Year 4 had a wonderful afternoon yesterday working on their art work connected with their English theme of the Warrior

Troll. Their art work is inspired by I and the Village by Chagall.

At the end of last week and this week, we have been sharing our school values with governors and discussing them with the newly formed School Council. The feeling that we work TOGETHER is a strong one - children, parents, school sta, governors and the school community. This is a feeling that I very much hope that you feel too.Our mission statement, which is also displayed on our school website is: Together, at Sandiway Primary School, we welcome, nurture and enthuse a love of learning and success in all. Within a safe and supportive environment, we encourage confidence and independence. We inspire children to thrive through memorable and aspiration experiences that envelop the whole child.

As a school we strive to work towards our new motto:

Achieving...togetherUnfortunately, we have had to cancel the first PTA event of the year due to lack of interest. This promised to be a wonderful occasion, bringing our parents together. If you can give any feedback to members of the PTA about the idea for the event, it would be very helpful for the future. Thank you to the PTA for all the hard work that I know was put into the organising of the event.Mr Ault has asked me to remind parents that his club payments are now due, thank you.?????????????

Friday 25th SeptMacmillan Coee MorningPlease come to school to support this very worthwhile charity. We will be serving refreshments from 9.00am until 11.00am.

We are always grateful for any donations of cakes (homemade or bought) and help. More details over leaf.

Thursday 1st OctoberSpecial lunch We would like as many children as possible to enjoy our special lunch.

Friday 2nd OctoberWorld Smile Day :) I am pleased to say that our children are normally smiley - on this day we need to be even more so! Do an act of kindness. Help one person SMILE!

Friday 16th OctoberGovernor DayThis is a day where the school governors will be spending the day in school as a means to support their strategic role in the running of the school. The focus for the day will be around English and mathematics. They will also focus on how the school will move forward in the assessing of children since the Government has removed the use of levels and a new national curriculum is now more embedded in the school.

News from the week

Looking ahead

SANDIWAY PRIMARY SCHOOL

Number 3 Autumn Term 2015 Wednesday 23rd September 2015www.sandiway.cheshire.sch.uk admin@sandiway.cheshire.sch.uk 01606 883298

W E E K L Y N E W S L E T T E R

It is very important that we work together as parents and school to maximise the opportunities that we give the children. Since starting my position as Headteacher at Sandiway Primary School, I am very proud of the changes I have supported the school to make and the improvements we have seen. I have received many emails and have been engaged in many conversations with parents, aunties, grandparents and members of the local community and have received feedback both positive and negative. I know how important it is to act quickly when we receive negative feedback and I have ensured that this is done eciently - everyone likes a problem to be solved quickly.

I would like to invite you to complete a questionnaire from the school governors to give your feedback around a number of areas. We have created an online questionnaire for your convenience and this should take no more than five minutes to complete.

I would be very grateful if you could take time to look through the questionnaire and leave your feedback. If you have any major concerns or complaints, these should be made to me personally so that I can work with you to solve

them - the questionnaire is anonymous so I wouldnt be able to help you personally through seeing the results.

Please follow the following link and leave your views:

www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/146869CYEXM/

I will communicate the findings with you when they have been collected and analysed. If you would like a paper copy of the questionnaire, they can be collected from the school oce.

While you are in questionnaire-filling-in-mode, I would like to remind you about Ofsteds ParentView website where you are free to leave your views at any time. These results from this questionnaire can be seen by members of the public and can really help parents making choices about where

to send their children.

Whilst I know that we are a happy school where children achieve a high quality education and results continue to improve, I am also fully aware that we still have improvements that are needed. Your feedback to this end is vital. Thank you.

Whilst it seems very early to be thinking about next years Reception class, the admissions process has already started. If you have a child who is due to start school next September, you must apply for a place before 15th January 2016. This also applies for current parents to the school. Last year, we had so much interest for our school, we could nearly fill the 30 places twice over - this year is already looking similar. Please visit Cheshire West and Chesters admissions website at www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/education_and_learning/school_admissions.aspx to read the criteria for admissions and to make your online application. Please pass this message on to other parents who you know are interested in the school.

We will be holding an open afternoon for all parents interested in applying for a place on Thursday 5th November from 1.15pm. In addition, you can also visit the school to have a look around and to ask any questions that my be specific to you and your family. Please contact the school oce to make an appointment.

Finding out your views

Can I remind you to keep checking back at the schools website. This is being updated all the time and has a lot of useful information about what is happening in classes and in school.

Dates for the year are being added in the school calendar.

There is an app available that can be downloaded for smartphones through the Apple and Android app stores. This will allow messages and news updates to be pushed to your phones. We will continue to use text messages at the moment, but we are exploring more ways in which we can use the website to keep you informed.

School Website New Starters for Reception 2016

Notes from the PTALast night we held our AGM where we shared the many successes of last year. A small, but very enthusiastic group recalled the highlights, including our music festival Sandfest, the childrens discos, film nights and the Christmas Fair.

The PTA has a healthy balance in the bank, but are keen to spend your contributions wisely. Already pledged is money for: new laptops and a trolley, contributions to support the visits for each class, reading books and an artist who will be working in the school later this term.

The PTA will shortly send a letter out with more details of the upcoming events for the year.

Dont forget to check out the PTA Facebook page - search for Sandiway PTA. This is often updated and gives you chance to leave any comments.

PTA News

Other news...

Macmillan Coee Morning

Dont forget our Coee Morning this Friday in support of Macmillan. Any donations of cakes can be brought into school from tomorrow. The children in Year 5 have been very busy organising the event and we are looking forward to seeing lots of visitors.

Please come into school through the front door from 9.00am. Children will be singing at 10.30am. The children will be having cakes at their playtime (slightly earlier at 10.15am) as there will not be enough room in the school for all our visitors and all the children. The morning will finish at 11.00am.

The event will be match-funded by Barclays and so we look forward to raising a lot of money for this wonderful charity.

Cycle Security (message from Cheshire Police)Please see below the next date and times for our bike marking event. Please note we mark the bikes with a permanent marker pen then spray a protective gloss over it:

At: Helsby Library Car ParkOn: Sunday 4th October, 2015Time: 13:30 - 14:15

At: Kingsley Community CentreOn: Sunday 4th October, 2015Time: 14:30 - 15:15

At: Frodsham Brio Leisure CentreOn: Sunday 4th October, 2015Time: 15:30- 16:15

Phil BrandrethPCSO 21596Chester LPU

The nurses will be in school on the afternoon of Wednesday 14th October to administer the nasal spray vaccination. Children in Years 1 and 2 will be eligible for the vaccination in school - Reception children will be covered through your health visitors. The NHS will be distributing letters and permission slips in the next week or two. More information can be found at http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/child-flu-vaccine.aspx