Headteacher Newsletter Issue 8
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 8: 13.1.23
Dear Parents
Happy New Year to you all. We hope you all had a restful and enjoyable Christmas. We are looking forward to the new term ahead. Class letters will be distributed this week. Please see the dates for the term at the bottom of this letter and note the rescheduled Tray Day from last term.
Students
Class 1 are enjoying having two visiting teachers from Homerton College. Miss Pavey and Miss Cho met the class before Christmas and will be working with the class for the first half of the Spring term.
COVID, Flu and Scarlet Fever – advice from the DFE
Back to School advice issues amid high levels of flu, COVID-19 and Scarlet Fever – as pupils and students return to school following the Christmas break, UKHSA is reminding people that winter illnesses continue to circulate at high levels
Lateness
School starts at 8.50 a.m. We have noticed several children are consistently arriving late for school – ‘late’ is defined by not being within the school gates by 8.50 a.m. Please make every effort to be at school on time and if you know that your journey will be disrupted by road works, do allow time for this.
Please note that lateness is recorded on a per pupil basis.
Thank you.
Application for leave of absence for term time holidays
Guidance from the Local Authority:
“Leave of absence may only be granted by a person authorised in that behalf by the proprietor of the school. As from 1st September 2013, the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 amended Regulation 7 to prohibit the proprietor of a maintained school from granting leave of absence to a pupil, except where an advance application has been made by the parent with whom the pupil normally resides, and the proprietor considers that there are exceptional circumstances relating to the application.
Taking your child out of school during term time could be detrimental to your child’s educational progress. There is no entitlement to parents to take their child out of school during term time, however, you may apply to the school for leave of absence if you believe there are exceptional circumstances.
If the absence is not authorised and the holiday is taken, the case will be referred to the Education Welfare Service who may issue a Penalty Notice for £120 (or £60 if paid within 21 days) to each parent for each child taken out of school.”
Please note occasional days for birthdays and treats cannot be authorised and cheaper prices cannot be considered to be a valid reason. No leave of absence will be granted during our assessment weeks or the first week of the Autumn term. Medical appointments, if at all possible should be made outside school hours. Siblings of children attending medical appointments should remain in school.
Cost of Living Support
We know that there are families across Essex who are currently struggling with the rise in the cost of living. Colleagues have pulled together a special newsletter which gives information on some of the support they may be eligible for. Please share onwards with parents and carers. You can also find out more about cost of living support on the Cost of Living web hub.
School Admissions – Primary and Secondary – Apply Now!!
To apply quickly and easily for primary and secondary school places go online to https://www.essex.gov.uk/admissions-to-essex-schools-for-the-next-school-year
Primary and junior school places for September 2023
From 7 November 2022 you can apply online for your child’s school place https://www.essex.gov.uk/apply-for-a-primary-school-place
You must submit an application by the national closing date of 15 January 2023. Applications received after this date are considered late and will reduce your chance of being offered a place at your preferred schools.
Free School Meals Funding
You can register for Free Schools Meals Funding if you meet the criteria below.
If you have a child in Key Stage One and are receiving the free meal, which is part of the universal offer, you could be missing out on this additional funding for the school, which will support your child with their learning, if you meet the criteria below. You have to apply for this funding. If you think you meet the criteria below then please follow the guidance below and contact the school office.
Free school meals are available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guarantee element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
How to apply –
https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals
Mobile Phones
This is a gentle reminder not to use mobile phones whilst on the school site.
This is part of our safe-guarding policy for all of our children.
Ooo000ooO
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
5th January Spring Term starts.
13th January Non uniform day – Oliver – House Points
20th January Re-scheduled Tray Day
20th January Sharing Assembly – year 3 parents invited
30th January Road Safety visit – Rec and yr5. Plus Reception parents
10th February Sharing Assembly – year 2 parents invited
13th – 17th February Half Term
W/b 27th February Book Week
8th March Parent Evenings – 4.20 – 6.40pm
9th March Parent Evenings – 3.40 – 6.30pm
24th March Sharing Assembly – year 5 parents invited TBC
27th March Tray Day
31st March End of term
ACHIEVEMENTS
HEADTEACHER’S AWARD
For children who have achieved their personal best:
Reception
Bertie – for outstanding progress in reading
Michaela – for great progress in reading
Year One
Marnie – for super improvement in sentence writing
Scarlett – for great effort and understanding in maths
Year Two
Alfie – for fantastic progress and engagement in reading, writing and maths
Consuello – for always working hard and making great progress in reading, writing and maths
Year Three
Phoebe S – for great improvement in her maths
Tilly P – for fantastic effort and improvement in her writing.
Year Four
Maya – for being a model pupil and a caring member of our class.
Ollie – for taking more risks and for his contributions in lessons.
Year Five
Tommy – for outstanding listening and contributions in class
Matilda – for super effort across all subjects
Year Six
George S – for his good focus in lessons and the high quality of all his work
Emma – for great effort and focus; always trying to do her best
Cartoon Attitude Learning Awards
We have our super-hero learning behaviours, which the children created in their house groups during a Friendship Week. Last half term the children worked hard on independance, championed by “Indipanda”. Two children from each class were nominated for a special award and will enjoy a hot chocolate treat with Miss Allsop.
Reception : Sydni and Freddie
Class 1: Oscar and Eva
Class 2 : Bailey and Fraser
Class 3: Alfie and Phoenix
Class 4: Joseph and Darcey
Class 5: Luna and Illia
Class 6: Liam and Kayleigh
PIANO AWARD
From Mrs Thomas for their piano playing this term:
KS2 Darcey B
KS1 Nell
KITCHEN AWARD
Rowan – for helping the kitchen staff by looking after and organising the Salad Server uniforms
If you have any questions at any time then please feel free to make an appointment.
Have a good weekend
Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher
