Dear Parents and Carers,
The children came back to school happy and enthusiastic after half term, ready to join in the busy and varied schedule we have planned for them. This is the term in which we tie up loose ends and begin to prepare for the changes that will come about in the new school year in September. Please read this letter carefully and keep it for reference as there is a lot of important information in it.
Staffing changes
Miss Wood is due back from maternity leave on Monday 3rd July. We look forward to having her in school again, but this means that we will have to say ‘au revoir’ to Mrs Cooper and Mrs Kavanagh, who have taught Class 3 since January. We will be inviting them to return as supply teachers, for example, when staff attend training courses.
Miss Edwards has been working on a temporary contract which will finish at the end of this term. We have enjoyed having her working in the Early Years Unit, where the children and staff have experienced some excellent creative and artistic activities with her. She has a busy summer ahead of her as she will be preparing for her wedding at the end of July, when she will become Mrs Holroyd (no relation to our other Mrs Holroyd).
The final change to our staff is sad for us but is a story with a happy ending. Mrs Marshall will be leaving us at the end of term to move to Northumberland, after teaching here for nearly 20 years. We will miss her a great deal as she has contributed so much to the life of the school. She has been central to our music making – especially our Nativity Plays and other special events. She has worked hard establishing and managing our provision for pupils with special needs. Her expertise in this area has resulted in her working with education officials in Whitehall, developing national policy. Additionally, Mrs Marshall has been the ‘brains’ behind our ICT provision, establishing our internal computer network, designing and developing our website and encouraging us in the use of interactive whiteboards in the classrooms. More importantly, her influence has gone far beyond these areas in her work as a class teacher. Her departure marks a significant change in her life and I am sure you will want to join us in sending her good wishes for the future, especially on the occasion of her wedding in September.
We are in the process of advertising for a new teacher for September. I will let you know when we have made an appointment.
School Reports and Parents’ Evenings
The teachers have been very busy writing reports and parents of children who attend school full time will soon receive a copy of their child’s annual school report. The reports are very detailed and we have found from experience that there is very little for us to say if we hold Parents’ Evenings during this term. We do, however, offer you the opportunity to talk with your child’s teacher if there is something specific in the report that you would like to discuss. Details of these arrangements will be sent later. Parents of children who attend Nursery do not receive written reports. You will receive details of Nursery Parents’ Evenings to be held on 11th and 12th July, when staff will be available to discuss your child’s progress.
Year 2 transition to Almondbury Junior School
Where the diary dates (below) indicate visits to or from Almondbury Juniors, these will only involve those children who are actually due to attend the Junior School. For Year 2 children who will be attending other schools in September,
we will organise other activities in school during these visits.
Fun Day and Open Day – Friday 7th July
This year our Fun Day will have a seaside theme. We would like children (and staff) to come dressed for a ‘T-shirts, Shorts and Shades Day’. School will be open for visitors between 9.00am and 12.00 and from 1.30pm to the end of school. We hope you will find time to visit us.
The kitchen will be preparing special picnic lunch boxes on our Fun Day for children who have a school meal. Children who bring sandwiches can have a school picnic lunch too at a cost of £1.55. These must be booked in advance. Please return the form at the end of this letter by Friday16th June (The form is only necessary if your child usually has a packed lunch).
School Book Fair – 10th–13th July
Mrs Green will be sending out information about the Book Fair. There is usually a good selection of books for you to purchase. All purchases made will generate income for the school.
Busy Body Day – Friday 14th July (weather permitting)
This is our tried and tested version of Sports Day – and it really does last all day! The children will be involved in a wide range of physical activities during the day. Some activities will be competitive, some will require team work and co-operation, some will require thinking skills and some will require concentration and co-ordination. The children need to come dressed ready to be active. If the weather is bad we will postpone the event until the following week, in the hope of better weather.
Leavers’ Service – Thursday 20th July
The service is planned for 9.30am at All Hallows Church (to be confirmed).
As a church school, this service is a fitting way for us to draw the school year to a close. We celebrate our successes, say goodbye to friends who are leaving us and look forward to exciting challenges ahead of us in the new school year.
You are welcome to join us in church if you can.
Please return this form no later than Friday 16th June.
Diary dates for this term
Monday 12th June: Classes 1 and 2 only - Cricket Day at Almondbury Wesleyans
Saturday 17th June: Almondbury Methodist Gala on the Recreation Ground
Thursday 29th June: Visit by members of Almondbury Junior School’s School Council to answer questions from Year 2 transition pupils.
Friday 30th June: Mrs Hughes to talk to pupils moving to Almondbury Juniors.
Saturday 1st July: SCHOOL GALA 1.30 pm– 3.30pm (at school)
Monday 3rd July: Year 2 pupils moving to Almondbury Junior School to visit their new school. Children to come to school here, as usual, for 8.55am.
Thursday 6th July: Meeting for parents of children entering Reception class in September.
Friday 7th July: Fun Day – Seaside Theme (see above)
Monday 10th July – Thursday13th July – School Book Fair in school hall
Tuesday 11th July / Wednesday 12th July: Parents’ Evenings (please see School Reports and Parents’ Evenings section above)
Friday 14th July: Busy Body Day (see above)
Tuesday 18th July: 11.30am / 3.15pm - Nursery closes for summer
Thursday 20th July: 9.30am - Leavers’ Service at All Hallows Church (to be confirmed)
Thursday 20th July: 3.10pm - School closes for the summer holiday
Monday 4th September: 8.55am – School re-opens
