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
27th February 2006
Newsletter 03 - Spring 2006
Dear
Parents
The
children have all settled in well after the half term break. A warm welcome to our new children and
parents. I am sure that you will
quickly make them feel part of our school community.
As
mentioned last term, Mrs Tara Hart, Post Graduate trainee teacher has joined
Ruby Class this term and I am sure that she will make a valuable contribution
to the children’s education, Mrs Laurie will naturally work alongside her.
Maths Project
As a
school, we are a member of a Learning Network with other local schools, working
on a project to share practice and develop Mathematics skills in Year 3 and
4. Therefore, Ruby Class are pleased to
invite all of their parents to a special assembly to launch their ‘Mighty
Maths’ project on Tuesday 7th March at 3pm. You are welcome to bring other adults,
grandparents or uncles, if you wish.
This will give us the opportunity to explain the project to you in
detail, so that you can join in with your children at home. Refreshments will be served at the end of
the assembly at 3.30pm. We do hope you
will be able to attend. A formal letter
will follow next week to give you all of the relevant details.
Choir
Our
choir has been invited to take part in the South Somerset Music
Spectacular. This is a concert given by
a range of schools in Somerset, it promises to be an exciting and musically
diverse event. The children will be
performing on the evening of Wednesday 22nd March at Westlands
Social Club in Yeovil. Tickets are
available directly from Westlands, either by phone or in person. Further details about times and dress will
be sent to choir members shortly.
National Tests
A
reminder that pupils in Year 6 will take their end of Primary School National
Tests during week commencing 8th May. It is vital that children attend school and feel able to perform
their very best during the week, therefore, please support their revision
work. Key Stage 1 children in Year2
will have a less formal approach to teacher marked assessments. These tests will take place during the
latter part of Spring and early Summer Term.
The children will engage in these activities as part of their normal
work, therefore they should not feel any undue pressure. Please let me know if you have any queries
or concerns about your child’s participation in the assessments.
Lunch
A reminder
that sweets are not allowed during the school day, even at lunchtime. Mini chocolate bars such as Kitkats,
Penguins etc are acceptable. Also
please encourage your child to drink plenty of water during the school day by
sending them with a water bottle.
Juices and cordials are allowed at lunchtime only.
Parking
For the
safety of all children would parents please avoid parking in, or driving up,
the side lane that leads to the playground (lane to village hall) as this
becomes very dangerous for pedestrians.
Parenting Course
As part
of our Family Learning Programme, we have organized at your request a
“Parenting Workshop”. This will cover:
·
Recognising what children really need
·
How to develop emotional security
·
How to set loving limits
It will
take place on Tuesday 28th March, 10am -1pm in the school hall. We will be drawing up a list shortly, but
please see Mrs Joy or myself if you would like to come.
Please
note this is a class all parents will find useful, it is not about perceptions
or judgments about your current parenting skills. Also, it is free! Please
consider attending. A few words to
encourage you:-
Many things can wait.
Children cannot.
Today their bones are being formed,
Their blood is being made,
Their senses are being developed.
To them we cannot say tomorrow.
Their name is today.
Gabriela Mistral
Sustaining Success
Mrs Geary, Mrs Sherry and I attended a conference in Bristol this week “Sustaining Success”. We are one of seven schools chosen from the County due to our high achievement and County recognition. As a result we have identified the following five factors that contribute to our success.
· Clear direction and leadership
· A culture of high expectations
· High quality committed staff and supportive parents
· A rigorous performance management system for all staff
· High calibre of pupil progress tracking and intervention work.
If you are interested in discussing these points in greater detail please see me and I will be pleased to give further information. A little extra funding comes into the school as a result of our involvement in the project.
Governors Literacy Prize
As you know, our Governing Body run a very successful competition each year to encourage pupils to write well. Posters are now up, detailing this year’s topic “What I would like to be”. More details will be given to pupils in assembly. Winners will be announced at the School’s Summer Fete.
World Book Day
On Thursday 2nd March it is
World Book Day and we will be celebrating this with a variety of activities
within our classes. On this day, please
can your child bring a storybook that they no longer wish to keep, to swap with
another child in their class?
Breakfast Club
The trial breakfast club has proven very successful over the last two terms, but it must now sustain itself rather than draw upon school funds. We need a minimum of 5 children to attend daily (at £1.50 per child) to cover full costs. In the past the school budget has subsidised the trial breakfast club heavily and this is not possible after Easter. Please see Mrs Phillips if you would still support the club at these costs.
Outdoor Play Area
The Early Years play areas is almost complete and the children are looking forward to using it. We hope to have an opening ceremony for Early Years parents, so more details later. Please contact me if you have any queries or concerns about anything raised in this letter or in relation to your child’s education.
Future Dates
Friday 17th March – Year 1 Dental Check
Tuesday 28th March – Parents Evening 4.00pm -6.00pm
Wednesday 29th March – Parents Evening 6.00pm-8.00pm
Thursday 30th March – Easter Egg Hunt
Friday 31st March – Easter Service at St Mary’s (all welcome) 1.45pm
+ Easter bonnet parade – End of Spring Term
Tuesday 18th April – Back to School – Summer Term
Yours sincerely
Bernie Green
Headteacher