2. Summer Term 2009 Newsletters

Summer Term Newsletter 1: Monday April 20 2009

Summer Term Newsletter 2: Thursday May 7 2009

Summer Term Newsletter 3: Monday May 18 2009

Summer Term Newsletter 1: Monday April 20 2009

 

Dear Parents / Carers,

 

 

The children seem to have enjoyed their Easter holidays and have returned to school in good spirits. Typically it is a lovely sunny day and with the week set fair the children can look forward to enjoying playtimes and beginning to make the most of the new outdoor environment set aside for our younger children. Miss Watson has been busy restocking our PE resources just in time for the summer term. This will mean that we can also utilise some of the existing stock to supplement our Huff and Puff scheme. I’m sure the children will be eager to try out the new materials that help to promote energetic and fun filled activities. All in all we have a lot to look forward to in what will be a busy and productive term.

 

 

Once again we begin our curriculum journey with a themed week which is proving to be a very enjoyable and learning rich introduction to study after a holiday.

 

 

Looking back briefly, SAPA’s Easter Egg Competition raised £148.00 for their funds. The quality of the entries was superb. I know that some criticism can be directed at parental input but it is nice to see families working on a practical and traditional project together. The “doing” bit is good fun. The judges had a very difficult job – congratulations to all the winners and well done to all entrants.

 

 

Our Non Uniform Day made £151.00 for CAFOD and PLAN. I will be working with our Pastoral Council to see how we can best spend this money. Thanks to all who contributed.

 

 

Looking ahead, you may wish to take careful note of activities scheduled so far:

 

 

April / May:

 

 

• Wednesday April 22^nd  at 3.45p: Y6 SATs Meeting for Parents;

   

• Also Wednesday April 22^nd and likely to be much more fun is “Big Read Day”. The children are invited to come dressed as characters from their favourite books. It is part of the school’s response to the National Year of Reading ;

   

 

• May Day – Monday May 4^th National Holiday , School Closed;

   

 

• Tuesday May 5 – Friday May 8^th – Thurston Week for Y5;

   

 

• WB May 11 – 15 : KS2 SATs Week (See below);

   

 

• Wednesday May 20 and Thursday May 21: Cycling Proficiency Y4;

   

 

• Friday May 22 at 3.30pm: School Closes for Half Term and reopens at the usual time on Tuesday June 2^nd (June 1 is a Staff In Service Day).

   

 

SATs Week / Timetable KS1 and KS2:

 

 

Our Y2 children will be working through a range of assessment materials with their teachers throughout May and early June. Some children may work through to a later date depending upon what best suits the child. The process is very relaxed, informal and certainly nothing to be worried about.

 

 

For our Y6 children however, we are tied to the National Timetable and the class will work through the usual battery of tests during the week May 11 – 15 inclusive. The preparatory period is now underway and is very important with good attendance essential. The Test situation is one that is being debated nationally and regardless of our opinions it is only fair, given the importance currently attached to the process; that the children are given every opportunity to perform well. Preparations based around revision of topics have been the norm and this will continue, alongside broader based study to maintain our flexible approach. We will though we will be asking the children to get used to the test format in the remaining week or so.

 

 

Thus the children will be well prepared with little to be anxious or worried about. I am sure that we will all pull together to support the children into giving their best efforts. As long as the children are fit, well and present then the week will take care of itself. The activities and booklets are usually bright and attractive and if past experience is anything to go by then the children will enjoy the challenge.  Once out of the way we can accelerate learning again and these children can look forward to a range of creative and exciting opportunities, not least their production of Romeo and Juliet, Enterprise Week and the visit to Belgium .

 

 

As well as Y2 and Y6, early May is the peak assessment period for all classes so all the children may be experiencing a selection of tests prior to half term. Results from tests are used alongside our day to day assessment activities to help give as accurate a picture as possible of how the children are progressing. This information will of course be shared with the children and with Parents in the end of term report / open evening.

 

 

Parents should note that requests for holidays during this period will not be granted by the school. The Y6 period up to and including test week is particularly sacrosanct.

 

 

June / July:

 

·    Tuesday June 2^nd: Themed Week;

 

·    Wednesday June 3^rd: September Starters Induction Afternoon 1;

 

• Thursday June 4^th PM: Y4 “Quick Cricket”;

   

• Thursday June 4^th at 3.40pm : Y6 Belgium Meeting for Parents / Carers (see below);

   

• Tuesday June 9^th: Y6 “Quick Cricket”;

   

• Wednesday June 10^th PM: New Starters Induction Afternoon 2;

   

• Wednesday June 17^th PM: New Starters Induction afternoon 3;

   

• Saturday June 20^th: 10am: Parish First Communions: St Gregory’s RC Church;

   

• WB June 29 – July 3: Y6 Trip to Belgium (early start!);

   

• WB July 6^th: Open Evenings: (Individual appointments nearer the date);

   

• Tuesday July 14: Sports / SAPA Day (Wednesday July 15 reserve Sports / SAPA Day): This will be part of a series of events around Healthy Schools;

   

• Thursday July 16: Y6 Leavers Assembly;

   

• Friday July 17: Break Up for School Holidays.

   

 

 

At the minute we have no School Masses planned, however we are sure to ask Father Michael to celebrate a school Mass in the Hall or a class Mass as appropriate. The invitations to Wednesday Assemblies will now recommence as the Hall is now free following the completion of building work. An updated rota will be announced soon and parents / carers notified in the near future via class teachers.

 

 

 

 

Belgium Trip:

 

 

All Y6 children attending the trip are asked to supply two passport sized photographs by the end of this week if possible, with the following information on the back of each:

 

• Name;

   

• Date of Birth;

   

• Place of Birth.

   

 

These are available in the school photograph packs if you have purchased these prior to Easter. If not Asda has a photo booth.

 

 

In addition, moves should now be made to ensure that all children have an up to date E111 or EHIC card. This is, for once, easy to order from the internet if you log on to www.ehic.org.uk  or Tel 0845 645 0707 and follow the instructions. Anyone travelling to Belgium must have this card.

 

 

The meeting noted above, will be preceded by a comprehensive letter itemising key information – this will be distributed in the next week or two.

 

 

Out of School activities will commence shortly, with an updated Summer term schedule finalised soon. Please try to take note of the dates and remember that we always have a curtailed schedule during Open Evening weeks and also that the Y6 performance, tentatively scheduled for Week Beginning Monday June 22 will take place over two nights and utilise the main school hall.

 

 

I have devised a questionnaire or two to request feedback about our school. We are always looking to improve our service and make a real go of our partnership. There is a Reception class and a Y1 – Y6 version in the offing. I would be grateful if you could take the time to complete and return.

 

 

I look forward to seeing you as the term progresses.

 

 

Best Wishes.

 

 

Yours Sincerely,

 

 

K.J. Smithson.

 

Head Teacher.

 

 

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Summer Term Newsletter 2: Thursday May 7 2009

 

Dear Parents / Carers,

 

 

 

 

Our attention is drawn to global events with the latest news of the Swine Flu outbreaks around the world. The school, in common with all educational settings in the local Authority has been fully briefed by informed staff as to what to do should the virus arrive here in South Shields . There is a further meeting for headteacher’s this afternoon when the scare will again feature on the agenda for discussion. At the minute there is certainly no cause for alarm and we will expect school to run as normal.

 

 

We are however, following government advice by reinforcing the importance of washing hands and carrying handkerchiefs or tissues to prevent the spread of germs. This is very useful in that it helps emphasise the importance of good hygiene and good manners. At our assembly yesterday morning I covered this topic with the children and virtually all of them, including our youngest children, were aware and confident that they would take extra care to wash their hands and carry tissues to do their bit to prevent any sort of infection spreading. I have also arranged for tissues to be available in each class.

 

 

It is sensible to take precautions and heighten awareness but other than this we must look to national and local government to keep us informed and if and when we are issued with further advice we will take appropriate action.

 

 

Following conversations with key governors can I once again request that people consider alternative options for travel to and from school? The parking at each school gate, but particularly the western main entrance is causing numerous problems every night. The advent of the summer term with the promise of better weather may well tempt some families to consider walking or perhaps cycling to school. By coincidence, earlier today I received the results of the Y5 and Y6 children’s Cycling Proficiency and On Road training certificates. A very high proportion passed outright with several making good progress but requiring further practice to fully make the demanding grade. This is very encouraging and will boost confidence across the year groups involved. Some parents do have to travel by car as they are on the way to work but it would be helpful if this group did consider safe dropping off points further away from the school. This would also help the child develop some sense of independence and gain some useful exercise. There are several areas where children could alight without having then to cross any busy roads – this could be the sort of compromise that would help solve some of our daily problems. Please consider what you can do to help.

 

 

The children should have brought a new questionnaire home with them yesterday evening. I hope that you can find a minute or two to complete this and return it to me at school. It is very useful to receive up to date and relevant feedback from the families we seek to serve in order that we can try to meet the needs of all in the school community – well within reason anyway! A post box will be available in the main entrance or return via your child to the class teacher. Thank you for your cooperation in this exercise. I will, as I said in the preamble to the questionnaire, let you know the outcomes as the summer progresses.

 

 

A brief reminder that photographs are on a sale or return basis and the deadline is fast approaching for completion.

 

 

School uniform order forms are available from the school clerk and any items required for September will be dispatched to the suppliers in the first week in June.

 

 

Finally our Y6 children will be working through their SATs next week. As long as they turn up, fit and well after a good night’s sleep, then the week will fly past and we can get on with some fun learning in the week’s that follow.

 

 

Father Michael will celebrate Mass in school at 2.30pm on Wednesday May 20^th. Everyone is welcome to join with us. Father also asks me to send his apologies to the First Communion Parents Group after he missed the meeting earlier this week.

 

 

 

I look forward to seeing you as the term progresses.

 

 

Yours Sincerely,

 

 

Best Wishes,

 

 

 

K.J. Smithson.

 

Head Teacher.

 

 

 

 

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Summer Term Newsletter 3: Monday May 18 2009

 

Dear Parents / Carers,

 

 

Well, SATs week has been and gone and our Y6 children, one and all, did their best to match the type of work they produce across the year in this “one off” scenario.

 

I am very happy with the great efforts they have made in what is undeniably, no matter how we try to alleviate the situation, a tense and for some, very trying time. Well done year 6 – now let’s enjoy the remainder of this term, continue to thrive and progress and be ready to start your secondary education. We want you to be confident in your own abilities and ready to thrive come September.

 

 

Thank you to all the parents / carers who have taken the time to respond to the recent pair of questionnaires sent out two weeks ago. So far we have received 47 returns of the Y1 / Y6 copy and 11 of the Reception format. I am aware that the “school post” can sometimes result in letters etc not making it out of the school bag, so anyone who hasn’t received a copy and would like one can collect another from the school office.

 

 

The returns have yet to be analysed in any detail but an initial read through clearly indicates an overwhelmingly positive and supportive majority. Several respondees have written copious amounts and I am particularly grateful for this in depth information that can assist us in our aim to be better. Not every response is 100% positive in every area; many are, with the vast majority ticking the highest or second highest categories in every case, but several suggest improvements and this is to be expected and welcomed. We know that we can’t please everybody all of the time but the team at St Gregory’s is committed to providing the best for your children, be very sure about that.

 

 

One suggestion re the children getting ready following After School Clubs may benefit from an early response. The communicant suggested that parents of be allowed in to assist younger children getting ready, to speed up the process. Unfortunately, because of the well publicised security issues’ surrounding this rather delicate matter, the school has to make sure as far as is possible that only police CRB checked adults have access to children. This can mean that the children take some time to get ready and often they leave items behind but the positive side is that they are becoming more independent and their ability to dress themselves should improve as time progresses. This is only one of many pertinent questions raised by parents / carers and I will be attempting to correlate a full analysis as the term progresses, taking care to keep you all informed via future newsletters. Thank you again for your efforts, your views are very important to me.

 

 

Our Y4 children tackle the Cycling Proficiency programme this Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. Bicycles need to be securely stored in the cycle shelter (Don’t forget the keys!) from Wednesday morning. Children who live some distance away are very welcome to leave their bikes in school overnight. If you wish to leave your bike please bring it to the Infant entrance at 3.40pm on Wednesday afternoon and Mrs Wright will help you to place it in the Infant cloakroom. On Thursday morning you will need to be in school earlier to collect your bike around 08.30am and then secure it in the bicycle shelter. This way the cloaks area will be cleared in good time for Y1 and Y2.

 

Wednesday has the makings of a very busy day. We have our Reception assembly to look forward to at 11.35am. I know that a number of parents and grandparents are scheduled to attend, I’m sure they will enjoy seeing the children perform. The Reception assemblies are always a favourite with the rest of the school too. Later the same day, at 2.30pm we welcome Father Michael to celebrate Mass – all are welcome to join with us.

 

 

A brief reminder that the school will close for the Summer Half Term break this Friday at 3.30pm. The school reopens on Tuesday June 2^nd at the usual time.

 

 

Finally, School Attendance last week was 98.75% - a fantastic achievement for a Primary School. Well done to everyone and keep up the excellent work.

 

 

I look forward to seeing you as the week progresses.

 

 

Best Wishes.

 

 

Yours Sincerely,

 

 

 

K.J. Smithson.

 

Head Teacher.

 

 

 

 

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