21 September 2015, Comments: 0

17th September 2015

Autumn Letter 2

 

Dear Parents

 

Start of the Year Service

I can confirm that the service to mark the start of the school year will take place on Monday 21st September at 1.15 p.m. Everyone is welcome and we would love to see parents and friends come to join us as we celebrate the start of the school year.

 

Admissions

If you or anyone you know is looking to apply for a place in our new starters September 2016, I am writing to inform you of a change in the way applications are made. The main application is made via the NYCC website. The Supplementary Information Form, which was previously sent out to applicants, can now be downloaded from the school website. This is a busy time of year for next year’s admissions; if you know of anybody that is considering applying for a place at Richard Taylor School, please encourage them to book in for a tour of the school via the school office.

 

Macmillan Coffee Morning

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, when thousands of people will be holding coffee mornings to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief, will be hosted by the Friends on Friday 25th September between 9.00 – 10.00 a.m. in the school hall. It is a particularly good opportunity to catch up with friends or meet new parents. Friends and family are more than welcome. I look forward to seeing you there.

 

Harvest Festival and Harvest Tea

This year’s Harvest Festival will be held in school on Thursday 8th October. The service will start at 9.15 a.m. and the parents of all new children are warmly welcome to attend. Unfortunately lack of space does not allow us to invite all parents and friends to join us. Please complete the slip below if you would like to attend. All classes are involved in the worship which is always a great occasion. As in previous years, we ask for donations of tins, packets (in date please) and fresh produce on Wednesday 8th October at 3.15 p.m. or Thursday morning before 9.00 a.m. All gifts will be donated to elderly residents of Bilton, with any remaining food being donated to the Harrogate Foodbank. Gifts will be taken out by the children after school on Friday 9th October, so offers of help would be appreciated from parents who are able to accompany their children. (Please complete the slip below if you can help).

 

On Friday 9th October, following the Harvest Festival, the school holds a Harvest Tea and invites elderly residents of the community to share tea, company and entertainment with pupils from Year 6. If you know of anyone who would appreciate an invitation, please complete the slip below.

 

Individual Photos

Monday 12th October, during the morning, is the confirmed date of the individual school photos.

 

MSA Vacancies

We still have a number of vacancies for midday supervisory staff. If you know anybody who might be interested in the post, please encourage them to come and find out more from the school office.

 

Uniform

Everyone has returned to school looking incredibly smart. The way we look in school reflects the high standards that we set for ourselves in every aspect of school life. I am writing to remind people of the uniform rules regarding jewellery. Children should not wear any jewellery except for stud or sleeper earrings which can be removed or covered during PE. This includes friendship bands which cannot be removed for PE. Please make sure that children do not come to school with woven bands which cannot be removed. Thank you for your support in this area.

 

Friends

The Friends held their first meeting of the year on Monday 14th September. If you were unable to attend but would like to help out, please contact the Friends via the school website.

 

Please remember to submit any finished entries in the friends ‘Summer Challenge’ to the school office for judging before Friday 25th September.

 

Movie Nights are scheduled to take place as follows:-

 

Monday 28th September         Airedale and Bishopdale

Monday 19th October         Ribblesdale and Dentdale

Monday 16th November        Swaledale and Nidderdale

Monday 30th November`        Coverdale, Wensleydale and Wharfedale

 

Bags2School

Friends now have a shed in which we can store donations of unwanted clothes/shoes etc. Donations will be accepted every Friday in the school office. It is hoped that this will make it easier for parents who wish to declutter, not having to wait until the next Bags2School collection date. We will soon be sending home bags for you, however black bin bags are acceptable. The next Bags2School collection is Friday 9th October at 9 a.m.

 

Road Safety

In the next few weeks the start and end of the school day will start to take place in gloomy and dark conditions. I am writing to remind all parents who bring children by car to remember the following guidelines:-

 

  • Drive within the 20 m.p.h. speed limit around school
  • Do not stop on the zig zag lines on Hall Lane and Bilton Lane
  • When parking, show consideration to the local residents, particularly remembering not to block driveways
  • Please do not walk children through the car park – it is much safer to use the pedestrian gates on Bilton Lane and Hall Lane.

     

Thank you for your ongoing support in ensuring that our children are safe in and around school.

 

Year 6 Pupils: Secondary Schools Open Days

For all pupils transferring to High School in September 2016, the list of open events has been published. Please see below for the schools which you are interested in visiting:-

 

Harrogate High School             Open Evening for Parents – Wednesday 23rd September 6-7 p.m.

                    Open Day – Saturday 26th September 9.30 a.m. – 1.30 p.m.

 

King James’s School            Open Evening – Thursday 8th October 6.00 – 9.00 p.m.

 

Rossett School                Prospective Parents’ Evening – Thursday 8th October 7 p.m.

                    Open Day – Saturday 10th October 9.30 – 12 noon

 

St. Aidan’s C.E. High School        Open Evening – Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th October 7.30 p.m.

                    Open Day – Saturday 17th October 1.30 p.m.

 

St. John Fisher Catholic High School    Open Evening – Wednesday 30th September 7.-8.30 p.m.

                    Open Day – Saturday 3rd October 11 a.m – 2 p.m.

                    Open Morning by appointment – Wednesday 7th October

 

 

Cashless Office

The new cashless payment system has encountered very few teething problems which now appear to be resolved. However, if you are experiencing any difficulties, please contact the school office.

 

Mrs Anderson

It is with great sadness that I announce the retirement of Mrs Anderson, our Senior midday supervisor. This was due to be Mrs Anderson’s last year in post but ill health has forced her to step down at the end of the month. Mrs Anderson has been an outstanding servant of the school over an incredible 27
years and she will be missed greatly by everyone at Richard Taylor School. Whilst she has stressed that she wants no fuss to be made, we will be marking her time at Richard Taylor School with an appropriate gift.

 

Dates for your Diary

 

Monday 21st September            Start of Year Service at St. John’s Church at 1.00.p.m.

Friday 25th September            Macmillan Coffee Morning 9.00 – 10.00 a.m.

Thursday 8th October            Harvest Celebration for parents of new children to attend 9.15 am

Friday 9th October            Harvest Afternoon Tea for Local Community

Friday 9th October            Bags2School collection

Monday 12th October            Individual School Photos

Tuesday 20th October            Parents Evening – Early

Wednesday 21st October            Parents Evening – Late    

Friday 23rd October            School finishes at 3.15 pm for half term

Monday 2nd November            Staff training day – School closed to pupils

Tuesday 3rd November            School re-opens

Friday 11th December            Christmas Fair

 

Yours sincerely

 

A Symonds

 


 

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