November 2009 Newsletter

Dear Parents,

Last half term was very busy and it was a pleasure to see so many of you at the wide variety of school activities that we have enjoyed over the past 7 weeks. Our new children have settled well and this half term our part time children will start to spend whole days in school so that by Christmas they will be in full time.

The Education Welfare Officer came to visit the school at the end of October and was very pleased with our attendance record so far this term. Thank you for helping us to make such a good start. We have a new target set for us by the local authority of 94.79%. Last year we achieved 93.79% so we have to work very hard this year to do better.

The book fair was very enjoyable and we raised £331 in commission which will help us to buy some lovely new books for the classrooms and the library.

The open evening was very successful. We hope that you tried to log on to e-folio over the half term holidays and the children enjoyed using the activities there. We also talked to you about the importance of reading, not only with your children but to your children. They will only write well if they listen to & read good stories and it is a lovely thing to do with your children at home. Waltham Abbey Library in Sun Street is a good place to borrow books if you aren’t already a member. Mrs Cox, the manager will be only too pleased to help you in any way she can.

There have been changes in the PTA this term. Mrs Lorraine Bailey has stepped down from the role of chair of the PTA but we would like to thank her for all her hard work during her term of office and for turning it into a thriving committee with new parents helping and getting involved. We have 2 ladies now as joint chair for the PTA, Mrs Anna Sculfor & Mrs Christine Robbins. Mrs Lyndsey Olejnik is the secretary & Mrs Debbie Mitchell is the treasurer.

The PTA are about to embark on a new project this term, compiling a cookery book with healthy, quick to cook recipes which you as parents have tried, tested and enjoyed. We hope this new idea will be a successful venture and they intend to have it ready in time to sell as potential Christmas presents.

During the holiday we have improved the safety of the school car park by putting in a crossing, speed hump and easier access to the Nursery & the Rainbow room. We do hope you will train yourselves and your children to use this designated crossing point safely instead of crossing between the parked cars. Can I take this opportunity to remind you that you should not be driving into school between 8.30 and 3.30 except in an emergency. Also, residents around the school continue to be angered by parents who park inconsiderately across their drives so that they cannot access their property in the morning & afternoon. Please park where you do not block any entrances and with regard to the need of any of the emergency services, who may be called at any time, by the school.

We continue to improve the school environment for everyone. We have bought new blinds for all the classrooms which were put up during the holiday. We have also started a programme of refurbishment of the toilets with new basins & taps installed throughout the school. The muddy area outside Miss Topliss’s classroom is soon to be addressed with additional paving stones being laid. This was an issue identified by parents as needing improvement.

Unfortunately the weather has now deteriorated and the children do need a coat in school every day. The children spend three quarters of an hour outside at lunchtime and need to have appropriately named clothing to wear to keep them warm & dry.

We have been checking the suggestions box in the entrance hall but have only had one response so far. Please take this opportunity to jot down any ideas you have that might enhance our school community and put them in the box with contact details and we will get back to you.

There is a draft copy of the school development plan on the Every Child Matters display in the entrance hall. This will be going for ratification with the governing body in November. If you would like to come and read it and leave any comments you are very welcome.

We are going to be putting more information on the school website shortly e.g. copies of all letters sent out by the school, to improve communication for working parents. We are constantly looking for ways in which we can keep in contact with parents. If you have any other ideas please let us know.

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.

November
2nd - INSET day
3rd - School reopens, Miss Topliss’s class parents invited in to lunch all week, First Aid course for parents – 1.00-3.00 for 4 weeks in the Nursery
5th - Year 1 – Lego Day
6th - Gold Award assembly – Miss Topliss’s class
9th - Mrs Kemp’s class parents invited in to lunch all week
13th - Gold Award assembly – Mrs Kemp’s class
16th - Year R open afternoons for parents all week (changed from morning) Maths through Cookery – 6 week course for parents – postponed from 9th as originally planned.
18th - Year 2 Grandparents afternoon
23rd - Nursery open mornings – Monday to Thursday
24th - Year R trip to Royal Gunpowder Mills – Victorian Christmas

December
9th - Year 2 Christmas plays, 10.00 a.m. Performance for parents bringing children, 1.45p.m. Performance for parents without children
10th - Year 1 Christmas plays, 10.00a.m. Performance for parents bringing children, 1.45p.m. Performance for parents without children
11th - Year R Christmas plays, 10.00a.m. Performance for parents bringing children, 1.45p.m. Performance for parents without children
14th - Visit to Waltham Abbey town hall to see Snow White, a.m. Year R & Year 1, p.m. Year 2
15th - School Christmas lunch
16th - 1.45 p.m. Christmas Carol service in Waltham Abbey church – Children & staff
17th - p.m. Christmas party
18th - 2.00p.m. School breaks up

School reopens on Monday 4th January 2009

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