- Dear
Parents
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- Now
that the dust of the first week back has settled, there is time to pause
and enjoy all the changes that have happened to the school since last
July. I am sure all of you have noticed that the external appearance of
the school is lighter, brighter and fresher. The doors and the woodwork
in the primary block have all been re-painted and gone is the dark and
rather forbidding green that had been there for some years. In its place
we have a colour that co-ordinates with the secondary section and
emphasises visually what those of us who work here already know – that
the primary and secondary sections form one school, and work together
for the benefit of all the children in our care.
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- The
area behind the school has also been transformed. Gone are the piles of
disused and rundown furniture and in their place is a re-organised and
pleasant space where the primary children can eat their meals in a
civilised way! The new meal time arrangements are working well and it is
good to see the older primary children helping the younger ones –
developing a sense of responsibility and caring for others are aims
firmly embedded in our teaching.
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- The
Foundation 1 and Foundation 2 classrooms were also the subject of an
overhaul and look a great deal better for it. Again, they look brighter,
fresher and altogether pleasanter places in which teachers and children
can work.
-
- But
when it comes to transformations, the library wins. The re-furbishing
that took place over the summer holidays has produced an altogether
different working environment. For me, a library and the printed and
electronic information systems it offers, remains core to the learning
process in school. In a rapidly changing world, lifelong education is no
longer an empty rallying cry – it is an essential tool for living.
Providing our children with the skills to access and use information
remains a vital part of their education.
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- All of
these changes, and cumulatively they are very significant, would have
been impossible without the hard work and dedication of the team that
supervised them and carried them out. Warm thanks go, therefore, to Elis,
Jumat, Illih and Anthony. I would also like to thank the Board for
approving, and particularly Andrew Walker for supervising, the
refurbishment of the library. Mrs Wickham and Ms Fox had a big input in
overseeing the changes to the Foundation Stage areas. These things only
happen if people spend a great deal of time and energy making them
happen – and the results of the summer’s labours are now there for
all to see.
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- Topic
Talks
- It was
good to see so many parents at the Topic Talks this week. My apologies
are due, however, for the omission of the precise timing of the talks
from last week’s newsletter. I hope no-one was inconvenienced by my
oversight.
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- Dates
- All
parents have a copy of the term dates and the Academic Year calendar (if
you don’t, the Office can supply you with one). Here, additionally,
are some important dates for this term. I need to say that some of these
are provisional, as bookings have yet to be confirmed, so please
continue to read your weekly newsletter for any changes and updates.
- 18
September Foundation classes open morning for prospective parents
- 4
– 8 October
Primary Book Week
- 22
October Secondary grade cards issued
- 26,
27 October
Primary Parents’ Meetings
- 27–30
October
FOBISSEA conference
- 8
November Parent-Teacher
meetings for Years 7, 8 and 10
- 9
November House
Football Competition
- 10-16
November Hari
Raya, Half Term
- 2
December
Secondary grade cards
- 3
December
Primary Production
- 7
December
Swimming Gala
- 9
December
Touch Rugby House Competition (secondary only)
- 10
December Term ends.
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- Leaving
School Early
- Can I
please remind all parents that any child wanting to leave school early
will need a permission slip from their teacher to do so. The permission
slip should then be taken to the school office to exchange for an Exit
Pass. The guard has been instructed to ask for the Exit Pass and told
not to allow out anyone without an Exit Pass. This is an obvious safety
and security procedure which needs to be complied with. Please don’t
pressure the guard into short-circuiting it.
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- Reference
Books
- The
school has a number of books, both in the library and in the classrooms,
which are designated reference only. In exceptional circumstances these
may be borrowed overnight, but this will be an individual arrangement
that should be made through the class teacher.
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- Primary
Football Coaching Club
- Mr Leak
has kindly offered to run a primary football coaching session from 2.00
– 3.00 on Tuesdays. This is open to Years 3, 4, 5 and 6. He would like
to stress that this is a coaching session to improve skills.
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- Food
Stall
- The
food stall run by two Year 11 Business Studies students opened today.
Please ensure that your children have a little spending money to support
it next week. The aim is for the students to get some hands-on
entrepreneurial experience.
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- Have a
good weekend – and next week we will start the series of uninterrupted
weeks that extend until half term in November!
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- Best
wishes,
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