Headteacher Newsletter Issue 2
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 2: 29.9.23
Welcome
We would like to welcome the Foreman family to the school who are joining year 1.
Exciting news!
We have some happy news to share with you as Miss Ullmann is expecting a baby!
She will be commencing her maternity leave during the spring term. Ms Crosby and Mrs Webb, who already know the children well, will be teaching class 4 during this time – Ms Crosby for 3 days a week and Mrs Webb for 2. They are both looking forward to this opportunity and attended the Class 4 Meet the Teacher event this week.
Girls Football
The girls in Class 3 and Class 4 had a fantastic time at Chrishall school participating in a ‘girls football’ morning. First, they went round stations completing different skills based activities. After this, they put the skills to use in some mini-matches. Everyone had a lovely morning! We hope to see more girls joining in with lunch time football or even football clubs!
Reception Class
Reception class have had their first week of full days at school. They are settling into class routines really well and we are enjoying getting to know them all. This week we are thinking about feelings using the book The Colour Monster. We have been exploring what makes us feel sad, happy, calm, scared and cross. The Chatterboxes have been brilliant giving every child a chance to speak in front of the whole class and we learn about each child and their family. We enjoyed a trip to the orchard to collect apples, then the reading circle to learn our apple poem and Arthur kindly brought in some of his home-made apple juice to share at snack time. We also had our first PE lesson in the hall which was very exciting! Every child has had an opportunity to be a helper – they have been fantastic at snack time collecting in the mats and giving out the food.
We are hugely grateful to the Year 6 buddies and Mrs Draper for making lunchtimes so happy for the children.
Well done Reception – you have made a great start to school life!
Meet the Teacher
Thank you for all the parents that attended the Meet the Teacher event this week. We hope you found the event informative.
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.
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
Secondary school places for September 2024
From 12 September 2023 you can apply online for your child’s school place https://www.essex.gov.uk/apply-for-a-secondary-school-place
You must submit an application by the national closing date of 31 October 2023. Applications received after this date will be considered late and you may reduce your chance of being offered a place at your preferred school.
Primary (Reception) places for September 2024
From 6 November 2023 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 2024. 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.
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
26.9.23 Meet the Teacher event – all classes 7 – 7.30 repeated. 7.30 – 8pm, except
Reception class where there is one session 6.15 – 7.
6.10.23 Open Morning for prospective new parents
12.10.23 MacMillan Coffee Morning TBC
16.10.23 Governor Focus Day
17.10.23 Parent Evening
19.10.23 Parent Evening
20.10.23 INSET day – school closed to pupils
30.10.23 Friendship Week
14.11.23 Flu Vaccine
2.12.23 School Choir Spirit of Christmas event
13.12.23 KS1 dress rehearsal am, KS2 dress rehearsal, KS2 evening performance yrs 5 and 6 parents
14.12.23 Reception Nativity am, KS1 performance pm, KS2 evening performance yrs 3 and 4
parents
15.12.23 Tray Day
19.12.23 Christmas Lunch
20.12.23 End of term
ACHIEVEMENTS
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending 15th September 2023
Reception Arthur – for his fantastic manners
Year One Chantelle – for working very hard and for being an enthusiastic reader
Year Two Laura – for great engagement in and contributions to lessons
Year Three Fraser B – for a fantastic attitude to learning and never giving up on a challenge
Year Four Cheyanna – for enjoying her Maths lessons so much and showing pride in her learning
Year Five Jemima – for pushing herself to try ‘spicy’ Maths challenges and working really hard
Year Six Martha – for a fantastic start to year 6, always engaged in learning and producing amazing work
Week ending 22nd September 2023
Reception Miles – for fantastic listening and enthusiasm for our Golden Rules stories
Year One Freddie – for working very hard in all subjects – a great start to year one
Year Two Alice – for fantastic effort and enthusiasm for learning and always smiling
Year Three Emily – for fantastic effort in all subjects and always having a smile on her face
Year Four Dougray – for challenging himself in his writing by using subordinate clauses
Year Five Rory – for fantastic descriptive writing and a great attitude to learning
Year Six William – for being a supportive member of the class and team player in PE.
Writer of the Week – 15.9.23
R Sophie for fantastic name writing
1 Bertie for wonderful independent writing
2 Jude for amazing effort with his handwriting
3 Kyle for writing great comprehension answers in full sentences
4 Matilda W for great effort with her handwriting
5 Rory for great descriptive writing
6 Theo for excellent ‘War horse’ diary writing
If you have any questions at any time then please feel free to make an appointment.
Have a good weekend.
Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher
