Dear Parents/Carers                                   

Newsletter 15                              

A reminder school will be CLOSED on Bank Holiday Monday the 7th May 2012 and re-open on Tuesday as normal.

St. George’s Walking Group  -  Carnival
If any parents, grandparents, friends of St. George’s are available to prepare props for the walking group then we start next week on Tuesday afternoon and each afternoon thereafter.  If you can spare some time it would be appreciated.

The carnival theme is Kings & Queens and we are going as Humpty Dumpty.  So we are looking for our children to be a soldier, queen, king, princess.  School will provide lots of props but if you can help out with costumes it would be a big help.

 If your child wants to be a soldier  -  red t-shirt, black trousers.  A queen or princess  -  long dress, tiara, crown.  A King  -  crown, white shirt/t-shirt, trousers, cloak.

Many thanks.

Yours sincerely

P Thomas
Headteacher

————————————————————————————————————————————

St. George’s C E Primary School

New Mills Carnival  -  Saturday 23rd June 2012

 I/we give my/our permission for:

Name of child …………………………………………………………………………………………………

Dressed as     …………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Name of Child ……………………………………………………………………………………………….

Dressed as      ………………………………………………………………………………………………..

to join the St. George’s Walking Group and will accompany my child(ren) if they are in Nursery and/or Key Stage 1 and I will provide a costume.

Signed ………………………………………………………..

Please return this slip by FRIDAY 11TH MAY.  Thank you.

 Newsletter 14

Welcome back to the start of a very busy Summer Term.  On the reverse of this letter are some important dates for the term.  If you lose the letter please call in for another copy or access it on our website www.st-georgescofe..co.uk

Sport Relief
We raised a fantastic £233!  Well done to everyone concerned, it is a great effort and will help children both here and overseas.

New Mills Carnival and Parade
A meeting has been arranged for all parents who are interested in supporting the school in the forthcoming parade.  Monday 30th April at 2.15 p.m.  Hope you can make it!

Breakfast Club
This is going brilliantly and is a fantastic resource to have.  If you are interested in sending your child(ren) to it, please call in for a form.  All of the children who attend have a great start to the day.  Some places are still available.

Toy Library
This has now moved to a Tuesday at 1.15 until 3.00 p.m. and is in our Nursery class.  Do come along and tell your friends and neighbours about it.

Ordering Uniform
If you require any uniform, then please see your child’s class teacher, who will have the order forms.

Dinner Money
It is most helpful if you can pay for dinners during the week your child(ren) has them.  If paying by cheque make them payable to D. C. C.  It  is useful if you can put payment in a marked envelope.

Many thanks.

P Thomas
Headteacher

 DIARY – SUMMER TERM  2012 

April
16^th                 Re-open
23^rd                St. George’s Day Service in Church led by Y1/2
30^th                 Meeting for parents/New Mills Carnival – 2.15

May
2^nd                   2 p.m. – Y6 planting trees on Ollersett – new orchard
8^th                    9.30 Y6 Height & Weight check
11^th                 Bags to Schools Collection
14^th                 SATs week
16^th                 PTA Plant delivery day
23^rd                 Rec. class worship for parents
23^rd                 Book Fair arrives
30^th                 Book Fair collection
31^st                  Jubilee Party Day – wear red, white and blue! 

June
1^st                    School closes for half term
2^nd                   Vicarage tea party
11^th                 Re-open
12^th                 KS2 Trip toManchesterMuseum
14^th                 Y5/6 Language liaison day
18^th                 Y1 Phonic Screening Check week
18^th & 25^th      Our 2 weeks of Sports
20^th                 Dental check up for Reception class 11.00 a.m.
21^st                  KS2 Area Sports p.m.
23^rd                 New Mills Carnival & Parade
27^th                 Y6 to NMS – Induction Day Swap classes for us
                           p.m. KS1 Area Sports
28^th                 KS1 a.m. & KS2 p.m. – Our Sports Day
29^th                 Inset Day – School Closed

July
2^nd                   KS1 Trip toChester Zoo
6^th                    Parents’ Annual Reports out
10^th                 Parents/Carers’Evening
11^th                 Parents/Carers’ Evening
11^th                 2 p.m. – Y6 Leavers’ Eucharist Service  - hall – All welcome
16^th                 PTA Summer Fair 2 p.m.
19^th                 9.00 Presentation of Portfolios to Y6
19^th                 2 p.m. Leavers’ Service in church
20^th                 Last day of term – School closes at 3.15

Dear Parents/Carers

Newsletter 13

A reminder that we finish for Easter on Friday 30th at 3.15 and re-open on Monday 16th April.

Y3/4 are leading our Easter Service this year.  All are welcome.  It is in Church on Thursday 29th March at 2.00 p.m 

After the Easter holidays, Toy Library will be changing its day to a Tuesday afternoon, starting at 1.15 p.m.  The first session will be on Tuesday 17th April and will be in our Nursery classroom.  Please do come along and enjoy the great toys and facilities we have.

Breakfast Club has been a great success and will resume on Monday 16th April.  If your child/ren wish to come along please call to the school office first to book a place.

School closed on Friday 29th June for INSET not Friday 20th July as planned.  I hope you got the note about this last week.

All our letters are always on our website www.st-georgescofe.co.uk

Have a good Easter! 

Many thanks.

Yours sincerely

P Thomas
Headteacher

Dear Parents/Carers

Change of Date  -  Inset Day 

Please note that the school will be closed for an Inset Day on Friday 29th June 2012 and not Friday 20th July 2012, as previously planned.

Apologies if this has caused any inconvenience.

Many thanks.

Yours sincerely

P Thomas
Headteacher

Dear Parents/Carers                                                                                    

Newsletter 12

Dropped Kerbs on Church Lane
You may have noticed that the council have dropped the kerbs on both sides of the road near our entrance into school.  Please do not park over these as it may lead to a £70. instant fine and more importantly, it prevents those with a disability to cross the road at an appropriate place.  I have been told by the local PCSOs that they will carry out spot checks.  Many thanks for your support with this.

Church Lane Congestion at 3.15 p.m.
Due to the huge volume of traffic from both schools at this time, I have asked New Mills School if the Bowers bus can go down the hill at 3.15 not up.  Bowers have informed me that as this is a route for a service bus it has to go past our school up the hill.  If you can park on the Football Club car park, which I know many of you do, it might help a bit.

Child On-line & Exoploitation Protection Meeting
A meeting for all parents of Y6, Y7 and Y8 children has been arranged at New Mills School, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday 25th April by CEOP.  It is a very important meeting which can alert parents and give them advice on the dangers of online social networking  -  such as Facebook, MSN, Messenger etc. and on line games that are totally unsuitable for primary age children.  Please do try to make it.

Diary of Events from now until Easter
March

Thursday 15th                              Y5/6 Class Worship for Parents  -  school hall  -  9.05  -    
                                                             All welcome                                                                

Friday 23rd                                    Sport Relief Day  -  wear something ‘sporty’  -  £1.00

Tuesday 27th                                Judging of Easter Bonnet/hat/cap competition

Thursday 29th                              Easter Service in Church  -  led by Y3/4  -  2 p.m.  -  All welcome

Friday 30th                                    School closes at 3.15 for the Easter holidays and re-opens on
                                                             Monday 16th April

Many thanks.

P Thomas
Headteacher

Dear Parents and Carers

IMPORTANT – FACEBOOK DANGER                                                                                                       

It has come to our attention that many of our children are using Facebook without their profile being locked down, leaving them open to being ‘primed’ by paedophiles. Despite us having run C.E.O.P. sessions on this for children and parents, it would appear that many of the children still do not know how to lock their settings to make sure that their private information, photos etc. can only be seen by accepted friends.

Whilst we do not agree with the children being on Facebook, as it can be wholly unsuitable for primary age children (and is not permitted for children under the age of 13), we are realists and accept that some parents feel that it is OK for their children to have accounts.

If your child is on Facebook, please make sure that you have locked down their account to make it open to friends only. Follow the instructions below, and please ensure that your child is monitored on any device with internet capability, including mobile phones, PS3s, X-Box 360s, Nintendo DSs etc.

1.  Log into your Facebook account.

2.  Look for your photograph and name, then look for the white arrow in the right hand corner.

3.  Click the white arrow, which will reveal ‘Privacy settings’ and ‘Account settings’

4.  Click on ‘Account settings’

5.  Here you will see 3 options – ‘Friends’, ‘Public’ and ‘The World’ – Check ‘Friends’

6.  Scroll down and click on ‘Save settings’

With thanks for your continued support,

Mrs. Brown
(Deputy Headteacher)

Dear Parents/Carers                                                                                               

                                                                                                               Newsletter 11

Girls’ Footwear
It has come to my attention that many girls are wearing boots of all types of design.  Whilst I can appreciate they may be warm, they are not classed as school shoes.  It has now become something of a competition amongst the girls and it needs to stop, as many are getting upset.  Please ensure that your child wears school shoes not boots.  Thank you.

Bags2School
A big thank you to all of those who sent in items for Bags2School.  What a fantastic response once again and we raised £240!!  The next date for the Bags 2School collection is Friday 11th May.

Sports Relief
We are holding a Sports Relief Day on Friday March 23rd and it is £1. to wear anything to do with sport:  football top or football socks, joggers etc.  All money will be sent on to Sports Relief.

Milk at Lunch Time
Don’t forget, if you wish your child to have milk with their school meal, then you need to register with Cool Milk.  It is not organised by school.  Go to www.coolmilk.com/register

Reading At Home
Many parents support our Reading policy and help their child with Reading at home  -  many thanks for that.  I understand with family commitments etc this may drop off, but please ensure that you hear your child(ren) ready every night.

                                                                                                               Dates for your Diary:

March
9th-11th           Whitehall Outdoor Pursuits Weekend for Y5/6
12th                    SCHOOL CLOSED   -  INSET DAY
13th                    Parents’ Evening 3.30  -  6.00p.m.
14th                    Parents’ Evening 3.30  -  4.30p.m.
14th    )
21st     )              New Nursery children—induction mornings
28th    )
23rd                   Sports Relief Day—wear something sporty
29th                   Easter Service in Church  -  2p.m.  -  led by Y3/4
30th                  School closes at 3.15 for Easter and re-opens on Monday April 16th

Many thanks.

Yours sincerely

P Thomas
Headteacher

Dear Parents/ Carers,

 European School Milk Scheme

I have been informed by Derbyshire County Council that from Thursday 1^st March 2012, milk with the midday meal, will now cost you an extra 22p per day. 

It is quite complicated, but those children under 5 on the 1^st of March 2012 will receive FREE milk but those over 5 who wish to have milk will have to pay 22 per day.  Even those on Free School Meals will have to pay 22p per day if they want milk with their midday meal.  Fruit juice will be available to all and this is free.

In order to access milk then you have to register directly with Cool Milk.

How to register

Milk is free for all children aged under five (at 1^st March 2012) and those children aged five or older will have to pay 22p per day if they require milk.

Just register at www.coolmilk.com  or complete a registration form (attached) and send it to FREEPOST COOL MILK.   PLEASE DO NOT SEND IT INTO SCHOOL.

My child is under five

• Just register by a Tuesday for your child’s free milk to start the following week.
• Free milk will continue until the Friday before your child’s fifth birthday. You will receive a payment request three weeks before this time- if you wish your child to continue to receive school milk simply make a payment. 

My child is five or older

• Complete a registration form or register online as soon as possible. Shortly after registering you will receive a payment request.
• You can pay Cool Milk – NOT SCHOOL – either online, over the phone, at a local PayPoint or by cheque in half-termly, termly or annual instalments in advance.   NOT weekly or daily.
• Just pay by a Tuesday for your child’s milk to start the following week.

If you have any questions regarding school milk please visit www.coolmilk.com  or contact Cool Milk directly on 0800 142 2972 .

Many thanks.

Yours sincerely

P Thomas
Headteacher

Dear Parents/Carers                                                                                                                                         

 Newsletter 10

We close at 3.15 p.m. this Friday 10th February for the half term break and re-open on Monday 20th February at 8.50 a.m.  If there is a snow fall in the weekend leading up to the Monday, please log on to our website for details as to whether the school is open or not—www.st-georgescofe.co.uk  The same message should also be on the Derbyshire County Council’s Schools page.  We are always looking for volunteers to clear the snow away so if you think you may be able to help please leave your name and number at the school office.  Many thanks. 

Our Church Schools Inspection

It was confirmed to me last week that after a rigorous and thorough inspection of the teaching of R.E., our Worship and effectiveness of R. E. and the effectiveness of the leadership and management of the school as a Church School, we were judged to be Outstanding.  This is the highest judgement that can be given.  What a fantastic achievement and my congratulations to all.  Never before have we achieved this grade and they are never given lightly.  A copy of the full Report is attached.  So with an Ofsted grade of ‘Good’ and now an Outstanding the school is a fantastic place and it is great that quality is recognised.

Diary Dates for next half term

February

Monday                                           20th                                      Re-open
Tuesday                                           21st                                       KS2 trip to Manchester

March

                                                                9th to 12th                     White Hall Weekend for5/6                                                                                                                                                  12th                                   School closed for INSET
                                                             13th                                      Parents/Carers’ Evening 3.30 — 6.00 p.m.
                                                             14th                                               “          “             “ 3.30 — 4.30 p.m.
                                                             29th                                     Easter Service in Church led by Y3/4—2.00 p.m.  All Welcome
                                                             30th                                    School closes at 3.15 for Easter holidays and re-opens on Monday
                                                                                                            16th April 

Scarlet Fever

The number of cases seems to have steadied but many thanks for being vigilant.  It hasn’t disappeared, so please be wary.

Many thanks.

P Thomas
Headteacher

Dear Parents/Carers

 KS2 – Faith Buildings Tour in Manchester
Tuesday 21^st February 2012

 As part of our R E curriculum we have arranged a visit to different faith buildings inManchester.  They will be visiting Manchester Cathedral, the Buddhist Centre and the Jewish Museum.  This is a fantastic opportunity for the children to experience different faith buildings and a trip they should remember for a long time.

The school and PTA are subsidising the trip and therefore making the cost very reasonable.  We are asking parents/carers for a voluntary contribution of £3.00 per child, this is towards the cost of the coach.  The coach will leave school at 8.45 a.m. and return at 3.30 (approx) – depending on the traffic. 

The children will need a waterproof coat and sensible shoes, a packed lunch and something to carry it in – e.g. plastic bag.  Pupils who receive free school meals will be provided with a school packed lunch and a drink.  (Please note that glass bottles are not allowed.  Children can also bring £3.00 to spend on the day, but will be responsible for their own money, so should bring a named purse or wallet.

Under the terms of the 1988 Education Reform Act, the cost of this trip must be met by voluntary parental contributions.  It is also a requirement that no child is excluded from a visit because of parent’s inability or unwillingness to pay.  However, as I am sure you realise, the school only has limited funds to help subsidise these visits.  It is the wish to the teachers, and the Governors, that these visits will continue and I know that most parents will agree.  In view of these regulations I regret that if parents do not cover the cost by voluntary contributions, it will be necessary to cancel this trip. 

Please could you sign the consent form below.

Many thanks.

Yours sincerely

P Thomas
Headteacher 

St George’s C E Primary School

 Child’s name ……………………………………………………..

 I do/do not give permission for my child to go on the trip to ManchesterTuesday 21^st February 2012

• I enclose a payment of £3.00 for the trip.
• I will pick my child up from school at approximately 3.30 p.m.
• My child can walk home             

Signed ……………………………………………………..Parent/Carer

Please print name ……………………………………….Date ……………………………………………..