!6th September 2011

Dear Parents and Carers,

Mass for Catholic Education

This special Mass is at 7pm on Wednesday the 21st September 2011 at Clifton Cathedral. The Mass is being led by Bishop Declan and you are all invited to join us for this special celebration.

Friendship Month

This month we are focussing on exploring with the children what makes good friendship. In assembly children have been using our ‘Tree of Friendship’ to record how they have been friends in school with all children. The School Council will be working with me next week to write clear guidance for any child who has a problem, so they know how to get help.

Religious Education

Our current topic in RE is Creation. In this topic children throughout the school will be learning from the Old Testament about God as creator and how God protects and cares for His universe. Children will also be reflecting on the talents they have been given by God and how they can use them to celebrate his creation.

Curriculum

Topic overviews for the whole school autumn term will be sent home early next week.

The Dahlicious Dress Up Day

On Friday 30th September it will be a ‘Dress Up Day’ in aid of seriously ill children. You pay £1.00 to dress up as one of Roald Dahl’s favourite characters – Witch will you choose?

Dean Field Study Centre

If you have not paid your July instalment of £30, could you please do so by before the end of next week. The next instalment of £30 is due on the 3rd October. If you are paying by cheque, please make it payable to Bristol City Council.

British Food Fortnight

Enjoy a school dinner from the 19th September until the 30th September and you could find the special sticker to win a perfect pencil case.

2012 New Parents Tour

Dates for the new parent’s tour for children starting in September 2012 are Friday 30th September, at 10.00am, or Monday 3rd October at 2.00pm. Please contact the school office if you have a child starting school next year, and you would like to have a look around.

Security – A reminder

For security reasons, when children arrive late we are unable to allow parents to escort their children to their classrooms. Children will be quite safe walking to classrooms by themselves.All adults who enter the school building (even just to go into the front office), must be signed in and given an identification badge by a member of staff. Any adult without authorised identification will be politely challenged. We still want to be friendly and welcoming but we have to ensure unauthorised adults do not enter the school.

Pupil/Parent Concerns

If you have any concerns regarding your child/children’s welfare at school, or their learning please contact the school office to arrange an appointment with their class teacher. As Headteacher, I am always available to discuss concerns if they of a very serious nature, or if you feel your concerns have not been addressed by the class teacher. Please contact Mrs. Slade if you would like to make an appointment to see me.

Jewellery

Children should not wear jewellery to school. This is increasingly becoming a problem when getting ready for PE lessons. Teachers have been spending a lot of PE time removing jewellery from children, so they do not injure themselves or others.

Please note: Children with pierced ears whose parents wish them to wear earrings must, for safety reasons, wear studs rather than other types of earrings. Children who wear earrings must remove (or tape) them for all PE and sporting activities on Health and Safety grounds.

After School Clubs

Unfortunately fencing has been cancelled this term, but we hope to resume next term.ALSO, if your child attends one of our after school clubs, please could you inform the school if your child will not be attending for any reason. This is for the safety of the children and also ensures that clubs can start promptly and all children are accounted for.

Attendance

May I remind parents that if their child is absent they telephone the school so a message can be given to the class teacher. If we are continually contacting parents with regard to their child’s absence, I have no alternative but to mark the pupil’s absence as unauthorised which could result in the Education Welfare Officer being informed who will take further action. Also could you please make sure your child is in school by the time the bell goes at 8.55am as we currently have too many children arriving late for school.

Celebration Assembly

There will be a celebration assembly on Monday 19th September at 9.10am where the following children will receive their Headteachers award:
Mackenzie Sawers, Thomas Jaworski, Micah Gayle, Charlotte Petrie, Grace Stepaniuk, and Erin Brooks.

Please look at the school BLOG as there is lots of new photos of learning from the first couple of weeks of school.

Dates for Diaries

Wednesday 21st September - Mass for Catholic Education at Clifton Cathedral
Thursday 22nd September - Mrs Ford & Mr Sherwin’s Class visit Playspace
Friday 23rd September - Special Ethiopian Assembly
Friday 30th September - Dahlicious Dress Up Day
Tuesday 4th October - Individual Photographs
Wednesday 5th October - Y6 visit to the Synagogue
Thursday 13th October - Parents’ Evening 4.00-6.30pm
Tuesday 18th October - Parents’ Evening 4.00-6.00pm
Friday 14th October - SING UP Platinum Celebration
Friday 21st October - End of term 1
Monday 31st October - Start of term 2
Friday 16th December - End of term 2