Issue 15 2013-14

Newsletter Issue 15

Friday 20th December 2013

Dear Parent/Carer,

Well, Christmas is finally upon us and we have had a wonderful week of exciting parties and outstanding performances. It has been wonderful to see every child from Nursery to Year 4 involved in a Christmas Production; the comments from parents have been overwhelmingly positive and it means an awful lot to us that the shows are appreciated. We are very proud of all of the children for the effort they put into their roles and we must thank you for supporting children to learn lines and songs at home as well as coming along to support and watch the performances.

We were also very proud of our choir who sang beautifully at Rothwell Church on Thursday night. Thank you to Miss Thackeray for coordinating the choir and ensuring we could be part of this lovely event and to Miss Hinton and Miss McSorley, who hot-footed it from the KS1 evening performance to support Miss Thackeray and the children.

We have had a visit this week from Miss Darroch and the gorgeous William; it was lovely to see them and whilst on the subject of babies, I would like to wish Mrs Moore and Miss Snowden all the very best for their up and coming births as they commence their maternity leave and join the world of motherhood.

Mrs Philips

Mrs Philips, one of our brilliant Communication Support Workers, is leaving us this week. Mrs Philips joined us in November 2012, as an employee of the Deaf and Hearing Inclusion Team at Leeds and has worked mainly 1:1 with one of our deaf pupils currently in Year 6. It has been a joy to work with Mrs Philips, who has been a fabulous and brilliant source of support in ensuring our deaf pupils are getting the very best provision in school. Mrs Philips’ lovely, positive and hardworking attitude will be very much missed as she moves onto pastures new in January. Best wishes from all of us!

Work in grounds

There will be some preliminary grounds tests taking place on 7^th January in preparation for the expansion. The area at the back of the school where some children come through with bikes and scooters will be closed off so we ask that children do not come to school on a bike or scooter on this particular day. Thanks.

Rodillian’s July finish date

A quick notice for Year 6 parents; you will already be aware that the children start their transition to Rodillian earlier than usual this year. Please be aware that Rodillian Academy will close to children for the summer break on Friday 17^th July 2014. This is earlier than our school, which is Tuesday 23^rd July.

PE kits for next half term

Please be reminded that we will be starting an additional outdoor P.E session each week for all children from Year 1 to Year 6 from January. The children will need a warm hooded top, warm jogging bottoms, a white t- shirt and outdoor trainers.

The Life Channel

We will be showcasing children’s learning on our Life Channel screen at the school’s entrance from January. This will give parents a chance to see what is happening inside, outside. You will be able to view the videos at drop off and pick up times but we are also hoping to stream the channel to our website so that parents can view the contents at home or work. We also plan to include up to date notices and contents from the Newsletter each week. The teachers will update the contents on a half termly basis so that you are kept up to date on some of the fantastic learning and events that take place in our brilliant school.

I would like to end my newsletter this week by thanking all of you for your continued support throughout 2013. We look forward to working together with you in 2014 and hope that it will be the best year yet for all of our pupils.

Enjoy your time with loved ones; enjoy the magic of Christmas with your little ones and we’ll see you all in the new year. Don’t forget that the children start back on Tuesday 7^th January due to a teacher training day

Have a wonderful and very merry Christmas!

Mrs Dale

Don’t forget!

Our next parents coffee morning will be on Monday 10^th February 2014 between 9 am and 10 am with Miss Thackeray in Friendly Faces. You are invited to come along with positive suggestions which are relevant to the agendas that we set. Any other issues can come directly to me. It is important that we use the limited time that we have together to best effect. The agendas for next time will be:

·          Home learning- Do you think the children get too much/too little? Is it purposeful? Any ideas for improvement.

·          Holiday projects- what do you and your child think of them?

·          Just a question for discussion- what would we think of a shorter summer holiday but longer half terms?

If you cannot make it, we value your views so you can email me at gaynor.dale@robinhood.leeds.sch.uk