Welcome from all at Samuel White's Infant School

11 Jul 2008 - Newsletter no. 11

LETTER FROM CHAIR OF GOVERNORS

RE OFSTED VISIT

As you know, an Ofsted inspector visited Samuel White’s two weeks ago and we have just received the official report. The report contains no surprises and it is particularly pleasing that our new head teacher had recently presented the governors with an almost identical assessment of the school’s strengths and areas in need of improvement.

As you will see, the school is judged to be satisfactory in all areas and, under all headings in the Personal Development and Wellbeing section, we are judged good. Samuel White’s is a happy school to which the children enjoy coming.

There is of course no room for complacency; governors and staff are always endeavouring to improve the school and this report will contribute to our future planning.

Thank you to all those who completed the Ofsted questionnaires. You will see from the report that the inspector does comment on the one issue that came up regarding lunchtimes and, in spite of being happy with what she observed, the governors will be looking at this area again.

We always welcome comments from parents as sometimes children will pass on something to you at home that we don’t hear about in school.

FLORA TOKENS

We have just registered (again) with the Flora Cooking with Schools scheme. We had sent our details months ago but they had not been received. Please hold on to your Flora tokens – our school should be live on the website from August to redeem the tokens. If you do not have internet access at home, bring your tokens into the office and we will enter the codes for you.

NEW STAFF FOR SEPTEMBER

We are delighted to have appointed the following staff to the team for September:

Mrs J Denyer-Warr – Class 3 teacher Mon/Tues

Mrs J James – Year R teaching assistant

Mrs J Hillier – Year 2 teaching assistant

Mrs J Sprackman – teaching assistant

Mrs Valerie Bretton – teaching assistant

We hope they will all have a very happy time at Samuel White’s. You will see also that we have another new caretaker! Mr Ed Jones is taking up the appointment on 11^th August but is working in school when he can before that date. We hope that you will make him welcome.

REPORTS

We do hope to have reports with you on Monday. Staff will be available at the following times if you would like to discuss your child’s report. If you are happy with your child’s report you do not have to attend a meeting.

Tuesday, 15^th July Miss Stacey

1.30-3.00 pm (not available 16^th)

Wednesday, 16^th July All teachers except

4.30-6.30 pm Mr Hearn and Miss Stacey

Thursday, 17^th July All teachers except

3.30-5.30 pm Mr Hearn

Please ensure all parent response forms are returned by 18^th July to your child’s class teacher so that we can ensure everyone has received and read their child’s report.

YEAR 2 FUN RUN REMINDER

On Monday, 14^th July our Year 2 pupils will be taking part in the Hanham Schools Fun Run along with Hanham Abbots and Christchurch pupils on Hanham High field. The first run begins at 1.30 pm. Parents are welcome to watch and should enter the field via Hanham Abbots main entrance.

BREAKFAST CLUB / AFTER SCHOOL CLUB

We really would appreciate your views on this subject. Please return your questionnaire to school by 18^th July. Thank you.

TEAM READ

DON’T JUST SIT THERE – GET READING

Every library in South Glos will be taking part in this year’s exciting reading challenge for children – Team Read. Join in the sports buzz this summer as the Olympics are celebrated in Beijing by calling into any library after July 19th to sign up and collect your membership card and poster. Your challenge over the summer is to read six books and achieve your gold medal. Along the way there are stickers and other goodies to collect. Libraries will also be offering free drop-in activity sessions with puzzles and games and helping children choose top reads from the thousands of books available. Check out the website for details from July onwards www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries or contact your library on 01454 868006

UNISON STRIKE – 16 / 17 JULY

A number of support staff will be on strike at Samuel White’s on 17^th July. The school will remain open. There will not be as many teaching assistants in classrooms and the office will be closed all day.

The answerphone will be checked regularly and if anyone has a real emergency, please come to the front door and ring the bell. Thank you for your co‑operation and support.

CLUB FRANCAIS

There will be no Club Français classes or assembly for the remainder of this term as Mr Llewellin’s wife has unfortunately passed away. He intends to resume classes in September. Club Français will contact you directly re refunds.

SAMUEL WHITE’S WORLD CUP 2008

THURSDAY, 17^th JULY 2008, 1.15-3.00 PM

On Thursday 17^th July, your child has the opportunity to participate in a fun World Cup football tournament to mark the end of term. The tournament is open to all pupils in Year 2 and is not restricted to pupils who have attended football club this year. Sports 1^st, who currently run our after school football club, will be running the competition voluntarily.

We ask that you help to make this festival of football as colourful as possible by providing your child with their team colours:

Please return the tear-off slip below with your child’s name on by 9.00 am on Tuesday, 15^thJuly at the latest and they will then be allocated a World Cup team and colour. If your child’s name is not entered, they will still be allowed to play, although they may feel left out at not being fully involved with the colours of their team. All participants will be allocated a team at break time on Tuesday, once the full list is collected and you will receive confirmation of the team colour.
We welcome all parents/carers and friends to come and watch and cheer on their teams.We do hope that many of our Year 2 children will take part.