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June 2016

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We have been out and abouteverywhere exploring the locality.We would like to thankWillingdon Community School forstarting the week with a BANG!

We had a wow assembly on day 1.The children all took part in the wholeschool challenge on the Thursday andwe had another successful familychallenge after school.

The weather did not stop us all getting outside as you can see!

In This IssueHeritage & Culture Day 2

Testing 3

Swimming Update 3

Sports Leaders 3

Sports Update 4

Summer Fayre 5

Diary Dates 5

Staff News 6

Science Week 6

Year 5 Writing 7

Parking 8

More Great Work 8

Attendance 9

SCHOOL SCIENCE WEEK FUN

Youcan seemorephotosinside

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OUR HERITAGE, CULTURE & TRADITIONS

DAY

This was a hugesuccess. Thank you MrsSkinner for making thesuggestion and alsosupporting the day!A range of countries became a focusacross the school: Mexico, Morocco,France, Japan and the UK.

The corridor was transformed tohighlight some of the key featuresof the cultures we studied andcreate a ‘Wow’ on the day. Childrenhave loved stopping and readinga book at break and lunch.

Your children loved the dayand want one every year!

OUR SPORTS LEADERS

OPPOSITION TO TESTINGTHANK YOUMr Moore has beenvery kindly visiting theschool over theweekend in his freetime to keep the fieldin best possiblecondition.We have really appreciated theextra attention the field has hadbecause it has created a muchbetter football pitch. I am hopingfor stripes soon!

THE QUEEN’SBIRTHDAY

The Queen’s Birthdaycelebration at Polegate.On the 14th June we will becelebrating the Queen’s birthday.The children have all been invitedto make a ‘hat fit for a queen’.During the afternoon we will holda ‘street party’ in the playground.Tesco have kindly donated thefood, drink and decorations forthis event.

Despite the media publicitynationally about the new testsfor year 6, our pupils took thetests in their stride.

As always we were very impressedwith their positive outlook andenthusiasm. On the Monday of thetest week they told me they wereexcited about the tests! When wespoke to them again on the Fridaythey remained just as positive! We areincredibly proud of them and know

that they will have all tried their bestand that is all we can ask.

We all know there is more toeducation than a set of test results,this is only recognising part of theeducation they receive at school andwe will continue to promote a broadand balanced curriculum despiteother pressures! For us: confidence,determination, perseverance,kindness and creativity are just asimportant.

SWIMMING UPDATE

The pupils are thoroughlyenjoying their swimmingsessions and the pool is lookingvery enticing.

Our own swimming gala is takingplace next week at The SovereignCentre pool. Even if your child is notcompeting you are very welcome toattend and cheer our swimmers on.

It is not too late to contribute to thepool if it has slipped your mind.

Out of 430 children 239 have paid.

Our sports leaders meeting PeteWaterfield the Olympic diver andpairs partner of Tom Daley.

The children met him as part of a'Change for Life Champions' trainingday at Shinewater Sports Centre onFriday 13th May.

Thank you to all the schools and staffthat brought young leaders to thefirst East Sussex and Brighton and

Hove Champions Day. The childrenwere brilliant and all showedconsiderable enthusiasm andcommitment to a variety ofLeadership tasks that were put tothem during the day. Hopefully theyenjoyed the day and will now beable to share their experiences withother leaders or potential leaderswithin their own schools.

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ROAD TO EASTBOURNE TENNIS FESTIVALOn Wednesday 18th May 2016,Ratton Year 9 sports leaders and7 primary schools in theEastbourne area braved thestrong winds and rain toparticipate in a tennis festival.

Children from Polegate Primary Schoolwere outstanding in both participationand performance, not bothered by the

winds or the rain, which thankfullystopped within half an hour of thecompetition commencing! Up to 4boys and 4 girls from each schoolplayed single games in a round robintournament producing some brillianttechnical rallies.

The event was organised and run byFrancis Mackie of ‘Tennis in the Park’ and

the Ratton School sports leader team.

Huge thanks to all the students andchildren for making it such awonderful afternoon and to theteachers and staff for making thenecessary arrangements, so that thechildren could experience tennis in acompetitive situation.

Rugby tournamentA team represented the school at atournament in Eastbourne making itthrough to the finals

Gymnastics SquadOur squad competed against otherschools at Hailsham and SamHamilton achieved the highest schoolfor an element of his gymnastic display.

Did you know?Only 21% of boys and 16% of girlsmeet the minimum recommendedguidelines for physical activityacross the country.

Children born today are on course tobe 35% less active by 2030.

We hope this is not the case forPolegate School. We understand and

value the role that sports play and howparticipating in sports results in notonly improved physical health but alsohigher self-esteem, better mentalhealth and improved academic results.

“Sports do not buildcharacter. They reveal it.”John Wooden, Legendary UCLABasketball Coach

Studies have shown that childrenparticipating in sport, whencompared to peers who do not playsport, exhibit:

• higher grades, expectations, andattainment;

• greater personal confidence andself-esteem;

• greater connections with school -that is, greater attachment andsupport from adults;

• stronger peer relationships;

• more academically oriented friends;

• greater family attachment and morefrequent interactions with parents;

• more restraint in avoiding riskybehaviour; and

• greater involvement in volunteer work

Children often spend too much timewatching television or playing videogames. It is always so lovely to seehow many children arrive at schoolfor the Monday morning assemblywith trophies, medals and certificatesthey have been awarded at clubsoutside school. There are so manyclubs that children can access in andaround the Polegate area.

We may be able to signpost youto a club if your child is interestedin a particular sport - just ask.

SPORTS UPDATE

6th June start of term 6

7-10th JuneFrench Trip (Year 6)

13th JunePhonics screening check

(Year 1 and 2 only)

5th July‘Change over day’ a chancefor your child to spend timewith their new teacher

5th July‘Meet for the Move’ a

chance for parents to meettheir child’s next teacher

20th July at 7pm Leavers’ Service atHailsham Pavilion

22nd JulyLast day of the school year!

DIARY DATES

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SUMMER FAYRE & CHILDRENWITH CANCER RUN TO RUN

We were so lucky with theweather for the weekend.

The summer fayre was a greatsuccess and really well supported byour families. Thank you to everyonethat supported not only the fayre butalso the run to support a very localcharity, ‘Children with Cancer.’

The fayre raised about £700

It was so successful we are alreadyliaising about a similar event nextyear but increasing the challenge fora runners to a 10k!

THANK YOUThank you to DB domestics

DB domestics have verykindly donated a freezer tothe PFA. This is going to beso helpful at future events!

NURSERYOur nursery is goingfrom strength to strengthand we all love spendingtime over there with the

children and staff!

The team are currentlyplanning nursery

admissions for Septemberand it looks as if word

has spread as the nurseryis becoming very popular.

The weather did not stop us allgetting outside as you can see! We have been out and about everywhereexploring the locality. We would like to thankWillingdon Community School for starting theweek with a BANG! We had a wow assembly onday 1. The children all took part in the wholeschool challenge on the Thursday and we hadanother successful family challenge after school.

SCIENCE WEEK

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Great writing from Anthony Skinner

Sadly we had to say goodbye to Sarah and

Sam our American Students. They were

kind enough to write us this very kind letter.

STAFF NEWS

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Willow Darling - Year 5

We had a fantastic day of PobbleWriting at Tollgate on the 6th May. Me,Jake Diprose and Willow Darling jumpedin to Miss Garland’s car and set off.

We were welcomed in to their school hall byMr Amos, one of Pobble’s teaching staff.

We had to write a letter of complaint in role ofa toy bunny named Edward because of thenewly installed maid treating him badly. Wehad to work hard to write at a high level.When we finished Mr Amos took our writing toput on to the Pobble website. Our work can befound on www.pobble.com using the searchterm 'Pobble Day at Tollgate'.

During the morning the local MP Caroline Ansellcame to visit us to see what we were alllearning and we had opur photo taken with her.

By Cerys Allen

YEAR 5 POBBLE WRITING

Jake Diprose - Year 5

Cerys Allen - Year 5

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I have been asked to remindparents again that the car park inthe library is for library users only.

The library has written to the school

regarding the difficulties that library

users face trying to park between

14.45 and 15.30. Library users have

been blocked in and the sheer

volume of cars is potentially

dangerous. Sadly, the library

manager also attached a photo of a

parent’s car parked over a keep clear

sign and obstructing the gates. When

asked if he would move he apparently

replied that he would not move

because he pays his council tax and

should be able to park where he likes

to pick his daughter up from school. (I

was even sent a photo of the car and

its number plate!) I would hope that

our parents would be more respectful.

We like the community to have a

positive impression of our school and in

fact our pupils benefit from the library

being so close with a visit each week.

LIBRARY PARKING

More Great work

Layla's favourite selfie!Time to free the tad

pole.

Back to its natural habitat.

Science week in year 1Fabulous Year 1homework!

Year 1 Homework

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Polegate SchoolOakleaf DrivePolegateEast Sussex BN26 6PTTel: 01323 482404Email: info@polegateschool.co.uk

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twit terFriday

22nd MAYLAST DAY OF

TERM

Diary DatesArchive

What does 90% Attendance Mean?• 90% attendance = ½ day missed every week!

• Over one school year this is 4 weeks of learning lost!

• Over the 5 years at your secondary school you will have missed half a year!

• What impact might this have on your child’s future …?

• 17 missed schools days means that in secondary school they could drop awhole GCSE grade.

• 8 days absence = 96%.

• 19 days absence = 90%

Please help them to achieve this!

AttendancePercentage

100%

95%

90%

85%

80%

Days missed over aschool year

0 Days

10 Days

20 Days

30 Days

40 Days

School AttendanceClass figuresOverall school attendanceis currently at 95.8%.Our school target this yearof 97%.RH = 96% RP = 96% 1A = 96% 1J = 96% 2M = 95%2R = 96% 3B = 96% 3P = 97% 4M = 96% 4EM = 96%5P = 95% 5C = 95% 6T = 97% 6M = 95%

97% is our target