Newsletter ~ September 2005

Dear Parents

I hope you have all had an opportunity to enjoy the summer holiday and feel refreshed for another year.

A warm welcome to the following children and their families:

Year R: Edmund , Elle, Holly, Joseph, Lucy, Juliette, Rachel, James, Lucas, Edward, Rory, Gus, Samuel, Tara and  Jude.

Due to specific circumstances three of these children will be attending part-time this term.

There are currently three places available in Year 1 and one place in Year 3. If you know of anyone who may be interested in taking up any of these places then please let me know.

Welcome to Mrs Watkins. She is a Newly Qualified Teacher and she will teach in Lower Key Stage 2. As part of her induction year she will continue her professional development and will be supported by Mrs Gwilliam.

Welcome also to Miss Sprigg as Teaching Assistant. She has been employed for this term to support a child with special needs whilst they settle into school. This post is funded by the Local Education Authority.

Mrs Anderson's role as a part-time teacher has increased. She will teach my class on my management days which are currently Wednesdays, and Thursday afternoons. She will also work with children on Tuesday mornings as part of our Special Needs provision, and provide teaching cover throughout the school when staff take their PPA time (planning, preparation & assessment) or attend training, meetings etc.

I am pleased to inform you that Mr Paterson has agreed to continue providing occasional cover for teaching staff.

This week we are pleased to welcome Miss Barbara Williams to the staff as Lunchtime Supervisor. She is working four days a week.

Unfortunately during the holidays Mrs Helen Dowson tripped and broke her foot. Mrs Hodgson has visited her and passed on our best wishes. She also took her flowers on behalf of everyone at school. Mrs Rachel Ryan has kindly agreed to cover Mrs Dowson's absence.

We are seeking to employ another Lunchtime Supervisor and would be interested to hear from anyone who would like to take on this post either full-time or as a job-share. If you are at all interested and would like to know more then please see me or Mrs Hodgson for further details.

SCHOOL REFURBISHMENT

During the School holidays the back room had part of a wall removed! This has really opened out this part of the school and increased the sight line between the two teaching areas for the older children. They now have full use of the back room and the conservatory. The refurbishment was funded through government Capital Grants.

We have very recently been informed that the mobile classroom, 'Garden Class', is to be replaced. This is in the very early stages and I will keep you informed of any progress.

During the holidays interactive whiteboards were installed in the 3 classrooms. Today we are expecting new laptops to go with them. Then we will be fully ready to go!

The cost of milk for this half term is £3.74 per child. Children under 5 years will receive free milk unless parents request otherwise. Please complete the attached order form and return it to the School office with payment as soon as possible.

Mrs Hodgson will be sending a uniform order within the next few days. If you would like to place an order, please let her know immediately.

After school Games Club for Years 2, 3 and 4 begins next Wednesday, 14^th September 2005. All children are encouraged to participate as this is a fun and social occasion. Please make sure you have filled in and returned the attached permission slip.

Our selection of County Library books is to be exchanged on Thursday 15^th September. Would you please ensure that all books are returned to School as soon as possible.

Our first swimming session for children in Years 2, 3 & 4 is next week, Thursday, September 15^th.

The law regarding activities that take place during school hours states that only  voluntary contributions to cover costs can be requested from parents/guardians, and that no child will be excluded from such trips/activities if their parents/guardians feel unable to provide a voluntary contribution.

However, visits/activities can only go ahead if sufficient contributions are received. The Governing Body recommends that, when voluntary contributions are requested, a written application for a remission of charges, in part or in full, is made to the Head Teacher.

As you are aware, swimming is the only activity where parents are asked for financial support in our School as money raised and donated by the 'Friends of Himbleton School'  funds all other visits/activities that take place.

In order for swimming to take place we ask for a contribution of £5.00 per half term towards costs. Please complete the attached consent slip and return it to School with payment as soon as possible.

For swimming children need a towel and an appropriate clean, bathing costume in a named swimming bag. Children with long hair must wear a swimming cap, girls and boys. Boys need to wear trunks rather than shorts for safety in the pool and teaching purposes. Girls need to wear a swimming costume rather than a two-piece. Goggles must not be worn unless prior permission has been given. This is needed at the beginning of each academic year. Please make sure you have completed and returned the attached permission slip.

Our first 'Forest School' session for children in Reception and Year 1 is next week, Thursday, September 15^th.

Children need to wear old and comfortable clothes to school that are suitable for working outdoors and possibly getting muddy. Layered clothing and old jogging bottoms are best. No jeans please. They also need a cagoule and waterproof trousers, and their Wellingtons in a named carrier bag ready to change into. These items are essential and are needed throughout the year.

If you have any queries, please come in and see me or Mrs Griffiths.

The photographer from Tempest will be visiting School on Friday 16^th September 2005 from 8.45am to take individual photographs of each child in School. There will be an opportunity for family photographs (with pre-school children if desired) and these will be taken first. Please can all children wear their winter uniform to School on this day.

Recorder tuition will continue this year for all Lower Key Stage 2 children and will be taught by Mrs Gwilliam.

All children in Years 3 and 4 children need to have their own instrument in order to practise. These can be purchased at Music 47, in Sidbury, Worcester or any music shop. The "Yamaha" recorder costs around £6 and is perfectly adequate, although there is also an "Aulos" recorder at about £12 for the serious musician.

Lessons will take place on Thursday afternoons whenever possible beginning next week September 16^th. All children need to bring their recorders each Thursday and take them home after the lesson to practise.

If you have any queries, please come in and see Mrs Gwilliam.

This year we will be celebrating Harvest at the Family Service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Himbleton at 11.00am on Sunday 2^nd October. We will be participating in the Service as a School and would like everyone to attend. Children need to wear School uniform.

Harvest gifts can be brought to School on Friday 30^th September or taken to the Service.

Book week will take place from Monday 17^th October to Friday 21^st October. Our theme this year will be 'Around the World' and the children will be able to dress up in a costume to the theme 'Around the World'. Further details to follow shortly.

There will be an opportunity to discuss your child's progress with their teacher on the evenings of Monday 17^th October or Tuesday 18^th October. Further details to follow shortly.

This year we have been invited to take part in a pilot project investigating how schools can play a key role in the process of exploring local distinctiveness. The aim is to produce Parish Maps of the local area which show what is special about the local environment, the people, the places, the wildlife etc.

This Vision Mapping Project is being led by Mr Rupert Brakspear who works for Education for Sustainable Development Environmental Services. Throughout the year Mr Brakspear, along with other teachers from environmental agencies will work with the children in school. He has also secured grants for us to use photography, video recording etc.This is s a really exciting opportunity as it is using the arts to explore and record what is special about Himbleton and the local area.

This term we are beginning our focus on people. We will start with the children and the school and then key people who live locally. Once we have helped the children identify these people we hope to interview them and record our findings using photography and video recording.

If you can give support in any way, or would like to know more, then please have a chat with a member of Staff.

Please remember that at least one parking space must be left on either side of the entrance gate for the taxi and, that no one should park across the entrance at any time. Parking can be difficult but please ensure that every consideration is given to local residents and that all accesses are always kept clear.

A group of parents met regularly with me over the summer term to review our Homework Policy.

It quickly became clear that there are as many views on homework as there are people, adults and children, in our school with views ranging from having structured activities every night to not doing homework at all.

An outline policy was agreed by the group which would then run for a trial period, and then reviewed. I am in currently in the process of writing up the policy and putting together the resources we need with the staff. Then we will be ready to begin a trial period.

We are keen to trial the use of board games, card games, jigsaw puzzles and other appropriate games as part of the policy. Therefore, if you have any these at home which are no longer used and in good condition then we would be very grateful to receive them in school.

Term dates for the forthcoming academic year are attached. Please note that the school closure days for the year are:

Friday 9^th December 2005

Monday 19^th December 2005

Tuesday 20^th December 2005

Wednesday 21^st December 2005

May Day: Monday 1^st May 2006

Yours sincerely

Head Teacher

Himbleton Church of England First School

• I enclose £3.74 for milk this half term.

• I enclose £7.48 for the whole of the Autumn Term.

Child's name

Signature of Parent/Guardian

Date

Himbleton Church of England First School

I give permission for                                         (child's name) to participate in 'After School Games Club' on Wednesday afternoons from 3.00pm until 4.15pm, September 2005 to July 2006.

Signature of Parent/Guardia

Date

Himbleton Church of England First School

I give permission for                                            (name of child) to be taken out of School on Thursdays to travel by coach to Worcester Citizens Swimming Pool for swimming lessons.

• I enclose my contribution of £5.00 to cover the cost of swimming for the first half of the Autumn Term 2005.

• I enclose my contribution of £10.00 to cover the cost of swimming for the whole of the Autumn Term 2005.

Signature of Parent/Guardian

Date