Latest News at St George's 

This recent cold spell with the very low temperatures and quantity of snow made it impossible to open on several days due to health and safety reasons.  As you are aware school has to take the Health & Safety of all who use the building, very seriously.  Notes on School Closure are on the reverse.

This is the first termly newsletter to all parents from the Governors.

The newsletter, we hope will keep you informed of the work of the Governors, who our Governors are and their role in supporting the school. 

At November’s meeting, which was the first of the year, the following are the Governing Body of the school:

Mr D Wellens Foundation Governor (Chair)

Mr P Kendall Foundation Governor (Vice Chair)

Rev. J. Baines Ex Officio Governor

Mr P Thomas Ex Officio Governor

Mrs B Wildgoose Foundation Parent Governor

Mr T Lambert Foundation Parent Governor

Mr M Gadd Foundation Governor

Mrs M Brown Teaching Staff Governor

Mrs C Killip Non-teaching Staff Governor

Mrs C Buckingham Parent Governor

Mrs H Thompson Parent Governor

Mr L Baker LA Representative

Mrs G Brown Foundation Governor

Vacancy for a Foundation Parent Governor

Your Parent Governors are around the school so please contact them to ask any questions. Alternatively, you can contact school via email; info@st-georgescofe.derbyshire.sch.uk

The Governors play an important part in that they take an active part in supporting and maintaining the work of the school, the curriculum, the school’s Budget, all issues relating to Health & Safety, employing staff and monitoring the building.  The Head and Staff welcome visits from Governors and all work together for the benefit of the children.

Extended Services

The school continues to be a venue for both the town’s Toy Library and for the Children’s Centre

Parent and Toddler Group.  Both are a great addition to the school and all Governors are pleased that the school is being used in this way. 

All are welcome

Toy Library : Monday in Term Time 

9.45  -  11.30 -  school hall

Parent Toddler Group  -  Tuesdays and

Thursdays in Term Time 1.00  -  3.00   -  Nursery Classroom

The Buildings

The Autumn Term brought with it another change to the school buildings in that the ‘spare classroom’ is being converted into a Food Technology Room  -  which all classes can use.  The PTA generously offered to pay for some of the new flooring, which has been very useful when tidying up!

In addition, school has been lucky to access funds to build a Parents’ Shelter near the Year 1/2 door. This has gone out to tender so hopefully something might happen before the Summer term ends! 

Ofsted Inspection

During November, Ofsted made a surprise visit, to the school, and found the school was making good progress in all areas and that last year’s SAT results were very good.  All Governors are delighted with the Report and would like to thank the Head, all staff and children for their hard work and commitment. The Report can be viewed on the Ofsted website www.ofsted.gov.uk

As the end of March draws closer Governors are always concerned with the school’s allocated Budget.  This is the amount we have to spend on everything; salaries, buildings, equipment, various health & safety certificates, heating, lighting, which will have increased due to the cold spell.  This list goes on.  A Finance Committee of the Governors keeps a very regular check on the Budget with the School’s Finance Officer.  Obviously, the school’s Budget is never enough and again this April the Governors will inevitably have to make another round of savings, which will not way effect the quality of education and provision in school.  Rest assured, the Governors are mindful of this issue, all the time. As you are aware many public services are under threat to save money again this year.

Spring Term Events

Education Sunday on 31st January  -   9.30 in Church, when staff and children lead the worship.  Parents, Family members and Carers are most welcome to join us for the service.

During February the school will be having a two week ‘Arts’ Week  from the 1st of February to the 12th and on the 10th February there will be an Open Day for parents and other members of the community  to see the school at work. 

At the end of February Y5/6, plus staff, visit White Hall, the outdoor pursuits centre for an exciting time.

March 1st school is closed for an INSET day.

Parents’ Evenings are on 9th and 10th of March.

Wednesday 31st March Y5 children will lead the Easter Service in Church at 2 p.m.

School Closes at 3.15 p.m. on April 1st and re-opens on Monday 19th April.

Term Dates for 2009/2010

SPRING 2010

School Starts                        Mon 4th January

School Closes               Fri 12^th February

School Starts                Monday 22nd February

INSET                            Monday 1^st March

School Closes                        Thursday 1st April

SUMMER 2010

School Starts                          Mon 19th April

School Closes                 Friday May 28th

School Starts                           Monday 7th June

School Closes                 Thursday 22nd July

INSET                              Friday 23rd July

Inset Days                                                           

Friday 4^th September

            Monday 2nd November

Monday 21^st December

Monday 1^st March

Friday 23rd July

AUTUMN 2010

School Starts                     Mon 6th September

                                           Inset Day (TBC)

School Closes                    Friday 22nd October

School Starts                      Monday 1st November

School Closes                     Tuesday 21st December

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Y6  -  SATs Week  -  10th to 14th May 2010

Please avoid taking holidays during this time.  Other classes will also be undertaking assessments at this time too.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

If the school has to shut for whatever reason, please note the following:

• ·          Listen to High Peak Radio (which can be accessed via the internet)
• ·          School has set up a ‘phone tree’ – so that as many people as possible can be notified.
• ·          School closure notices will be posted at the Newsagents on High Hill Road
• ·          School closure will also be posted on the Derbyshire County Council website
• .          A notice will be posted on the school’s website   www.st-georgescofe.co.uk on the News Page

11^th January 2010

8^th January 2010

Dear Parents

Happy New Year to all.  What a start we’ve had!

Thank you for your co-operation, patience and understanding, when the school has been closed.  I had no alternative when staff couldn’t get in, pipes were frozen and the quantity of snow to be moved.  Every day brought a new problem.  I can appreciate that child care may have been an issue for you but from my point of view, the health and safety of the children, staff and parents was and is paramount.

For us to re-open today (Friday) a lot of credit has to go to our Caretaker, Mr. Stanton, who has worked continuously for days.  He has been fantastic. 

For further school closures and I am sure there will be some, please listen to High Peak Radio, which can be accessed via the internet, if you cannot receive a signal where you live.  More snow is forecast for this weekend so please listen out.

Many thanks.

Yours sincerely

P Thomas

Headteacher

10^th December 2009

Dear Parents

This year’s Christmas Fair was a huge success and we raised over £1,000!  Many thanks to all who helped and/or sent items in.  What an amazing total.  Well done to all on the P.T.A. who organised this event.

Bags2school  Many thanks to all who sent in bags.  We’ve raised £144. from this fund raising.  The next collection is in June 2010.

Swine Flu Update  Lately, one, possibly two, children have been diagnosed with ‘swine flu’.  They have recovered well and returned to school.  The most important advice is that children with symptoms of a flu like illness should stay away from school or nursery.  The symptoms are if you or a member of your family has a fever or high temperature of 38 degrees C or more and two or more of the following. 

• Headache
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath or cough
• Unusual tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Aching muscles
• Diarrhoea or vomiting

Ofsted  (Office for Standards in Education

Recently Ofsted paid a surprise visit to the school and found that the school has made good progress in making improvements and is demonstrating a better capacity for sustained improvement. What a positive Report for the school, which is well deserved.  A full copy of the Report should be on the Ofsted website in the next few weeks.

Dates for your Diary

December

Friday 11^th                   Christmas Dinner Day

Monday 14^th                 KS1 party – p.m.

Tuesday 15^th                KS2 party – p.m.

Wednesday 16^th           Nursery party a.m.

Wednesday 16^th           Christmas Carol Service in Church – 2 p.m. – all welcome

Friday 18^th                    School closes at 3.15 and re-opens Monday 4^th January 2010.

Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year from all a St. George’s!

Many thanks.

Yours sincerely

P Thomas

Headteacher

18^th November 2009

Dear Parents

Many thanks to all parents and friends of St. George’s for another magnificent response to our Christmas Shoe Box Appeal.  We’ve sent off over 80 boxes!  Well done to everyone.

Non-uniform Day

Friday 27^th November is a ‘Chocolate’ non-uniform day for our Christmas Fair, which is on Friday 4^th December at 3.00 p.m. in school.  More information and letters on the Fair in due course.

Play Park Facilities in New Mills

I have been asked by New Mills Young Women’s Group if I could make parents aware of a petition they have set up to improve play park facilities in New Mills.  The petition will be available to sign at the school office and nursery.

Dates for your Diary

NOV     27^th            Chocolate non-uniform day

DEC     3^rd              New Reception starters staying for lunch

            4^th              PTA Christmas Fair 3 p.m. – school

            8^th              Christmas Concert – school hall – 2 p.m.

 10 – 13^th                Christmas Tree Festival in St. George’s Church

10^th            Christmas Concert – school hall – 2 p.m.

11^th            Christmas dinner day

14^th            KS1 party (p.m.)

15^th            KS2 party (p.m.)

16^th            Nursery party (a.m.)

16^th            School Carol Service in Church – 2 p.m.

18^th            School closes for Christmas at 3.15 p.m. and re-opens on Monday 4^th January 2010.

Many thanks.

Yours sincerely

P Thomas

Headteacher

 3^rd November 2009

5^th October 2009

Dear Parents

Parent Governors

Following the recent nominations for two Parent Governors – Mrs. Clare Buckingham and Mrs Helen Thompson have been duly elected to the Governing Body.

Christmas Shoe Box Appeal

Once again this year we will be participating in Operation Christmas Child, Shoe Box Appeal, which many of you know is about filling a Christmas Shoe Box for children in war torn, or under-developed countries.  To assist with this appeal we are having a Christmas Shoe Box non-uniform day on Friday November 6^th.  On this day children can bring in items for a shoe box.  Please read the attached leaflet.

Photographs

The deadline for photograph orders is Friday the 9^thOctober.  Please send your orders, enclosing the correct amount, to your child’s class teacher, or the office.

Head Lice

There is not a parents’ letter that goes by without mentioning head lice.  What is the answer to this problem?  If you know the answer please let me know.  Once again there are several cases being reported.  Please check every night and if it is a persistent problem, contact the school nurse – Julie Blundell at the New Mills Clinic.

Half Term

School closes at 3.15 p.m. on Friday 23^rd October and re-opens on Tuesday 3^rd November.

Parents’ Evening

Tuesday 13^th at 3.30 – 6.00 and Wednesday 14^th October 3.30 – 4.30.  There will be separate letters for this.

Many thanks.

Yours sincerely

P Thomas

Headteacher

 28^th September 2009

Dear Parent/Carer

We were informed today that one of our staff members has been diagnosed with swine flu.  The adult is receiving treatment and is recovering well.

We have taken advice from the Health Protection Unit and we want to reassure you that there is no need for concern.  This swine flu is proving to be a mild disease, and most affected children/adults are poorly for just a few days.  Although in some schools it appears to have spread quite rapidly between the children, there is now evidence that this flu is spreading through the community outside schools.  For this reason, closing the school is very unlikely to help stop the spread of the flu virus.

Because there is only one member of staff at the school with swine flu, and no evidence of spread within the school, the Health Protection Unit are not recommending that our pupils are given anti-viral medicine as a prophylaxis.  Anti-viral medicine is not a vaccine and does not give long term protection against the flu.

We ask that you keep a close eye on your child for the next few days and if they have symptoms of flu to keep them at home, let us know at the school, and contact your own GP or NHS Direct (0845 4647) for advice.

The symptoms of flu are:

·        Fever, usually of 38^oC or above, plus two of the following symptoms

·        Headache

·        Respiratory symptoms such as cough or runny nose

·        Muscle aches and pains

·        Vomiting/diarrhoea.

Many thanks. 

Yours faithfully

P Thomas

Headteacher