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14 Mar 2008 - Newsletter No 24

Horfield  CEVC  Primary School

 

Newsletter No.24- Friday 14th March 2008

 

 

Science Week

 

We have had fun in school this week with all the different science activities and today we had a sharing assembly at which the children showed off their skills and knowledge. Many children had been keen to stay behind on Thursday evening at the Science Fair. More news about this exciting event next week.

 

Eat-a- metre

 

We are hoping for a harvest of broad beans, potatoes, courgettes and runner beans as each class has been given some seeds to plant and 2 representatives from each class are organising this activity

 

Year 2 visit to the Zoo

 

Year 2 had a very enjoyable trip to the zoo on Thursday. They were greeted by a polar explorer who took them to an ‘ice cave’ to learn about the life of an Antarctic penguin. They had great fun dressing up as penguins and learning about how animals survive in cold environments.

 

Easter Service

 

Our Easter service is now on the last day of term Friday 4th April and not on Maundy Thursday as previously stated, at Horfield  Parish  Church at and you are all most welcome to attend.

 

Stages finale

 

Our dancers gave a superb performance at this prestigious event and, to add further accolade to them, they have been invited to perform at the Bristol Schools’ Colston Hall Concert in June.

 

Spanish students

 

We have two Spanish students from Malaga in school for the duration of March who are learning about the English education system…and at the same time our children are benefitting from some extra Spanish and insights into what it is like to live in Spain.

 

Year 6 Assembly Monday 17th March

 

Year 6 will be sharing their experiences both from their visit to Poland and their school based activity week during assembly time at . Any year 6 parents /relatives are most welcome to come and we would be delighted if you could stay for cakes and coffee afterwards.

 

SAM Learning

 

We recently sent home guidance about how Horfield School pupils can access a very useful online teaching and learning website called SAM learning……….

 

 

So far, we have received some very favourable comments from parents and children about the site and this is just to remind those families with easy online access to have a look at the site and see what you think. One parent commented:

 

“We sat down together and it really helped me to understand.”

 

 

Lateness

 

Parents will be aware that we had a lateness initiative earlier this year which resulted in a significant improvement in punctuality. Unfortunately, some of that success has now slipped away and this week we have been recording higher than usual numbers of children arriving in school after the registration time. It may be that the adverse weather has presented some additional problems but I would like to, once again, point out that children are expected to be in classrooms by ready for registration each day. Please make a real effort to ensure, for your child’s sake, that you achieve good punctuality. We have today sent individual letters to parents where we have concerns about children arriving in school on time.

 

Medication

 

There has been an element of confusion relating to school policy on the administration of medicines in school so I thought it would be useful to restate it here. The statutory guidance, which we are required to adhere to, states:

 

“Medicines should only be taken to a setting when this is essential and settings should only accept medicines that have been prescribed by a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist. It is for the provider to arrange who should administer medicines, either on a voluntary basis or as part of a contract of employment.”

 

This means we can only administer medicines to children in school which have been prescribed and where is it essential to maintain a course of treatment. We also ask parents to provide written permission to administer medicines alongside clear, written instructions about dosage requirements. I hope this is helpful.

 

Parent Survey

 

Thank you to the many parents who have returned our annual parent survey which were given out during parent / teacher meetings recently. We are keen to complete the analysis of your responses and we are therefore asking for you to make sure that the forms are returned to school before Easter, i.e Thursday 20th March.

 

Big Invitation Books.  Thank you to all those who purchased a Big Invitation Book, which raised £136!

 

Students of the Week in Year 6 are Theo Nhlane for his writing. and Harry Prewett – Britton for his all round progress and improved maturity…and because he is leaving today (along with Charleigh) following their move to their new house. Well done…and good luck to the Prewett –Brittons.

 

Book Fayre

 

Book Fayre is here until Tuesday and as usual has had a good response.

 

Assembly Theme

Our theme for assemblies next week is Holy Week.

GOOD NEWS PAGE

 

Attendance

 

At a recent meeting with headteachers I was delighted to be informed that our school attendance data reveals a very substantial fall in the number of holidays being taken during school time in comparison to other schools. Moreover, during Terms 1 to 3 in the 2006/07 school year a total of 663 sessions were lost through holiday absence. In the same period for 2007/08 the figure was more than halved to 314. Well done, and please continue booking holidays during school holiday periods wherever possible.

 

Ofsted Inspection of Geography

 

This week we received the letter from Ofsted informing us of our geography inspection judgements:

 

Some of the key points are:

 

Achievement – Good

 

Quality of teaching and learning – Good

 

The quality of the curriculum  -Good

 

Leadership and management of geography – Good

 

Provision for inclusion  -Good

 

In addition to this the inspector praised our “excellent international links” and how these are being used to good effect in making the curriculum more relevant to pupils.

 

Artsmark Adjudication

 

Last autumn the school submitted an application to the Arts Council to be reaccredited with the Artsmark Gold Award for our provision in the Arts. As part of the adjudication process we were visited for the afternoon on Monday by an assessor who was clearly impressed at the quality and variety of arts activities talking place here. He really liked the KS1 and 2 choirs and commented that it felt like there was a “tidal wave” of activity happening in this school. We will learn whether our application has been successful later next term.

 

School Review

 

It’s been a busy time with external assessors recently as we had a whole day review of our provision on Wednesday with our School Improvement Partner. He observed lessons, looked at work, school documentation, talked to children and the Leadership Team, and finally judged that our teaching and learning is good, our care and guidance for pupils is good, and our curriculum provision is outstanding.

 

 

E Lewis / A Sutton

 

Achievement Board

 

Jack Morgan, Omar Khecha, Joseph Leather, Will Allen and Daniel  Alsop have been really enthusiastic about writing and have  been making books at home. They are super!

 

 

In the swimming pool several children have achieved awards:

 

Jenny Kirk was aiming for her 400m but actually achieved 600m with her determination to succeed.

 

Adam Freeman has passed his Level 3 National Swim Award…

 

 and is delighted that he can now go in the big pool!

 

Christopher Ackerman has achieved his 600m badge and certificate

 

Well done to all of the above!

 

Diary Dates – Term 4

 

Monday 10th March

 

Science Week

 

Wednesday 12th March

 

Book Fayre

 

Monday 17th March

 

Year 6 parents are invited to assembly

 

Book Fayre after school

 

Tuesday 18th March

 

Book Fayre after school

 

Thursday 20th March pm

 

Easter Egg Hunt for the Children

 

Friday 21st March

 

Good Friday – school closed

 

Monday 24th March

 

Easter Monday – school closed

 

Tuesday 25th March

 

Fairthorne meeting

 

Tuesday 25th-28th March

 

Writing Week

 

Friday 4th April

 

10.00am Service at church.

 

Last day of Term 4

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
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