Newsletter 3 — Summer Term – 22nd May 2017 Dear Parents, At the end of this week, we say goodbye to the very magnificent Linda Lennon, who currently supports teaching in 6BY; but in my time at St Martin’s has held a wide range of roles and responsibilities. Perhaps one of her most recent ‘highs’ was to have arrived on World Book Day dressed as Toad of Toad Hall ­ complete with the same zest for life and a GREEN face! Linda had supported teaching in many different classes, been a member of the Governing Body, led the School Council and brought such skill, warmth and humour to the school. I have told her, on many occasions, that she is a ‘class act’ and I meant that most sincerely. We will all be so sad to see her leave. However, Linda has a great adventure ahead of her and will be travelling around the US with her husband...the route looks amazing and we look forward to hearing all about her journey. Enjoy Linda! Our value for the month of May is ­ CO­OPERATION Involves working together at home, at school and in the wider world. Our attendance at St Martin’s is continuing to improve ! I will update parents about attendance in each fortnightly newsletter. Week of 8th May ­ Week of 15th May ­ PLEASE remember that I am unable to authorise holidays, which should always be taken during the school holidays – 13 weeks in total! Governors will be considering whether or not to begin to use Fixed Penalty Notices, for families who persistently take their children out of school for holidays, from September 2017. Please keep this in mind when you consider your holidays for 2017­18 and I will confirm the school’s position before September. Fidget Toys Many children are bringing these toys into school now and so it seems to be sensible to share our views on them with parents. We are a school who tries really hard to allow children to bring in ­ football cards and albums ­ for example, as we can see how much they enjoy playing with them during their break times. However, we cannot and really will not devote valuable teaching time to sorting out problems relating to Fiddle Toys. If your child loses theirs, I am genuinely sorry but I am unable to allow staff to spend time searching for them or to sort out arguments about them. We have asked the children to put them away, either in their pockets or in their trays, the moment that the whistle goes for the end of a break time. Please could you proactively support us in trying to manage this particular craze, by underlining these key messages with your children. Many thanks Parking in Fraser Gardens I have received, yet another complaint from a local resident, who had to sit outside her own house for 20 mins last week, because two cars were actually parked in the middle (judging by the photographs that she sent me) of Fraser Gardens. This is really unacceptable behaviour, under any circumstances at all and I would ask all parents to park considerately. If you are struggling to find somewhere to park then we would rather that you waited a few minutes and then parked safely and with due consideration for others. We will keep your children safely here until you come to collect them. I am painfully aware that parking options are limited outside the school; but please do your best here. Again, thank you to all the parents who manage to park sensibly. Forest Schools I just wanted to take a moment to share my experiences with the Forest School group last Tuesday afternoon. What a complete treat to be able to leave my office and trek up onto Ranmore and spend a few hours watching the children have such a thoroughly fantastic time. We saw three adders, made bows and arrows and dream catchers. The children climbed and ran and grappled with a rope bridge made by Mrs Gill. They are learning about the importance of respecting our world and the wildlife within it. They are learning to take calculated risks, how to look after each other and how to think of different ways to solve problems. I watched each one grow a little more in confidence, in just a few short hours. Mrs Gill, ably assisted by Mrs Hudson….are amazing! We will aim to develop this practice further as the benefits are clear to see. Have a look at the pictures that we have put up on the school’s website. Early Years We invited two external consultants into school last week to moderate the assessment judgements on the Early Years setting. Some of the feedback was particularly impressive. ‘Excellent learning environment, strong learning behaviours, cutting edge practice is being developed,’ Well done to the teaching team who work so hard to get our youngest children off to a great start in life. C
hickens We have chickens in our Early Years setting ­ which began to hatch out earlier this week. They are just adorable and the children are so excited about watching them grow day by day. Do pop in, either at the beginning or the end of the day, and have a look for yourselves. Caterpillars We are also busily watching our caterpillars grow. Each child in Early Years has their own caterpillar and, when they have turned into beautiful butterflies, the children will let them fly free over Ranmore ­ to the sound of classical music ­ Just perfect! Musical Assembly What a complete delight it was to attend the assembly on Friday, where a number of children shared their love of and talent for music. We enjoyed listening to the steady beat of the drums and a piano, cello and both descant and treble recorders. What skill and confidence! My thanks to Josh Hill, who teaches both piano and drums at St Martin’s, Sarah Harrington who teaches our recorder groups and Julia Jones who works hard with our small, but talented orchestra. What a delightful start to the day! Online safety Please could ALL parents remember to check their children’s phones and ipads regularly, ensuring that they are not involved in group chats which may be getting a little out of hand. It may be helpful for you to remind your children that any unkindness can be easily tracked; the device showing their name, the date and time and the comment that they have made. Social Media sites, such as Facebook, suggest that 13 is the age that children should be beginning to sign up with them. This is for a really good reason! Children should never be left unsupervised on any devices at all at any time. Your support is greatly appreciated. SCHOOL LUNCHES From September 2017, school lunches will increase to £2.25 per day.It is Surrey County Council’s policy that meals must be paid for in advance or on the day. Payment can be made online, by cheque payable to ‘Surrey County Council’ or cash to the school office. Summer Term ‐ 18th April ‐ 26th May school lunches will be £61.60 5th June ‐ 21st July school lunches will be £72.60 MAY WE REMIND PARENTS THAT 1 WEEKS NOTICE IS REQUIRED IN WRITING BY THE KITCHEN IF YOU WISH TO CHANGE YOUR CHILD’S MEAL ARRANGEMENTS. PAPERWORK IS AVAILABLE FROM THE SCHOOL OFFICE AND IF NOT COMPLETED YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR ANY MEALS TAKEN. IF YOUR CHILD HAS A FOOD ALLERGY IT IS THE PARENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO INFORM THE OFFICE AND COMPLETE THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK FOR THE KITCHEN EACH TIME YOUR CHILD RETURNS TO SCHOOL DINNERS FROM PACKED LUNCHES. This is a great way to support the PTA fundraising without actually putting your hands in your pocket. Just join and download the Shop&Give reminder. Every time you shop online it will remind you if the shop is a registered with The Giving Machine. There are over 2000 shops involved like Tesco, Sainsbury's and Amazon, which means potentially hundreds of pounds each year for great projects for the school. Not everyone can give up their time or donate on every event, so this is a great way to show your support. ABSENCE CONTACT EMAIL Please send absence and ad hoc collection arrangement emails to p
[email protected] . Many thanks. Breakfast Club & After School Club ­ PLACES STILL AVAILABLE Please contact Karen on 0208 979 3100 or info@clubland‐playscheme.com if you are interested in your child going to Breakfast or Aⅈ�er School Club Church Services Sunday 4th June Pentecost Family Service 10am at St Martin’s church. ACADEMIC DATES FOR SEPTEMBER 2016/2017 24th –26th May 2017
26th May 2017
29th May—2nd June 2017
7th June 2017
8th June 2017
9th June 2016
13th June 2017
14th June 2017
15th June 2017
19th June 2017
21st June 2017
28th June 2017
1st July 2017
3rd July 2017
4th July 2017
5th July 2017
6th July 2017
Yr 5 Sayers Croft Trip EYFS Assembly 9am Half Term Parent Evening for new reception children 7pm PTA Meeting Reception Trip to Ladyland Farm KS2 Sports Day 9.15—9.30am start Parent Evening for new Yr 3 children 7pm KS2 Sports Day rain off day Yr 6 French Trip Bags2 School clothing collection Yr 6 Leavers Service Guildford Cathedral Summer Fair Ashcombe New Intake Eve Moving Up Day Ashcombe & Priory New Intake Day KS1/Foundation Sports Day Yr 4 Trip to Woking Mosque ACADEMIC DATES FOR SEPTEMBER 2016/2017 Cont/d 6th July 2017
10th July 2017
12th July 2017
13th July 2017
17th July 2017
18th July 2017
19th July 2017
20th July 2017 21st July 2017 21st July 2017 District Sports INSET Day KS1/Foundation Sports Day rain off day Parent Evening for children new to KS1 3.30pm Yr 6 class assembly 9am Full Governing Body Meeting 7pm Reports home to parents Talent contest End of year informal meeting with teachers 3.30-5pm in the hall no appointment is needed. 5pm in school hall Rehearsal for Leavers Service 1.30pm Leavers Service at St Martin‛s Church 9.30am Break up for Summer Holiday 1.30pm ACADEMIC DATES FOR SEPTEMBER 2017/2018 4th September 2017
5th September 2017
13th October 2017
20th October 2017
23rd - 27th October 2017
30th October 2017
20th December 2017
21st - 2nd January 2018
3rd January 2018
4th January 2018
9th February 2018
12th - 16th February 2018
19th February 2018
29th March 2018
30th - 13th April 2018
16th April 2018
17th April 2018
7th May 2018
25th May 2018
28th May - 1st June 2018
4th June 2018
20th July 2018
23rd July 2018
24th July 2018
INSET DAY Children return to school INSET DAY Break up at 3.30pm Half Term Children return to school Break up at 1.30pm for Christmas Holiday Christmas Holiday INSET DAY Children return to school Break up at 3.30pm Half Term Return to school Break up at 1.30pm for Easter Holiday Easter Holiday INSET DAY Children return to school BANK HOLIDAY Break up at 1.30pm Half Term Children return to school Break up at 1.30pm for Summer Holiday INSET DAY Summer Holiday