September 2007 Newsletter

Dear Parents,

Welcome back to everyone after the summer holiday. We hope that you all had a lovely break.

If you and your children are new to our school we hope that it is the beginning of a very long and happy association with us.

We have some staff changes this year. Mr Phipps has joined us in Year 2 and Mrs Silver is teaching in Year 1. Mrs. Croney is a new member of our SEN team and will be working in Year 2. Mrs. Bailey will be working in the office.

A big thank you to everyone who came to the PTA Funday at the end of last term. The PTA raised £1071 which was a great achievement and we are very grateful to all the ladies who worked so hard to organise such a successful day. The ladies are still hoping for new parents to help with this year’s events. If you are able to offer some time, however little you think it may be, please do contact Mrs. Copsey, through the school office.

PARKING OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL GROUNDS

We have always been concerned that, if we had an emergency at school, that an ambulance or fire engine would be unable to drive into the school grounds because of the inconsiderate parking of some parents, either when attending a school event or at the beginning and end of the school day.

Unfortunately there was just such an occasion at the end of last term when we called for an ambulance but the paramedics were unable to get into school because of the way cars had parked in Quendon Drive. It took them 15 minutes to get into school which could have been critical in a life and death situation. The ambulance driver said that it would have been impossible for a fire-engine to get into school in similar circumstances.

Please imagine how you would have felt if it had been your child who had needed that ambulance and think before you park outside the school. We will continue to ask the traffic wardens to patrol outside the school at the beginning and end of the school day in order to try and ensure that parents do park in such a way that emergency vehicles can get into school if necessary.

Can we please use this first newsletter of the year to remind you of some things that will help us, to help you.

• Can dinner money & milk money be sent into school, on Monday, in separate named envelopes. Dinner money is £8.00 per week and milk money is £1.05 per week.

• Do make sure that all clothing is clearly named. At the end of last term we sent 3 huge black big bags of lost property to the local charity shop. These items could not be returned to their owners because they were not named.

• Do check book bags for letters. Staff are very careful to make sure that all children receive letters which need to be taken home at the end of the day. However, it is obvious when listening to children read, that some of these letters are not taken out of the book bags and then important messages are not passed on.

• The school website is another good source of information. The address is www.whxis.co.uk. The blackboards outside the classroom doors are another place to find important messages.

• Do let the school know if someone other than mum or dad are picking up a pupil. They will not be allowed to go with anyone who is not named on the admission form unless staff have been informed in advance.

We would also like to thank you for your generous support at the Quiz night in aid of Ms. Kirby and her daughter. The final amount collected was in excess of £1600 which was an incredible response. The Treehouse Nursery Auction of Promises raised an outstanding amount of more than £4000. If you came to either or both events you will know that they were great fun as well as in aid of a very good cause.

The beginning of a new school year is always very exciting but if you have any concerns or worries please see your child’s class teacher who will be only too happy to help. We look forward to working with you and your children this year.

With best wishes to you all
Mrs. Mooney and all the staff

Diary dates

Please note that Gold Award assembly dates have been provisionally booked and may be subject to change. You will receive an invitation confirming these dates nearer the time.

September
3rd - INSET day
4th - School starts for Years 1 & 2
5th - Staggered start for Reception children
7th - School Gold Award assembly
10th - The Nursery morning sessions start, Miss Hurry and Mrs. Davey's parents invited in for lunch
15th - Gold Award assembly – Miss Hurry and Mrs. Davey's class
17th - All Clubs start this week, Mrs. Huckett's parents invited in for lunch
19th - Road safety assembly
21st - Gold Award assembly – Mrs. Huckett’s class
24th - Mr. Phipp's parents invited in for lunch
26th - Blunderbus Theatre company all day
28th - Gold Award assembly – Mr. Phipp's class

October
1st - Walk to school week, Mrs. Silver's parents invited in for lunch
5th - Gold Award assembly – Mrs. Silver's class, Book fair opens
8th - Mrs. McVie's parents invited in for lunch
10th - p.m. Harvest Festival at Waltham Abbey Church–children & staff only, Book Fair ends
12th - Gold Award assembly – Mrs. McVie's class
15th - Mrs. Bassi's parents invited in for lunch
18th - Open evening – 3.20-5.00 & 6.00-8.00
19th - Gold Award assembly – Mrs. Bassi’s class

School closes Friday 19th October for half term
Monday 29th October INSET day
School reopens Tuesday 30th October

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