Spring Newsletter 1
8th January 2016
Dear Parents
Spring Term Newsletter 1
Happy New Year to everyone, I hope that everyone had a lovely, if wet, Christmas and are looking forward to 2016. The first newsletter of the year includes important dates for the busy spring term.
Friends Update
The first Friends meeting of the year will take place on Monday 11th January at 7.00 p.m. in school. Please come along if you can help with fundraising and community events planned for this year. Thank you to everyone who supported the Christmas Fayre which was a huge success and raised £3,700. Some of this money will be used to purchase new laptops that will be used by every child in school.
Bags2school
If you are having an early spring clean and are planning to get rid of unwanted clothes, linen, shoes and bags, please make sure that you fill a bag and bring it to school. This is an excellent fundraiser for school and every little helps. The next collection will be on 26th January 2016 but bags can be dropped off at school and stored in the Friends shed at any time. Many thanks to the Friends for dealing with this on the school’s behalf.
Taylor Times
I hope that everyone enjoyed reading their copy of the Autumn Term Edition of the Taylor Times. Thanks to
Mrs Atkinson and the Year 6 editors for all of their hard work.
Assessment Dates
Advanced notice that the schools spring term assessments will take place during the week beginning Monday 14th March. The national assessment tests will take place during the summer term 2016. The important Year 6 assessment tests will take place week beginning Monday 9th May. The national Year 1 phonics assessments will take place during the week beginning Monday 13th June. The government have reintroduced national assessment tests for pupils in Year 2 which will take place during May. During these specific weeks it is important that the children are in school to access the tests.
Parking
The terrible recent weather heightens the need to take extra care and give yourself additional time when looking to park around school at the start and end of the day. In particular we are asking parents to park with consideration to local residents and not block entrances and alleyways off Bilton Lane. We are aware of the blocked drains and minor flooding on some of the roads around school and we have contacted the highways team to make them aware of the situation.
Weather Watch
Whilst the wet weather continues to cause problems we have yet to experience the snow and ice that can bring additional challenges. We still have several weeks of winter to get through. Please make sure that you have updated any new contact details with the school office. In the event of bad weather impacting on school opening, all parents will be informed by text service, information will be broadcast on Stray FM and placed on both the school and NYCC websites (http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=9133). We will obviously endeavour to remain open wherever possible. Please stay on gritted pathways if conditions are snowy and icy.
Payments to School Office
A reminder that there is a mail box situated on the wall just inside the main entrance. The on-line payment system continues to work well and we hope it has made it easier for parents/carers to monitor their payments to school. If you do however encounter any difficulties please do not hesitate to contact the school office for assistance.
World Book Day
World Book Day takes place on Thursday 3rd March. As usual the children will receive a £1 book voucher and there will be a day of special events to celebrate reading and children’s books. It has been 2 years since our last non-uniform character day and so this year will be a non-uniform day with children encouraged to dress up as book related characters. There will be prizes for each class and plenty of photos taken.
Hatch It
One of the highlights from last year was the ‘hatch it’ experience when the school had an incubator in school for 2 weeks and the children had the opportunity to watch 12 eggs hatch and were able to handle the chicks during their first two weeks of life. We have booked the incubator to arrive on Monday 7th March and look forward to enjoying the magical experience of watching the chicks hatch.
Website Blog
A New Year reminder that if you want to catch up on all of the events that happen in school on a weekly basis you can always read the weekly blog on the school’s website (http://rtsharrogate.com/blog/). It tells you about the events that don’t make it into the newsletter. Please look out for the class blogs during this term. More information will be sent out via individual classes.
Bilton Library
A reminder that the community library is fully up and running on the new site at Woodfield School. If you have not taken the time yet I would recommend a visit. There is plenty of parking, a fantastic range of new books for children and some very friendly staff. Please try and support a valuable local resource. Mr Whiteley from Bilton Library will be leading a worship time on 25th January to promote the work of the local library.
Betty’s Cooking School
I am delighted to announce that we have been invited to take a group of children to the cooking school for a bread making session. Having taken a group of children before I know what a real treat it will be for these children who get the chance to go. We will be choosing 3 children from each of the junior classes to represent the school.
Year 5/6
Careers Evening: On Tuesday 26th January Harrogate High School will be holding a careers event for children currently in Year 5/6. Parents are encouraged to take their children after school with the event finishing at 5 p.m.
Diary Dates
The Spring Term is full of important dates – listed below are a number for your diary.
Monday 11th January Friends meeting 7.00 p.m. at school
Wednesday 20th January 6.30 p.m. KS1 Maths Information Evening for Parents
Monday 15th February Half Term
Monday 22nd February School reopens
Monday 22nd February Space Week in School
Monday 29th February Fairtrade Fortnight begins
Monday 3rd March World Book Day
Monday 7th March ‘Hatch It’ in school
Wednesday 16th March Parents Consultation Evening – Early
Thursday 17th March Parents Consultation Evening – Late
Friday 18th March Tempest Photographs for Year 6 and Reception
Friday 18th March Sport Relief Fun Run in the afternoon
Thursday 24th March 10 a.m. Easter Service at St. John’s Church
Thursday 24th March School finishes for Easter at 2.15 p.m.
Monday 11th April Staff Training Day
Tuesday 12th April School reopens
Yours sincerely
Andrew Symonds
Head Teacher