Dear Parent / Carer
Welcome back after the Christmas break. I hope you have all had an enjoyable and safe holiday and that the children are ready for the challenges of the new term!
As you are aware, the children complete their learning on a ‘topic’ based format. This term the topics are:
Oak, Willow and Beech classes: Y Byd Arbennig / Wonderful World
Sycamore, Holly and Hazel classes: Monster Mayhem!
Ash and Cherry classes: Planet Protectors
Maple and Acorn classes: Pitter, Patter Puddle Play
If you are able to share any of your own expertise for these themes, please speak to your child’s class teacher.
Our value for this half term is truthfulness/honesty. The children will be learning about this in class and assembly. They will learn the benefits of being honest and that sometimes it is difficult to tell the truth! Your support, as always, is much appreciated in this. Please remember that sheets are available at the classroom doors for you to be able to share how your child shows these values at home.
As always, your help with our attendance target is much appreciated! We can only achieve this with your support. As usual, we have planned a number of 100% days throughout the term to encourage excellent attendance and reward the children wherever possible. Our first 100% days this term are on 21st and 22nd January – please help the children in your child’s class achieve their prize!!
Microsoft Office Code - Don’t forget that we have a number of updated Microsoft Office codes available for those families who wish to use this free offer. Just send your email address to school and we can forward the details to you.
WG Test dates - The Welsh Government Tests for all pupils in Years 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are 3rd - 10th May 2016. Please avoid taking any absences during this time.
Choir at Hawthorn
Hawthorn High School are setting up a ‘Cluster Choir’ for Year 5 and 6 pupils across the schools within our Cluster. This will be led by staff at the High School on the following dates:
- Monday 8th February
- Monday 29th February
- Monday 18th April
- Monday 9th May
- Monday 20th June
Please bring your dinner money in an envelope each Monday. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, we also ask that your child maintains the same arrangements for lunch throughout the week. This helps the accurate administration of dinner money.
We have arranged for the Christmas DVDs to be copied and hope to get them to those who have placed orders as soon as possible. We also now have a number of DVDs of our production of the Lion King for £5. If you require a copy of this please place the money in an envelope with your child’s name and reason for the money and hand to your child’s class teacher.
Swimming – swimming this term will be for Year 4 on Monday mornings. Please ensure your child has a swimming costume (preferably a full costume for the girls) and towel each week between now and the Easter break.
Please remember that we have over 280 navy blue cardigans/jumpers etc. worn to school each day! Please, please ensure your child’s name is clearly marked on their clothing so that we can make sure they are returned to their rightful owners!
Parents’ Fundraising Committee
There are a number of key members of the PTA/PFRC who are due to retire their posts at the end of this academic year as their children will be leaving Year 6 this summer. It is essential for the PTA for these posts to be filled so that the PTA can continue the excellent work they do for the school. Without this group of parents a number of wonderfully enjoyable events will not happen:
- Hallowe’en Disco
- Christmas Fayre with Santa
- Summer BBQ
- Easter treats for the children
- Etc. etc.
The PTA has recently helped the school purchase a number of iPads, laptops and PCs, as well as currently raising money to purchase sound and light equipment for our school performances.
They look forward to hearing from as many parents as possible
I have detailed a number of key dates below:
6th Jan New Nursery children start school
19th Jan PC Rob – All Yr 2 – Right or Wrong
21st -22nd Jan 100% challenge days for attendance
28th Jan Year 3- Year 6 Parents’ Workshop (3.30pm) – what is REALLY involved with learning how to write effectively? What are the expectations throughout the school?
4th Feb Ash and Cherry Class–litter pick-Planet Protectors
8th Feb Reception children – School Nurse – height, weight and vision checks
9th Feb Safer Internet Day – PC Rob with Year 4
11th Feb Ash and Cherry Class–litter pick-Planet Protectors
11th Feb Parents’ workshops from ‘Wise Kids’ for Safer Internet use with children in Yr5 & 6
12th Feb Whole Cluster INSET Day
15th -19th Feb Half Term
22nd Feb Children return from Half Term
23rd Feb Year 4 – PC Rob – T.A.S.K.
25th -26th Feb 100% challenge days for attendance
25th Feb (TBC) Parents’ Workshop – all welcome - Find out how we teach Maths/Numeracy– find out the expectations for each year group!
1st Mar Eisteddfod–Welsh cake sale (proceeds to Bobath Cymru)
16th Mar Parents’ Evening
17th Mar Parents’ Evening
17th Mar Class and team photographs (TBC)
17th Mar RCT Rugby Festival
23rd – 24th Mar 100% challenge days for attendance
24th Mar THURSDAY – Last day of Term
25th Mar Good Friday (beginning of Easter Break)
11th Apr Children return to school.
We wish Mrs Beer lots of luck in her new job and welcome Mrs Vukashin back to school.
I look forward to working with you all over the coming term. If you have any queries or concerns, please discuss them with your child’s class teacher. If they are not able to help, please call into the office where I will be happy to discuss any concerns with you.
Yours
Mrs Loveridge (Headteacher)
