4th December 2009

4th December 2009

Dear Parents and Carers,

IMPORTANT - Supervision Before School and Site Security

Due to new guidance from Ofsted, the school is reviewing all practices regarding site security.

Responding to a number of immediate concerns, can I clarify the following –

Although the school does it’s best to provide supervision in the playground between 8.45 and 8.55, this cannot be guaranteed. The care and safety of learners must remain the responsibility of parents and carers, until children enter the school with their class at 8.55.
Adults can only enter the building through the main school entrance (with the exception of parents escorting their children into the Reception class). Please do not ask any members of staff or children to let you in through any other entrance.

Although we still strive to be a welcoming school, these measures obviously mean that we will be restricting access to the school building, to those who have been authorised by a member of staff. These measures are in place to ensure –

a) We can account for all persons on premises (in the event of a fire or other emergencies)
b) Nobody is in school who might pose a risk to children

Further updates regarding safety and safeguarding will be in the newsletter soon.

School Attendance – The following classes achieved over 95% attendance last week –Mr Sherwin’s class (for the 3rd week), Mrs Joseph’s class (for the 2nd week) and Mr Conlon’s class (for the 2nd week) with 100%!!!

Swine Flu - We have some children who are absent from school due to ‘flu like symptoms’. The latest advice regarding swine flu is that for most people it will be a mild illness that can be managed by resting, drinking plenty of fluids and taking paracetamol. If you have another health problem, or are concerned, you can ring the National Pandemic Flu Service on:
0800 1513 513 for information, or
0800 1513 100 for treatment.

Claiming for Free School Meals - If you are in receipt of Income Support or certain benefits your child is entitled to free school meals. To claim, please complete a form available from the school office. You will need to show us proof of your entitlement and then we will do the rest!

Dean Field Study Centre - The December instalment for the Dean Field trip is now due. If you are paying by cheque please make it payable to Bristol City Council.

Sickness - If your child is absent, please telephone the school before 9.30am to let the office know the reason.

PTFA Book Fair - Thank you to all who supported the book fair last week. We raised a massive £564 worth of books for the school.

Tree Planting - Come and plant a TREE (and break a world record) at Ridgeway Playing Fields, Hillfields. Meet at Foundry Lane entrance on Fri 4th December and Sat 5th December, 10am - 4pm. For more details see http://www.treebristol.com/ or phone 0117 352 5638

Celebration Assembly - There will be a celebration assembly on Monday 7th December, at 9.15am, and the following children will receive their headteachers award:- Aleena Vincent, Aaron Tarr, Stan Smith, Maciej Oledski, Jakub Wawrowski and George Stenner.

Dates for Diaries

Tuesday 8th December - Middle Primary (Y3/4) Mass in Church
Friday 11th December - PTFA Christmas Disco
Tuesday 15th December - Later Primary (Y5/6) Mass in Church
Tuesday 15th December (2.30pm) - Reception Class Nativity
Wednesday 16th December (9.30am) - Reception Class Nativity
Wednesday 16th December - Infant Christmas Party
Thursday 17th December - Carol Service
Friday 18th December (9.30am) - End of Term Mass
Friday 18th December - Mass and end of Term 2
Monday 4th January - Start of Term 3
Monday 18th January - INSET DAY – Child Protection Training

Best wishes
Matt Condon, Headteacher