Newsletter: Friday 21st April 2023
Dear Parents,
Welcome back to the ‘Summer’ term! Typical to April, we have had a snippet of most seasons this week – please do ensure you continue to send children in with at least a named, waterproof coat for the foreseeable future as the weather can be so changeable! Please also try and keep the children’s yellow hats in school – they are so useful if we head out in to our local area for some learning as well as protecting us from the sun (I can be hopeful…!)
It has been a great week back with some new activities getting started with our cricket lessons beginning in school for Years 3 and 4 with Gary Marshall, and Year 1 and 2 heading out to their first forest school sessions in Birch Wood.
Class R had a great time on their school trip to Bore Place yesterday. For those of you who were brought up in the countryside, it sounds like a trip back to our childhoods, with a day submerged in nature and lots of worms! Thanks to those who came as supporting adults and well done to all the parents who probably had a little bit of a nervous day sending off these young ones on their trip. It won’t be long before you are waving them off in Year 6 for their residential trip!
Speaking of which, we have re-scheduled our information evening for Year 6 parents regarding the upcoming trip to the Isle of Wight. It will now be at 3:30pm (hopefully a more accessible time) on Friday 5th May for anyone who would like some additional information.
We had lots of excited children this afternoon looking forward to the silent disco – I wonder how silent they will manage to be…The PTA are also looking forward to welcoming you to tomorrow’s Jumble Trail. Come to the school from 2pm to pick up a map showing stall locations, visit the cafe and then have a fun afternoon walking around Bidborough looking for bargains. There is a kids’ trail challenge so bring the kids and their pocket money! You will also be able to buy pre-loved uniform in the school hall from 2-5pm.
I want to say a huge thank you to the PTA. I would urge you to support the events that they are putting on. I always say to new parents that our PTA have 2 key drivers: the first is inevitably to raise much-needed funds for the school. In the past, they have provided essential equipment such as a host of new books, reading corner renovations, geography puzzles, laptops and even the clamber stack and toilet upgrades! We are nearing our fundraising target for the MUGA, which we really could not do without the support of the PTA. The second key driver is to bring our community together. Since COVID, this has proven to be difficult. We have fallen out of the habit of coming together as a parent group to just have fun; and those of you who are parents of the younger year groups may be missing out on making those life-long friendships (some of my closest friends are parents of children that were in the same class as my daughter). The jumble trail this weekend is a good place to start and there are still tickets available for the comedy night, too. It would be great to see you all!
Finally, an update regarding potential strike action. The school will be CLOSED on Thursday 27th April to all children. We will again endeavour to provide child care places for children of essential workers, those in receipt of Pupil Premium or other exceptional circumstances. Please do complete the form, which will follow as soon as possible, to request a place. As yet, I cannot confirm arrangements for Tuesday 2nd May but would ask that you fill in the form for this date too, in the event that we are also closed that day. I will let you know as soon as possible.
Thank you for your on-going understanding. I hope you all have a lovely weekend.
Kind regards,
Julie Burton
Headteacher
1st May – Bank holiday
5th May – Class 1 assembly (parents of children in Class 1 may attend for a 9 a.m. start followed by coffee and cake.
5th May – Meeting regarding Isle of Wight trip at 3:30pm for Class 6 parents
8th May – Bank holiday (Coronation)
9th May – Year 6 SATs English grammar, punctuation and spelling papers 1 and 2
10th May – Year 6 SATs English reading
11th May – Year 6 SATs Mathematics papers 1 and 2
12th May – Year 6 SATs Mathematics paper 3
12th May – School Coronation Day celebrations!
15th May – Dance club taking part in the Dance Festival at Stag theatre
26th May – Last day of Term 5
