Blog: www.silkstoneprimaryschool.comNewsletter No 94 December 2017

Dear Parents,

Through tight leadership and governance, Silkstone has for a long time been working in austerity which is reflected through our benchmarked cost per pupil being significantly below peers. It was hoped that with the introduction of the Fairer Funding Formula we would see a significant increase in our budget. There is a two year transition period before the Formula comes into effect and each Local Authority is responsible for the allocation of funding to schools during this time. Last week myself and Mrs Littlewood attended a meeting at the Town Hall regarding the transition consultation. Unfortunately due to the nominal amount of money allocated by the Government for each pupil nationally, the continued emphasis on funding disadvantaged children and the Local Authority’s need to fund High Needs it is anticipated that our budget will increase by less than £2000 for the next financial year. Myself and the Governing Body have strongly expressed our concerns about the impact of the Authority’s interim measures on our school and await the final decision of the Local Authority following the consultation.

In the meantime, together we need to continue to build a great school for your children. With this in mind we have produced a Tea towel with everyone’s self portrait on, which we are selling for £5.00

through ParentPay. The profit from sales will be used to buy iPads and software for the Foundation Stage to improve the quality and speed of observations. Any additional profit will be used for new home / school reading books across the school. They will make excellent Christmas presents and are a lovely memento from school. Payment on ParentPay will act as an order.

Thank you to those parents who have generously donated colouring books and pencils for the children to use during lunchtime play in the Music Room.

I look forward to seeing you all at our Christmas events over the next few weeks.

Best Wishes

Sally Adams

PANTOMIME - SLEEPING BEAUTY

Just a reminder that this Thursday, LADA Theatre Company are coming into school to perform a production of Sleeping Beauty. We are sure the children will really enjoy the show and enter into the

spirit of a traditional pantomime (oh yes they will!). The cost for this is £4.00 per child and will include refreshments. If you haven’t already made payment, can you please do so by this Wednesday, 6 December. Further details are on parent pay.

PTA NEWS

Wednesday 6 December - PTA regular monthly meeting. This is held at 7.30pm and concludes around 9pm. The venue has changed to the Fairway at Dodworth. All are welcome to come along.

Friday 15 December - is our Christmas Fayre held in school from 5pm. Lots of exciting stalls and of course our special guest Santa will be here. If you would like your child to visit Santa, a booking form needs to be completed and returned to school by Monday, 11 December. Forms were distributed to children last week, if you did not receive one please contact school for another one. There is also one attached to this email.

Donations in advance of the day: By popular demand we are bringing back our second hand toy stall this year. We would be really grateful for any good condition, complete and clean TOYS to be donated. You may drop them off at the School main door from now onwards.

HAMPERS - Each year we ask each class to put together a Christmas Hamper that will be raffled at the Christmas Fayre. Each class has a different theme, which is listed below. Items can be brought in from next week, up to Wednesday, 13 December and handed to a member of staff in the class room.

CLASS R Family Christmas film night - sweet treats, cosy socks, blanket, NEW DVD classics or new films, drinks, popcorn

CLASS 1 Mrs Claus' Kitchen - Edible ingredients/Cooking utensils/Festive tins, cookie cutters etc/Cake decorating stuff

CLASS 2 Snowed in - Crafts/activities/Grit salt bag/Spade!

CLASS 3 All things Christmassy - Anything festive

CLASS 4 Festive Treats - Speaks for itself!

CLASS 5 Go Outdoors (Even if Chilly) Healthy option hamper - healthy treats, water bottles, get active items, sports theme books, outdoor games, vouchers for local sporting venues

CLASS 6 Family Games night - Games/Snacks/Drinks

RAFFLE TICKETS - Just a reminder that any raffle ticket money/stubs for tickets sold need to be returned to school as soon as possible. If you have any unsold tickets, then these too need to be returned so that we can sell them at the Fayre.

There are a lot of requests all at once, and we are really grateful for everyone's continued generosity - we want to beat last year's fundraising total for the Fayre, which came to £2,000 and all of the money raised this year will be spent on books for the children.

Many thanks from the PTA.

On Wednesday, 20 December Elsa and her team in the kitchen are planning a Christmas Party Menu, available to all pupils. Again, this will be the only meal option on that day.

Please notify the school office for any meal requests by Monday, 11 December. Payment of £2.00 can be made on Parent Pay as usual. If we are not notified of any changes, we will assume your child’s lunch requirements remain as normal.

CHRISTMAS PARTY MENU

Assorted Sandwiches, Variety of Savouries, Crudities & DipsHomemade Crisps or Jacket Wedges

Selection of Festive Desserts

DIARY DATES

DECEMBERThursday 7th Sleeping Beauty PantomimeTuesday 12th at 2pm Nativity Production YR to 2Wednesday 13th Christmas DinnerThursday 14th at 2pm Nativity Production YR to 2Friday 15th Y6 at Crucial CrewFriday 15th Christmas FairThursday 21st Christmas Service in ChurchFriday 22nd Christmas Jumper Day