February Newsletter
ST. THOMAS CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL - NEWSLETTER - 14/02/01.
NON -UNIFORM DAY, THURSDAY,15TH FEBRUARY.
We are holding this to raise funds for the Indian Earthquake Appeal.
We are asking for a 50p donation from children so that they may wear clothes of their (your!) choice for the day.
SUPERVISION OF CHILDREN BEFORE SCHOOL
For some time now, I have been concerned about the number of pupils who arrive at school well before the teachers are on playground duty at 8:45 am.
Whilst recognising that pupils cannot be expected to arrive simultaneously, we have many children who arrive before 8:30am, and some arrive as early as 8:15am.
There are many reasons why parents leave their children at school so early, most of these being connected with work or transport arrangements. I recognise this.
However, as Headteacher, I must point out that we cannot make arrangements for the supervision of pupils before 8:45am - ten minutes before the whistle goes at 8:55am. This ten minute period is generally accepted as the reasonable period of time that schools should provide supervision. Staff who are in school early in the morning are here busy working, and are not responsible for supervision of early arrivals.
Having discussed the situation with the governors and staff, I have a duty to point out to parents out that no proper arrangements for supervision of their children can be made before 8:45am. Please be aware of this.
Parents who accompany their child to school before 8:45am are asked to ensure that their child goes on the playground at 8:45am, when the supervising teacher comes on duty.
I would also ask that parents then leave so as to avoid congestion in both our cloakrooms and the nearby streets!.
Parents who arrive with a child between 8:45am and the start of school are asked to send their child straight on to the playground and not wait until the children go in with their teachers.
All reading-wallets, lunch-boxes, hugs and kisses can still be given before the child goes on to the playground!!.
This should help us have a more efficient and orderly start to the school day.
Thanks.
LATENESS.
We have a number of children who are consistently late in arriving for the beginning of morning school. All children should be on the playground for the whistle and those who arrive late cause considerable delay and inconvenience to their teacher and fellow pupils. Being late each day isn't fair on anyone.
Of course there may be an occasional and genuine reason for a child being late and do remember that we expect you to accompany such latecomers into school to let Mrs. Pugh know the reason for lateness. Again, Thanks.
CAR PARKING
I have spent time with neighbours, parents, governors, councillors, police, traffic wardens and taxi-drivers in vain attempts to find a solution to a problem that really has nothing to do with your children's education, but does have a great deal to do with their safety. It's really up to you. I ask that you don't drive in to Church View, and insist that you don't drive into the school grounds to deliver children.
I very much hope that you will all do your best to help avoid accidents. As I've said, it is up to you.
PARENTS EVENINGS.
This term's appointments for parents will be held between 5:00pm and 8:00pm on TUESDAY, 20TH and WEDNESDAY,21ST MARCH. Appointment request forms will be sent out early in the next half-term.
WETLANDS PROJECT.
Our major PTA project for this year is the development of an area to attract wildlife and provide an outdoor educational resource which will also give some shade from the sun. We will have a "boggy" area surrounded by reeds, rushes and willow, from which will be a tree "avenue" leading to a circle of trees with seating provided.
Work should begin next term!.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION.
A reminder that there is a meeting for the parents of children in Year Three on Tuesday, 27th February at 7:00pm. in the School Hall.
VOUCHERS etc.
We are collecting vouchers, coupons, box-tops etc from:
Tesco(computers), Newspapers(software for schools), Walkers crisps(books for schools), Nestle(cereal box-tops).
We are also collecting used ink cartridges from computer printers which we hope can help us buy a IT equipment.
JUNIOR PLAYTIME- a change.
The afternoon sessions in the Juniors are usually devoted to the more practical subjects of the curriculum eg. PE, Technology, Art.
This means that the afternoon playtime often disrupts these activities with children rushing to get changed, pack away, etc. and as our children know that they may have a drink or the toilet when they have the need, playtime is not essential.
The nature of the afternoon activities also mean that pupils do have opportunity to work together, converse - and enjoy themselves.
Often, the children are reluctant to leave what they're doing and by the time they're out - it's time to come back in and settle down to begin again!.
Therefore, at the suggestion of the Junior teachers and with the approval of the governors, there will be no afternoon playtime for juniors from the beginning of the next half-term. The children have been told and understand the reasons.
DINNER MONEY
For those who pay half-termly, the cost of dinners for the rest of this term is £37:50.
Please make cheques payable to; "DCC" (Derbyshire County Council).
INSET DAYS- Friday,16th February, Monday, 9th March, Monday, 6th June.
SCHOOL CLOSES at 3:30pm, TOMORROW, THURSDAY,15TH FEBRUARY.
SCHOOL RE-OPENS on MONDAY, 26TH FEBRUARY .
NON -UNIFORM DAY, THURSDAY,15TH FEBRUARY.
We are holding this to raise funds for the Indian Earthquake Appeal.
We are asking for a 50p donation from children so that they may wear clothes of their (your!) choice for the day.
SUPERVISION OF CHILDREN BEFORE SCHOOL
For some time now, I have been concerned about the number of pupils who arrive at school well before the teachers are on playground duty at 8:45 am.
Whilst recognising that pupils cannot be expected to arrive simultaneously, we have many children who arrive before 8:30am, and some arrive as early as 8:15am.
There are many reasons why parents leave their children at school so early, most of these being connected with work or transport arrangements. I recognise this.
However, as Headteacher, I must point out that we cannot make arrangements for the supervision of pupils before 8:45am - ten minutes before the whistle goes at 8:55am. This ten minute period is generally accepted as the reasonable period of time that schools should provide supervision. Staff who are in school early in the morning are here busy working, and are not responsible for supervision of early arrivals.
Having discussed the situation with the governors and staff, I have a duty to point out to parents out that no proper arrangements for supervision of their children can be made before 8:45am. Please be aware of this.
Parents who accompany their child to school before 8:45am are asked to ensure that their child goes on the playground at 8:45am, when the supervising teacher comes on duty.
I would also ask that parents then leave so as to avoid congestion in both our cloakrooms and the nearby streets!.
Parents who arrive with a child between 8:45am and the start of school are asked to send their child straight on to the playground and not wait until the children go in with their teachers.
All reading-wallets, lunch-boxes, hugs and kisses can still be given before the child goes on to the playground!!.
This should help us have a more efficient and orderly start to the school day.
Thanks.
LATENESS.
We have a number of children who are consistently late in arriving for the beginning of morning school. All children should be on the playground for the whistle and those who arrive late cause considerable delay and inconvenience to their teacher and fellow pupils. Being late each day isn't fair on anyone.
Of course there may be an occasional and genuine reason for a child being late and do remember that we expect you to accompany such latecomers into school to let Mrs. Pugh know the reason for lateness. Again, Thanks.
CAR PARKING
I have spent time with neighbours, parents, governors, councillors, police, traffic wardens and taxi-drivers in vain attempts to find a solution to a problem that really has nothing to do with your children's education, but does have a great deal to do with their safety. It's really up to you. I ask that you don't drive in to Church View, and insist that you don't drive into the school grounds to deliver children.
I very much hope that you will all do your best to help avoid accidents. As I've said, it is up to you.
PARENTS EVENINGS.
This term's appointments for parents will be held between 5:00pm and 8:00pm on TUESDAY, 20TH and WEDNESDAY,21ST MARCH. Appointment request forms will be sent out early in the next half-term.
WETLANDS PROJECT.
Our major PTA project for this year is the development of an area to attract wildlife and provide an outdoor educational resource which will also give some shade from the sun. We will have a "boggy" area surrounded by reeds, rushes and willow, from which will be a tree "avenue" leading to a circle of trees with seating provided.
Work should begin next term!.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION.
A reminder that there is a meeting for the parents of children in Year Three on Tuesday, 27th February at 7:00pm. in the School Hall.
VOUCHERS etc.
We are collecting vouchers, coupons, box-tops etc from:
Tesco(computers), Newspapers(software for schools), Walkers crisps(books for schools), Nestle(cereal box-tops).
We are also collecting used ink cartridges from computer printers which we hope can help us buy a IT equipment.
JUNIOR PLAYTIME- a change.
The afternoon sessions in the Juniors are usually devoted to the more practical subjects of the curriculum eg. PE, Technology, Art.
This means that the afternoon playtime often disrupts these activities with children rushing to get changed, pack away, etc. and as our children know that they may have a drink or the toilet when they have the need, playtime is not essential.
The nature of the afternoon activities also mean that pupils do have opportunity to work together, converse - and enjoy themselves.
Often, the children are reluctant to leave what they're doing and by the time they're out - it's time to come back in and settle down to begin again!.
Therefore, at the suggestion of the Junior teachers and with the approval of the governors, there will be no afternoon playtime for juniors from the beginning of the next half-term. The children have been told and understand the reasons.
DINNER MONEY
For those who pay half-termly, the cost of dinners for the rest of this term is £37:50.
Please make cheques payable to; "DCC" (Derbyshire County Council).
INSET DAYS- Friday,16th February, Monday, 9th March, Monday, 6th June.
SCHOOL CLOSES at 3:30pm, TOMORROW, THURSDAY,15TH FEBRUARY.
SCHOOL RE-OPENS on MONDAY, 26TH FEBRUARY .
