newsletter 1 12th september 2014

8/11/2019 Newsletter 1 12th September 2014

1/4

Minchinhampton Primary SchoolNewsletter No 1 12thSeptember 2014

HEADTEACHE

Dear Parents/Carers

Thank you for all of your valiant efforts to complete homework. The new homework timetable comes out today(see minchschoolblogs.net/important docs/day to day) and as you!ll see the amount of homework increasesas our children get older. "ome schools will give more out others less. #e do try to make it a sensible amountbut it will always be a source of some contention. $n %nglish lessons $!m sure you can imagine it reliablymakes for a good debate with the children.

&s a parent $ sometimes bemoan the fact that with four children $ am constantly chasing one of them to finishtheir homework or being asked to help. #hen on the same evening one is writing an essay on 'acbeth andanother is still ploughing through a reading scheme my brain begins to ache. ur household begins to feel likea boot camp where my sole interaction with the children involves the issuing of orders or instructions and it isonly when $ get to a weekend or holiday that we get back to a more relaed and level footing.

That said $ see homework as important. &s a parent it gives me another opportunity to support my children withtheir learning and demonstrate to them that $ see learning as important. $ also see it as not *ust an opportunitybut my responsibility to show them that their school and $ are singing from the same hymn sheet and that theyneed to do what has been asked of them by the school (even if privately $ don!t always completely agree withit).

$ can!t epect you to all agree with homework or even with the way we manage our homework here but if wecan do our best to work together in the eyes of the children then $ know this will help them thrive.

$ know how much time and energy you put into your children!s learning and it is very much appreciated.

Thank you

N Moss

Head teacher

SCH!!" #N$!MAT#!N

School Calen%ar#e were hoping to provide the term dates with this newsletter but unfortunately we have had to change aninset day so need to update the calendar. $f you have collected one from the school office then please notethat +riday ,-th+ebruary is no longer an inset day and the children need to be in school. The inset day will nowbe 'onday ,-th&pril. #e will send you all a calendar as soon as we can. Thank you.

Cl&bsopefully your children will all have received a copy of the clubs list0 if any of them havent then they cancollect one from the school office.

School DinnersThank you for your support and patience whilst we try to embed the new school dinner system0 we are veryconscious that your children will not like everything on the menu and we hope to be able to be more fleiblewith their choices in the near future. $n the meantime please can we remind you of the following1

2 3", children need to opt in or out of having school dinners i.e. if they opt to have school dinners thenthey need to have these every day.

2 Children cannot change their minds0 they have to eat the choice you make on the pre2order forms asthe cook is cooking to order.

2 Children will need to eat their school dinner if they have pre2ordered it even if they bring in a packlunch.

Da''le Dance Cl&b+or all those booked onto the after school Da44le Dance Club this term pleasevisit www.da44leworkshops.co.uk and go to the link under &utumn/#inter 56,7. 8ou will find more details aboutthe dance styles the group will be working on music and what to wear.
http://www.dazzleworkshops.co.uk/http://www.dazzleworkshops.co.uk/http://www.dazzleworkshops.co.uk/


2/4

School Comp&ters&ccess to computers after school1#e have five of the computers in the library area accessible to children with their parents after school1 this isto help with things like completing topic work or to go on a programme like 'athletics. They will be availablefrom -.,9 to 7.,9. #e will need you to sign up for a computer ahead of time which you can do via the schooloffice and you will be epected to sign up to an &cceptable :se &greement0 the office staff will be able to helpyou with this or answer any ;uestions you may have

!&r New Email A%%ress$f you need to email us then please use our new email address1 admin1-6amand then between 51-6271-6. $f you need to contact the school out of these hours then you are welcome toleave an answer phone message which we will action. Please be reassured that if it is of an urgent naturethen we will deal with it/contact you immediately0 the answer phone will be checked throughout the day.

Absence %&e to appointments$f your child has a medical/dentist appointment then please advise us in writing0 we would also appreciate acopy of the medical appointment letter. Thank you.

Chil%ren)s CommitteesThis year we will be running the following committees1 eco warriors community and library0 all 3"5 children arewelcome to apply. $n order to do this they need to obtain an application form either from their class or theschool office.

The charity committee will run this year through the school council0 children are voted onto this by their peers.

Peer Me%iation * Play "ea%er Cl&b'r =ansen and 'rs ough will be running a Peer 'ediation and Play ?eader Club after school on Tuesdays0this is open to children in 8ear 7 and above. To apply children also need to complete an application formwhich again is obtainable from their class or the school office. The maimum number of children they can takeis ,@ but if we have lots of children who wish to *oin the club then we will open the club up to new children in

=anuary. The children will be advised if they have been successful and will be invited to an introduction to theclub on Tuesday 5,stctober (-1,9pm to 7166pm). The club will then run from Tuesday 7thAovember toTuesday ,@thDecember. $f you have any ;uestions about this club then please do feel free to speak to us atschool.

No N&ts=ust to remind you and to let our new parents know we are have a A A:T" policy as we have children inschool who are severely allergic. Therefore please can you ensure that any food brought into school includingclass birthday treats do not include nuts (including traces of). Thank you

+ater ,ottles$f your child has received a replacement water bottle this term we would be grateful if you can send B,.96 intothe school office. $f your child needs a replacement water bottle then *ust pop into the school office and theycan provide you with one. &ll our new children will be provided with their first one. Thank you

School ,lo( an% E-ents) Calen%arur websitewww.minchschoolblogs.net is developing well but there is still work to do. #e are having a slightblogging issue with our class blogs as some of our blog entries are randomly disappearing. Please bearwith us 8ou can now keep up to date with important dates for trips visits events etc. by checking out ourevents calendar from the homepage. This will be regularly updated. #e also now have our own Twitteraccount


3/4

collected by a friend of yours you must let the office know every time as we cannot let your child go withanyone else unless you have advised us.

Please can all parents who do not collect their children and have a weekly routine whereby their child iscollected by someone else e.g. a child minder 'ighty aks family member write a letter confirming thesearrangements and give it to the school office by +riday ,> th"eptember.

$f you are running late then please call the school to advise us0 your child(ren) will wait for you by the schooloffice. #hen you arrive it is imperative that you let the office know you are taking your child(ren).

Children in 8ear 7 and above may walk home with your agreement but we do need a letter from you confirmingthis is the case.

Thank you.

Chan(es to yo&r contact %etailsPlease ensure you keep us informed of any changes to your or your childrens details e.g. medical informationmobile number address etc.

Chil%ren)s Me%ical Nee%s#ith the new term starting please ensure you send in any inhalers and medicine for your child(ren)0 ensuringthey are in date. $f there any changes to their medical condition(s) it is imperative you advise our +irst &id Co2

ordinator "ara =ones0 you can contact her via the school office. Please note most medicines which were notcollected at the end of term as re;uested were taken to the pharmacy to be disposed of.

Absent Chil%ren$f your children are not due to come to school for any reason e.g. poorliness please ensure you phone theschool by >1-6am at the very latest.

#e now have an answerphone service for absenteeism0 please ensure you state why your child is away and ifthey are poorly what is specifically wrong with them. This is very important as it enables us to trackbugs/viruses or notifiable diseases.

Nailsworth otaryin( P&llsAailsworth otary who ran the recent poetry competition is collecting ring pulls on behalf of The PhilippineCommunity +und and would like our help. The ring pulls are sent to the Philippines where they are made intobeautiful handbags and purses. These are then sold in the :3 and the profits are used to help feed educateand create a brighter future for the Philippine children.Please can you send in any ring pulls (from canned drinks baked bins)0 there is a container by the office.Thank you

PTA #N$!MAT#!N

PTA Secon% Han% /niorm SaleThe PT& is running a school uniform sale w/c ,9 th"eptember as there have been ;uite a few re;uests foruniform

$t will run from 'onday lunchtime to +riday afternoon. They welcome donations of any uniform your childrenhave grown out of0 this includes club uniform e.g. Erownies Cubs football kits (clean).

$ree'er wante%The PT&s free4er is no longer fit for purpose0 if anyone has a small free4er that they are happy to donate thenplease let the office know. Thank you.

M#NCH#NHAMPT!N NE+S

Cotswol% Care HospiceThe hospice is always looking for fun and inspiring ways to raise money to help people with a life2limiting

illness. "o they are delighted to let you know about their+lyingColoursun. The+lyingColoursunis beingheld at5emble Airport on S&n%ay th !ctober at 12noonand includes a 9k fun run and,k?ittlePaintDashfor children aged @ and under. They will be letting us have some fliers to go out in the bookbags but in the meantime you can look at their website0 http1//www.cotswoldcare.org.uk
http://www.cotswoldcare.org.uk/http://www.cotswoldcare.org.uk/


4/4

Mi(hty !a6sEreakfast Club1'ighty aks Ereakfast Club has opened and has already got children every day. Children can be dropped offat the 'inchinhampton "cout hut from Fam. & variety of cereals are available until F1-6am. &t F176am thegroup walks to 'inchinhampton "chool. %n;uire tomiles

newsletter 1 12th september 2014

Documents