2005 / 06 Number 22 . July 7th 2006

Dear Parents,

We are nearing the end of term. Please take special care to read this newsletter as it contains all the details of the final events of the term and lots more besides !!

Annual Reports

You should receive an envelope containing your child’s report and various enclosures today. We would really appreciate having as many completed questionnaires as possible before the end of term.These will be used as part of our School Self Evaluation In-Service day at the beginning of next term.

Staff News

Your report contains details of the arrangements for next year’s classes. All the teachers are remaining with the same year groups and the children will move on in their existing class groups. There are some changes to tell you about amongst the support staff.

Steve Horn will be leaving his position as caretaker at the end of term. Steve has been an amazing support to us, caring for the building and grounds. He has really improved standards in this area and been responsible for lots of redecoration and many special features such as the beautiful totem pole and sign post outside. Steve took over the post at a moments notice 18 months ago and I cannot thank him enough for all he has done. Hopefully a replacement will be found before the end of term but his will be difficult shoes to fill !!!

Julie Price has been supporting two children who are moving to the junior school. As she and her family are planning to move away from Bath in the near future Julie will be leaving us at the end of term although we may see her for a short while in September. Julie too has been a fantastic member of our team.

Ann Cochrane has also been supporting a child in Year 2. Ann will be working in year 1 from September.

As our Breakfast Club is closing at the end of term we will also be saying goodbye to John Harrington and Carol Taylor as play leader and play worker. They have both been fantastic in these roles and I know that those of you who have used the club appreciate the lovely start they have provided for the children in the early mornings. John will continue in his other role working with one of the children who will be in Year 2

End of term assembly : Tuesday July 25^th

You are welcome to join us at 10am for a short assembly to say goodbye and good luck to these adults.

If you would like to contribute to a small gift for each of them please send your donation in an envelope marked ‘Goodbye’ by Friday July 21^st .

Sports Morning : Tuesday July 11^th. 10.00am

You are welcome to come and support your child’s team as they compete in a variety of simple sports challenges from 10.00am onwards. If you have more than one child in school they will be in the same team. Lists of the teams will be posted on the playground and we will continue the World Cup theme naming our teams after some of the more successful countries. A full P.E. kit including shorts and T.shirt, daps or trainers will be needed by all children. Being optimistic about the weather, please make sure your child has a sun cap or hat and apply sun block before they come to school.

Each child will also need a named and filled water bottle in school for the refreshment break.

If it is raining at the start of school we will have to postpone and try again on the morning of Friday July 14^th.

On a safety note, we will be setting out apparatus before 10.00am. Pre-school children are welcome but please keep them with you at all times and do not allow them on play on any apparatus

Class Photographs

All orders received so far have been collected by the photographer today. You may still order copies by post or via the internet. See the proof for details.

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Leavers’ Performance : The Jolly Postman

This year we have decided to hold two ‘leavers’ performances for Year 2 parents on Tuesday 18^th July starting at 10am and at 1.45pm on Wednesday 19^th July in the school hall. Hopefully this will mean that it won’t be quite such a squash as in previous years. To help us please could you indicate on the lists inside the blue doors which performance you would like to attend and how many will be coming. The children are planning to make you some special tickets so please come along and be specially entertained to mark the end of the children’s time in the infants’ school. Cold drinks will be served afterwards on the grass if fine (otherwise in the hall).

Leavers’ Lunch : Thursday July 20^th

This will be a special lunch for all Year 2 children. Mandy will prepare their favourite menu of pizza and chips followed by ice cream as a treat which we will serve in the school hall. We would like everyone to complete the attached form to let us know whether you require a special lunch or will be bringing sandwiches. Please return the form by next Friday (July 14^th) Payment (£1.50) should be made on Monday July 17^th. It would really help us if all parents could return the form on time.

Leavers’ Party : Thursday July 20^th

Te leavers’ party will follow on from the lunch during the afternoon until 4.00pm. All Year 2 children may wear ‘party’ clothes for the day but please remember that they will still need to go out to play and be doing normal activities during the morning.

The party will end in the school hall with games, refreshments and a short disco organised by the staff. Every child will leave with a memento of their time in the infants’ school.

Please pick up promptly at 4.00pm from outside the main entrance.

Anti Bullying Working Party

This group has met several times and we have now completed our new ‘Anti Bullying’ Policy which has been approved by the governors. We have decided that it would be better to send this home at the beginning of the new school year . The group has also produced a leaflet for the children. In the meantime if any current Y2 parents would like a copy please let Mrs Claridge know.

Returning Books

It is vital that all reading , bedtime and library books are returned to school by Friday 21^st July.

Please have a really good look for any books that belong to us and send them back in.

We need to stock check and ‘weed out’ worn out titles.

Now is also a good time to check that your child’s book bag is in good order for September.

Read With Me

All reception parents (Red and Green Classes) were lent a book called ‘Read With Me.’ We now need these to be returned so that they can be used by next year’s YR parents. All the books were numbered so we will be chasing them up !!

Sainsburys Active Kids

The total number of tokens collected was just under 20,000 which has enabled us to send off for lots of things to improve active play for all the children. We have particularly looked at improving the reception play areas. So thank you to everyone who has collected the tokens for us and also to Mrs Owen, Mrs Pristo and Mrs Newman who have counted all 20,000 tokens up – no mean feat !!

School Sports Questionnaire Winner !

Well done Rudy Thomas in Purple Class who has won the Crazy Golf prize. We hope you enjoy it.

School Travel Plan News

bCongratulations to Blue Class who had the highest ‘WOW factor’ for June with 81 % and were also the most improved class.

bWe have now heard that our Travel Plan has been approved. This means that we have a grant to spend on various projects. We have already ordered scooter and bike racks so hopefully parking will be neat and tidy in the future. In the meantime please continue to follow our Scooter Code of Conduct.

bAn officer from B&NES visited school this week to look at the way parking is organised in Dorset Close. He is recommending zig zag school lines along the frontage of the school and will be looking into improving the general parking situation. I have stressed that we do recognise that some of you need to travel by car but that we want to make the area as safe as possible for our children.

bTo this end I am contacting Bath Press to remind them of our agreement that lorries should not be in Dorset Close at drop off and pick up times, as I understand that this has been a problem again recently.

School Dinners September 06

There will be a rise in the cost of school meals in September to £1.70 per day (£8.50 per week)

Please remember to pay for school meals on a Monday and to use a clearly named envelope or purse stating which days meals are required.

We will send home details of next term’s menus at the beginning of the Autumn term.

Food in School Working Group

As part of our work towards maintaining Healthy School’s Status we need to look at the whole issue of food and nutrition in school including the promotion of healthy lunch boxes. Following the success of the Anti Bullying group it was felt that this was another area where broad representation from the whole school community would be beneficial. If you would like to be involved please let Mrs Claridge know. We will probably meet on Friday afternoons from 2.00 to 3.00pm about twice per term.

Furniture Available

We have a number of brown plastic chairs ( which used to be in the canteen). If you would like any of them or know of any community groups that can use them please let us know.

Sun Smart Leaflets and Sun Dial Tags

A Sun Smart leaflet is included for all families. We have also been told by one our parents that Thomson Travel Agents are giving away useful Sun Dial tags which show you when your child has been out in the sun too long.

PTA Table Top Sale : Friday 14^th July

The PTA are holding a Table Top Sale next Friday from 2.30 to 3.30pm in the playground (or hall if weather is poor). There are 8 tables for sale, 3 of which are already taken. All we ask is a small donation to PTA funds. This is a good chance to have a good clear out and make a bit of money for those summer holiday treats !! Alternatively come along and grab a bargain !

The Reading Mission

Please see the special bookmark for details of this event being run by the local libraries to encourage all children to continue reading over the summer holiday. There is also a flier detailing other holiday events. Please note that a ticket is required for all events for which a charge is being made. These will be available from July 15^th from the library where the event is to take place.

Fun August Activities (organised by the Time Bank and Community Café)

Kung Fu for Kids ~ every Wednesday from July 26^th until August 30^th at Southdown Methodist Church Hall, The Hollow . Ages 6 to 10 from 2pm to 3pm and ages 11 to 15 from 3pm to 4pm. The cost is only £1 per child per session payable on the door. There are a maximum of 20 kids per class.

Street Safe for All Ages ~ fun self defence on Friday 28^th July 10.30 am to 12.30pm. Learn how to keep yourself safe on the street, how to defend yourself and against what kinds of things. It’s free ! Also at Southdown Methodist Church. Only 15 places available.

Cookery for Kids ~ on Tuesdays 1^st, 8^th and 15^th August from 1pm to 3pm at the Community Café in Southdown Methodist Church Hall. For kids aged 6 to 12. Parents can accompany if they wish. It’s free ! There are only 12 places.

To book places for any of these please contact Sarah Bird at the Time Bank on 442813

Once again I apologise for such a long missive and all the extra bits and pieces. I hope to see you all at tomorrow’s summer fair. Fingers crossed for dry weather as I’m sure it will be a great event.

Yours sincerely,

Jo Claridge

Headteacher

Dates for the rest of term

Saturday July 8^th School Summer Fair 12noon to 2pm

Tuesday July 11^th Sports Morning

Friday July 14^th Reserve Sports Morning in case of poor weather.

Thursday July 13^th Y1 Story Telling day at Prior Park

Tuesday July 18^th Leavers’ Performance 10 am

Wednesday July 19^th Leavers’ Performance 1.45 pm

Thursday July 20^th Leavers’ lunch and party

Tuesday July 25^th Special Assembly at 9.30am. Last day of term.

IN SERVICE DAYS : September 06

A reminder that the first two days of Term 1 , Monday 4^th September and Tuesday 5^th September will be in service days. School will re open to Years 1 and 2 on Wednesday September 6^th.

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Leavers’ Lunch

Year 2 Leaver’s Lunch : Thursday July 20^th

I would like my child

_____________________(name)_________________(class)

to have the Y2 Leaver’s Lunch

Please note the meal

to bring a packed lunch will be suitable for vegetarians.

I will send £1.50 on Monday July 17^th .

Signed ______________________ parent / carer

Please return to the class teacher by Friday 14^th July .