March Number 2 Newsletter


26/03/07

THANKYOU TO ALL WHO ATTENDED PARENT EVENING

It was lovely to see so many of you attend the recent parent’s evenings.  Obviously most parents agree how very important it is to attend the meetings with the teacher in order to know how your child is progressing and how you may support them at home.

 Just a few comments I would like to make is that we would appreciate it if you could let us know if you are unable to attend the meeting and need to cancel or postpone, as teachers can be left waiting with no explanation.

We also realise that sometimes this week is not always convenient for all people, and meetings are made outside the week, which is fine. However, we would appreciate it if you could try to make appointments in the set week if at all possible.
Thankyou once again for your continued support in us working together.



CRICKET COMING TO APFS!

We are very excited to be part of a National programme, “Chance to Shine,” where our KS2 children will have 12 weeks of cricket coaching starting just after Easter! This is all about bringing cricket to schools, and introducing the sport to children at a young age. We would like to thank Pershore Cricket Club for this wonderful opportunity.

As part of the programme our school has also been selected to have free playground markings! This will happen in the Summer term.

INVITATION TO A COFFEE MORNING AT THE NEW ABBEY ROAD PLAYGROUP IN OUR SCHOOL!


We would like to invite all parents who have young children, to a coffee morning at the school.

WHEN -  MONDAY APRIL 23RD
TIME-  11.30 a.m
WHERE -  at the playgroup, in our new multi purpose room, by the reception classroom.

We would like to invite all parents who have young children under the age of 3 years old, or older if you are interested, to come along to our playgroup for an informal chat over coffee to see exactly what we do in the playgroup within our school setting.

The Family information  Services will also be available to answer any questions in an informal way, and offer FREE resources!

It will be chance to see how children learn as they play in a friendly and caring atmosphere, and a chance to see the setting as part of the early years unit within the school. If you are new to Pershore area it will be a super opportunity to meet other mums too!  Please bring your children so that they can also enjoy playing and meeting other children their age. We shall also be having a RAFFLE during the morning.

If you are interested in a mum and toddler group then come along so that we can discuss the possibility of setting one up in our lovely new room!

We very much looking forward to seeing you.


COMIC RELIEF DAY

Thankyou to all of you who contributed to Comic relief on Friday the 16th March. We raised £110! The children looked wonderful with their wacky red hairstyles, big red ears and noses!

It was also great to see so many of you at our special and traditional Mothers Day assembly too. I hope you all enjoyed Mothering Sunday.


NATIONAL HEALTHY SCHOOL AWARD


We are hoping to achieve the Healthy School Award shortly, in recognition of what we try to do in school to promote and encourage healthy life styles for all children in our care. We have now re written the following policies: Sex Education, Drugs Education, Personal Health and Social Education and a whole school food and drink policy. If you wish to see these policies then please ask for a copy at the office.

We all know how important it is to drink plenty of water during the day to help keep the brain alert, and prevent dehydration. The children call it ‘ brain juice!’ We have recently conducted two audits on water provision in school, and also looking at what the children have in their lunchboxes. These audits were really useful in highlighting the fact that few children bring water bottles into school, and if they do they often take the full bottle home again! We as teachers need to encourage the children to drink more water during school, and have it readily accessible. We are also looking into trying to provide cooled water, and re locating the water fountains. We also consulted the school council ( 2 children from each year group from year 1 upwards) about the food and drink policy, and they were very keen to tell us what we might do to become even healthier! Meanwhile, please encourage your children to bring in their water bottle EVERY DAY! Bottles can be purchased at the office for just £1!

We found from looking at the lunchboxes that we need to encourage children to eat more fruit and vegetables. It may be a good idea to consider the following:
Having foods from each of the first 4 food groups meets the Minimum Nutritional Standards for School Lunches
•    Fruit and vegetables – e.g. an apple, a satsuma, cheery tomatoes, carrot sticks;
•    Bread, other cereals and potatoes – e.g. wholegrain bap, pitta, pasta or rice;
•    Meat, fish and alternatives, e.g. ham, tuna or hommous;
•    Milk and diary foods, e.g. cheese portion, yogurt or milk based drink;
•    Foods containing fat / Foods containing sugar, e.g. crisps, biscuit, cake, doughnut, sausage roll;
•    A drink, e.g. water, juice.

Do you find it difficult to think of ideas for your child’s lunch boxes? I know how difficult  it can be to try and keep it interesting AND healthy!  Don’t worry because in the next newsletter the children are going to come up with ideas for a healthier lunchbox, so watch this space! We could even hold a workshop after school for parents who might be interested in sharing ideas. 


NO SMOKING PLEASE

You will be aware from the press that there are to be changes to the legislation around the use of tobacco. As from July 1st all enclosed workplaces, including schools will be required to be smoke- free.  The legislation does not include outdoor areas,  however, when we are awarded National healthy School Status, we will require our outdoor areas to be smoke free too. It gives a powerful message to children that smoking is socially unacceptable and contributes to the development of a health promoting school.


FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER

Attached to this newsletter is information about Neil Grimshaw, a family support worker, who will be offering a range of support to any families if they require it, such as finding  out about any services such as clubs or  activities during the school holidays or any other issues or concerns you may have.
He is going to be in school on TUESDAY 17th APRIL after school, for you to drop in and have a chat.



LOOK FORWARD TO A FANTASTIC MATHS WEEK THIS WEEK. HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE WELCOME ASSEMBLY ON THURSDAY 29th MARCH. FOLLOWING THIS WILL BE AN INTERESTING TALK ABOUT MATHS IN OUR SCHOOL BY MISS ROE, AND THEN TO SEE MATHS IN ACTION AROUND SCHOOL. DON’T MISS IT!

FRIDAY 30th MARCH SCHOOL CLOSED TEACHER TRAINING DAY.
BACK TO SCHOOL – MON 16th APRIL -  HAVE A SUPER EASTER!