8 Sep 2006 - newsletter
Newsletter No.1
Friday 21st July 2006
Dear Parents, Carers and Governors,
It is so nice to be back at school ! I seem to have a lot to say today being the first week back, so here we go!
Welcome to our new pupils and staff
It was wonderful to see all our new children starting this week - Blue class children did very well and we have 3 new pupils in Purple Class. We are delighted to welcome three new members of staff. Mrs Palmer is the class teacher in Purple class, new to us, but a very experienced teacher. Mrs Newell and Mrs Cooper have joined us as teaching assistants and will be working in Year One and Two. We hope everyone will be very happy with us. Please see the attached sheet for a full staff list.
Playground Use Before & After School
There are no new rules here, but I thought it would be good to remind ourselves and our new children so we can have a safe and happy playground.
- Using The Path
I would like to encourage the use of the path behind the hedge from the Hermitage Drive entrance. Whilst we have to have cars and pedestrians using the same entrance, the path will separate the users more safely
- Please don't climb the wall or gate
Last term, I noticed on a couple of occasions children climbing over the wall and gate on the London Road entrance. This is not a safe place to climb, so please ensure your children stay on the path
- The Playground Equipment
The playground is not supervised by staff before or after school, so use of the equipment must be supervised by parents. The equipment is designed for infant age children, so younger or older children are strongly discouraged from using it and may be asked to stop using it if it seems dangerous
No Dogs on the Premises
A quick reminder that dogs should not be brought onto the premises or left tied at the gates.
Bikes and Scooters
We have a bike rack which we'd love to see children using - please get a form from the office to sign up for use this year. If children are using bikes or scooters, please dismount before entering the school grounds.
No ball games before or after school
We had a number of unfortunate bumps last term, so please no ball games in the playground before or after school. There are lots of little children around, from Happy Hours and our own siblings, so let's keep them all safe.
Contact details - A reminder!!
If you have moved house, changed phone details or have new people collecting your children this term, please call or pop into the office and give us your new details. In an emergency, we need to be able to contact you immediately, so it is essential that we have up-to-date details at all times - many thanks!
School Dinners
As you may have read in the press, this week sees the start of the government's new regulations for School Dinners (Please see attached sheet for information). We had been working along these lines for some time and our new catering company, Edward and Jones, is committed to delivering the very best school meals. I have been very impressed with the quality of the produce so far and have signed up for school dinner myself!
Please remember if you would prefer to pay in advance, pop into the office and we can arrange that for you on a weekly, monthly or termly basis.
A Harvest challenge!
This year we are joining forces with our local church, St Mary's in Twyford, who have set themselves a harvest challenge. We will be supporting FAITH, a Christian charity that works with the homeless in Reading. We have committed ourselves to collecting 1,500 cans of food at harvest time to donate to them. More details to follow, including ideas for our annual, "Fruit or Vegetable Animal" - also, please ask experienced parents for tips!!
Before and After School clubs
I am very pleased that we can offer a wide range of clubs again this year. All clubs are run by other organisations, but we are more than happy to help pass messages, take payments, etc...
- 2 -
We will be giving the children a chance to try out "Fit 'n' Funky" and have a judo demonstration next week, so they can see if they would like to try it.
Class day & time Class Start date
Monday 8am 'til the start of school Judo Monday 18th September
Monday straight after school 'til 4.20pm French Monday 11th September
Tuesday straight after school 'til 4.20pm Fit n Funky - a aerobics/games club Tuesday 19th September
Wednesday straight after school 'til 4.30pm Reading Football Club Wednesday 20th September
We will also be offering a new club, Spanish lessons - information is attached to today's newsletter.
Diary Dates
Please check these dates regularly, as we occasionally have to make adjustments if there are circumstances beyond our control
Date Event Time and Place
Thursday 21st September -Song for Peace - a joint celebration with the Junior School for the United Nations International Day of Peace Morning at the Junior School
Thursday 28th September Open Day for Prospective Parents 9.15am
7.00pm
Friday 29th September Harvest Celebration 9.15am in the School Hall
all parents are invited
Friday 6th October Jeans for Genes Day Wear denim to School Day
Friday 6th October PTA children's disco 6.00-7.30pm in the school hall
Wednesday 11th October Yellow Class assembly 10.15am
Week beginning 23rd October - Half term - school closed
Monday 30th October School Closed - staff training day
Thursday 2nd November PTA Craft Evening Evening in the School
Wednesday 8th November Purple Class assembly 10.15am
Wednesday 15th November Orange Class assembly 10.15am
Friday 17th November Children in Need Details to follow
Wednesday 22nd November Green Class assembly 10.15am
Wednesday 29th November Whole School trip to the Pantomime morning
Saturday 2nd December PTA Christmas Fair 2-4pm The School
Wednesday 6th December Induction morning for new Blue class children morning
Wednesday 13th December Christmas Show 9.15am - for families with small children & babies
2.00pm - for adults only
Thursday 14th December Christmas Show 9.15am - for adults only
Friday 15th December The Snow Prince - Puppet Show Morning in school hall
Tuesday 19th December Church Service at St. Mary's Church 9.30am
Staffing - September 2006
Teaching Staff
Miss Helen Ball Headteacher
Miss Becca Perkins Deputy Headteacher & SENCO
Mrs Christine Smith Class Teacher - Yr2 - Yellow
Mrs Lynn Palmer Class Teacher - Yr2 - Purple
Mrs Liz Cornelius Class Teacher - Yr1 - Orange
Miss Marianne Wilberforce Class Teacher -? Green
Mrs Elfi Smitheyman &
Mrs Joy Winthrop Class Teachers - Blue
Mrs Chris Wiseman Teaching Assistant - Yr2
Mrs Allie Wanden Teaching Assistant - Yr2
Mrs Sue Booth Teaching Assistant - Yr2
Mrs Dee Newell Teaching Assistant - Yr2
Mrs Joanne Cooper Teaching Assistant - Yr1
Mrs Julie Wallace Teaching Assistant - Yr1
Mrs Sally Rodgers Teaching Assistant - Yr1
Mrs Jane Clarke Teaching Assistant - FS
Office Staff
Mrs Lesley Martin Secretary
Mrs Liz Goddard Finance Officer
Mr Steve Goodwin Site Controller & Cleaner
Mr Jim Sims School Crossing Patroller
Lunchtime Controllers
Mrs Julie Wallace
Miss Hart
Mrs Lesley Simpson
Mrs Paula Beard
Mrs Sue Smith
Mrs Sandie Moffat
Have a good weekend
Helen Ball
Friday 21st July 2006
Dear Parents, Carers and Governors,
It is so nice to be back at school ! I seem to have a lot to say today being the first week back, so here we go!
Welcome to our new pupils and staff
It was wonderful to see all our new children starting this week - Blue class children did very well and we have 3 new pupils in Purple Class. We are delighted to welcome three new members of staff. Mrs Palmer is the class teacher in Purple class, new to us, but a very experienced teacher. Mrs Newell and Mrs Cooper have joined us as teaching assistants and will be working in Year One and Two. We hope everyone will be very happy with us. Please see the attached sheet for a full staff list.
Playground Use Before & After School
There are no new rules here, but I thought it would be good to remind ourselves and our new children so we can have a safe and happy playground.
- Using The Path
I would like to encourage the use of the path behind the hedge from the Hermitage Drive entrance. Whilst we have to have cars and pedestrians using the same entrance, the path will separate the users more safely
- Please don't climb the wall or gate
Last term, I noticed on a couple of occasions children climbing over the wall and gate on the London Road entrance. This is not a safe place to climb, so please ensure your children stay on the path
- The Playground Equipment
The playground is not supervised by staff before or after school, so use of the equipment must be supervised by parents. The equipment is designed for infant age children, so younger or older children are strongly discouraged from using it and may be asked to stop using it if it seems dangerous
No Dogs on the Premises
A quick reminder that dogs should not be brought onto the premises or left tied at the gates.
Bikes and Scooters
We have a bike rack which we'd love to see children using - please get a form from the office to sign up for use this year. If children are using bikes or scooters, please dismount before entering the school grounds.
No ball games before or after school
We had a number of unfortunate bumps last term, so please no ball games in the playground before or after school. There are lots of little children around, from Happy Hours and our own siblings, so let's keep them all safe.
Contact details - A reminder!!
If you have moved house, changed phone details or have new people collecting your children this term, please call or pop into the office and give us your new details. In an emergency, we need to be able to contact you immediately, so it is essential that we have up-to-date details at all times - many thanks!
School Dinners
As you may have read in the press, this week sees the start of the government's new regulations for School Dinners (Please see attached sheet for information). We had been working along these lines for some time and our new catering company, Edward and Jones, is committed to delivering the very best school meals. I have been very impressed with the quality of the produce so far and have signed up for school dinner myself!
Please remember if you would prefer to pay in advance, pop into the office and we can arrange that for you on a weekly, monthly or termly basis.
A Harvest challenge!
This year we are joining forces with our local church, St Mary's in Twyford, who have set themselves a harvest challenge. We will be supporting FAITH, a Christian charity that works with the homeless in Reading. We have committed ourselves to collecting 1,500 cans of food at harvest time to donate to them. More details to follow, including ideas for our annual, "Fruit or Vegetable Animal" - also, please ask experienced parents for tips!!
Before and After School clubs
I am very pleased that we can offer a wide range of clubs again this year. All clubs are run by other organisations, but we are more than happy to help pass messages, take payments, etc...
- 2 -
We will be giving the children a chance to try out "Fit 'n' Funky" and have a judo demonstration next week, so they can see if they would like to try it.
Class day & time Class Start date
Monday 8am 'til the start of school Judo Monday 18th September
Monday straight after school 'til 4.20pm French Monday 11th September
Tuesday straight after school 'til 4.20pm Fit n Funky - a aerobics/games club Tuesday 19th September
Wednesday straight after school 'til 4.30pm Reading Football Club Wednesday 20th September
We will also be offering a new club, Spanish lessons - information is attached to today's newsletter.
Diary Dates
Please check these dates regularly, as we occasionally have to make adjustments if there are circumstances beyond our control
Date Event Time and Place
Thursday 21st September -Song for Peace - a joint celebration with the Junior School for the United Nations International Day of Peace Morning at the Junior School
Thursday 28th September Open Day for Prospective Parents 9.15am
7.00pm
Friday 29th September Harvest Celebration 9.15am in the School Hall
all parents are invited
Friday 6th October Jeans for Genes Day Wear denim to School Day
Friday 6th October PTA children's disco 6.00-7.30pm in the school hall
Wednesday 11th October Yellow Class assembly 10.15am
Week beginning 23rd October - Half term - school closed
Monday 30th October School Closed - staff training day
Thursday 2nd November PTA Craft Evening Evening in the School
Wednesday 8th November Purple Class assembly 10.15am
Wednesday 15th November Orange Class assembly 10.15am
Friday 17th November Children in Need Details to follow
Wednesday 22nd November Green Class assembly 10.15am
Wednesday 29th November Whole School trip to the Pantomime morning
Saturday 2nd December PTA Christmas Fair 2-4pm The School
Wednesday 6th December Induction morning for new Blue class children morning
Wednesday 13th December Christmas Show 9.15am - for families with small children & babies
2.00pm - for adults only
Thursday 14th December Christmas Show 9.15am - for adults only
Friday 15th December The Snow Prince - Puppet Show Morning in school hall
Tuesday 19th December Church Service at St. Mary's Church 9.30am
Staffing - September 2006
Teaching Staff
Miss Helen Ball Headteacher
Miss Becca Perkins Deputy Headteacher & SENCO
Mrs Christine Smith Class Teacher - Yr2 - Yellow
Mrs Lynn Palmer Class Teacher - Yr2 - Purple
Mrs Liz Cornelius Class Teacher - Yr1 - Orange
Miss Marianne Wilberforce Class Teacher -? Green
Mrs Elfi Smitheyman &
Mrs Joy Winthrop Class Teachers - Blue
Mrs Chris Wiseman Teaching Assistant - Yr2
Mrs Allie Wanden Teaching Assistant - Yr2
Mrs Sue Booth Teaching Assistant - Yr2
Mrs Dee Newell Teaching Assistant - Yr2
Mrs Joanne Cooper Teaching Assistant - Yr1
Mrs Julie Wallace Teaching Assistant - Yr1
Mrs Sally Rodgers Teaching Assistant - Yr1
Mrs Jane Clarke Teaching Assistant - FS
Office Staff
Mrs Lesley Martin Secretary
Mrs Liz Goddard Finance Officer
Mr Steve Goodwin Site Controller & Cleaner
Mr Jim Sims School Crossing Patroller
Lunchtime Controllers
Mrs Julie Wallace
Miss Hart
Mrs Lesley Simpson
Mrs Paula Beard
Mrs Sue Smith
Mrs Sandie Moffat
Have a good weekend
Helen Ball