World Cup

15th June 2010

Dear Parents,

The World Cup

As England are playing their third match on Wednesday 23rd June at 3.00pm our time, we are allowing pupils

to be collected at 2.30pm so they can watch the match. This is not compulsory and does not mean you have to collect your child at 2.30, but you can if you wish.



If you want to collect your child at 2.30 please let your child’s class teacher know so that your child can be brought to you in the playground at that time.

Please do not come to the main office to collect your child, we will bring your child to you as usual in the playground at 2.30pm.

Otherwise all other pupils should be collected at normal times.
Football coaching and Hatrick Club are cancelled on this day.

Mobile phones

Our school policy does not allow pupils to have mobile phones in school.

The only exception to this are for some year 5 & 6 pupils, whose parents have had permission for this as

their child comes to and from school by themselves. These are then kept in the school safe during the

school day.

Any phones found on pupils are confiscated and you will need to see me to have these returned.

Parking in Shortcrofts Road

Can I remind those of you who park on this road when bringing and collecting your child, not to park directly outside these pedestrian gates and be mindful of pedestrians when parking on the kerb along this road.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Yours sincerely


Mrs. A. Lipski
Head Teacher

Reminders Summer Term 2010

20th May 2010

Dear Parents,

Water Bottles

All pupils from reception upwards are encouraged to bring in their own water bottles. These can be filled up in the mornings from our water coolers or in their classrooms. It is especially important that children drink water as the

weather gets warmer. We do also have school water bottles which are on sale from the school office, price £1.00
As the weather hopefully is improving please encourage your child to bring a hat to school. This must have their

name on it.

Cycle Storage

We are having many requests for children to store their bikes in this, which is really encouraging. However priority is always given to the years 5 & 6 who have permission to come to school without an adult.

Year 5 & 6 pupils must take a permission letter home so that parents can confirm their child is allowed to cycle to school by themselves and have a road worthy bicycle.

No-one should be storing their bikes or scooters in this cycle shed without asking if this is possible either from Mrs. Lipski or Mrs. Fairweather.

This ensures we have enough space available to store children’s bicycles safely.

School Uniform

Please note that wearing leggings under skirts or dresses is not allowed. Girls can wear shorts that do not come below their skirt or dress, if they wish to do so. Polo Shirts, sweatshirts and cardigans must have the school logoon them.

I have included a reminder of our school uniform on the reverse of this letter.

Thank you for your co-operation

Yours sincerely



Mrs. A. Lipski

Head Teacher

FOUNDATION STAGE SUMMER EVENTS 2010

June 2010

Dear Parents,
Pyjama day – Thursday 17th June

Reception pupils will be learning about day and night over the next couple of weeks. On Thursday 17th June Reception pupils may come to school wearing pyjamas. Please avoid sending your child to school in a night dress. Pyjamas / slippers and dressing gowns recommended. They may bring a cuddly toy should they wish. They will still have access to the garden so please be sure that they are dressed suitably for the day.

Dads day – Thursday 17th June

On Thursday 17th June we are holding our annual dad’s day. A separate letter is attached with more information for all Nursery pupils.

Nursery open day – Monday 12th July

NURSERY ONLY - Nursery parents are welcome into the Nursery at 10.30am for morning pupils and 2.00pm for afternoon pupils. Please come along and help your child to decorate a biscuit before sharing refreshments with them. We hope to see you there. Please enter via the Shortcrofts Road gate.

Inflatables day – Monday 19th July

On Monday 19th July we will be having our Inflatables day in the Foundation Stage garden. The children will have the opportunity to share in the fun of playing on the bouncy castle and activity slide.

Please ensure your child is suitably dressed, has no jewellery on and is able to take off/put on their own shoes. There will be no charge for the pupils.
Foundation Stage Bike day - Tuesday 20th July

You may send your child with their bike and helmet to school. Please label all items. Your child should enter via the Nursery garden gate on this day.


Class Parties – Wednesday 21st July

Parties will be held on Wednesday 21st July. Fancy dress please. Please see a member of the Nursery / Reception for the party list nearer the time.

Last day for Nursery children –Wednesday 21st July.

This will be the day of their party.


Last day for Reception children – Thursday 22nd July.

Please send a toy or game in with your child to share with their friends.

Please no expensive items that could get damaged or broken.

School finishes at 2pm.


Thank you for all your support during this year and we look forward to seeing you all in September when your children Have a safe and happy six weeks.


Yours sincerely,

Foundation Stage Staff

Dates for Summer Term 2010

5th May 2010

Dear Parents

Reminder School Closed on Thursday 6th May as being used as a Polling Station

Monday 17th May           Climbing lessons start for year 6

Wednesday 19th May      Year 6 trip to Stubbers

Monday 24th May           Celebrating our Diversity Week

Tuesday 25th May           Tribal Vibes African drummers in for years 3 to 6

Thursday 27th May          Class photographs

Friday 28th May               Last day of half term

HALF TERM

Monday 7th June              School Starts again

Wednesday 9th June         Year 2 trip to Southend

Thursday 10th June            Class 6P visit to CLC centre

Wednesday 16th June       Year 1 visit to Discover Centre in Stratford

Thursday 17th June           Class 6C visiting CLC centre

Friday 18th June               Year 6 Art Workshop

Monday 21st June            Year 6 Art Workshop

Monday 21st June            Year 4 trip to Colchester Castle

Monday 28th June           National Sports Week starts, sports days will take place during this week

Tuesday 29th June            Visit to Party man world for attendance reward

Wednesday 7th July          Parents evening ( 3.30 to 7pm)

Thursday 8th July              Parents evening ( 3.30 to 7pm)

Wednesday 14th July        Nursery am and RMD visit to Timbuc2, physical activity Centre

Thursday 15th July           Nursery pm and RMS visit to Timbuc2, physical activity Centre

Monday 19th July           Year 5 & 6 concert to parents at 2pm

Tuesday 20th July           Year 5 & 6 concert to parents at 10.00am

Tuesday 20th July           Year 6 Leavers disco from 4pm to 5.30

Wednesday 21st July       Year 6 pupils’ last day, finish at 12.00

Thursday 22nd July         Last day of school for all pupils. Finish at 2pm
More information on some of these will be sent nearer the time.

Yours sincerely


Mrs. A. Lipski

Head Teacher.

Foundation StageSpring Bonnet Parade

20th April 2010

Dear Parents and Carers,

Thursday 29th April

We will be holding our annual Spring Bonnet parade on Thursday 29th April. We will be wearing Spring bonnets and will walk around the local streets to celebrate Spring. If you would like to accompany us on this walk please join us at the main school gates at the following times;

RMS and Nursery am – 11.00am

RMD and Nursery pm – 2.30pm

You are invited to come into class on Wednesday 28th April to make a hat with your child at 9am. Please enter via the Nursery garden gate with your child on the day. And go to their Nursery / Reception class. All prams will need to left outside due to a lack of space within the classrooms. Please avoid bringing younger siblings if at all possible so that you are able to support your child fully.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to see a member of staff.



Thank you





Foundation Stage Staff

Reception Guided Reading

Dear Parents and carers,
We will now be sending your child home with a book each week.

As you can see these books are brand new and need to be looked after. We are therefore asking all parents to ensure that your child takes good care of the book. Any lost or damaged books will need to be paid for so that they can be replaced to ensure we have a full set in school.

Please sign and return the attached form to your child’s class teacher

Each week your child will read the book in school and then bring it home to share / read with you.
These books must remain in your child’s book bags for each school day.
Your child will continue to bring library books home to share with you.

Some advice;

• Read every day with your child for a maximum of ten minutes

• Let your child be in control of holding the book

• Encourage your child to point to the words as they read

• Be positive – do not be anxious when your child is reading.

• Celebrate their success, however big or small.



Please do not hesitate to see your child’s class teacher if you would like any further advice on supporting your child with their reading at home.


Please record and date the book title in the home reading record book and let us know how you get on.

Thank you



Karen Deville

Deputy Head Teacher

End of Spring Term 2010

Dear Parents,

School closes today, 1st April 2010 at normal times for the Eater holidays.

Please remember that the school will open again  for pupils on Monday 19th April 2010 .

We all look forward to seeing you then.


Yours sincerely

Mrs. A. Lipski
Head Teacher

Walkabout Evening 2010

25th March 2010.

Dear Parents,

Wednesday 31st March, 5.00pm to 7.00pm

 

We invite the children to bring their families to their school on Wednesday 31st March between 5.00pm and 7.00pm. They will be able to show you around the school and introduce you to all the staff. Usually you are only able to see the classroom where your child works, but on this evening the whole school will be open to you.

This year we are holding some events that you might enjoy taking part in with your child. These are aimed at giving you a flavour of some of the activities that take place here.

5.05 to 5.30 Bollywood Dancing in the main hall

5.30 to 6.00 Story Spinning in the library with Phil McDermott

6.30 to 7.00 Story Spinning lesson demonstration in the main hall, school staff and parents as the pupils!!

You will also get to meet some of the Practitioners, from Creative Partnerships, who have been working in the school this term.

We do hope you will join in with some of these events with your child and we would be grateful if you could tell us which ones you found enjoyable and helpful.

In addition to the above The School Meals Service will also be providing sample lunches in the dining hall.

We would be grateful if pupils coming back to the school could, if possible, wear their school uniform.

Children must be supervised by their parents during this evening.

We all look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 31st March 2010.

Yours sincerely


Mrs A. Lipski

Head Teacher

Story Spinner

11th March 2010

Dear Parents,

Be Aware. The children are going to be turning into writers and storytellers!

This week the school embarked on a new method of making writing an accessible and exciting activity. Teachers and children will be turning their classrooms into creative and exhilarating storytelling environments. They will be using as tools two items that they have in abundance: their voices and their incredible imaginations.
Children find it difficult to write unless they have something exciting to write about. So they must talk about their ideas first. But before that they must have something to talk about. By watching the award winning Storyspinner collection of stories, which they may have already told you about, their ideas are stimulated and their imaginations fired up to create stories.
After that, they embark upon ‘The Oracy To Writing’ Process. Through this method they explore, examine, tell, retell, innovate and invent stories. This Process has been designed to meet the needs of children at all levels. Because there is no need for any particular expertise in reading and writing, all the children start this work at the same level, that of expert beginner.
After two weeks of this Oracy work that is infused with drama, speaking, listening and story making, the children are ready to write. In fact they will eager and impatient to write. The writing they produce will be creative and will display all the features of authorship: it will be original, it will be owned by them and it will be created with a readership in mind. But most importantly, it will be a joyful activity.
I would very much like to tell you more about these very important and exciting developments and would be delighted if you could come into school to meet me and watch some stories.
So please sign the slip below to say you could attend on Tuesday 16th March and Thursday 18th March from 9.00am till 10.00am.


Entrance will be through the Infant door, once all the children have come in.


Many thanks

Phil McDermott, the Storyspinner

Book Fair

10th March 2010

Dear parents,

Friday 12th March until Wednesday 17th March 2010

Our termly book fair, which is open after school, will start on Friday 12th March and finish on Wednesday 17th March.

On Thursday 11th March, the book fair will be in the Nursery all day, so nursery children’s parents can come along then.

After school from Thursday 11th March to Wednesday 17th March , it will be located in the school library

so please enter through the library door located in the Junior playground ( not through the main school office).

Mrs. Waller is organising this so if you have any questions please let her know.

Yours sincerely,




Mrs. A. Lipski

Head Teacher

Updated Behaviour Systems

5th March 2010

Dear parents,
Following our re-launch of our Houses, we have also updated our reward and consequence systems across the school.

The following information outlines our revised procedures. If you have any questions please speak to your child’s class teacher.

Reward System

Rewards are House Points, which all children from nursery to year 6 can receive. House points will be given for the following :

A- Acts of kindness towards others

B - Being ready to learn/ good work

T - Teamwork

D - Displaying good manners

E - Environment/Taking care of our school

F - Following direct instructions

On the chart in the classroom these will be recorded with the letter referring to the reason why house point is being awarded to a child.

Houses that receive the most house points over the half term for one of the above mentioned reasons will be rewarded.

We will continue to reward the boy and girl who receives the highest number of house points each week.

We will also award a House cup to the house with the most points at the end of the half term.

Consequence System.

Foundation Stage

This will be on going over one week.

1. Reminder. (Warn the child of the rule being broken)
2. Caution ‘time out’ in own class.
3. ‘Time Out’ in another Class.
4. CHARGED (Miss ‘outdoor play’.)

If behaviour has not improved following the above three steps this could lead to having to spend some of the day in another class.

Years 1 to 3 Consequence System.

Everyday the child will start at the beginning with a reminder.

However if they get charged ( step 4) this will stay with them for the half term.

1. REMINDER. (Reminder of school rules)
2. WARNING: Time out in own class.
3. TIME OUT: This will be in another Class.
4. CHARGED : This means missing 5 minutes of their playtime

Years 4 to 6 Consequence System

If a child receives a Charge this will remain with them for the half term

1. WARNING: Reminder of rule
2. TIME OUT: In another class.
3. APOLOGISE: On return to own class the child must apologise and have reflected on their behaviour
4. CHARGED : This means missing 10 minutes of playtime or lunchtime

Parents will be informed by the class teacher if their child has received a ‘charge’ and the consequences of this.

Receiving three Charges in a half term could lead to 3 day class exclusion.

Yours sincerely


Mrs. A. Lipski

Head Teacher

Monday 22nd February 2010

Just a reminder that the school is closed to children today for staff training.

School will start again tomorrow, Tuesday 23rd February, at normal times.

Breakfast Club Reminder

Dear Parents and carers,

Breakfast Times

May I remind you that we only serve breakfast until 8.20am.
In order to get breakfast your child must arrive before 8.20am. After that time Breakfast Club staff need to clear the breakfast things in preparation for the start of school.

Yours sincerely


Karen Deville

DEPUTY HEAD TEACHER

NEW WHOLE SCHOOL ‘HOUSE’ SYSTEM

27th January 2010

Dear parents,
This is to inform you that last week we launched our new ‘houses’ for all pupils to be part of. A house is the team to which they belong and can earn rewards. The children agreed the new names for these houses which are:

 Flying Team Rangers ( green)

 Dream Team ( red)

 All Stars ( blue)

 Yellow Phoenix ( yellow)

Our ‘houses’ will continue to include all brothers and sisters together in one house.

The pupils will be taught leadership skills and have a vital part to play within these ‘houses’.
The pupils will also be experiencing a ‘house hour’. Every Tuesday afternoon for one hour all pupils will work in their houses and work on key skills. These will include such things as respect, perseverance, valuing others, working together and supporting one another.
Many of these key skills form the basis of the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL), which is part of our School Development Plan. If you would like to know more about the SEAL curriculum please do take a look at the following website - nationalstrategies.dcsf.gov.uk/primary/seal.
As you know we work closely with Creative Partnerships. We will therefore have other professionals working in school every Tuesday. Their skills include radio broadcasting, acting, illustrating, documentary making and making music. We are sure you will agree that the children will get many great opportunities working with these professionals.
We will keep you updated on our work as it progresses.


Yours sincerely,


Mrs. A. Lipski

Head Teacher

Dates for the rest of the term

1st February 2010

Dear parents,
Friday 12th February 2010
The children would like to raise money for the Haiti Appeal and we have decided to hold a non-uniform day on Friday 12th February. All pupils who wish to participate should bring in a £1 on the day.

Monday 22nd February    NON pupil day

Tuesday 23rd February    Start of new half term, all pupils should attend school

Wednesday 3rd March    Parents evening 3.30 to 7pm, more information after half term

Thursday 25th March      Music festival

Friday 26th March           Upper school visiting another school

Tuesday 30th March        Year 3 & 4 concert to parents at 2pm

Wednesday 31st March   Year 3 & 4 concert to parents at 10am

Wednesday 31st March   Annual WALKABOUT to parents from 6-8

Thursday 1st April            Last day of the Spring term.


Starting next half term we are starting a new method of making writing an accessible and exciting activity. Teachers and children will be turning their classrooms into creative and exhilarating storytelling environments. We will be supported in this by Phil McDermott, the Story Spinner. If you would like to have a look at some of the types of stories have a look at the following on the internet:

http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/primary/primaryframework/literacyframework then in the quick search tool type in ‘Grandad and the laundry basket’

There will be more information on this next half term.


Yours sincerely,


Mrs. A. Lipski

Head Teacher