Headteacher Newsletter Issue 1
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 1: 13.9.24
This is the first of our fortnightly newsletters for this academic year. Welcome again to the new term and it is very pleasing to see how well the children have settled into the new term.
Each class has sent out a class newsletter, which informs you of the curriculum that is being taught this term.
Congratulations
We are excited to announce and introduce our Head Boy and Head Girl along with our Deputy Head Boy and Deputy Head Girl. These Year 6 children are school ambassadors and will be meeting with the school leadership team on a regular basis so we can share ideas and work on projects together for our school.
Congratulations to:
Head Boy – Sebastian
Head Girl – Greta
Deputy Head Girl – Jemima
Deputy Head Boy – Ollie
Secretary – Tilly
Meet the Teacher Evening – Thursday 19th September
6.15 – 7pm: Reception Class only
7pm – 7.20pm and repeated at 7.30pm – 7.50pm: Years groups 1 – 6
(We have repeated the session to accommodate families with more than one pupil in the school)
These evening sessions are for parents to attend without their children. Please go to your child’s class where the teacher will talk about the rules, routines and expectations of the class as well as the curriculum coverage. This is not an evening for individual consultation, which will take place in October.
Supervision of children
Teachers are on duty from 8.40am when the gate will open. NO CHILDREN will be supervised prior to this time and should not be on the premises. A member of staff will be present at the gate to take any messages for staff members. Children are to arrive 8.40 – 8.50 and go straight into class. Children will be collected at 3.20pm outside their classroom doors, as usual, at the end of the day and we are collecting children for buses and Willows from their classrooms and taking them to bus/Willows staff.
Healthy Snacks
We would like to encourage all children to bring in a snack for break time. It is a long time between breakfast and lunch and a snack, as well as a drink of water, make a big difference to children’s concentration levels and ability to learn. As a healthy school we have agreed strict guidelines for the type of snack brought in, it must be fruit or vegetable in the form in which it grew (ie. nothing added, not stretchy or made into a bar and wrapped). This also helps to promote our eco school policies of reducing waste and packaging. Please do not put the fruit snack in glass containers.
We would also like to take this opportunity to encourage a healthy balanced lunch box for those not taking a school lunch. Please remember we are a NO nuts school.
Sickness
The school office should be notified on the first day of each absence before registration at 8.50am and this should be followed up in writing on the day of return.
If your child has been vomiting or had an upset stomach a 48 hour leave of absence from the last episode is required. For guidance on other illnesses please contact the School Office or refer to the document on the website in the ‘Attendance’ section – “Guidance on infection control in schools and other childcare settings”.
E-safety
Last week, as part of our school e-safety policy, we sent out some e-safety rules that we would like you to discuss with your child. We will reinforce these messages in school. Please return the slip that is attached to the e-safety letter once you have been able to discuss the rules with your child. Thank you
PE Clothing – a reminder
Please ensure that full kit is in school all week, including trainers and socks (especially if your child normally wears tights). Please also make sure the children have alternative clothes for any clubs that require it. In compliance with health and safety regulations, earrings (including studs) must not be worn for any sport. Please make sure that children who wear earrings know how to remove them and have somewhere safe and clean to keep them during PE lessons. Thank you.
Nut Free School
Please note that we have a number of children in school with nut allergies, some very severe, so please ensure that you do not send nuts in any form into school as snacks or in your child’s lunch box including peanut butter or Nutella sandwiches. This also includes sesame which is in houmous. Thank you.
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 2025
From 12 September 2024 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 2024. 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 2025
From 4 November 2024 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 2025. 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
2nd September INSET day – school closed to pupils
6th September Non uniform day for house point (Wales) and sports day (Saville) winners
19th September Meet the Teacher 7 – 7.30 repeated. 7.30 – 8pm Rec one session 6.15 – 7.
24th September Flu Vaccine
25th September Girls’ Football yr3/4 am and yr5/6 pm
26th September MacMillan Coffee Morning
3rd October Governor Focus morning
9th October Football yr6 boys am and girls pm
10th October Sport Ambassador training
16th October Cross Country KS2
18th October Year 6 parent sharing assembly
22nd October Parent Evening
23rd October Parent Evening
23rd October Yr5/6 Dodgeball pm
25th October INSET day – school closed to pupils
28th Oct – 1st Nov Half term
4th Nov – 8th Nov Friendship Week
8th November Open morning TBC
15th November Children in Need
2nd December Tray Day 3.15 – 4.15pm
7th December Spirit of Christmas
11th December KS2 evening performance yrs 5 and 6 parents
12th December Reception Nativity am, KS1 performance pm, KS2 evening performance yrs 3 and 4 parents
16th December Year 5 Parliament trip
18th December Christmas Lunch
ACHIEVEMENTS
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending 6th September 2024
Reception Hudson – for brilliant listening and having a great first week
Year One Sophie – for being ready to learn and making a great start to Year 1
Year Two Bella – for great contributions to class discussions and a great start to Year 1.
Year Three Flora – for an excellent start in Year 3 and for being ‘super helpful’.
Year Four Max – for a fantastic start to Year 4, always giving 100% with his learning and lovely manners
Year Five Luca – for settling in to his new school and class brilliantly
Year Six Joseph – for a brilliant attitude in PE and fantastic team work
If you have any questions at any time then please feel free to make an appointment.
Have a good weekend.
Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher
