East Brent Church of England First School

Newsletter

Newsletter Number 2 Wednesday, 20^th September 2006

Parent’s meetings: Thank you to all the parents who attended these meetings, there was a really good response and it has helped to get the year off to a really good start. If you were unable to attend and would like a copy of the notes given out please ask your child’s class teacher.

Mrs Bowkett will meet the parents of the new reception children on Monday, 9^th October at 3.30 pm. Play activities will be provided for the children.

Breakfast Club: is up and running very well, if you are interested in joining please contact Mrs Lorraine Williams if you need to use the facility on an ad hoc basis that if fine.

School lunches: There was enough interest for hot school lunches to begin talks with Somerset Catering Services. They will be sending us sample menus and I will distribute these with the next newsletter and inform you of the financial & domestic arrangements. We have not committed ourselves to this service yet.

After School Clubs: All after school clubs are running well, there are still places in the Tennis Club run by Burnham Tennis Club, if your child is interested in joining please ask for a form from me or the office.

Attendance: If your child is not attending school please telephone the office 01278 760490 by 9.15 am, please leave a message on the answer phone machine if the office is unattended. Holiday request forms have become more stringent as we are accountable for our levels of poor attendance.

Off site appointments: If you need to take your child off site for an appointment please let Mrs Currie in the office know and there is a signing in and out book.

Medicines: If your child needs medicine during the school day, please give it to myself or a member of staff and you will need to sign the medicine record book.

Accidents at school: If you child suffers a cut or graze that needs an antiseptic wipe then your child will be given a bravery sticker to indicate that it has been dealt with in school. If your child suffers a head, face or blood injury then the class teacher will inform you at the end of day, if we have any concerns then we will telephone you during the day.

PTA: The annual general meeting of the PTA was held on 14^th September, Mrs Jackie Vagg was elected as Chairman, Mrs Trudi Jenkins as secretary and Mrs Maxine Bashford as treasurer. We are very grateful for their willingness and commitment to the PTA and to the school. On behalf of the whole school I would like to thank Mr Paul Mitchell for all the work he has done as the past chairman. There is not a committee for the PTA, all parents who attend meetings form a working party for each event. Please feel free to attend the next PTA meeting which is on Thursday 5^th October at 8 pm in school. It was decided at the meeting that we would take the whole school to the pantomime at The Playhouse in Weston near to Christmas, you may like to be aware of this if you are booking family visits. Useful web sites are www.schoolfunds.co.uk (select East Brent First School) for ways in which buying on line can help school funds and www.clipperwovenlabels.co.uk ref 6529 tel 0870 745853 for all labels and name stickers who will also give the school some commission. The leaflet from www.eze.co.uk was sent to school for distribution to parents.

New Seat Belt Law: I am attaching a letter setting out the new law, this was given to us by the Police and we have been asked to circulate it. I have also been given an additional 8 page document if you would like any further clarification please ask me for a copy!

Kilve Court Residential Courses: There are a range of weekend courses for enthusiastic, able, gifted and talented children, if you are interested then please collect a programme and application form from the office. If you are concerned about the residential element of the courses then I have negotiated with Kilve Court that you can take your child down on a Friday afternoon to look around and become familiar with the centre and all its facilities.

Harvest Celebration: On the day after our Harvest Celebration, we are hosting a school choir from Kenya. These children come from a very poor part of Kenya and the school council agreed that it would be a nice idea to use our harvest celebration to raise money to give them on their visit to take back to Africa with them. The money will be spent on building an orphanage in their village. Having this direct contact with the choir will help to build a link in our giving.

Harvest Bring and Buy: The school council will hold a Bring and Buy Sale after the Harvest Celebration on Thursday 12^th October details to follow.

Cheddar Valley Schools: The Cheddar Valley School system has been in place for 30 years and much discussion has taken place as to how we might celebrate this, working together across the whole Cheddar Valley. It has now been decided that we should support a project in Africa and to launch this we will be holding a Mufti Day on the 6^th October, when children will be encouraged to wear their play clothes and donate £1 for this project. There will be much more information about this project shortly and there will be joint publicity across the Cheddar Valley. Also there will be other events during the year to raise funds for this project.

Life Caravan: The Life Caravan will be visiting school on Tuesday 3^rd October; each class will visit it. The Life Caravan provides appropriate health education for primary children. Their motto is ‘Helping children make healthy choices’. There will also be a chance for parents to visit it after school please just call in. The Life Caravan is being supported financially by the PTA.

Year 4 transfers: Please ensure if you are the parent of a Year 4 child that you have received the transfer forms, if you have completed it on line please let Mrs Currie know as we have no record of these. Also if you know of any children who will be starting school next September 2007 please encourage them to register with the LEA.

Head Lice: Please be aware that some head lice have been found. Please inspect your child’s hair and treat if necessary.

4^th October - Drug Awareness Parent’s meeting: Drug education is part of the National Curriculum and it’s taught in science, personal social and health education. From Key Stage 1 learning about medicines to Key Stage 2 learning about alcohol and tobacco misuse the aim is for all children to develop their knowledge, skills and attitudes about drugs and to appreciate the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. This parent session is designed to dispel some of the myths surrounding drug misuse. The session will be run by Nigel Lacock who is part of the Healthy Schools team. A creche will be provided.

Dates for your diary:

4^th October Parents meeting – Drug Awareness @ 3.30 pm Mrs Kelly’s classroom with crèche.

6^th October Non school uniform day to launch the Cheddar Valley Schools – A Promise to Africa – more details to follow

SUNDAY 8^th October Harvest Service at St.Mary’s Church @ 10 am

11^th October School Development Forum – a meeting of parents, staff and governors to discuss the Travel Plan, School site security and the aims of the school. 3.30 pm with crèche. Details to follow.

12^th October School Harvest Celebration at St. Mary’s Church 2 pm followed by Bring and Buy stalls in school, more details to follow.

13^th October Visit of Kenyan School Choir