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Latest News at St George's
2nd March 2010
Dear Parents/Carers
Thank you for supporting our fund raising for the children of Haiti. We raised £100.00, which is excellent and I am sure it will be used wisely. Thank you.
We shall also be supporting Sport Relief with activities, for all ages, during the week beginning 15th March and all money raised goes to the Sport Relief Charity.
The children will have fun, lots of exercise and raise money for a worthy cause. I do hope you can support this event. A Sponsor form is on the reverse of this letter.
Here is a list of events that week - each class will arrange a time during the day to undertake these events:
Monday 15th Penalty Shoot Out (20p a go)
Tuesday 16th Skipping Challenge (Free event)
Wednesday 17th Nursery – mini obstacle course
KS1 – circuits – sponsored event
KS2 – Y3/4 swim – sponsored width
KS2 - Y5/6 – circuits - sponsored event
Thursday 18th Cake sale (20p per cake)
Friday 19th Non-uniform Day – 50p donation
Funny Dance Competition – 20p per entry)
Nursery – Lazy Town Party (see Nursery staff for more details)
Events this Term
March
1st School Closed – Inset Day
9th Parents’ Evening – 3.30 – 6.00pm
10th Parents’ Evenings – 3.30 – 4.30pm
15/19th Sport Relief Week
31st Easter Service in Church led by Y5 : 2.00 p.m.
April
1st School Closes at 3.15 for the Easter Holidays and re-opens on Monday
19th April.
Many thanks.
Yours sincerely
P Thomas
Headteacher
8th February 2010
Dear Parents
The Arts Weeks
Many thanks for your support during the Arts Weeks, they were a great success and the children had a range of art and craft activities, visits to the Art Theatre, New Mills Secondary School, the list goes on. Hopefully, they will take away new skills and ideas.
Much of the last couple of weeks was due to Mrs. Townsend’s planning and organising, so many thanks to her.
Headlice
Can I ask all parents to check their child(ren’s) hair every night. There have been a number of parents informing me that it is still a problem.
Contact Numbers
PLEASE let us know if you have changed your mobile number! We may need to contact you in an emergency.
Absence
Please will you telephone the office as soon as you know your child will be late, going to a dentist, doctor, hospital appointment, or away poorly.
Dinner Money
Please pay for your child(ren’s) dinners every week. The cost for a dinner is £1.85 per day = £9.25 per week. Cheques should be made payable to D.C.C. If you have found yourself in arrears then please pay some off the debt every week, and talk to myself or Mrs Harkawenko. We have to refer all arrears to Matlock. If you think you qualify for Free School Meals, call the office for a form. All enquiries are dealt with in confidence.
Dates for your Diary
February
12th School closes at 3.15 for the half term
22nd School re-opens
26th – 28th Whitehall Weekend for Y5/6
March
1st SCHOOL CLOSED – TRAINING DAY
2ND School re-opens
9th Parents’ Evening 3.30 – 6.00
10th Parents’ Evening 3.30 – 4.00
31st Easter Worship in Church – led by Y5
April
1st School closes for Easter holiday at 3.15
19th School re-opens
Non Uniform Day
There will be a non-uniform day for the children of Haiti (minimum donation 50p) and all proceeds will go to the Disaster Emergency Committee fund. Thank you for your support with this event.
Many thanks.
Yours sincerely
P Thomas
Headteacher
Governors’ Newsletter No. 1
Welcome
A Happy New Year to all parents of St. George’s C. E. Primary School.
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 12th February
School Starts Monday 22nd February
INSET Monday 1st 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 4th September
Monday 2nd November
Monday 21st December
Monday 1st 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
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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.
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If the school has to shut for whatever reason, please note the following:
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· Listen to High Peak Radio (which can be accessed via the internet)
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· School has set up a ‘phone tree’ – so that as many people as possible can be notified.
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· School closure notices will be posted at the Newsagents on High Hill Road
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· School closure will also be posted on the Derbyshire County Council website
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11th January 2010
Dear Parents
Thanks once again for your co-operation when we had to close the school last week. As we are still in the grip of winter we may have to close again : if we do have to close, for whatever reason, here is the procedure:
- 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
Education Sunday : 31st January 2010
Once again you are all cordially invited to the above service which starts at 9.30 a.m. at St. George’s Church. Many of the children will be singing and staff also attend.
Term Dates : Spring Term 2010
Jan 4th (Monday) – School re-opens
Feb 12th (Friday) – School closes at 3.15 for half term
Feb22nd (Monday) – School re-opens
March 1st (Monday) – School closed – INSET DAY
March 2nd (Tuesday) - School reopens
April 1st (Thurs) – school closes at 3.15 for Easter holidays and reopens on Monday 19th April.
Many thanks.
Yours sincerely
P Thomas
Headteacher
8th 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
10th 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 11th Christmas Dinner Day
Monday 14th KS1 party – p.m.
Tuesday 15th KS2 party – p.m.
Wednesday 16th Nursery party a.m.
Wednesday 16th Christmas Carol Service in Church – 2 p.m. – all welcome
Friday 18th School closes at 3.15 and re-opens Monday 4th January 2010.
Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year from all a St. George’s!
Many thanks.
Yours sincerely
P Thomas
Headteacher
18th 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 27th November is a ‘Chocolate’ non-uniform day for our Christmas Fair, which is on Friday 4th 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.
Fund Raising
As you are aware school is always looking for ways to raise funds for the children and we have registered with ‘bags2school’ – which is a company that specialises in good quality second hand clothing which is then re-used and we are paid according to the weight collected. Each family will receive a bag and the following are acceptable : adults’ & children’s clothing, bedding, curtains, soft toys, shoes (tied together), belts and hard bags. No bric a brac. Our first collection is on Monday 7th December at 9.15. Unfortunately bags left after this will not be collected.
Dates for your Diary
NOV 27th Chocolate non-uniform day
DEC 3rd New Reception starters staying for lunch
4th PTA Christmas Fair 3 p.m. – school
8th Christmas Concert – school hall – 2 p.m.
10 – 13th Christmas Tree Festival in St. George’s Church
10th Christmas Concert – school hall – 2 p.m.
11th Christmas dinner day
14th KS1 party (p.m.)
15th KS2 party (p.m.)
16th Nursery party (a.m.)
16th School Carol Service in Church – 2 p.m.
18th School closes for Christmas at 3.15 p.m. and re-opens on Monday 4th January 2010.
Many thanks.
Yours sincerely
P Thomas
Headteacher
3rd November 2009
Dear Parents
Bug Busting Day – 4th November 2009
Every primary school in the town is taking part in this Bug Busting Day, as every school has to deal with this ever-present issue.
We need to use a detection comb every night this week
One comb is attached to this letter
If head lice are found - they need to be treated
It is important that everyone in School is checked every night this week, so hopefully, we can have a nit free week!
If anyone is found to have head lice, all members of the family must be checked too – ‘even adults can catch headlice. Ask our Staff! Treatment can be with a lotion or by the combing method.
The combing method is - the hair needs to be washed and conditioner applied and not washed off. The hair needs to be combed with a fine tooth comb until all lice are removed. This then needs to be repeated every 3 days for 3 weeks.
Please support this initiative, as we would like to be free of lice for a little while.
School Policy
A reminder that, if live lice are found, then we contact parents immediately so the child can be treated and returned to school as soon as possible.
Many thanks.
Yours sincerely
P Thomas
Headteacher
22nd October 2009
Dear Parents
A reminder that school closes on Friday 23rd October at 3.15 p.m. and re -opens on Tuesday November 3rd.
As you are aware, on Friday 6th November we are having a non-uniform day for our Christmas
Shoe Box Appeal. Any items that are donated will be greatly appreciated.
On Wednesday November 4th 2009, all the town’s primary schools are involved in a Bug Busting Day – that is, a concerted effort by all to try and contain headlice for a day or two. All the schools are
involved, as it is a huge problem in every part of the town. A letter with guidance and a free
nit comb should be distributed to parents/carers on Tuesday 3rd November. If your child is absent
on the day, please call into the office.
We need to know any changes in telephone contact numbers. Please let the office know as soon
as possible.
Enjoy the half term break.
Many thanks.
Yours sincerely
P Thomas
Headteacher
5th 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 6th. 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 9thOctober. 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 23rd October and re-opens on Tuesday 3rd November.
Parents’ Evening
Tuesday 13th at 3.30 – 6.00 and Wednesday 14th October 3.30 – 4.30. There will be separate letters for this.
Many thanks.
Yours sincerely
P Thomas
Headteacher
28th 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 38oC 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
24th September 2009
Dear Parents
Many thanks to all who supported our Harvest appeal. What another fantastic response! All our gifts have now gone over to Church and from there they will be sent to Night Stop, a charity for homeless people in the High Peak.
It was also good to see so many parents, grand parents and friends attending the worship. You are always welcome to join us.
This Sunday, will be the Harvest Service in St. George’s Parish Church and starts at 9.30 a.m.
Dinner Money
A reminder that Dinner Money has now increased to £1.85 per day or £9.25 per week.
Sports Club (Mrs Craig)
The sports club arranged for KS2 children, after school, will not go ahead as planned for this Wednesday 30th. It should resume, the following Wednesday – October 7th.
Headlice Alert
Please check your child’s hair every night and treat the problem. As you are aware our policy is that parents will be contacted if their child has living headlice. Once the condition has been treated the child can return to school. All parents need to be involved in this ongoing problem.
Vouchers and Tokens
Please send in any vouchers or tokens collected from supermarkets. The more we receive the better. The goods we order through the various schemes helps the children enormously.
Parent Governor Nominations
The closing date for nominations is Thursday 1st October 2009. There are 2 vacancies. Nominations must be placed in the sealed box near the IT suite.
Many thanks.
Yours sincerely
P Thomas
Headteacher
8th September 2009
Dear Parents
Welcome to all parents at the start of another school year. Your support of your child and school, is very much appreciated and I am sure that it will continue. As you are aware St. George’s School is a Church of England School and therefore has very close links with St. George’s Parish Church and its priest, Father John. You are most welcome to join us for any services in church, keep a look out for them in the newsletters.
Contact Numbers
Please let school know if there are any changes to your contact numbers especially your mobile. We may need to contact you in an emergency.
School meals
The cost of a school meal will increase to £1.85 per day and will take effect from Monday 14th September 2009.
Harvest Appeal 2009
Our Harvest Appeal will again this year be Nightstop in Buxton, which is a charity for young homeless persons. Any donations of tinned and packet foods will be greatly received and appreciated.
The Harvest service is in school on Tuesday 22nd September at 9.10 a.m. Parents are invited to attend.
Dates for this Term
SEPTEMBER
7th Re-open 8.55 a.m.
22nd Harvest Service in school at 9.10 a.m.
24th Photographer for familes and individuals – 8.15 a.m. – school
hall
27th Harvest Service in St. George’s Church – 9.30 a.m.
OCTOBER
23rd School closes at 3.15 p.m. for half term and re opens on
Tuesday 3rd November.
DECEMBER
4th PTA Christmas Fair – 3 p.m. in School
8th Christmas Concert p.m. – school
10th Christmas Concert p.m. – school
14th KS1 Party p.m. in school
15th KS2 Party p.m. in school
16th Nursery Party a.m. in school
16th School’s Carol Service in Church – 2 p.m.
18th School closes at 3.15 p.m. for Christmas holidays and
re-opens on Monday 4th January 2010.
Many thanks.
Yours sincerely
P Thomas
Headteacher
DATA UPDATE FORM
The information which you enter on this form is required for the efficient organisation of the school and the children’s educational needs. It will be kept on the office computer under restricted access and is subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act. The information will be disclosed only to the Education Authority, the Health and Welfare agencies or where a law or an emergency necessitates a disclosure. The information held must be kept up to date by law and so if any of the information which you now supply changes in the future, will you please notify the school in writing or ask for another of these forms. Please fill in your child(ren)’s name and any changes to the information we already hold.
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Child’s Surname
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Child’s Forename(s)
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Child’s Date of Birth
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Full Address
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Home Tel. No.
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Parents’/Guardians
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Father/Guardian:
Mobile
Name of Workplace
Workplace Tel. No.
Mother/Guardian:
Mobile
Name of Workplace
Workplace Tel. No.
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Any other
Emergency Contact Names and Tel Nos.
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Name
Relationship to Child
Tel No
Mobile
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Doctor |
Name
Tel No. |
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Any other information which you wish to supply
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