End of Year Newsletter July 2014

This is my final newsletter of 2013-14, wishing you all a great summer break. I would like to thank everyone who has played a part in yet another successful year in the life of the school, including PTFA committee members, governors, staff, parents and pupils. As we say farewell to our Y6 pupils we wish them all the very best for the next phase of their journey and look forward to hearing regular news of their achievements. Allergies in school – from time to time I have to give a reminder of those children who suffer from various allergies. In particular, please be aware that there are several children who have severe nut allergies, as a few nut-trace products have slipped through the net recently. Here is an appeal from the parents of one child who is affected:

As parents we all treasure our children more than anything else. Unfortunately, a number of children in our school suffer from extremely serious allergies. The school takes steps to mitigate the risks these children face, but the threat of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) – which can lead to sudden and immediate death – is always very real. Our son Callum Womsley suffers from an allergy to nuts (of all types) and we live with constant concern for his well-being, particularly when he’s not in our care. So, we are extremely grateful to the school for giving us this opportunity to remind everyone of the reality of these issues and that it is of the utmost importance that parents and their children do not introduce nuts, products containing nuts or products that may contain nuts, into the school at any time. The potential consequences of even simple skin contact with a nut can be fatal for some of our children, so please help us and the school to keep their school a safe place and KEEP NUTS OUT! Many thanks. Nick and Annette Womsley

This alert applies to all of us, as we aim to keep our school nut-free. Please note that this will also apply to children who bring packed lunches and things such as birthday treats, cakes and sweets for PTFA sales or fund-raising stalls. End of Year Survey – I have had a terrific response to this, thank you for all the replies so far. I have re-attached the survey to this newsletter, giving you another chance to add your views before the end of term. Judging from the responses so far, the ‘big hits’ this year have clearly been class assemblies and sports days, the dedication of the teachers and children’s general happiness. You are also brimming with ideas for new activities and improvements, so thank you for all of that. The staff have already starting discussing the new ideas and any concerns raised, and I will be showing these to governors in the autumn. Parent focus group – thanks to those who have so far offered to join this group, I will send you a note before the end of term to confirm the arrangements. I am now keen to encourage a few more to come forward, and I would especially like to make this group as inclusive as possible, so I am now appealing in particular for dads, parents who have children with special educational needs or disabilities and parents who represent a range of faiths and cultures. In the autumn, this group will meet with me several times, during the day, to look at the ideas put forward from the survey and to discuss wider issues about the school and our hopes for its future.

Please complete and return the attached reply slip to register your interest.

Just a few reminders for the summer holidays:

Do please remember to organise any ear-piercings for the beginning of the holiday, to avoid anyone having to miss their P.E. lessons during the six-week healing period

Do also remember to name all new uniform ready for September

Dinner money information: o Infant meals will be free from the beginning of next term. Any money overpaid at the end

of this term will be refunded in September o For everyone – an urgent request to settle any outstanding dinner money as soon as

possible so that the account can be balanced by the end of this term

I will be delighted to receive any summer holiday diaries/scrapbooks upon your return. This is a great way of supporting children in their writing and keeping up with their school work over the holiday in a fun and interesting way – and a small prize will be forthcoming, as an added incentive!

Best wishes and happy summer holidays C. Watkins

Reply Slip 1 – end of year survey Please return to Mrs Watkins by the end of term. What have been the highlights of this school year for your family? Any ideas for new activities or improvements for next year? Any suggestions for things not so successful that you would like to see changed? Would you welcome being able to make online payments for school items and receive communications by email? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Reply slip 2 – parent focus group Please return this slip to Mrs Watkins by the end of term if you would like to be part of this group. There would be two or three daytime meetings during the autumn term to share views about the school and consider the next phase of the School Improvement Plan. Parent name ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Child/children’s name/s …………………………………………………………………………………………….. Email address (optional) ………………………………………………………………………………………………