13th October 2014
Dear Parent/Carer
We have been informed that the Unison, GMB and UNITE unions have cancelled their industrial action on Tuesday 14th October. Therefore, the school will be open for all pupils on Tuesday 14thOctober. The proposed visit for Year 3 to Pontypridd Historical Centre will also now go ahead as planned.
Last week’s visit from the Estyn Inspectors was successful. Whilst I am unable to share the details of the report until it is made available by Estyn (up to 4 weeks), I can confirm that they are pleased with the standards of teaching and learning being provided by the school. There are a few areas which need further development. These had already been identified and are included in the school’s development plan.
Miss Jones has informed me that she is still unwell. We have secured Mr Teague who will work with Hazel class until half term. I will continue to keep you up-to-date with this situation. Mr Teague is being fully supported by school staff to ensure that the teaching and learning of the children remains the priority – with Mr Teague following the school processes and planning for lessons.
I would like to welcome our new Parent Governors, Helen Rose and Gareth Stock, to our school and I am sure they will be available to you to address any concerns you have which need to be presented to the Governors in our regular meetings.
Parents’ Evenings are set to go ahead next week – on Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st October. Appointments will be made available to you by tomorrow at the latest. We look forward to seeing as many parents as possible, so that we can discuss your child’s progress, how they have settled into their new classes and any areas for further development. Please note: parents of pupils in Hazel class will be given appointments in the near future.
Children are encouraged at all times to discuss any worries they have with their class teacher – or any other adults at school. This allows us to deal with any issues immediately and avoids the children becoming more anxious and worried. When school staff deal with issues immediately, children are able to recall events more accurately and allows us to introduce any sanctions as necessary. I would be grateful if you could encourage your child to talk to the class teachers so that we can address any concerns they may have.
I would also like to take this opportunity to remind parents of our school’s open door policy. If you have a concern about your child the first point of contact should be your child’s class teacher. If this contact does not then answer your concerns, please pop to the office where I will see you if I am available, or it may be appropriate to make an appointment. I will also be available during the parents’ evenings and the planned ‘drop-in’ sessions for the Senior Leadership Team. These sessions will be held in the headteacher’s office – parents are invited to meet in the clerk’s office - where parents will be seen as needed. Meetings so far have been productive and it has been a pleasure to meet you.
Thank you for your continued support.
Mrs J Loveridge
