ST NICHOLAS SCHOOL

NEWSLETTER (4) FEBRUARY 2017

ACADEMIC YEAR 2016 – 2017

TERM 4

Start: Monday 20 February 2017

Finish: Friday 31 March 2017

TERM 5

Start: Wednesday 19 April 2017

Finish: Friday 26 May 2017

Bank Holidays: Monday 1 May 2017

Staff Development Days: Tuesday 18

April 2017

TERM 6

Start: Monday 5 June 2017

Finish: Friday 21 July 2017 at 2 pm

ACADEMIC YEAR 2017 – 2018

TERM 1

Start: Wednesday 6 September

Finish: Thursday 19 October

Staff Development Days: Monday 4 and

Tuesday 5 September and Friday 20

October 2017

Term 2

Start: Monday 30 October 2017

Finish: Wednesday 20 December 2017

at 2 pm

Term 3

Start: Friday 5 January 2018

Finish: Friday 9 February 2018

Staff Development Day: Thursday 4

January 2018

Term 4

Start: Monday 19 February 2018

Finish: Thursday 29 March 2018

Term 5

Start: Tuesday 17 April 2018

Finish: Friday 25 May 2018

Staff Development Day: Monday 16

April 2018

Bank Holidays: Monday 7 May 2018

Staff Development Day: Monday 16

April 2018

Term 6

Start: Monday 4 June 2018

Finish: Tuesday 24 July 2018

Dear Parents and Carers

Spring is in the air and at last the days are getting lighter!

This is the time of the year when we have to get ready to set a new

budget and look at how this year has gone. The school is having to

manage with a budget that is standing still whilst our costs continue to

increase. Consequently we will have to make cuts in our expenditure

whilst still ensuring that we maintain our high standards. We are very

fortunate to have your support in what we do and the fundraising of

the Friends of St Nicholas School is crucial to us in developing the

bigger projects and trying out new equipment.

Thank you for returning the parental survey sheets. I have attached

the responses to this newsletter. I appreciate all the positive

comments and the ideas you have to make improvements.

Parent governors are valuable members of our school governing board

and we have been fortunate to have Mrs Sharon Godden as one of your

representatives. Her term of office ends this month and although she

is prepared to continue serving; the regulations stipulate that we

should make the vacancy open to all parents. If you are interested in

being a school governor please return the application form, attached,

by the end of next week. If we have more than one applicant there will

be an election.

The Governors are looking at the long term future for the school and

considering the options we have in terms of collaboration and

academisation. Although the government lifted their requirement for

all schools to become academies it is clear that the trend is still for

this to happen. The Governors are clear that they will only act in the

best interests of the pupils in the school to guarantee the best quality

education for them into the future. It makes sense for us to work

closely with other schools who have similar aims to us whilst we ensure

we retain the ability to control our resources and guide our

developments to best meet the needs of your children.

In our commitment to improve the teaching in the school we are trialing

a new system that enables teachers to video their practice in the

Medway Park swimming our students came

2nd overall winning medals and a trophy

Students took part in several different

sports on offer at YMCA Maidstone

Classroom; so they can meet together to share and support each other with new ideas. We will be

trying this out for the first time this term. These films can only be accessed by the teachers and are

kept secure by the company we are working with. If you have any further questions please contact

me.

I look forward to seeing you at our Easter celebration events.

Daniel Lewis

Headteacher

KEY STAGE NEWS

Owl Babies is Mary Sheridan’s book and topic this term. This helps us to think about our Mummies as

we approach Mother’s Day. So far the children have enjoyed the story, singing songs about Owls,

using the puppets, and writing what owls say. It’s not always twit-twoo!

Rainbow Fish class went to Big Fun House in Chartham last week

courtesy of the Canterbury Rotary Club. We had lots of fun playing

on the climbing equipment, sliding down the big slides and playing in

the ball pool. We ate our lunch in the cafe and then came back to

school on the school bus.

Owl class have started to use the big playground after lunch joining

the juniors for playtime. They are enjoying the equipment and

having more space to run around in.

In class we are continuing with our transport topic and will begin to

explore space travel this term.

This term Lion Class’s story will be The Gruffalo and we will hopefully be

doing lots of outdoor learning and making Gruffalo recipes including owl ice

cream, roasted fox, scrambled snake and Gruffalo Crumble!

For our Romans topic we will be making a trip to the Roman Museum in

Canterbury. A letter will come home next week.

Thank you to everyone who has already sent in snacks for the class to

share, they are very much appreciated. Please remember all snacks should

be nut free.

If you have any school uniform that you no longer need we are looking for

plimsolls and other items for our spare clothes cupboard. Please can all

children bring in a named PE kit if you have not already done so.

Toucan Class had a great visit to Canterbury Cathedral. The students

loved trying on costumes and went on a guided tour. They acted out

the murder of Thomas Becket. Everyone had a great time trying out

different activities in the Education Centre as well.

Penguins and Polar Bears are looking at Light and Dark this term. We

will be studying nocturnal animals and reading lots of non-fiction text

about them. We will create owls nests, write our own information

books, create fictional stories about the animals and then act them

out in drama. We will also be creating a shadow puppet show; learning about light sources and lots

more. We are very excited to have Ioannis this term for music.

S1A have been participating in some lessons at Spires Academy with

their teachers. We have had Science, French, Music and PE lessons so

far. Here we are with Miss Bishopp, who is a Spires music teacher,

taking part in a singing and listening workshop.

Key Stage 3

The Kingswood trip is rapidly approaching. Could I please remind all

parents and carers of students who are attending the trip to get all

the necessary paperwork in; especially any information about any medication that needs to be

administered whilst we are away. Please can I also remind you that ALL medication needs to be

handed to the group leader personally prior to the trip.

I am sure the trip will be really successful as it has in previous years. Photographs will follow!

S3A had a very interesting lesson around the issue of internet

safety. We began by discussing items or information we would or

would not share with others. This was followed by a "What should

you do?" quiz; where the students were presented with online

scenarios and asked to think what they would do. We finished by

watching and discussing the Newsround 'Caught in the Web' video.

OTHER NEWS

PSCN Group Taster Day

On Tuesday 10 January a group of 12 students from Ifield School in

Gravesend visited St Nicholas School to have the experience of using

our climbing wall and full sized trampoline. They had a thoroughly

good day and enjoyed every minute. In exchange groups of students

from St Nicholas will be able to visit other schools within the group

to experience a range of different activities.

National Storytelling Week

Classes from Key Stages 3 and 4 enjoyed some winter themed stories

delivered by St Nicholas Schools' own resident “Raconteur and Wizard”,

Tom Holden! Students wrapped up warm to climb an icy mountain and

fought through whirlwinds and blizzards to save Spring.

Cygnet Course for Parents and Carers

This course is for parents of a child who

has received a later diagnosis of Autism (between 7 – 18 years) and

would like to find out more.

The course teaches about Autism and provides strategies for managing

behaviour, building on parents/carers knowledge of their child.

This course is a block of six sessions and you will need to attend all

sessions.

Sessions takes place on Fridays 10 – 12.30 pm for six weeks, at St

Nicholas School, from 10 November to 15 December.

Please email rebecca.h@st-nicholas.kent.sch.uk to book your free place.

PECS Taster Workshop

Come and gain a greater understanding of the processes involved

with PECs and how to support your child or young person. We will

be running a course on Friday 17 March from 9.30 – 12.30 pm at

the school led by Gillian Newport, Assistant Headteacher.

Sensory Training/Workshop for Parents

A parent’s introduction to understanding sensory processing difficulties and how we can help our

sensory-challenged children. This parent workshop will be delivered by Paediatric Occupational

Therapist, Karen Al Khina, who is experienced in working with children in both mainstream and special

school settings with sensory processing difficulties and sensory integration needs.

The course will run on Monday 26 June from 9.30 – 12 pm at St Nicholas School.

Positive Parent Workshops

These workshops will focus on developing resilience and will run on Thursday 12 May 10 – 12 pm and

Friday 16 June 12.30 - 2.30 pm. Further details to follow.

To book a space, on any of the above courses, please contact: Emma Wellard or Stephanie Box on

01227 464316 emma.w@st-nicholas.kent.sch.uk or stephanie.b@st-nicholas.kent.sch.uk

Additional Services

Our joint CAMHS clinic is running on Monday 13 March from 10 – 1 pm. This may be useful for parents

or staff who has concerns about the mental health of a child or young person. Please contact

Nathalie through the school to book a 30 minute slot.

Social Work Drop in Clinic at St Nicholas School

We offer a Social Work Clinic, run by Debra Wright from the Children’s Disability Team, here at St

Nicholas School. Please feel free to drop in or phone on the days of the clinic if you have anything

you would like to discuss. The next date will be Wednesday 29 March. Further dates: 26 April, 24

May, 21 June and 19 July.

For further information please contact Emma Wellard emma.w@st-nicholas.kent.sch.uk

School Dinners

A reminder that this term school meals are £2.35 per day which can be paid termly or weekly in

advance. School meals at the 6th form block are £3 per day.

If you are in receipt of Free School Meals please go to www.kent.gov.uk to check that you are

still eligible or contact the school office.

School Voluntary Fund Reminder

Can I remind you that we ask for a voluntary donation of £5 each term to help towards the cost of

the community based education programmes, swimming trips, shopping trips and outings which the

pupils take part in. If you have already made your contribution – many thanks.

RED NOSE DAY

On Friday 24 March we will be fundraising for Red Nose Day; if you would like to

send your child in wearing RED on the day, please do.

We also have fundraising items for sale from the beginning of next week. Please

send in some pocket money so your child can choose and buy merchandise; prices

range from £1 - £2.50.

PTFA (Parents, Teachers, Friends Association) News

PTFA Meetings

Please feel free to attend our relaxed, friendly and informal PTFA meetings at any stage in the

school year. The first half of our meeting is a structured, but informal chat, which provides parents

and carers with an opportunity to discuss issues which affect our children and school. Dates below.

If you would like to get involved or require further details, please contact me via the

office or email me at vanessajoakes@gmail.com.

Please join our PTFA Facebook page to keep abreast of what's going on in school and all

the latest PTFA news.

'Phil’ the Bag

Thank you to everyone who sent in clothes for

the 'Phil’ the Bag initiative. As you can see from

the photos it was a great success. We will let

you know how much was raised imminently. The

PTFA will have another one in six months’ time;

so in the meantime please hold on to your

clothes and if you have storage issues contact

us.

FORTHCOMING DATES:

Wednesday 8 – Friday 10 March KS 3 Kingswood Residential Trip

Wednesday 22 March 10 – 12 pm PTFA Meeting

Friday 24 March Red Nose Day

Tuesday 28 March 10 am Easter Service St Mary Bredin Church

Friday 31 March Easter Bonnet Parade

Tuesday 25 April 10 – 12 pm PTFA Meeting

Wednesday 24 May 10 – 12 pm PTFA Meeting

Tuesday 20 June 10 – 12 pm PTFA Meeting

Saturday 8 July 11 – 1 pm Summer Fete

Reminder:

School closes for Easter on Friday 31 March at 3 pm We look forward to seeing you back on Wednesday 19 April.

0 5 10 15 20

Carry on the good work

Communication

Meet the TAs

Parking

Update website

Improvements to School

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Interaction and safety

Community project and…

Individual pupil needs

Management

Helping parents

Communication

What the School does well

0 1 2 3

School Dinner Menu

Online order forms

Website Improvements

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

Are you happy with the communicationthrough the home-school book, telephone…

Do you use the School Website?

Are you happy to be contacted by email?

Do you feel comfortable approaching theschool with a question or a problem?

Is school effective in educating your child?

Do you feel your child is safe at school?

Parent Questionnaire

YES

MAYBE

NO

Dear Parent/Carer

Election of Parent Governors

I am writing to invite you to consider standing for election as a parent governor for this school

Every Kent school has a governing body, which includes a number of categories of governors including parent

governors. Parent governors are elected to serve for a period between one and four years, though they may

resign at any time.

Together with the headteacher, the governing body has overall responsibility for the running of the school.

Governors are involved in deciding school policies, allocating the school’s budget and appointing senior staff. No

special qualifications are needed and the most important thing is to have a keen interest in the school and be

prepared to play an active part in the governing body’s work. In order to support governors in their work, the

County Council provides full training for all governors at no charge to the individual.

The full governing body normally meet three times a year and, in addition, there are three committee meetings

per year (depending on which Committees you agree to sit).

At this moment in time we are ideally looking for any parents with educational, financial, personnel or legal

backgrounds.

If you would like to stand for election, please complete the attached form and return it to me within two weeks

(17.03.17). Each person nominated must be proposed and seconded by parents/carers who have a child at the

school. Anyone standing for election is invited to provide, with his/her nomination, a short personal statement

(maximum of 100 words). The statement should only include biographical information, your reasons for wanting

to be a parent governor and the contribution you believe you can make to the governing body.

If the number of nominations received is equal, or less than, the number of vacancies, the nominees will

automatically be elected as parent governors. If, however, there are more nominations than vacancies, an

election will be held and copies of the personal statements will be sent to all parents. Two weeks will be allowed

for the return of ballot papers. Each parent will have one vote for each vacancy, irrespective of the number of

children s/he has at the school. The ballot paper and two envelopes will be distributed to each eligible parent.

Each ballot paper will be stamped or endorsed for security and produced on coloured paper. Ballot papers

should be returned in the inner unmarked envelope and then placed in the outer envelope clearly marked ‘Parent

Governor Election’, bearing the name and address of the voter, the name(s) of their child(ren) and should be

signed across the seal.

I do hope you will consider standing as a governor or else nominating another parent/carer. If you would like

more information about being a school governor, please contact another governor or myself for more

information via the school office.

Yours sincerely

Daniel Lewis

Headteacher

ELECTION OF PARENT GOVERNORS PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO THE SCHOOL NAMED BELOW WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF THE DATE OF THE COVERING LETTER 17.03.17 Name of the school: St. Nicholas Please enter IN BLOCK LETTERS your name and address. (You must be the parent/carer of a child registered at the school named in 1); Name Address

Signature of nominee Parent /Carer of (Name of Child/ren)

Signature of proposer Name and address Parent /Carer of (Name of Child/ren) Signature of seconder Name and address Parent /Carer of (Name of Child/ren) We would ask that you include a statement of no more than 100 works to support you application. This will be sent to the parents in the event that we have more applications than positions available.

Please note: Further nomination forms can be obtained from the Headteacher. The term “parent” includes guardians, foster parents and any person who has actual custody of a child. A person is disqualified from holding or continuing to hold office if that person:

Is the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or an interim order, debt relief restrictions order, an interim debt relief restrictions order or their estate has been sequestrated and the sequestration has not been discharged, annulled or reduced is subject to a disqualification order or disqualification undertaking under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986, a disqualification order under Part 2 of the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, a disqualification undertaking accepted under the Company Directors Disqualification (Northern Ireland) Order 2002, or an order made under section 429(2)(b) of the Insolvency Act 1986 (failure to pay under county court administration order)

Has been removed from the office of charity trustee or trustee for a charity by the Charity Commission or Commissioners or High Court on grounds of any misconduct or mismanagement, or under section 34 of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 from being concerned in the management or control of any body

A person is disqualified from holding or from continuing to hold office as a governor of a school at any time when the person is:

included in the list kept under section 1 of the Protection of Children Act 1999(a) (list of those considered by the Secretary of State as unsuitable to work with children);

subject to a direction of the Secretary of State under section 142 of EA 2002(b) (or any other disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in such a direction);

barred from regulated activity relating to children in accordance with section 3(2) of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006(c);

disqualified from working with children under sections 28, 29 or 29A of the Criminal

Justice and Court Services Act 2000(d);

disqualified from registration under Part 2 of the Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010(e) for child minding or providing day care;

Disqualified from registration under Part 3 of the Childcare Act 2006(f).

The nominee has been convicted, whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere, of any offence and a sentence of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) has been imposed for a period of not less than three months without the option of a fine.

The nominee has been convicted of any offence and a sentence of imprisonment has been imposed on for a period of not less than two and a half years within 20 years preceding the date of appointment

The nominee has been convicted under section 547 of EA 1996(a) (nuisance or disturbance on school premises) or under section 85A of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992(b) (nuisance or disturbance on educational premises) of an offence and has been sentenced to a fine.

A person is disqualified from holding or continuing to hold office as a governor at any time when the person refuses a request by the clerk to the governing body to make an application under section 113B of the Police Act 1997(c) for a criminal records certificate.

Anyone proposed or serving as a governor who is disqualified for one of these reasons must notify the clerk to the governing body.