Newsletter: Friday 26th May
Dear Parents,
It has been a busy term - we’re definitely all ready for a break! I hope we can all enjoy some rest and sunshine over the week. We need to stock up our reserves ready for the always-exciting Term 6! With sports day, leavers’ events, transition events for our new starters, talent contests and Enterprise week, we will keep you all on your toes! We have tried to give you advance warning of upcoming dates so please do keep checking the diary dates at the end of the newsletters!
I must, however, begin with a bit of a moan… there are several parents who are driving either past the church or even down to the school to drop off or pick up. The problem is predominantly at before or after school clubs and it is causing a number of problems:
- Resentment from parents who do follow the rules
- Congestion around the school from the narrow lanes and need to turn leading to concerns regarding safety
- Staff not being able to enter or leave the car park safely (we all want to make sure the staff can get in and get set up for the day!)
- Perhaps most importantly, restricting access for those who have genuine need to park close to the school for reasons of disability.
Please, please do NOT drive down Spring Lane for any reason except disability, collecting a child who is unwell or other exceptional circumstances at any time. Thank you to the many parents (and people of extended support networks) that follow our parking guidelines.
Polite reminder 2:
A polite notice to those of you who bring dogs with you on the school run. Please be mindful that, during morning drop off, there are lots of children walking through the park, some of whom find dogs running around off lead quite intimidating. Please ensure that your dogs are kept close by and under your control at all times during this busy period.
Polite reminder 3:
Please ensure your children, particularly younger ones, are closely supervised when arriving or leaving school. The quiet, narrow lane leads to a false sense of security and I am cringing at the ‘near misses’ with children popping out from the recreation ground across the road or hurtling down the hill either on foot or scooter. I have dealt with many sore first aid incidents in my time and would not wish that on any of our precious children!
OK, moan over…
Music News: Mrs Bateup
Piano and Singing lessons.
You will be pleased to hear that we have now hopefully, sourced maternity cover for our piano and singing lessons. I say ‘hopefully’ as it is dependent on uptake.
If you are wanting your child to continue with lessons, or start lessons for piano and/or singing please see the attached form and follow the instructions provided.
Thank you so much for your patience during this musical interlude!
Key Stage 1 Summer Sing Concert
Every week I am lucky enough to lead Key Stage 1 Choir. This is a time of pure delight and wonder and I feel we should share your children’s talent and gifts with you. Therefore, there will be a Summer Sing (and wiggle) Concert on Tuesday 18th July at 2.30pm. Please note there will be 2 tickets per family. If you are bringing a preschool child, they will need a ticket. Tickets will be sent home next term.
Staffing update:
I am delighted that we have appointed two new teachers for the staffing line-up in September as Mrs Leach and Miss Latter are both heading on maternity leave in due course. We will soon be in a position to announce our full line-up for September and will ensure that we have a careful transition for all our children in preparation for the new academic year.
‘11+’ registration opens
A reminder for our Year 5 families that the registration opens during the half term. There is no rush, don’t worry! I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming secondary briefing and Year 5 consultations. Registration closes on 3rd July.
Finally… a thank you to all of our staff for the incredible hard work they put in throughout the year and to the support that you continue to show as parents. It really makes a huge difference to our children.
I hope you have a great half term break – we look forward to seeing the children back in school on TUESDAY 6th June.
Kind regards,
Julie Burton
Headteacher
26th May – Last day of Term 5
5th June – INSET day
5th June – Year 6 travel to the Isle of Wight
6th June – Start of Term 6
w/b 6th June - Year 4 multiplication checks
8th June - Secondary Transition meeting (Year 5 parents)
13th June - Year 5 consultations
w/b 12th June - Y1 phonics check
22nd June - Year 6 visit Rochester Cathedral
June 23rd - Class 3 assembly
June 28th - New Reception Welcome meeting
June 30th – Bidborough’s Got Talent final
w/b 3rd July – Year 6 production week
3rd July – Deadline for 11+ registration (Year 5)
7th July – Reports Home
July 18th – Key Stage 1 choir concert
July 19th – Sports Day
July 20th – Year 6 Church service
July 21st – Leavers’ assembly and last day of term
