AUTUMN NEWSLETTER
22nd September 2016
Autumn Letter 3
Dear Parents
Start of the Year Service
The start of the year service will take place at St Johns Church on Tuesday 27th September at 1.15 p.m. The service will be led by Rev Andy Patrick and everyone is welcome to join us as we reaffirm our school values and celebrate the start of the year.
Admissions
If you or anyone you know is looking to apply for a place in our new starters September 2017, I am writing to remind you of the 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.
Privacy Notice
The attached Privacy Notice explains what happens with the data held by the school about your child.
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 30th 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 6th 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 5th 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 7th 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). The theme of this year’s harvest is seeds.
On Friday 7th 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. The Friends are looking for volunteers who can help to serve tea and coffee during the afternoon. Please contact the Friends if you can help. The Friends also need help building the harvest hampers after the service from 10.30 a.m. on Thursday 6th October.
Individual Photos
Friday 7th October, during the morning, is the confirmed date of the individual school photos. Pre-school children can be brought in for family portraits from 08.30 a.m.
MSA Vacancies
From 7th November 2016 and April 2017 we have a couple of vacancies to cover maternity leave. For further information please contact the school office.
Parent Pay
We have now started using a new on-line payment system called Parent Pay. If you are encountering any difficulties please do not hesitate to contact the school office. During this transitional period, please disregard any communication from Agora.
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 12th 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 30th September.
Movie Nights are scheduled to take place as follows:-
Please note, the film night for Airedale and Bishopdale is Monday 10th and not Monday 17th.
Monday 10th October Airedale and Bishopdale
Monday 17th October Ribblesdale and Dentdale
Monday 14th November KS2
Friends cake stall will take place on Monday 7th November.
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 will be on Thursday 13th October 2016.
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:-
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Drive within the 20 m.p.h. speed limit around school
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Do not stop on the zig zag lines on Hall Lane and Bilton Lane
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When parking, show consideration to the local residents, particularly remembering not to block driveways
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Please do not walk children through the car park – it is much safer to use the pedestrian gates on Bilton Lane and Hall Lane.
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Please remind all children using scooters of the need to be very aware of the dangers on roads and pavements around school. Please remind them not to scooter in school grounds at the start and end of the day.
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 2017, 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 21st September 6-7 p.m.
Open Day – Saturday 24th September 9.30 a.m. – 1.30 p.m.
King James’s School Open Evening – Thursday 6th October 6.00 – 9.00 p.m.
Rossett School Prospective Parents’ Evening – Thursday 6th October 6.30 p.m.
Open Day – Saturday 8th October 9.30 – 12 noon
St. Aidan’s C.E. High School Open Evening – Tuesday 11th and Thursday 13th October 7.30 p.m.
Open Day – Saturday 15th October 1.30 – 4 p.m
St. John Fisher Catholic High School Open Evening – Thursday 29th September 7 – 9 p.m.
No Smoking
Richard Taylor School is a no smoking environment for the benefit of everyone who uses our grounds and buildings. If you are a smoker please try to finish your cigarette before you get to the school gate. This will help to keep the entrances free of cigarette butts. Thank you for your help in this matter.
Dates for your Diary
Tuesday 27th September Start of Year Service at St. John’s Church at 1.15.p.m.
Friday 30th September Macmillan Coffee Morning 9.00 – 10.00 a.m.
Thursday 6th October Harvest Celebration for parents of new children to attend 9.15 a.m
Friday 7th October Harvest Afternoon Tea for Local Community
Friday 7th October Individual School Photos
Wednesday 12th October Parents Evening – Early
Thursday 13th October Parents Evening – Late
Thursday 13th October Bags2School collection
Friday 21st October School finishes at 3.15 pm for half term
Monday 31st October Staff training day – School closed to pupils
Tuesday 1st November School re-opens
Friday 9th December Christmas Fair
Yours sincerely
A Symonds
MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING, Friday 30th September
Unfortunately I am unable to attend the coffee morning, however I enclose a donation of £…………………………
Name of child……………………………………………………………………….…….Class………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
HARVEST CELEBRATION, ThURSDAY 6TH OCTOBER
Parents of Reception children and older children new to the school this term wishing to attend. I/We would like to come to the Harvest Celebration
Name of Child ……………………………………………………………………………… Class ……………………………………………..
Number of Adults attending ……………………… adults
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Distribution of Gifts, FRIDAY 7th OCTOBER
NAME OF CHILD(REN)………………………………………………………………………………. CLASS(ES)………………………………….
I am willing to accompany my child(ren) to deliver a harvest gift after school on Friday 7th October. Please come to the school hall at 3.15 p.m.
Signed…………………………………………………………………….…………………….. .(Parent/Guardian)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Perhaps you know of an elderly/housebound person in Bilton
whom you think would be pleased to receive aN INVITATION TO THE HARVEST TEA
NAME & ADDRESS OF ELDERLY PERSON.
……………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………..………………………
……………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………..………………………
OR A HOUSEBOUND PERSON WHO WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE A HARVEST GIFT
NAME & ADDRESS OF HOUSEBOUND PERSON
……………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………..………………………
……………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………..………………………