Newsletter 30: 22^nd  May 2015

‘The best that I can be’

Dear parents/ carers,

Hockey and Tennis Festival

Some of our year 3 and 4 children were fortunate enough to take part in a festival in the Olympic Park on Wednesday. They received some top class coaching and had the opportunity to play hockey on the England pitch. All of the children were a credit to our school. Thank you to Mrs. Potts and Mrs. Davies for organising the visit and taking the children.

Havering Music Service

We had a really good response to the Havering Music Service meeting, with lots of parents wanting their children to receive musical tuition in school. Please see Mrs. Wakeman or Mrs. Waters if you wish to sign up and do not have a form. Please send all forms directly to Havering Music Service, who will collate the information and let us know which instruments they will offer. If enough parents sign up, we will begin lessons in September.

Road Works

As you may know, there are road works due to take place between Broxhill Road and Straight Road. As far as I’m aware, the significant work will be starting towards the end of the month. This may cause disruption to your journey, so please look into alternative routes wherever possible and leave home in plenty of time to avoid children being late for school.

School lunches

Thank you to all the parents and children who chose a school lunch today. We had lots of extra school lunches and the children enjoyed their meals. Having such a high number of school meals will help us to secure funding for future universal free school meals.

Bags 2 School

Don’t forget that the Friends have arranged for a collection of unwanted clothes from the school on Wednesday 10^th June. The school will receive money based on how many clothes we collect. Please fill the bags and return them to school on that date. Thank you.

‘Mathletics’

I have had some positive feedback on the ‘Mathletics’ homework programme. We will purchase the scheme for the next year. Teachers will be able to set work for individual children so that it challenges them at their level.

Quiz Night

Please could you let Danielle and Kay know if you would like tickets to the Friends Quiz Night on the 12^th June. Please pay in advance for your table/team. We need to know numbers asap so that we can organise the evening.

Water Bottles

Now that the weather is turning warmer, it is even more important that the children drink plenty of water during the day. Please provide your child with a named bottle, containing water only.

Holidays During Term Time

I am still receiving requests for holidays during term time. Please can I remind you that no holidays will be authorised. The local authority will contact you and you may receive a fine. For the first time in several years, we are almost at an acceptable level of attendance, and parents taking their children on holiday during term time could mean that we will fail to meet our target. I hoped that extending the half term holiday with 2 extra INSET days would encourage parents to take their children at this time if they are unable to afford to go in the summer holidays.

Sickness

We have had several children coming into school saying that they have been sick the night before. Please could you keep children at home for 48 hours after the last bout of sickness to prevent the bug from spreading around the school.

Open Afternoons

We will be giving parents an opportunity to look at their children’s work and have an informal chat with class teachers about their progress during our open afternoons. These will take place as follows:

Years 1,3,5 and Reception- Monday 13^th July 1pm-3pm

Years 2,4,6 and Reception –Tuesday 14^th July 1pm-3pm

We hope that you can join us. If you need to make a more formal appointment to discuss your child’s report, this should be agreed with the teacher for later in the same week.

Attendance

Congratulations to Class 4 for 100% attendance. Class 2 also had 97%. Well done!

Dates for the diary:

• Friday 22^nd May and Monday 1^st June- School closed for Teacher Training

These days fall either side of the May half-term week.

• Wednesday 10^th June- Stubbers meeting for year 5 and 6 parents-3.15pm
• Thursday 11^th June- Friends of Dame Tipping Meeting-2.30pm
• Friday 12^th June- Quiz Night at Dame Tipping School- 7.30pm
• Saturday 27^th June- School Summer Fayre- 2pm
• Wednesday 1^st July- School nurse drop in- 8.30am
• Wednesday 8^th July- Year 5 and 6 show for parents- 6pm
• Monday 13^th July – Years 1,3,5 and Reception-1pm-3pm
• Years 2,4,6 and Reception –Tuesday 14^th July 1pm-3pm
• Wednesday 15^th July- Friday 17^th July- Year 5 and 6 residential trip to Stubbers
• Wednesday 22^nd July- Leavers’ church service followed by family BBQ-1.30pm
• Thursday 3^rd September 2015- Return to school after Summer Holidays

Mrs. Kathryn Waters