But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (Luke 15:20)
Buildings Update
I met with the contractors yesterday and am pleased to say that, despite issues around drainage which needed to be rectified, the project is still on track to be completed in early November. A representative from the local authority has been to check site safety and is happy that all safety measures are being adhered to. We have also had a visit from Environmental Health, who were checking our procedures for cold service lunches. The lunches are prepared at Hilldene school, transported immediately and served to the children as soon as they arrive in school, which ensures that the lunches meet food hygiene standards. Please be assured that the building work has all been risk assessed and the Local Authority has judged that it is safe for the school to stay open whilst the work is completed.
Morning Supervision
Morning supervision at the front of the school will continue until the building work is complete. Pupils may enter the front playground from 8.30am ; however, if you do not wish your children to spend time in the playground in the morning, you may bring them to school any time between 8.45 and 8.55am, when they will be supervised in their classrooms.
Year 6 Responsibilities
In order to enhance pupil voice within our school, we are establishing a School Learning Council. The council will report back to me every fortnight on issues to do with learning in the school and we will work together to ensure that pupils have a say in how they will learn.
Our Student Leader, who will chair the School Learning Council, is Amber Gordon and our Student Council Secretary is Maansi Chagger. Other classes will have a Learning Ambassador representative on the council.
Other responsibilities are :
Heads of House:
Bedfords – Abigail Lee
Bower – Fibian McKenzie
Pyrgo – Imogen Snell
Grange – Ruth Airen
Worship Committee Leaders – Timothy Olusegun and Imogen Snell
Learning Ambassadors – Scarlett Blackshaw and Harry Newman
Play Leaders – Harry Newman, Elaina Goodison, Oliver Mahoney, Ruth Airen and Timothy Olusegun,
Technology equipment monitors – Albert Gilbert and Dylan Alexander
Oh No, She Didn’t!
I am delighted to tell you that Fibian in Year 6 has successfully auditioned for the Queen’s Theatre pantomime this year. This is a professional production and we are very proud that Fibian has earned herself this wonderful opportunity. If you would like to take your children to see the pantomime, she will be performing on many dates during December and January, including: Saturday 2nd Dec 1pm and 6.30pm; Friday 8th Dec 7pm; Sunday 10th Dec 1pm; Thursday 14th Dec 6.30pm, Saturday 16th Dec 2pm; Sunday 17th Dec 5pm; Thursday 21st Dec 6.30pm and Sat 23rd Dec 1pm. If you would like to know the January dates, please ask.
Parking Courteously
As we all know, there is a shortage of parking in the village; however, please could people ensure that they park legally and respectfully to our neighbours. Bad feeling is caused when parents park on or in front of driveways, or use driveways to turn around in. If at all possible, please park around the church and walk down, or park in the bottom of car park of the pub. Thank you for your co-operation.
Dame Tipping Gospel Choir
The choir will next meet on Wednesday 4th October, 6.30pm at the school. Mrs Omodara filmed part of the rehearsal and posted it on Class Dojo. You do not need to be able to read music or be an experienced singer to join ; you just need to be over 16 and enthusiastic. I hope to see lots of you there next week.
Commendations
Reception- Lily Nicholls, for being helpful to others in class.
Class 1&2- Rhiannon Geca and Beau Mascall, for persevering so well and improving their maths work.
Class 3&4- Krish Chagger, for trying his best to work faster and producing great work in English and Maths ; Kai Davis, for trying to use brilliant words in his writing ; Neli Higgins, for amazing improvements in Maths this week.
Class 5&6- Emily Harris : for settling so well into her new class.
Work of The Week
Reception- Lenny Sains- for writing his name very well.
Class 1&2- Adaora Emechebe, for improving her writing even further by taking advice.
Class 5&6- Maansi Chagger, for writing an excellent formal letter.
Well done, everyone !
Attendance
Reception- 90.67% ; Class 1&2- 95 % ; Class 3&4- 97.31 % ; Class 5&6- 99.23 %
Well done to Class 5 and 6 for a big improvement. Hopefully, we will all achieve over 97% next week.
Nurse Drop-Ins
If you have any concerns over your child’s health, you can drop in to see the school nurse. Please see dates below for this year’s school nurse drop in sessions. Sessions will be held on Tuesday mornings 8:30 to 9:15.
10th October 2017 28th November 2017 19th December 2017
23rd January 2018 20th February 2018 13th March 2018
24th April 2018 22nd May 2018 20th June 2018
17th July 2018
Dates for the Diary
Wednesday 4th October- Dame Tipping Choir Rehearsal- 6.30pm Dame Tipping School
Friday 6th October- Individual and sibling school photos
Thursday 12th October- Reception and Year 6 Health Checks
Tuesday 17th October- Years 1-6 Termly Learning Conferences
Thursday 19th October- Harvest Festival at St. John’s Church- 9.30am
Friday 20th October- ‘Light Party’ (alternative to Halloween)- 3.15-5.00pm at Bower Hall
Monday 20th and Friday 24th November- Prospective parents open morning- 9.30am
Thursday 14th December- Reception and Class 1/2 Nativity
Friday 15th December- ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe- Brentwood Theatre
Monday 18th December- Class 5/6 Pantomime
Mrs. Kathryn Waters
The Christian value we are learning about this term is