7 Sep 2007 - Newsletter 01

 

07 September 2007

Dear Parents, Carers and Governors

Welcome Back to School
It was so lovely to see all the children back at school this week. Our new pupils did very well and made an excellent start to their first term.

Curriculum meetings for each year group - 9.10am
We will be holding meetings for each year group over the next couple of weeks. The purpose of these meeting is to give parents an understanding of our expectations for each year group. We will be talking about how we teach literacy and numeracy and giving you some ideas of how you can help at home. There will also be an opportunity to discuss routines and procedures for their new classes. The meeting will last about 40minutes.
* Blue class - Thursday 13th September - Red class
* Year1 - Friday 14th September - the hall
* Year2 - Tuesday 18th September - the hall

Punctuality and Attendance
Thanks to the support of parents in previous years, we have always had very good attendance figures and a good level of punctuality. It is so important that pupils arrive on time and are here every day that they are well. I have attached the holiday dates to this newsletter, so please take a good look at these before booking any holiday.
When considering any holiday applications, I will look at previous attendance and punctuality before making any decisions as to whether that can be authorised.
Year Two children have important assessments in May 2008. Mrs Smith and Mrs Palmer have to formally assess every child in a number of areas and have a significant organisational task to create a timetable to ensure every child gets a fair and equal opportunity. No holidays will be authorised in May for year two pupils as we need to be able to plan for the whole month. Whilst we will give an outline of this assessment procedure at the year two parents meeting, we will hold a full meeting in January to inform parents about these assessments in detail.

Receiving newsletters by email
Today we will be sending out the newsletter as a hard copy to everyone. If you would like to start receiving an email copy, please complete the form at the bottom of this newsletter and we will begin this next Friday - thank you.
Please remember that newsletters can also be accessed on our web-site at
www.polehamptoninfant.ik.org

Staff List - see attached
There are no new staff this term in school, but do take a look at the photo board outside to see who is working in which class this year.

School dinners - price and menu changes
I have been so looking forwards to having Mrs Potter cooking my lunch for me again!
There has been a slight increase in price to £1.65 a day, but I still feel this is excellent value for money. You all have received a copy of the menu for this term, but just a little reminder that there is a roast dinner twice a week now, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

New Assembly themes
We have worked with Revd. Simon to develop a more focused assembly timetable. Each half term, we will be focusing on two Christian values in assembly, using Bible stories to show how Christians believe they were lived out by Jesus.
These values will be reinforced throughout the school, in classes, at playtime and lunchtime, so that the children appreciate how we can bring these values to our everyday lives.
This half term, we are looking at Creativity and Appreciation and are on display in Green class window as a reminder for playtimes.

After School Clubs
French - this class shortly - more details to follow
Fit 'n' Funky - starts Tuesday 18th September. Hannah will be running taster classes next Tuesday in school time and giving out forms on that day. Places will be given on a first come, first served basis.
Reading Football - starts on Wednesday 19th September for 10 weeks. There will only be 16 places to start with as RFC have some staffing issues at the moment. You will only be able to attend if you are allocated a place and these will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Classes cost £3.50 a session - you can pay weekly or for the block.
Spanish - this club starts on Thursday 13th September. The first class is free and it will be £5.10 a session thereafter.
Please contact the office to book a place at any of these clubs.
We will inform you if you have or have not been successful in getting a place before each club starts.
If any of our classes are over-subscribed, we will operate a waiting list. Next term the children on the waiting list will be offered a place first if we haven't been able to accommodate them.

Parent Volunteers
We always welcome parent volunteers! There are many ways in which parents can come into school - maybe a regular weekly slot or perhaps you have some time occasionally. Do speak to your child's class teacher and see what suits best.
Occasionally we find that a child doesn't settle too well if their parent is present, then we would have a chat and see what to do next. Some parents feel more comfortable volunteering in a different class - we can easily arrange that too.
CRB (Criminal Record Bureau Checks) if you become a regular volunteer, we'd ask that you complete a CRG form for our records. This can be obtained from the office. We also ask that you sign the school volunteers' sheet, which explains a little about the role of a volunteer. This can also be collected from the office.

Lost Property
We have a few bits and pieces left over from last term, such as baseball caps, scarves, water bottles, etc. These will be displayed in the playground on Tuesday afternoon. Please do come and take a look. Anything left over will be donated to a local charity shop.
Unfortunately, there was also quite a few items of uniform, which are almost impossible to return to the right person - please do label EVERYTHING clearly, as we have no hope of identifying cardigans or jumpers amongst 140!!

Chess Competition
Calling all chess fans! Polehampton Junior School are hosting a chess competition on Saturday 22nd September. Pop into the office for a form with more details.

Have a great weekend,

Helen Ball
Headteacher



PTA news
Welcome back from the PTA and if you are a new parent, welcome to our school!
You will see a weekly item from the PTA in this newsletter focusing on the different activites we are planning.
Next week, we would like to invite new parents to stay on for coffee and biscuits with the PTA after the Blue class parents meeting. If any new parents to the school from other classes would like to come along and meet some of the PTA, we'd love to have you there too. We anticipate coffee from about 9.45am until 10.15am

Diary dates - Next week's events are in bold
Date Event Time and Place
Thurs 13th Sept Blue class parents meeting 9.10am - Red class
Fri 14th Sept Yr1 parents meeting 9.15am - the hall
Tues 18th Sept Blue class photo to go in the Twyford Advertiser
Tues 18th Sept Yr2 parents meeting 9.15am - the hall
Tues 18th Sept Fit 'n' Funky starts 3.20 - 4.20pm - the hall
Wed 19th Sept Football starts 3.20-4.30pm - the field
Fri 21st Sept Peace Assembly Morning at the Junior School
Wed 26th Sept Blue class open morning 9.00-10.15am - in the class
Wed 26th Sept Purple class assembly 10.15am - the hall
Wed 26th Sept PTA meeting 8.00pm - pop into the office for the address
Thurs 27th Sept Open Day for prospective parents 9.15am
Fri 28th Sept Non-uniform day £1 donations - thank you!
Mon 1st Oct Open Day for Yr1 and 2 Details to follow
Wed 3rd Oct Orange Class assembly 10.15am - the hall
Thurs 4th Oct Yr 2 cake sale 3.00- 3.30pm - outside blue class
Fri12th Oct Harvest celebration 9.15am - the hall
Fri 12th Oct PTA children's disco 6.00-7.30pm - the hall
Mon 15th Oct Design and technology week All week
Mon 15th Oct Parents Evening 3.30-6.00pm
Tues 16th Oct Parents Evening 6.00-8.00pm
Thurs 18th Oct Individual photos morning
Fri 19th Oct Non-uniform day £1 donations - thank you!
Monday 22nd - Friday 26th October - Half term
Wed 7th Nov Yellow Class assembly 10.15am ? the hall
Fri 9th Nov PTA Craft evening 7.00pm - the hall
Wed 14th Nov Green class assembly 10.15am - the hall
Thurs 15th Nov Yr1 cake sale 3.00- 3.30pm - outside blue class
Fri 16th Nov Children in Need All day!
Fri 30th Nov Whole school trip to the Panto - oh yes, we are! morning
Sat 8th Dec Christmas Fair The school hall
Thurs 13th Dec Our Christmas nativity 2.30pm
Fri 14th Dec Our Christmas nativity 9.15am & 2.30pm
Fri 21st Dec Non-uniform day £1 donations - thank you!

Term Dates - 2007-08
Autumn Term 2007
Tuesday 4th September - Friday 21st December 2007
Half term - 22nd-26th October 2007
School closed for staff training - Monday 3rd Sept

Spring Term 2008
Tuesday 8th January - Friday 4th April 2008
Half term - 18th-22nd February 2008
School closed for staff training - Monday 7th January & Monday 25th February 2008
Bank Holidays - Good Friday 21st & Easter Monday 24th March 2008

Summer Term 2008
Tuesday 22nd April - Tuesday 22nd July 2008
Half term - 26th-30th May 2008
School closed for staff training - Monday 21st April


Newsletters by Email
If you would like to receive a newsletter by email, please complete the slip below. If you would also like to receive a hard copy, please indicate below.
We will send all newsletters as a "Blind Copy", which means you won?t be able to see everyone else's address. Your address will not be passed on to anyone else.
If you find you are not receiving the newsletters, which usually come out every Friday, do contact the office so we can check we have all the details correctly.


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Who's Who at Polehampton CE Infant School
Autumn 2007

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 - Yr1 - Green
Mrs Elfi Smitheyman & Mrs Joy Winthrop Class Teachers - Foundation Stage - Blue
Mrs Chris Wiseman Teaching Assistant - Yr2
Mrs Dee Newell Teaching Assistant - Yr2
Mrs Julie Wallace Teaching Assistant - Yr1
Mrs Sally Rodgers Teaching Assistant - Yr1
Mrs Jane Clarke Teaching Assistant - FS
Mrs Joanne Cooper Teaching Assistant - general

Office Staff
Mrs Julie Dobson Secretary
Mrs Liz Goddard Finance Officer

Mr Steve Goodwin Site Controller & Cleaner
Mr Jim Sims School Crossing Patroller

Lunchtime Controllers
Mrs Julie Wallace
Ms Mandy Hart
Mrs Paula Beard
Mrs Anita Stone
Mrs Sue Smith
Mrs Sandie Moffat