School updates

A message from the Head of School… 

Our final week before half term has been so busy and filled with exciting learning. Thank you for all your support this half term and here are a few key updates about school.

The beginning of the year has seen the launch of Reading Buddies. After lunch each day pupils from Year 6 are available to listen to the younger children in school read. Those children from year 1-6 who read fives time in their own time (either at home or with a reading buddy) get an additional play on a Friday. So far Reading Buddies has proved to be hugely popular with many children.

Absence/Holiday Requests

We have recently had several absence requests for children during school term time. While we appreciate the importance of family time please be reminded that these absences can only be authorised under extreme circumstance. Some examples of this are.

• Service personnel returning from a tour of duty abroad where it is evidenced the individual will not be in receipt of any leave in the near future that coincides with school holidays.
• Where an absence from school is recommended by a health professional as part of a parent or child’s rehabilitation from a medical or emotional issue. 
• The death or terminal illness of a person close to the family.

If your circumstances do not fall into these then your child’s absence will be marked as unauthorised. Please remember if your child already has a low attendance we may have to take further action in line with our attendance and absence policy. 

Student Council Updates

The Student Council continues to meet weekly with Mrs Eckley. They have been putting a plan together to improve school lunches. They came up with a list of changes they would like to make to their lunch times and presented these to Mr Card. Here out some of the outcomes. 

Things the children like about lunchtimes.

• It’s good to talk to each other and be able to sit where we choose most of the time.
• Being trusted to come into the classroom to get our coats after lunch (it used to be uncomfortable when we had to take them with us  into the hall). 
• The Golden Table.

Things the children would like to change

• Could we have a voice-ometer in the hall, as sometimes it’s too loud.
• Relaxing music to listen to (music similar to Humber’s Composer of the Week).
• Can the classes take turns at being first, so the times are fairer.
• Can some classes sit together and have a reserved table

Student council actions so far

• Music now plays regularly in the hall at lunch times
• Timings poster has been created by Derwent and placed on the hall door. 
• A voice-ometer is now up in the hall and the Student Council has control over this.
• Implemented signs designed and created by Foss which reserve a table (Humber on Monday and Foss on Friday). 

Wrap Around

To make our After School Wrap Around available to more families and to ensure that it continues to thrive, we have taken onboard parental feedback and offering an additional slot. This will run from 3:30pm till 4:30pm and be charged at £3:00 per session. This needs to be pre-booked on Parentpay in the usual way using the new payment item. Please ensure that you change your session time on Parentpay to afternoon when making bookings. This will be available from Monday 24th February.

Please understand we are only able to offer the first hour at a reduced rate. If your child attends an after school club and then wishes to use wrap around this will still need to be at the normal cost.

World book day – 5th March

World Book Day is in its 23rd year this year. On Thursday 5th March 2020, children of all ages will come together to appreciate reading. The main aim of World Book Day is to encourage children to explore the pleasures of books and reading. This year we are inviting our children to come to school in Pyjamas and to bring with them their favourite book. Throughout the day children will be discovering the love of poetry and finishing the day with a book share across school. Every child will receive a book token to take home. 

Dates for your calendar