ABBAS AND TEMPLECOMBE
Church of England V.C. PRIMARY SCHOOL
School
Lane, Templecombe, Somerset BA8 0HP
Headteacher: Mrs Bernie Green BEd Hons (NPQH)
Tel:
01963 370481 e-mail: Fax: 01963
370409
23rd February 2005
Newsletter
Spring 03 2005
Dear Parents/Guardians
I hope you enjoyed the half term break and the lovely weather we were lucky enough to have. Spring is in the air! The end of half term disco was a great success and the children would like to express their thanks to the Friends and parent volunteers who made it all possible. Thank you Mrs Sherry, for decorating the hall so beautifully.
Welcome
Welcome to Alana and Athena Caswell and family who joined our school on Monday: we hope you will be very happy at Abbas and Templecombe and are made to feel very welcome by all.
Swimming
A reminder that years 5 and 6 pupils will begin their swimming sessions on Tuesday 1st March, so please remind them to bring their kit.
Air Ambulance
A representative from the Air Ambulance arrived at school today to collect the £600 cheque raised from our fund raising efforts last term.
Early Years Developments.
The planning authorities have passed the plans displayed outside the school office, therefore we are hoping that the work will commence and be finished prior to September. This will provide a useful covered area for Diamond class to enjoy. Also we are planning a “low level” outdoor play area for Key Stage 1. The designs are in school and will be displayed shortly for you to look at. Building work may prove to be a little disruptive, but the children will benefit enormously when it is completed.
Sickness
A reminder please, that if your child is ill, you must phone the school office on the first day, so that we can account for their absence. This is to ensure that the whereabouts of the children is secure. As mentioned previously, there is a much needed national focus on children’s attendance at school, therefore please do not allow your child to miss school unnecessarily. It is proven that poor attendance results in a lack of achievement for pupils. We all want our children to do the best they can.
Also, in cases of actual vomiting or diorreah, the child must stay away from school for a period of 24 hours after the last bout, to avoid spreading the problem. Impetigo is another common, easily transmittable illness. It appears, usually on the face, as a “cold sore”, but quickly spreads to other areas of the face. It is highly contagious and quickly works its way through families, classes and teachers. If you notice such signs please keep your child at home and seek medical attention.
On a more pleasant note….. Teamtheme football coaching commences after school on Friday 25th February for a 5-week block. Topaz class will also have coaching in their Games lesson on Friday afternoon.
Easter Egg Hunt
The Friends have kindly agreed to organise an Easter Egg
Hunt for the children on Wednesday 23rd March. For new parents, this
is an event where the children are given the opportunity to find eggs in the
school environmental area, weather permitting!
They love this activity and all children receive the same number of eggs
to put into their Easter basket, made earlier that day in their classes. (More details from the Friends later.)
Easter Bonnet Parade
We thought we would resurrect the idea of an Easter Bonnet parade this year. I only realised how much it needs to be resurrected, when I mentioned it in assembly and a child asked “Mrs Green, what’s a bonnet?”
It would be great if the children could make a bonnet with a Spring like/Easter theme and bring them to school on Wednesday 23rd March, the day of the Easter Egg Hunt. They could then wear them to church on Thursday 24th for our Easter assembly.
Sapphire Class
Pupils in Sapphire class have made contact with a school in Australia and have been emailing the class in Australia. The Australians have sent photos of the class as well as the classroom and Mrs Geary would like to confirm that you have no objections to photos of your children being sent back. Obviously Mrs Geary will monitor what is sent. Would you please let her know if you have any objections.
Work force Reform Leaflet
Please take a few minutes to read the Workforce Reform Leaflet sent from the County Council. It explains in detail the new developments for widening the range of professionals who teach in schools. As you know we have been trial ling some of the ideas mentioned since September, to make sure we get the best for our children in September 2005 when the proposals to give Planning, Preparation and Assessment time to teaching staff. The introduction of French for Key Stage 2 children and extra Music/ creativity for Key Stage 1 children has been extremely successful and enjoyable for the children. We are lucky that we have such a high calibre of Teaching assistant staff to make this idea work so well. I will let you know about future proposals in the Summer term.
Website
Please look out for the school Council’s note about Red Nose Day, the new school website and the County Council website, Somerset Information Exchange (SIX) which is available to parents. It is very useful for lots of information related to school issues, holiday dates etc.
Dates
28th February Korky Davies Assembly
9th March Alan Assembly
11th March Red Nose Day
22nd March 4:00-6:00- Parents Evening
23rd March 6.00 – 8.00 pm Parents Evening
23rd March Easter Egg Hunt
24th March End of Term Assembly at St Mary’s at 1:45pm (Easter Bonnet Parade)
School re-opens for Summer Term Monday 11th
April 2005
A very short second half to the Spring term as you can see.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need to discuss any of the items in this newsletter or anything, which relates to your Childs education.
Yours sincerely