A warm welcome to all pupils and parents at the start of this new term.  We hope everyone had a lovely summer holiday.

Please do get in touch with us if you need any information or have any concerns.  We run an open evening every Tuesday between 4pm and 4.45pm where parents may pop in to see either myself, Mr Battye our Deputy Headteacher or Mrs Lock our Office Manager.  Appointments can also be made at other times if you prefer.

With this newsletter you will have a list of staff and topics to be studied this term.  We hope you find this helpful.

David Livingstone

Headteacher

Autumn Term

Term begins          Wed 5 September

PD Day                   Fri 19 October

Half Term               22—26 October

Term ends              Wed 19 December

Spring Term

PD Day                   Thurs 3 January

Term begins          Fri 4 January

Half Term 11—15 February

Term Ends Thurs 20 March

Summer Term

PD Day Mon 7 April

Term begins Tues 8 April

May Day Mon 5 May

Half Term 22—26 May

Term Ends Tues 22 July

Please note that holidays should not be taken during term time.  Thank you.

We are delighted to welcome a number of new staff to our team:

· Mrs Nicola Wilby, who will be teaching Humanities and will be a Year 8 class teacher

· Miss Emma Roe, who will be teaching Science and will be a Year 8 class teacher

· Mr Oliver Lincoln, who will be teaching Maths, English and Science and will be a Year 7 class teacher

· Mrs Sarah Cook, who will be teaching English

· Miss Kimberley Stearns who will be teaching French and will be a Year 6 class teacher

· Mr Jim Coates, who will be teaching Maths and will be a Year 7 class teacher

You may wish to make a note of some important dates:

· 19 and 25 September—Year 5 Parents’ Evening

· 22 September—PTA pig racing event

· 5 December—Advent Concert

· 7 December—PTA Christmas Fair

· 12 March—Year 4 Performance Morning

· 29 January—Parents’ Evening

· 4 February—Parents’ Evening

· 20 February—Parents’ Evening

· 28 February—Parents’ Evening

· 12 May—Year 6 SATs (all week)

Letters will be sent out near to each event providing you with all the necessary information.

The PTA works very hard to organise a range of events so as to raise money for the school.  The first event this year is Pig Racing—being held on Saturday 22 September at 4.30pm.  This was great fun last year and a wonderful introduction to the school for new pupils and parents.  Please see the attached letter for details.

All parents are welcome to attend PTA meetings.  The date of the next meeting is 11 September and the meeting starts here at school at 8 pm.

Over the last 4 years more than £2,000 has been shared between the lucky winners   - the school has benefited from the same amount.

If you would like to join for the remainder of this year contact Sue Boon on 01787 227736 or Lesley Thornton on 01787 228178.

Winners of September’s draw were:

1st Karen Smith

2nd Mrs J Evans

3rd Elspeth Leahy

Thank you for your continuing support over school uniform.  We have always insisted on full uniform, including shoes, because it helps us to maintain a professional and disciplined atmosphere. Visitors also often comment on how smart our pupils look.

Please note that jewellery is not allowed, apart from one pair of stud earrings and a watch.  Make-up is only allowed for girls in Year 8 and this must be discreet.  Hair must  be tied back.

We always seem to have a lot of lost property, some of which is difficult to return because it is not named.  Please do make sure that all uniform and equipment is named.  Thank you

If your child is absent from school please telephone the office before 10.00 a.m. on the first day of absence.  You can leave a message on the answer machine if calling before 8am. If the absence continues for more than one day, please send a letter when they return to school.   If a child is absent for more than one week we need to have on-going information.

Thank you for your assistance.

We have made a number of improvements to the school over the summer.  5 of our classrooms have been redecorated and we have had a new all-weather playground fitted.  This will be of enormous benefit to our pupils and allow them to play a wider range of games on the playground.

We would be grateful if, when payment is due for school trips, it is sent in on the day requested.   This is due to   several  reasons:

· Finance staff do not work every day

· There must be two people present when money is counted to comply with finance regulations

· All money must be banked weekly

· We have strict limits on the amount of money held in school.

We must also remind you of the importance of completing and returning permission slips for trips.   Your child will not be allowed to take part on a trip without this.  Thank you for your support.