matches. As part of this preparation - Monday Lunchtime MUGA sessions are to be for A and B team training from next week -October 16.

The Tuesday MUGA sessions (morning and afternoon playtimes) are set aside for the class with the best attendance record of the week. The Government and Local Authority are keen for even well attended schools to increase attendance and though we recently achieved our 95.4% target for 2005 / 2006, the bar has been raised to 96% for this academic year - another challenge. Y3 have been the most successful class so far but others are in the running to claim first place in the coming weeks. Y6 have a 96.5% target as they would be penalised otherwise through a long term absence.

A reminder that the school will be closed for Staff In Service Training (CPD) on Friday October 20th meaning that the Half Term Holiday will commence at close of school on Thursday 19th of October. We will return after the break on Monday October 30th

I look forward to seeing you next week.

Best Wishes,

Yours Sincerely,

K.J. Smithson.
Head Teacher. Back to top

Autumn Term Newsletter 5: Friday October 13 2006

Dear Parents / Carers,
A brief note to let you know that works to refurbish the Junior toilets will commence this coming Monday morning (October 6th) at 8 a.m. There will be an increase in traffic attending the school with skip delvieries etc. All works traffic will use the rear entrance to the school and as the works will centre on that part of the building nearest to the new garden area, childen should note that this area will be demmed "Out of bounds" all week. It is particularly important that the children avoid this area prior to the school opening and during the Open Evenings planned for Mon / Wed next week. Supervision will be in place at all other times.

Junior children will use the Infant toilet facillities for the duration of the works - expected to be 3 weeks, with the bulk of the job completed during the first two weeks.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter - the new facilities are overdue and show the Governor's quick response to the requests made by the children themselves earlier this year.

Yours sincerely,

K.J. Smithson,
Headteacher. Back to top

Autumn Term Newsletter 6: Thursday October 19 2006.

Dear Parents / Carers,

A brief reminder that the school will be closed tomorrow for Staff In Service Training purposes and this closure will immediately be followed by the Half Term break. The school will re open as normal on Monday October 30th and we look forward to seeing the children then.

Advance notice now of a couple of events scheduled for the near future:

*Thursday November 2nd: 6 - 8.00pm: Community Area Forum Meeting - School Hall. Some parents may be aware that one item on the agenda will be the Safe Routes to School initiative that has caused much debate and opposition from a number of local residents. In a further effort to show our willingness to cooperate the governors agreed to the LA's request to hold the meeting here in our school rather than see our neighbours travel once again to the Town Hall. Should any parents wish to attend they would be most welcome. Our sole aim is the safety of our children and we require the same protection for these children as children in virtually all other schools in the borough now enjoy. Indeed, why should our children be treated any differently? Therefore, we feel the compromise plan is acceptable, though we acknowledge its imperfections as far as our immediate neighbours are concerned, there are definite benefits too. A traffic free street at peak times is achievable. Should this not be forthcoming we will entitled to ask why?

* Friday November 3rd: 5 - 6.30pm: SAPA Fancy Dress Disco - tickets are already on sale. Please note that All Reception children need to be accompanied by a responsible adult. Tea / Coffee will be available throughout the evening. (This is usually a very lively night!);

* After Half term we will be looking to invite our Reception parents / carers along to share lunch with their child and his / her pastoral care partners - look out for a personal invitation.

* After Half Term we will be liaising with the Local Authority to hold an election for a new parent governor following the expiry of Andrew Fenwick's term of office. Mr Fenwick served the school well over three years and we are looking for someone who can spare the time and energy for what is an increasingly taxing role. Again, notification papers will be issued via the LA after Half Term with a decision made and hopefully a new person in place prior to the end of term.

Ms Johnson, our wonderful Nursery Nurse / SEP, who fell and broke her right wrist last week, faces surgery today - our thoughts and prayers are with her as we hope that the damage can be repaired and we can see her back in post in weeks rather than months.

The deadline is fast approaching for applications to be made for places in our 2007 Reception class. The Local Authority has taken over control of this process and as a result the school tends to find out vital information later than we would like. Could all parents who know they have children of school age due to start in September 2007, please make sure that they have contacted the Town Hall and filled in the appropriate form? In these days of falling rolls due to the low birth rate it is vital that we can attract our full quota of children and to this end I would be grateful if our parent body spread the word amongst the community that our 30 places are available and that it is certain that some of the 30 will remain for non RC children whose parents wish them to benefit from a faith based education.

As a school we are still awaiting a call from OFSTED; the inspection date is now a year and a half overdue. This is a pity as the interminable wait does have an effect. However, as soon as we hear, you will be the first to know!

I hope you can enjoy some time with your children next week.

Best Wishes,

Yours Sincerely,

K.J. Smithson.
Head Teacher. Back to top

Autumn Term Newsletter 7: Monday November 6 2006.

Dear Parents / Carers,

Attendance at our recent Open Evenings was again excellent with 97.67% liaising with teachers, only very slightly down on the 98.25% figures for the Summer term. This is hugely impressive and shows the value we all place in formal as well as informal communication. You may recall that a questionnaire was distributed over the three evenings and 47 copies were returned for analysis - thank you so much for taking the trouble to reply - your views are very important to us. Some analysis has already taken place and I would like to share this with you now:

97.87% of responses were confident of stating that they had at least a better understanding of their child's targets after discussing the Interim Report with the teacher. The breakdown was as follows:

A: I am still not sure: 2.12% (1);
B: I have a better understanding: 14.89% (7);
C: I fully understand my child's targets and can discuss them with him / her: 17.02% (8);
D: I fully understand my child's targets and can help him / her to achieve them: 65.95% (31).

This is a very positive response and highlights the better understanding the Interim Report / Teacher Discussion format generates, far more useful than just the report alone.

Many parents / carers also took the trouble to write comments and these are still being studied as I write. Some gave suggestions for improvements, "refreshments" perhaps and "more time" but the vast majority praised the system in place as being very useful and informative.
I will scrutinise the responses further and relay this information to you in a future newsletter.

Thanks to father Cornforth for inviting the school to Mass last Wednesday to celebrate All Saints Day - the children behave very well and took, as usual, a full part in the celebration.

Many thanks to SAPA and all the parent helpers who attended the Fancy Dress Disco on Friday - it was a very enjoyable occasion and it is fair to say that "A Good Time Was Had By All"!

The Shield's Gazette visited on Thursday last week and our school will feature in tonight's "A Day in the Life" feature - the photographer took a load of photographs and though I'm certain that it will be impossible to see them all published, a fair few should be on view in the paper today. Thanks to all the children who featured - your cooperation was much appreciated.

Talking of children, it looks that our Reception class 2007 will have a few vacancies to fill - I would be grateful if all members of the school community can spread the word - it is far better to have a full intake. All current requests can be accommodated, so this is good news, no one is to be disappointed for the first time in years, however, we still have room for a few more youngsters. Any interested parents / carers should contact the school immediately on 4552909.

Thank you for your support.

Best Wishes,

K.J. Smithson.
Head Teacher. Back to top

Autumn Term Newsletter 8: Friday November 17 2006

Dear Parents / Carers,

I was delighted to see so many of our Reception class parents turning up to enjoy a school meal with the children earlier this week - a tremendous turnout, with many assisting afterwards with the discovery walk around the immediate area. Mrs Douglas was delighted with the turn out and support - many thanks.

Looking ahead to the Christmas festivities I am pleased to confirm the following dates during the final week of term:

Monday December 18: Key Stage 1 Nativity Performance: 2.30pm.
As always, space is at a premium and health and safety regulations place a strict ceiling on numbers, therefore two tickets per family will be issued nearer the date. Any parents who are unable to attend due to work or other commitments are asked to return their tickets in good time in order that these few can be reallocated.

Tuesday December 19th: Key Stage 1 Party Afternoon.

Wednesday December 20th: Key Stage 2 Party Afternoon.
(Specific details from class teachers nearer the date).

School closes for the Christmas break on Friday December 22 and reopens for the Spring Term on Monday January 8 2007.

Our KS2 Performance of "The Tempest" will take place early in the new term - details to follow.

It is with some regret that I have to inform you that our school cook, Carol Giles, is to retire on Friday December 1 after almost 20 years service in our school and longer still for the Local Authority. Throughout this time she has proved herself to be, not only a wonderful cook and ambassador for the school meals service, but also a kind, generous and cheerful personality who has brought so much to our school. I wouldn't like to guess how many school dinners she has made and served during her time at St Gregory's! We will certainly miss her and wish her a long and happy retirement. To mark her retirement we will be holding a collection to which all are invited to donate a small amount. Should you wish to contribute please send your donation in an envelope marked "Mrs Giles: Cook" or simply send an amount via your child to the school secretary as soon as is practicable. We would hope to finalise the collection by Wednesday November 29th. Many thanks in anticipation.

The children responded brilliantly to our Children in Need fun day - some tremendous hats, many individual and hand finished with wonderful imagination. I can tell you that £170 has been raised for CIN - very well done.

Have a good weekend.

Best Wishes,

K.J. Smithson.
Head Teacher. Back to top

Autumn term Newsletter 9: December 6 2006

Dear Parents / Carers,

The process of electing our new parent governor is progressing and papers will be issued tomorrow - 2 per family, to be returned to the school as soon as is practicable. We are fortunate in having 3 very good candidates - this is excellent news as some schools struggle to fill vacancies for governors, often having to operate below full strength. Being a governor is not an easy task and does involve a commitment to supporting all of the children?s learning via real input into the running of the school. Our established governors have given countless hours of time, energy and goodwill to support our school in past years - they certainly are fully deserving of our thanks and praise. With this in mind I would be grateful if everyone could read the brief pen portraits supplied by the candidates and complete / return their voting forms to the sealed black box situated in the main entrance / or return via the children to Mrs Rochford. Many thanks for your cooperation.

Father Cornforth has recently co opted another Foundation Governor, Mr Michael Puech, many of you will know Mr Puech as Ruby's (Y1) Dad or perhaps in his day job as a solicitor in the town. Mr Puech is a very welcome addition to the team and we look forward to drawing upon his knowledge and expertise.

Letters for After School Clubs set to commence in the new term are returning slowly and we have a number of vacancies still for the following two courses:

Kids Get Fit - From Monday January 15th for 5 weeks - £8.75: Invitation now extended to Reception Children for this fun course using loads of fun equipment.

Break Dancing - From Monday January 15th - for 5 weeks - £10: Invitation now extended to Year 4.

Please contact Mrs Rochford for more information or return the form as soon as possible as places are limited. Many Thanks.

Preparations for Christmas are gathering pace and the KS 1 children are beginning to practice their nativity production of "The Grumpy Sheep" - something all KS1 parents will be looking forward too. Tickets will be issued soon - 2 per family (December 15 2.30pm). We are also looking for donations of raffle prizes for the end of term Christmas Raffle - the community usually rallies well to the cause with last years raffle running to 20+ prizes. Thank you in anticipation - could all prizes be sent care of Mrs Fenwick.

The KS2 Disco / Party is re scheduled to the afternoon of Thursday December 21, all other arrangements remain the same (KS1 - Tuesday December 19th).

I look forward to seeing you as we approach the festive period.

Best Wishes,

Yours Sincerely,

K.J. Smithson.
Head Teacher. Back to top

Autumn Term Newsletter 10: December 15 2006

Dear Parents / Carers,

Unfortunately an administrative error has resulted in the Local Authority, after taking legal advice, declaring our recent parent governor election null and void. This is a real pity as we have had a tremendous response from the school community with a lot of votes cast for what are three excellent candidates.

It seems that the key problem centred on Envelopes A and B and a letter of explanation will be dispatched by the LEA along with a second full set of paperwork early in the new term.

This time LA staff will work more closely with school staff to ensure that the process runs smoothly. This is the first time an election has had to be held for a parent governor as in the past we have had just the one applicant - knowing this the LA now see that they should have taken a more proactive role in setting up and monitoring the procedure.

Furthermore, the election process showed up the deficiencies that will always exist with the pupil post system - some ballot papers, alongside one or two newsletters may still be at the bottom of a child?s bag. Certainly some didn?t make it home.

As the process is repeated you should expect papers to arrive via your eldest child by the end of the first week of the Spring Term - If they have Not Arrived, please call in to school to collect another set - we will retain spares this time instead of sending them back.

I must ask parents / carers to take careful note of the instructions on or accompanying the ballot paper as any variation / no compliance will see the ballot spoilt.

It is certainly a stringent process - more so in my experience than the postal vote at the last General Election and I thank you for your patience in working with us and the LA to see the process to a successful conclusion in the New Year.

I recently received an interesting but anonymous letter from a parent / carer. It was expressing a concern pertinent only to this particular time of the year. I must say that I am in full agreement with the sentiments expressed in this letter and would welcome the opportunity to discuss the matter further. I would ask this parent to get in touch with me at her convenience.

This newsletter, as is usual, will be on the school website by tonight - another source of information that is increasingly accessed by the school community.

http://www.stgregorysrc.ik.org/

If you do have internet access please consider adding the site to your favourites.

Please remember Mrs Nickels and family in your prayers at the minute following their recent bereavement.

Mrs Johnson has had to have a second operation on her wrist with a possibility of more surgery to come. This is very disappointing news and she has asked me to let everyone know how much she is missing the children, parents and school generally as she continues with her convalescence.

On a similar theme we await news on Miss McNally - Bell?s return after her long illness - we very much hope for good news in the New Year.

On a happier note we are delighted that Mrs Douglas?s pregnancy is progressing so well and look forward to hearing the good news of a happy event during the Spring Term. Mrs Douglas will formally begin her maternity leave on January 21st 2007, with Mrs Pickering taking over full time in Reception until the end of the academic year. This is good news as it provides that much needed continuity for our youngest children.

Mrs McMullen is very much enjoying the time with her new son Harry who is thriving and she will be back with us after Easter. Mrs Smithwhite is also making a good recovery and we hope to see her shortly into the new term.

We certainly have had to manage a few changes and developments on the staffing front over the past 6 months, some planned for, others as the result of illness and injury. Both supply, new and established staff have worked extra hard to cope with these changes and I am very grateful for the efforts of the whole team, both with the care and concern they have for their colleagues and in making every effort to ensure that the changes have had the minimum disruption on the day to day running of the school.

The children are very much looking forward to their parties next week and of course our Nativity production on Monday (Doors will open at 2.25pm - Performance to commence 2.40pm, followed by grand raffle (Thanks so much for supply of prizes received so far )with the children being collected at the usual time). Finally, one last celebration together is scheduled for the final day of term with our Christmas Mass at Holy Rosary - many thanks to Father Cornforth for fitting the school into what is a hectic schedule. (9.30am Holy Rosary Church - children leave school at 09.10 - helpers welcome).

I look forward to seeing you all over the next week as we continue our build up to the great feast of Christmas.

Best Wishes,

Yours Sincerely,

K.J. Smithson.
Head Teacher. Back to top

Autumn Term Newsletter 11: December 22 2006

Dear Parents / Carers,

A brief missive to thank you for your support and assistance over the past term and particularly of late with a lot of festive comings and goings. We had an excellent turnout for the lovely Nativity performance - I only wish we could have accommodated more - No Room at the Inn, indeed! The parties were lively as anticipated with excitement levels reaching a bit of a crescendo on Thursday afternoon - and there are still days to go yet.

I have recently been made aware, and alluded to this in my last newsletter, that some parents have felt uncomfortable with a seemingly new practice of organised / coordinated gifts for school staff. This is, as you can imagine, quite a tricky topic to tackle and almost requires the judgement of Solomon to decide upon which tack to take. For what it is worth my own opinion is to share this unease, I am in a better position to see the bigger picture and whilst I very much applaud the kindness and generosity that lie at the heart of this issue, I would be very sorry to think that any member of the school community was made to feel that they had to take part in any such collection. Also I think the teachers really value seeing the children's faces when they deliver a gift, card or a "Merry Christmas Miss" and vice versa, when staff reciprocate.

Communication is the key to this dilemma and I am very hopeful that once our new parent governor is in place, He alongside Mr Puech, our new Foundation Governor and other governors such as Mr Moss, Mrs Gosling, and Mrs Goode - current parents with children in the school can be "listening ears" for parents and carers and the wider school community, picking up the "vibes" in the school yard and helping me and members of staff to be in a better position to respond to whatever may arise. We want the best for our children within a happy and contented community of learning.

I would like, on behalf of staff and governors, to wish you all a blessed and peaceful Christmas - enjoy this special time with your families.
Best Wishes also for a happy and healthy New Year -2007 already!

We return after the holiday on Monday January 8th at the usual time - this will be a normal school day, the first of the Spring Term.

Thank you again.
Best Wishes,

K.J. Smithson.
Head Teacher. Back to top

6. Autumn Term 2006 Newsletters

Autumn Term Newsletter1: Thursday September 8 2006

Autumn Term Newsletter 2: Monday September 18 2006

Autumn Term Newsletter 3: Tuesday September 26 2006

Autumn Term Newsletter 4: October 10 2006

Autumn Term Newsletter 5: Friday October 13 2006

Autumn Term Newsletter 6: Thursday October 19 2006.

Autumn Term Newsletter 7: Monday November 6 2006.

Autumn Term Newsletter 8: Friday November 17 2006

Autumn term Newsletter 9: December 6 2006

Autumn Term Newsletter 10: December 15 2006

Autumn Term Newsletter 11: December 22 2006

Autumn Term Newsletter1: Thursday September 8 2006

Autumn Term Newsletter 2: Monday September 18 2006

Autumn Term Newsletter 3: Tuesday September 26 2006

Autumn Term Newsletter 4: October 10 2006

Autumn Term Newsletter 5: Friday October 13 2006

Autumn Term Newsletter 6: Thursday October 19 2006.

Autumn Term Newsletter 7: Monday November 6 2006.

Autumn Term Newsletter 8: Friday November 17 2006

Autumn term Newsletter 9: December 6 2006

Autumn Term Newsletter 10: December 15 2006

Autumn Term Newsletter 11: December 22 2006