Dear Parent/Carer,

Welcome back

It was a real pleasure to welcome all the children back on Monday. They look well rested and ready for the new school year. I am delighted that they have all settled very well and school is a very calm and industrious place.

A special welcome to all the new parents joining us this year as their children start school in reception class. I am sure you will feel at home very soon and will get to know the staff and other families.

Welcome Meeting

Next week teachers and support staff will be holding brief welcome meetings. This will be an opportunity to meet them and provide information about the class routines and expectations for this year. The meetings will be at the following times:

Year 1: Monday 3.00-3.20pm

Year 2: Wednesday 3.00-3.20pm

Year 3: Wednesday 3.00-3.20pm

Year 4: Monday 3.00-3.20pm

Year 5: Tuesday 3.00-3.20pm

Year 6: Wednesday 3.00-3.20pm

If you are unable to attend the meeting please don’t worry, all the information discussed will be included in a welcome newsletter which will sent home with your child following the meetings.

Refurbishment

While you have been enjoying your holidays the school has been a hive of activity. We have refurbished Year 5 and 6 classrooms and the new multi-functional room. This room will be used for Extended School Club and a regular morning teaching group as well as teaching groups practical subjects like art, craft and cookery. You will also notice the main entrance has been refurbished and brightened up with new skylights.

New School Uniform

It has been lovely to see the children in their new uniform, they look very smart.

The school uniform shop will be open on Friday mornings from 9.00-9.30 for uniform supplies. Orders may also be placed with the school office. Cash or cheque payments will be accepted.

We are aware there have been some issues getting the pale blue PE T-shirt. It will be fine for children to wear white T-shirt and navy shorts this year. We will try to get some pale blue PE t-shirts in the school shop and will let you know if we are successful. Thank you for your patience with this.

PTFA

We have an active PTFA and they have some exciting plans for this year. The PTFA Annual General Meeting will take place on Friday 30^th September at 3.30 in the main hall. Please come along and find out how you can become involved in this friendly and welcoming group.

Extended School Club (ESC)

May I remind parents that the extended school club (ESC) now runs until 5.30pm daily.  If you have booked your child into ESC, you must ensure that the children are picked up promptly either by 5pm if a short session has been booked or 5.30pm if a long session has been booked.  There are occasionally unforeseen circumstances that keep you from being on time.  If this happens, please ensure that the school is informed.  However, we would remind parents that, if there is persistent lateness in collection, we will have no alternative but to cancel the place. 

For children not attending ESC the playground is supervised from 8.45am so please ensure children do not arrive before then. At the end of the school day we ask parents to leave by 3.45pm so that the school site can be secured.

Vacancy

There is a vacancy for a Receptionist/Administrative Assistant for the school office. The post is advertised on ‘eteach’. If you are interested in the post please visit the eteach website to find out more https://www.eteach.com.

Family Mass

This Sunday the 10 o’clock mass will be a family mass. All are welcome to join the mass and I look forward to seeing many of you there. I am hoping children from school will be leading many parts of the mass.

Clubs

We have a wide range of clubs running for children this term which we will tell all classes about on Monday. If your child would like to join a club they must ask for a letter from the relevant teacher and return the permission slip before next Friday (16^th September). All clubs will start in the week commencing 19^th September.

Some clubs will be provided by professional coaches and will incur a charge of £2.50 per week. Details of payment and term dates for these clubs will be included in the club letter.

School term dates 2016-17

Term 1                        1/9/16 – 21/10/16

Term 2                        31/10/16 – 16/12/16

Term 3                        3/1/17 - 10/2/17

Term 4                        20/2/17 – 7/4/17

Term 5                        24/4/17 – 26/5/17

Term 6                        5/6/17 – 21/7/17

We will inform parents of the dates of the remaining INSET days as soon as possible.

Celebration Assembly

There will be a celebration assembly on Monday 12^th September, where the following children will receive their headteacher’s award:  Dominic (Y1), Angel (Y1), Jan (Y2), Hugo (Y3), Anns (Y3), Janice (Y4), Jav (Y5), Amber (Y6), Charlie (Y6).

Dates for Diaries

Monday 12^th September                -           Welcome meeting Y1 and Y4 parents
                                                                       (3.00-3.30)

Tuesday 13^th September                -           Welcome meeting Y5 parents (3.00-3.30)

Wednesday 14^th September         -           Welcome meeting Y2, Y3 and Y6 parents

                                                                       (3.00-3.30)

Wednesday 21^st September          -           Full Governing Body Meeting (FGB)

                                                                       (5.30pm-7.00pm)

Friday 30^th September                    -           PTFA Annual General Meeting (3.30)

Thursday 20^th October                    -           PTFA Infant Disco                                        

Mrs Jackie McCarthy
Headteacher