ST NICHOLAS SCHOOL NEWSLETTER TERM 3 3

St Nicholas School

Newsletter

10 February 2017

HEAD TEACHER’S NEWS

During Term 3 we have said goodbye and thank you to Louise Weaver (Cedar Class) and Ros Mockridge (Acorns Class) as their contracts have now ended. We are pleased that both of them are staying on as Supply Teaching Assistants. At the start of next term we will also be saying goodbye to Debs Nevill. Debs is currently working at Poplar College but has been part of St Nicholas School for the last 10 years. We would like to thank her for her hard work and commitment to the pupils at the school and college, and wish her every happiness and success in the future in her imminent move to Wales.

Ms Ros Way, Head Teacher

EDUCATION FUNDING As you will have seen in the news all schools in the country are urging the government to raise education funding. This is

because the education budget has been capped while school expenses have considerably increased. Part of the government response has been to consult on the introduction of a new fairer funding formula for mainstream schools, which so far has not improved Wiltshire’s place as one of the lowest funded authorities. As the consultation on the format for high needs funding is still underway Ros and the governors decided to invite the Chippenham MP, Michelle Donalan, to visit the school and discuss our concerns about the situation. Michelle was very understanding of the issues we raised, and undertook to feed them back to the Parliamentary Education Sub-committee, identifying with us the importance of giving our children a quality education that will prepare them for the future.

If you would like to contribute to the high needs consultation you can do so through the DfE Citizen Space http://consult.education.gov.uk Meanwhile please be assured that Ros and the governors are working hard to manage the budget effectively in the best interest of the pupils. Aileen Bates Chair of Governors

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

TD DATES 2016-2017 (Please remember school is shut to all pupils)

Wednesday 15th March 2017 Monday 5th June 2017

COFFEE SHOP DATES 10.15 – 11.15am

Tuesday 21st March 2017 Tuesday 16th May 2017 Tuesday 20th June 2017

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Please ring school on the day to check Coffee Shop is still going ahead.

POPLAR COLLEGE COFFEE SHOP DATES All 10.30 – 11.30 am Tuesday 4th April 2017 Tuesday 23rd May 2017

DOCTORS CLINICS Thursday 2nd March 2017 Monday 27th March 2017

TOILETING CLINIC Friday 24th February 2017 Friday 17th March 2017

WHEELCHAIR CLINIC Friday 3rd March 2017 Friday 5th May 2017 Friday 7th July 2017

PARENTS GROUP 9.30 – 11.00 am Wednesday 22nd March 2017 with Steve Hill from LD Nursing “Who LD Nurses are and what they can do for you” Wednesday 10th May 2017 Wednesday 28th June 2017

SEND LEAD WORKERS We have had a request from the Parents Group for SEND Lead Worker information, as follows: Reception to Year 3 – Lisa Robinson: tel. 01225 713838 Year 4 to Year 9 – Sheena Hurst, tel. 01225 712520 Year 10+ Gerald Campbell, tel. 01249 709439

OTHER DATES 22nd February 2017 – There will be a visit to school by a Roman Soldier 2nd March 2017 – World Book Day – Pupils are welcome to come into school dressed up as a book character, of their choice

ABBEYFIELD SCHOOL Three pupils from Beech class attended an All Active Academy morning at Abbeyfield school.

The pupils had squash, made smoothies and fruit pots and took part in archery. Allison Husband, Beech Class

DR MARTIN’S OFFICE The new telephone number for Dr Martin’s secretary is: 0333 321 0021. This is the number to ring if you have any concerns re your child/young person. Also – if you need a repeat prescription for Melatonin or other medication that Dr Martin prescribes (please give minimum of 2 weeks’ notice for prescriptions). Sue Barnes, School Nurse

PROFESSIONALS MEETING In order to improve communication between the professionals working within the school, Dr Martin is holding a professionals meeting for all nurses, therapists etc. involved with your children on March 27th 2017. Every child in school will be discussed to find out who is involved and what they are doing for that child. We are hoping this will mean we have a better team around your child for the future. Sue Barnes, School Nurse

GREEN TREES SCHOOLS AWARD

St. Nicks are taking part in the Woodland Trust Green Tree Schools Award scheme. The scheme rewards schools for taking part in environmental projects and encouraging children to learn and develop in the outdoor environment. Schools are awarded points for completing projects and progress through bronze, silver, gold and platinum awards. At the moment we are well on our way to achieving the Bronze award.

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The Woodland Trust also donates free tree packs to schools. We have been lucky and the Trust is donating a pack of 30 trees and 30 hedges to support the development of a dedicated Forest School area within the school grounds. The trees and hedges are due to be delivered in early March. More information to follow as to how you can be involved in the great St. Nick’s tree planting event. Paula Rutherford, Acorns Class

ACORNS CLASS FOREST SCHOOL AREA The children in Acorns Class have been having great fun exploring the new Early Year’s Forest School area. We have a tent to shelter in, have a snack in and read stories; a mud kitchen to make yummy mud pies and planters where we have planted peas and herbs. We have two more planters yet to fill and sow flower seeds.

Luna filling the planter with compost

Ethan exploring the Forest School area

Our mud kitchen

Dante, Lincoln and Ollie exploring the mud kitchen.

Kade found a huge piece of ice and used it in his ‘cooking’. Paula Rutherford, Acorns Class

HORSE RIDING This term on a Thursday, Oak Class have been horse riding at Larkrise farm. Whilst many of the pupils have been before, for others it was a new experience. For those who are happy to ride, they have been working on improving their sitting position and even starting to trot. The visits have been a great success, with all the pupils (and staff) becoming much more confident around the horses. We will continue our weekly visits after half term and be sure to keep you updated on our progress.

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PASSENGER TRANSPORT It is Parents responsibility to inform Passenger Transport if transport is not needed in the morning or at the end of the day. Also to inform Passenger Transport when you bring your child late into school (e.g. after an appointment) and that transport is required at the end of the day for your child.

LOWER SCHOOL CELEBRATED CHINESE NEW YEAR Beech & Maple classes really enjoyed joining in with the celebrations.

There were lots of craft activities, food to taste, and music to listen to.

Beech & Maple Class

PINE CLASS PET

Pine Class have had lots of discussions around what type of pet would be suitable, including a visit to Pets At Home. We decided on a rabbit. We saw a Dwarf Lop – eared rabbit including cage and accessories advertised locally. Some of the pupils went to collect it on Tuesday Afternoon, and today we voted on her name. She is now called “Biscuit”. We were able to buy it with the money that was kindly given to Pine Class as a gift from Nancy, and money we raised from Christmas fayre. She is very soft and cuddly and the pupils love her.

CEDAR CLASS – SCIENCE These are some photos of the beans we have been growing in science.

We are doing this to look at different parts of plants and study the germination process. We are very proud of how they have grown.

Cedar Class

PHYSIO & OT CONTACT DETAILS Following on from the recent Parents group meeting, contact details for Physio and O.T are: Head of Therapies RUH (PT) Emily Graham: 01225 824220 Head of Therapies Virgin Care (OT) Julia Quartley: 01225 824220, 07976 755458 Physiotherapy: Tania Bromham: 07500 972693 Occupational Therapy: Ally Francis: 07976 857794

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Therapy Support: Claire Dore: 07788 334516

These can also be found on their new website: www.wiltshirechildrensservices.co.uk

ILLNESS Please can I ask that if your child is ill enough to require Paracetamol/Calpol, or have a temperature in the morning prior to school, that they remain at home. We have lots of infections within the classes, as we usually do at this time of year and would like to try and prevent them from spreading to our more vulnerable pupils. We appreciate your co-operation. Thank you Sue Barnes, School Nurse

PETS AS THERAPY DOG Daisy, the Pets as Therapy Dog, visited on Friday 3rd February. She had a lovely time meeting some of the pupils.

Some pupils even overcame their fear of dogs by brushing and stroking Daisy, as you can see in the pictures.

Some classes walked Daisy and others just sat and cuddled and talked to her.

Daisy is looking forward to coming back in next month. Sue Barnes, School Nurse

REMINDER Polite Request - How to notify us of a pupil absence If your child is not able to attend SCHOOL, THE BUNGALOW OR POPLAR COLLEGE can you please:

Telephone and leave a message on the SCHOOL answerphone BY 8.30am - tel: 01249 650435

Why do I need to do this? This information is required by 8.30am so that the School Office can organise the appropriate level of staffing for all three locations. For instance if a member of staff needs to work at the College instead of School they need time to travel there ready for the start of day at 9.00am.Your early notification by telephone will really make a difference and help us to plan staffing for the start of the day. Thank you in advance for your assistance with this.

ARTICLES FOR NEWSLETTER

If you would like any articles to

appear in our next letter, please email them for the attention of Suzanne Taylor

suzannetaylor@st-nicholas.wilts.sch.uk

We would like to point out that any article appearing in our newsletter in no way endorses any of the items, equipment, services or information featured

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