Dear Parents/Carers,Dear Parents/Carers,Dear Parents/Carers,Dear Parents/Carers,

I hope that our Hindu families have had an enjoyable Diwali and a happy New Year. On Saturday 5th November we were very honoured to welcome his Excellency the Romanian Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Britain and Ireland, Mr Dan Mihalache and the Mayor of Harrow, Her Worship, Councillor Rekha Shah to our Romanian celebration. In addition, we were pleased to see so many councillors at the event, including Mr Navin Shah, Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow and Councillor Kendler who was instrumental in arranging the event. I want to extend a big thank you to Mr Ovidiu Sarpe, owner of Patisserie Romana, for contributing so generously to the occasion.

Stag Lane Junior School NEWSLETTER

“Where Children Come First”

2016 Issue 5 Ar�cle 3 of the

UNCRC:

Everyone who works with children should always do what is best for each child.

Celebra�on to Mark the Alliance Between Romania and England in World War 1 Ar�cles 30 Children have a right to learn and use the language and customs of their families

BEST BEST BEST BEST

ATTENDANCEATTENDANCEATTENDANCEATTENDANCE

Week Beginning

31st October 3H/4V—100%

Week Beginning

7th November 6C/6L—100%

Well Done!

This was a very successful event organised by 3 members of staff, Miss Florina Ducra, Mrs Madalina Ivan, Mrs Alina Tatu and one of our parent governors, Mrs Maria Ursachi. I would like to thank them particularly for their hard work and enthusiasm in enabling this event to happen. Additionally, I want to thank the parents who supported them by giving up their time to come in and rehearse with the children after school and in the school holidays. Our Romanian parents were very generous and there was so much food available on the day; thank you very much. Lastly I wish to thank the children in particular, they were Amazing and we are really proud of them. If you would like to see more photos of the celebration, please look on our website.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Wednesday 16th November

Year 5 - South America Day

Friday 18th November

Maths challenge

Monday 21st - Friday 25th November

Year 6 trip to Norfolk/Year 6 Activity Week

Monday 21st November

Year 6 trip to the London Transport Museum

4V/4B Visit to Regents Park Mosque

Tuesday 22nd November

Year 6 visit to the RAF Museum

Tuesday 22nd—24th November

Magistrates visit for Yr5

Thursday 1st December

5R /5P visit to the Affinity Water Centre

Friday 2nd December

5P/5B Visit to the Affinity Water Centre

Class AssembliesClass AssembliesClass AssembliesClass Assemblies

Friday 18th November 4B

Friday 2nd December 5C

Please note that due to the close

proximity of the Christmas Show in

which our Year 3 children will be

performing, the planned class

assembly for 3H has been postponed

and will now take place on Thursday

9th February. Sorry for any

inconvenience this may cause.

Just a reminder that we hold our Just a reminder that we hold our Just a reminder that we hold our Just a reminder that we hold our

class assemblies on a Friday class assemblies on a Friday class assemblies on a Friday class assemblies on a Friday

afternoon starting at 1.30 p.m. afternoon starting at 1.30 p.m. afternoon starting at 1.30 p.m. afternoon starting at 1.30 p.m.

We believe it is important for the children to wear the correct school uniform to help establish the right atmosphere for learning and to encourage them to take pride in their appearance.

This is a reminder that the correct uniform comprises a white shirt/blouse and tie or a blue polo shirt, a blue V neck or round neck jumper with school logo and black or grey trousers/skirt. Please note that white polo shirts are not part of school uniform and therefore should not be worn under jumpers. Additionally, navy blue skirts or cardigans are not official school colours. If your child is wearing boots please send in a pair of shoes for them to change into in school.

I would also like to remind parents that with the exception of small stud earrings or a watch, jewellery should not be worn to school and that the school will take no responsibility should it be lost or stolen. Letters will be sent home to parents of children who are not in the correct uniform or are wearing items of jewellery to school. Thank you for your support. Please note we currently have lots of lost property (unnamed!).

School Uniform

Please note that school uniform is available for sale from Mrs Cook in the Welfare Room from Monday to Friday between 8.30 to 9 a.m. only.

However, if you are unable to come in to school at this time you will be able to complete an order form and make a payment at the main reception who will arrange for the items to be sent home with your child the following day.

Dropping off Children too EarlyDropping off Children too EarlyDropping off Children too EarlyDropping off Children too Early

Despite being mentioned in previous newsletters, we are still concerned about the number of children arriving to school well before the gate opens at 8.30 a.m. when staff are available to supervise. Your child’s welfare and safety is paramount to us and therefore it is important that they do not arrive before 8.30 a.m. as they are vulnerable whilst waiting outside on the pavement.

The only children to arrive before this time should be children using the Breakfast Club which starts at 8 o’clock. If you would like your child to attend our Breakfast Club please inform a member of staff in our school office. There is a small charge of 50p per morning and the club can be used on an as and when basis as long as your child has been registered to attend. This is a much safer option.

Parent SurveyParent SurveyParent SurveyParent Survey

I would like to thank those parents who took the time to complete the questionnaire at our Parents’ Meeting which took place earlier on in the term. Your views and suggestions are always very important to us so that we can make improvements and changes to the way we operate. Please see the results listed below:

We recently sent home a flyer with information regarding our new school app. It is free and easy to download to all parents who have android or smart phones and is part of our schools commitment to improving communication between parents and school, something highlighted in our recent parent survey.

The benefits of the app to you as a parent are;

• To receive instant notifications and reminders sent by school, such as mufti days, club cancellations or updates on school trips arriving back at school.

• It is an easy way to access the newsletter or other important letters that we send home from school

• Instant access to the school calendar and important dates.

Parent Survey Responses – October 2016

Question Agree Disagree No replies

1 My child feels safe in the classroom. 221 100% 0 0% 4 1%

2 My child feels safe in the playground. 216 99% 3 1% 6 2%

3 My child is making good progress at this

school.

214 98% 5 2.% 6 2%

4 The homework meets my child’s need. 201 96% 10 4% 14 6%

5 I know about the RRSA and what it stands

for.

169 92% 25 11% 31 13%

6 There is a good standard of behaviour at

this school.

204 98% 5 2% 16 7%

7

This school deals with any cases of bully-

ing effectively. (Bullying includes persis-

tent name calling, cyber, racist and homo-

phobic bullying).

194 96% 11 4% 20 8%

8 This school helps me to support my child’s

learning.

212 99% 3 1% 10 4%

9 This school responds well to my concerns. 208 100% 1 0% 16 7%

10 This school keeps me well informed. 210 99% 3 1% 12 5%

11 I find the website clear and easy to use. 205 97% 8 3% 12 5%

12 I would recommend this school to another

parent.

208 100% 1

0% 16 7%

We were very pleased with the response and positive comments we received and will discuss these further with our Governing Body and the Parent Forum.

Here are some of the comments we received;

• A well organised school

• The homework and safety measures are excellent

• Some parents are unclear about the RRSA

• Parking problems

• Dumping of rubbish outside the school

* Q12 (parent unable to recommend as her child has not been at Stag Lane long enough) * Q12 (parent unable to recommend as her child has not been at Stag Lane long enough) * Q12 (parent unable to recommend as her child has not been at Stag Lane long enough) * Q12 (parent unable to recommend as her child has not been at Stag Lane long enough)

Leading Parent Partnership Award Feedback from the Parent Survey

As you are aware we are very keen to further our partnership with our parents and the purpose of the recent questionnaire was to gather your views about various aspects of school life.

One of the areas that a higher number of parents said they were unaware of was the Rights Respecting School Award (RRSA)

In the last 6 years the school has been committed to ensuring that the rights of the child are always at the heart of everything we do. Our policies, assemblies, curriculum etc. are based on our beliefs that children have a right to an education, the right to be safe and their talents encouraged and promoted. Our vision for your child is based on the Rights of the Child philosophy:

At Stag Lane Junior School our vision is that our children will become confident, motivated,

lifelong learners who will be able to communicate effectively in an ever-changing

multicultural world. As adults they will be innovative, creative decision makers, who make

positive contributions to society, apply and peacefully defend human rights and strive for in-

tegrity, well-being and global justice.

The School has achieved Level 2 of the RRSA, which is a prestigious award. We are now ready for re-accreditation so we are ensuring that our new pupils and parents understand these rights. Please be assured that by upholding the rights of your child we are not promoting the idea that they do whatever they want. This is not the case.

Article 18 Both parents share responsibility for bringing up their children, and should always consider what is best for

each child.

Parents have to do what’s best for their child so if your child quotes the rights to you, remind them of this fact and that you are responsible for their safety and well being. However, most of our children understand that they have to uphold every child’s rights as well as their own and we are proud of the fact that they respect one another and behave well. We are always being complimented about their behaviour by visitors or when they have been on an outing.

We will hold parents information sessions over the next few months to help you understand the process better. In order to be re-accredited a few parents will be interviewed.

Here are some of the comments on the questionnaire:

Rubbish around the school area x3

The rubbish left around the school makes it unpleasant when we walk to school. Other than that I am pleased with

the teaching methods.

Not getting regular letters by email, would prefer written letters

Better arrangements needed for parking, Poor parking by some parents as they don’t seem to be aware of the

children

More equipment on playground

More H/W clubs after school

No notice about school photos although I did receive an apology

Could the website show the current homework that has been set for maths and English just in case a pupil writes

down the wrong page by accident

The homework and safety measures are excellent.

We will share the comments with the Parent Forum and feedback to parents as soon as this is completed. Please do come along to the Forum on Friday 2nd December at 2.15 to help us plan for the future.