CROWTHORNE CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL

AUTUMN TERM - NEWSLETTER

Dear Parent(s)                                                                                                       13^th September 2007

Welcome back to our school for the Autumn Term.  A warm welcome to new families, who have joined us this academic year. I hope you and your children will be happy at our school.

Staffing

This term we welcome Miss Jackson, Mrs Liptrot and Mrs Hilton-Gee. I know you will support them in settling into our school. Congratulations also to Mrs Parker who married in the Summer holidays.

Absence

Children of school age, by law, must attend school regularly.  If you need to ask for leave of absence this must be done before the absence is taken. I am only legally allowed to authorise 10 school days each year, more than this is counted as unauthorised absence.

Please can I emphasise that holiday should only be taken during term time if it cannot be taken during school holidays.  Also if a child has two weeks holiday each year, by the end of Year 6 this equates to a whole term out of school.

We also have in place a ‘first day call' system.  If you do not contact us on the first day of your child's absence we will contact you.  To reduce the number of calls we have to make, if your child is unwell please telephone school on the first day of absence, if possible before 9.30 a.m.  Thank you.

Behaviour

We are very proud of the behaviour of the children in our care.  To this end we have a system of rewards and termly certificates.  Teachers will contact parents specifically to share positive feedback.  Certificates are awarded to the children for achievement in work or behaviour, at the end of each term.  These are presented at our Friday assembly or at the end of term assembly.  The children are proud to receive these awards.

Conversely we have set procedures which are recorded in our Behaviour Policy for those occasions when a child's behaviour does not meet our expectations.  This is available in school, with all our policies for parents to read.

School Uniform

Winter uniform for both boys and girls includes a button to the neck white or grey shirt and a school tie, which can be purchased from the School Office for £2.00. Only watches and stud earrings may be worn. Earrings have to be removed for P.E. For P.E. children should wear a white t-shirt and black shorts. White polo shirts with the school logo for P.E. may be purchased from the National Schoolwear Centre.

Please encourage the children to dress smartly for school. Shirts should be tucked in and ties tied, so they are a reasonable length. We are trying to develop smart dress habits to prepare pupils for Secondary School and their working life.

Assemblies

You are very welcome to join us for Friday assembly at 8.50 a.m. On Friday we hold visitor, class or sharing assemblies. I will publish the list for this term, once it is confirmed.

Friday 14^th September 2007     -      House Captains & Prefects

Friday 21^st September 2007     -      Year 3 House Sorting

School Records

If you have changed any of your personal details e.g. home address, email address, mobile phone number, doctor's details, please notify the School Office. There have been occasions when we have not been able to contact parents, as we have not had an up to date mobile number. Please ensure you inform us whenever you change this.

Clubs

The clubs on offer this term are listed below. These will begin week commencing 17^th September except for Cookery club. This is unable to start on Thursday 20^th, due to a technical problem with the equipment but hopefully will commence on Thursday 27^th September.  If more than eight children apply a second group will start later in the term.    Children wishing to attend a club must return the permission slip signed by a parent. Slips can be obtained from the School Office. Please could you also emphasise to the children, that if they commit themselves to a club, they are expected to attend on a regular basis.

Autumn Term 2007 - School Clubs

There will be a Recorder Club one lunch time each week. Once the day has been agreed we will inform you.

If any parent is interested in running a club, please contact the school office or talk to me. Thank you.

Breaktime Snacks

The children are welcome to bring a snack to eat at playtime. Could I remind you they are only allowed fresh fruit or vegetables. Some of the older children have taken to eating crisps or cookies. This does not set the younger children a good example and contradicts our ‘healthy schools' policy. Please reinforce to the children that they should not be eating crisps/cookies etc. at playtime and these should be a treat as part of their packed lunch. Thank you.

Tesco Sport Vouchers

We are collecting these vouchers, so would appreciate any you may receive. If your child cannot locate the voucher box in the hall, they may be brought to the School Office.

Building Project

As the first day of term approached, it was with fear and trepidation that I wondered if we would ever be ready for the children and how they would cope with the disruption. All the rooms in the Key Stage 2 part of the building had to be packed up and covered as a new heating system has been installed.  With the support of fantastic staff, lots of hot water and elbow grease, we had all the Key Stage 2 classrooms ready for the first day.

Meanwhile two diggers were ‘residing' in the old office area and the front playground resembled a builders' yard. Thanks again to dedicated staff, signs were made and systems agreed to make the start of each day as straightforward as possible.

Thank you for making our first day back so streamlined in the morning and your continued support. We anticipate moving into our new offices by the middle of October. Just as you have become used to finding the present offices, we will be re-directing you.

We are hoping the Year 3 Classroom and new main entrance will be completed by mid November. There have been one or two set backs; when a drainage pit was found exactly where a new wall was to be constructed and then the workmen cut through a water pipe! However, my vision of having to despatch 190 children home was thankfully short-lived, when a wellington-booted young plumber capped the leaking pipe and saved the day.

The children as always have been accepting of the changes in routine and settled well, not that I would have expected anything less!! I will of course keep you updated regarding further progress and look forward to a fantastic new look to our school.

Forthcoming Events

Macmillan Coffee Morning - This event will be held after assembly until 11.15 a.m in the dinning hall on Friday 28^th September. Any offers of cakes or raffle items to Mrs Pandya, Mrs Velzian or Mrs Watson. I do hope you will support this event.

PTA Quiz Night - A popular event to be held on Saturday 29^th September. Please refer to PTA flyers.

Our Annual Harvest Festival Assembly - will be held on Tuesday 2^nd October at 8.50 a.m. As Reverend Cornwell does not work on  Friday, we have decided to hold this on the day she normally leads our assembly. Further details will follow regarding this assembly.

Parents ‘Drop-In' Session - This is to be held on Thursday 11^th October from 4.00 - 5.00 p.m. This is an informal time for you to ‘drop-in' to see your child's teacher to discuss any concerns/issues which have arisen to date. Formal parent's evenings, with set appointments will be held later in the term.

Please refer to the attached list of dates for the term for all the events planned. Further details for each event will follow nearer its date.

I look forward to a successful year and hope that if you have any concerns, you will arrange to come in and see me about them.

Yours sincerely

B L Gellatly (Mrs)

Headteacher