News - 19 September 2019
Next week’s value is Friendship
“Do not be fooled: Bad friends will ruin good habits” 1 Corinthians 15:33
Dear parents/carers
As we approach the end of our second full week of the autumn term, things are ‘hotting up’ at St Mary’s, as children and teachers are becoming increasingly engrossed in their new topics.
Year 6 pupils have accepted their new positions of responsibility; Peer Mediators have been appointed and trained, Worship Leaders instated and the first meetings of the School Council and Pupil Leadership Team have taken place. Next week will be the start of School Clubs and we hope that everyone who wanted to join a club has found something of interest. A new ‘Bush-Craft Skills’ club is being added to the already extensive list of available clubs; this club will be led by Mrs Chaplin, who is ‘Forest School’ trained and she will be supported by her colleague, Mrs Dickson, a graduate engineer!
Thank you to Mrs Ryder and Year 3 pupils who led a splendid ‘New Beginnings’ Service at St Mary’s Church last Thursday. Children excelled in their presentation and it was lovely to see so many parents there to support us. Our thanks to Reverend Doctor Rachel Greene and her colleague, Miss Hannah Pye, who gave an inspiring talk about the importance of working together and persevering in all that we do, aspiring to become the very best we can be. We could not ask for any more from our children – than that they put in their very best efforts - in all aspects of their learning and behaviours.
Staff training and professional development continues, as always. This week, Mrs Buckley engaged in more Special Needs and Disability training. We also have two ambitious Teaching Assistants who will be pursuing the Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) Qualification throughout the remainder of this term.
For my own part, I have also been busy. I met with headteacher colleagues through the Haslemere Confederation of Schools last week, to prepare our annual plan and to discuss how we might support each other, as local partner schools, and how best to avail ourselves of local services. Next week, I look forward to meeting school leaders within the Diocese of Guildford and the Good Shepherd Trust, as we gather our thoughts in the half-termly Heads and Chairs meeting. Next week, Mrs Buckley and I will be visiting the South West Education Quadrant to find out more about the changes to the Ofsted Inspection Framework. (Yes, they changed it again!) Our view, as a school, is that the Ofsted changes are a positive development, in that the inspectorate will focus less on data and pupil outcomes (although these will still matter), than on the quality of our curriculum, children’s behaviour and attitudes and their readiness for the future and next stage of their education.
Misss Griffiths will be delivering a presentation about Reading, Writing and Phonics this evening. The talk will be aimed mainly at Reception Class parents but Year 1 parents are also most welcome to attend: meeting in the school hall from 6.15pm. My thanks, in advance, to Misss Griffiths.
Next week is ‘All About Me’ week, when children from all year groups will be engaging with the theme at an age appropriate level, as part of the wider school curriculum intention for pupils to gain a greater understanding of their place in the world.
In the meantime, let us look forward to a relaxing and pleasant weekend.
Janis Radcliffe
Headteacher
REMINDERS
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20th Sept @ 9.00 |
Assembly - parents welcome |
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23rd Sept |
“All About Me” week |
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23rd Sept |
Clubs Week 1 |
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25th Sept |
Reception Class Photos for Haslemere Herald |
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26th Sept @ 9.00am |
Y6 Class Assembly – Y6 parents welcome |
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26th Sept |
Y3 Butser Ancient Farm Trip |
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27th Sept @ 9.00am |
Y6 Assembly – parents welcome |
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27th Sept |
Y4 Roman Dig Trip |
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30th Sept |
Clubs Week 2 |
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3rd Oct @ 10.00am |
Harvest Service at St Mary’s Church |
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SCHOOL FUND
With school budgets being squeezed ever tighter, a gentle reminder that the £25.00 School fund donations can be made on Scopay. These donations are much needed and appreciated and go towards the added extras for classes. Last year we revamped our laptops with new hard drives, bought art and new display materials, as well as contributing to an in-house theatre visit to name but a few. Thank you very much in advance.
AFTERSCHOOL CLUBS
The afterschool clubs lists will be available this afternoon on the windows of the Mullard Building.
The Afterschool Club Registration Fee of £15.00 per term will be available to pay on Scopay. Please make this payment before the club starts (if you are not signing up for a club please ignore this on your account).
HARVEST FESTIVAL
The Harvest Festival service in St Mary’s Church is on Thursday 3rd October. We kindly ask for non-perishable food donations (in date please) to be delivered to school from Monday 30th September. They will then be distributed to local charities.
YEAR 3
Mrs Ryder would like to thank the anonymous donor for their classroom resources gifts (sharpened pencils, glue sticks, marker pens and exercise books). We are really appreciating your donation. Thank you.
MUSIC
Ballard School has offered an open invitation for any child who may be particularly interested or capable in music, to attend their children’s classical music concert and demonstration by the Stradivarius Piano Trio at Great Ballard School on Friday 27th September 2019. The children’s concert and demonstration starts at 2.30pm and lasts about an hour or so. Whilst we are unable to release staff to accompany individuals, any parent who would like avail themselves and their child of this opportunity, will be granted authorised absence to accompany the child. There is also a concert for adults in the same venue. Look out on our parents’ noticeboard for details.
PE NEWS
GDPSSA Cross Country Event – Saturday 9th November 2019
On the morning of Saturday 9th November, our local district cross country competition will be held at Glebelands Secondary School – Cranleigh (GU6 7AN). Mrs Wright is hoping for a record number of runners this year so please put this in your diary. All local schools compete and there is a chance to be selected for the national finals in February. This is a great event which is open to runners of all abilities!
Mrs Wright will be your school representative at the event and will be on site from 9:30am. You are required to stay with your children. You may stay as long as you like, or go home after your race.
The approximate timings for each race this year are:
Year 4 girls - 10.00am
Year 4 boys - 10.10am
Year 3 girls - 10.20am
Year 3 boys - 10.30am
Year 5 girls - 10.40am
Year 5 boys - 10.50am
Year 6 girls - 11.00am
Year 6 boys - 11.10am
Followed by prize giving and team trophies.
The race distances are as follows (approximates only):
Years 3 & 4 - 700m
Years 5 & 6 - 1300m
Directions:
Enter Cranleigh High Street. Just after the pelican crossing outside Sainsbury's Glebelands is signposted as a left turn into Rowland Road then continue round the corner and Glebelands School will be on your left.
Parking
Please ensure that you park outside the school grounds and the Christopher Robin Car Park. Parking is available in Parsonage Road. IT GETS VERY BUSY SO ARRIVE EARLY.
Refreshments
Refreshments will be available on the day at a small price. There is a small shop running during the event.
First Aid
Please ensure that you bring your own medication that your children may need e.g inhalers. Please also ensure that the children bring a top or fleece that they can wear when not competing as well as a supply of water.
TERM DATES
Please note the updated summer term dates below:-
Autumn Wednesday 4 September 2019 INSET DAY
Thursday 5 September 2019 Term Starts
Friday 25th October 2019 INSET DAY
Monday 28 October 2019 )
to ) Half Term
Friday 1 November 2019 )
Friday 20 December 2019 Last day of term school finishes as 1.30pm
Spring Monday 6 January 2020 INSET DAY
Tuesday 7 January 2020 Term Starts
Monday 17 February 2020 )
to ) Half Term
Friday 21 February 2020 )
Friday 3 April 2020 Last day of term school finishes as 1.30pm
Summer Monday 20 April 2020 INSET DAY
Tuesday 21 April 2020 Term Starts
Friday 8 May 2020 May Day Holiday
Friday 22 May 2020 INSET Day
Monday 25 May 2020 )
to ) Half Term
Friday 29 May 2020 )
Wednesday 22 July 2020 Last day of term school finishes as 1.30pm