Newsletter 4th September 2015

Dear Parents,                                                                                                                                        4^th September 2015

Welcome to all our new parents and welcome back everyone after the summer break.  I hope you managed to have some quality family time! We are very excited and happy at being back at school.  We have had two INSET days to prepare for the children to discuss the latest curriculum and assessment changes. To keep you up to speed we are in a time of significant change in education - the curriculum has become more challenging, ‘levels’ have gone, the children will have more tests, targets are higher, there are greater duties around safeguarding and the Ofsted framework has changed yet again.  It’s going to be busy and we will keep you informed!

Staffing

We have had some changes to staffing and we would like to welcome new teachers Mrs Higgins and Mr Maragh to Year 5 and 6 respectively.  From the Juniors, Ms Kilbey and Mrs Bell, are teaching the infants - Year 2 and 1 respectively.  Welcome back to Ms McKiernan and Mrs Rocha who have returned from maternity leave. We also welcome our new teaching assistants Mrs Cueva, Ms Garcia Leira, Miss Corbett, Miss Enablable, Ms Kelly, Ms Harrington, and Miss Gokhool.

School Mass

Please join us at 10.30am on Friday 11^th September for our School Mass at Sacred Heart Church. 

Uniform

The children looked very smart on their first day back. Make sure they are wearing the correct uniform.  No jewellery and long hair should be tied back with a plain band.  There should be no fades or decoration in hairstyles.  There is a lot of lost property so could you make sure your child’s name is on their uniform.

Punctuality and attendance

The threshold for attendance checks has been raised from 85% to 90%. Please make sure your child is in school and on time. Holidays should not be taken in term time.

Free School Meals

I would like to remind you that if there is anyone who thinks they might be entitled to free school meals to ask at reception.  For those who are eligible we are providing free school uniform.  We are aware that this time of year is very costly for people so please enquire.

Contact details

It is your parental duty to ensure we have the correct contact details for children.  You will be asked to provide/update all contact numbers. Sometimes these numbers are out of date or unreachable.  When this happens it upsets the children and is very frustrating for staff.

Clubs and activities

There will be a number of clubs and activities available for the children to take part in and information will be out soon. We try to make sure every child has a club although it might not be their first choice if something is especially popular.  We do put children on a waiting list for the next term so they won’t be too disappointed.

MacMillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning

On the 25^th September at 9.15am we will be holding a coffee morning to support the

wonderful work of the MacMillan organisation. Please join us.  We will be asking for

you to bake/donate cakes.

Term Dates: School term dates are on the website. We have also attached them so you have them to hand.  Please note the next two INSET DAYS will be Monday January 4^th 2016 and Friday February 12^th 2016. We have one more INSET day to arrange and the date is yet to be confirmed.

Anita Gallagher

Executive Headteacher

School Term and Holiday Dates 2015/2016

Holidays in term time are not permitted. Please note these dates carefully so that you do not book holidays or flights in term time.

AUTUMN TERM

School Term Starts:                 Thursday 3^rd September 2015 - Friday 23^rd October 2015

Half Term Holidays:                Monday 26^th October 2015 - Friday 30^th October 2015

School Term Starts:                 Monday 2^nd November 2015 - Friday 18^th December 2015 (1pm Finish)

Christmas Holidays:                Monday 21st December 2015 - Friday 1st January 2016

Staff Training Day:                   Tuesday 1^st September 2015 (School is CLOSED to Children)

Staff Training Day:                   Wednesday 2^nd September 2015 (School is CLOSED to Children)

SPRING TERM

School Term Starts:                 Tuesday 5^th January 2016 - Thursday 11^th February 2016

Half Term Holidays:                Monday 15^th February 2016 - Friday 19^th February 2016

School Term Starts:                 Monday 22^nd February 2016 – Thursday 24^th March 2016 (1pm finish)

Easter Holidays:                        Friday 25^th March 2016 - Friday 8^th April 2016

Staff Training Day:                   Monday 4^th January 2016 (School is CLOSED to Children)

Staff Training Day:                   Friday 12^th February 2016 (School is CLOSED to Children)

SUMMER TERM

School Term Starts:                 Monday 11^th April 2016 - Friday 27^th May 2016

Half Term Holidays:                Monday 30^th May 2016 - Friday 3^rd June 2016

School Term Starts:                 Monday 6^th June 2016 – Wednesday 20^th July 2016 (1pm Finish)

Summer Holidays:                   Thursday 21^st July 2016 - (Autumn 2016 dates to be confirmed)

Staff Training Days:                 Dates To Be Confirmed (School is CLOSED to Children)

The academic year is based on 195 days. Of these, 5 days are staff training days. Children attend for 190 days.

Note: These Term dates are correct on day of print, but may be changed at a later date by the Local Authority.

Public Holiday Dates:

Christmas Day                            Friday 25^th December 2015

Boxing Day                                  Monday 28^th December 2015

New Year                                     Friday 1^st January 2016

Good Friday                                Friday 25^th March 2016

Easter Monday                          Monday 28^th March 2016

May Bank Holiday                    Monday 2^nd May 2016

Spring Bank Holiday                Monday 30^th May 2016

Summer Bank Holiday           Monday 29^th August 2016