PRINCECROFT NEWSLETTERTuesday 30th January 2018

Dear parents/carers,

The Spring term is always a busy time and are looking forward to many exciting events in the weeks ahead.Today our younger children have been reading the books Owl Babies and The Owl who was Afraid of the Dark and we had a visit from a local Falconry with some owls. The children had a lovely time.

On Wednesday our older children are travelling to the O2 in London to sing in the Young Voices choir along with 5000 other children from schools around the country. I am sure it will be an amazing and memorable event.

Please check the diary and our website to events coming up but this week we have two events we are particularly excited about.

Maths No Problem parents meeting

Since September we have been teaching maths in a new way at Princecroft using a programme called Maths No Problem. We are already seeing fantastic results with children making great progress and really enjoying their lessons. The teachers and teaching assistants have had a number of excellent training sessions run by Maths No Problem trainer Simon Norton and we are delighted to welcome Simon to lead a Maths No Problem information evening for all parents and carers.

This will take place on Thursday 22nd February, at 6.00pm and we are sure you will find this really useful in understanding how we teach maths and what you can do to help your child. We strongly encourage you to attend and we will be providing refreshments and a crèche.

School Uniform and shoes - We have high expectations as to how your child should be dressed in school and believe that looking smart in the school uniform is important in helping children feel proud and confident. A few children have recently been wearing inappropriate footwear to school. Please can we ask that your child wears proper school shoes into and around school. If they want, they are welcome to bring a pair of wellies /old trainers to wear outside at playtime.

Please see Mrs Binns or Mrs Payne if you need any new school uniform.

Book bags - Please can we ask that your child brings into school every day:

Their book bag with their reading book, home school diary and Knowledge Organiser (we have plenty of book bags in the school office if you need a new one)

If your child has a packed lunch please bring that in a separate packed lunch box (there is no need for a lunchtime drink as we have water on every table at dinner time).

PE clothes/shoes can be kept in school and don’t need to be brought to school each day

A water bottle is optional but please can this just have water in.

At the moment some children are bringing in large rucksacs each day and this causes difficulties as we have only very limited cloakroom space in each class.

Class attendance figures for the autumn term –

Ash Class 91.12%Willow Class 94.11%Oak Class 95.18%Sycamore Class 92.39%Maple Class 95.93%Beech Class 95.79%Please note our expected standard for every child is at least 95%

Volunteers - We have a fantastic group of volunteers

New babies! - We are delighted to announce that two new baby girls have joined our Princecroft family! Mrs Winney has given birth to Erin and Mrs Pierson to Lottie. Both babies and Mums are doing really well although, as one of the fathers said to me ‘I never knew something so small could leave you so exhausted!’

Changes in Beech class - Mrs Foyle will begin her maternity leave in March and we are very pleased to confirm that Mr Brad Howarth will be teaching Beech class for the summer term. Mr Howarth is an experienced Year 6 teacher and we are delighted that he will be joining us. As part of the interview process he taught Beech class and was interviewed by the children and was everyone’s unanimous choice. He will be visiting school on a number of occasions over the next few weeks and working alongside Mrs Foyle to ensure the children’s great progress continues in the summer term.

Family Lunches - Many of you will know that we have changed the way we organise our dinner times this term and introduced our family lunches. Family lunch is an opportunity for pupils, staff and visitors to eat together each day to share conversation, serve each other and appreciate acts of kindness. We are all part of a school community and our family lunch allows us to come together and enjoy getting to know each other better. We have a different topic of conversation each day, and the children also have an opportunity to show appreciation of others by expressing thanks at the end of the lunch.

We would be delighted to welcome parents and grandparents for family lunch in the weeks ahead and would like to invite you to join us on the following dates:

Ash class (Mrs Batchelor) – 21st FebruaryWillow class (Mrs Harley) – 28th FebruaryOak class (Mrs Palarm/Mrs Hampshire) – 7th MarchMaple class (Miss Surridge) – 15th MarchSycamore class (Miss Jones) – 21st MarchBeech class (Mrs Foyle) – 28th March

If you would like to attend please book your lunch at the school office with Mrs Payne or Mrs Binns. All meals need to be ordered and paid for a week in advance.

who help in school and make such a difference to our children. We could however do with a few extra helpers! Do you think you can spare a small amount of time each week to come into school. If so, please speak to Mr Park, Mrs Palarm or contact the school office.

Driving into school - Please can we ask that, unless you have permission from Mr Park, cars are not driven onto the school grounds at the start and the end of the day. We appreciate that the parking is at times difficult outside the school, however we want ensure the children and toddlers on the school grounds are safe. We appreciate your cooperation with this.

Nut allergy - Please can I remind you that we have a child with a serious nut allergy in the school. Please can I ask that children do not bring nut based products as part of their snacks or packed lunches.

Friday Celebration Assembly at 2.40 each week - Our weekly celebration assemblies are held each Friday and this is an opportunity to share children’s achievements both in and out of school. These take place at 2.40 every Friday in the school hall so please join us if you can. We should be finished by 3.10 but please be patient if the children are a few minutes late coming out of school.

DIARY datesTuesday 30th January –Owl visit to Ash, Oak and Maple classes.Wednesday 31st January – Year 4,5 & 6 to Young Voices at the O2 in LondonWednesday 7th February – Oak class to the Dance Festival at the Forum in BathMonday 12th - Friday 16th February – Half TermThursday 22nd February - 6.00pm Maths No Problem meeting for parentsMonday 26th February – Parents meetings with teachers – 3.30-6.00Monday 26th February – Friday 2nd March - Book Week (including World Book Day Thursday 1st March)Wednesday 28th February – Parents meetings with teachers – 3.30 – 6.00Wednesday 14th March – International Day with Warminster SchoolFriday 16th March – FOPS DiscoWednesday 21st March – Visit to Princecroft by Terence Herbert (Wiltshire Director of Children & Education)Wednesday 21st March – FOPS AGMWednesday 21st – Monday 26th March – School Book fairThursday 29th March – Mufti Day - Last day of termFriday 30th March to Friday 13th April – Easter HolidaysMonday 16th April – Summer term startsMonday 14th May to Friday 18th May – SATs weekFriday 25th May – FOPS Mufti Day