Wantz Chase, Maldon, Essex CM9 5DQ
Telephone 01621 853409
Email: admin@maldon.essex.sch.uk
Dear Parents/Carers,
Friday 4th December 2015
Good News
Last week we raised over £227 for Text Santa on Christmas Jumper Day. Well Done!
Friends News: Christmas Disco
There are a few tickets remaining for both Christmas Discos next Wednesday. Final requests for tickets must be submitted to the
office (name, class and payment of £4 in an envelope please) by end of the school day on Monday at the latest. Tickets will not be
available on the day. Children attending the KS1 Disco should bring clothes to school, in a named bag so they are able to change in their
classrooms, at the end of the day and will be taken straight to the disco.
“Blast" documentary
We have been advised that on Monday 7 December, Channel 4 will broadcast the first of two documentaries examining the work of the
National Crime Agency, including the CEOP Command.
If this documentary raises any concerns we suggest that you go to the new Thinkuknow Parents and Carers website at
www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents. The site contains a wealth of information, guidance and support for worried parents. There is specific
guidance for anyone who fears that their child has been a victim of online sexual exploitation or abuse. This can be found at
www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/article-repository/If-you-find-out-your-child-has-been-sexually-abused-or-exploited. The NSPCC
helpline (0808 800 5000) is available at any time to victims and those offering support (including those supporting victims of historic
abuse). If you have any concerns about how to keep your child safe online please also see guidance on our own school website or come in
and speak to Mrs Tyler.
Stars of the Week – for Friday 4th December were as follows:
ZEBRAS:
Adrien
GIRAFFES:
Grace
PANDAS:
Patryk
TIGERS:
Felicity
CHIPMUNKS:
Hisham
PENGUINS:
Freddie
KOALAS:
Harrison
MEERKATS:
Millie
SEALS:
Liam
LEMURS:
Ruby
LIONS:
Sammy
LEOPARDS:
Maisie
Parents are invited into assembly to see their child receive this award. Can we please ask that if you bring younger children into
assembly with you they are kept quiet, so as not to disturb the occasion for other parents. If your child does cause a disturbance you
will be asked to leave. Thank you
Roll of Honour
Children who received their half merits this week are: Millie, Georgia and Souvik. Well Done!
Attendance
* Highest
Group
% Attend
Group
% Attend
Bears
95.3
Penguins
96.1
Kangaroos
97.6
Koalas
94.5
Giraffes
97.3
Meerkats
94.8
Zebras
91.9
Seals
97.0
Pandas
Tigers
Chipmunks
97.7
94.8
96.1
Lemurs
Lions
Leopards
96.0
98.3
99.4*
Total
96.4
Attendance
'The current law does not give any entitlement to parents to take their child out of school during term time. I must warn you that, if
you do take your child out of school for this time, the absences will not be authorised and the Education Welfare Service may issue a
penalty notice to each parent of £60 for each child to be paid within 21 days. If the penalty is not paid within the time scale the
penalty will increase to £120. If the higher penalty is not paid within 28 days, the Education Welfare Service will then institute legal
proceedings against you in the magistrate’s court under Section 444 of the Education Act 1996 for failing to ensure your child attends
school regularly.'
Bags
As winter is fast approaching and children’s coats get thicker, we are finding that space in our cloakroom areas is becoming very
limited. Can I ask that children are sent to school with a small bag rather than a large rucksack. An ideal size is our own Maldon
School Book Bag which can be purchased from the School Office at the reasonable price of £3.
Inspiring success for all
Coats
Can you please check that your child’s coat is clearly named as children tend to take these off as they get warm during break and
lunchtimes. It is not possible to return a coat if it is not named. We are also trying to train our children to put gloves and hats into
pockets when they take them off as a missing glove is practically impossible to find! Can I ask that you support us in this training.
Plume Christmas Fayre
The Plume School will be having their annual Christmas fayre on Wednesday 9th December from 5pm-8pm. There will crafts, food and
Christmas gift ideas along with Father Christmas and his grotto. For more information please contact The Plume on 01621 0-0854681.
Homework
Year 4 – Due in Monday 14th December
Year 6 homework is now given out weekly on the VLE.
DRF Santa Fun Run sheets
One of Maldon's local charities, the David Randall Foundation, is holding its annual Santa Fun Run on 13th December in the Maldon
Promenade Park and you are invited to join in. Your child has been given a flyer about the event to bring home.
David Randall, who went to school in Maldon, sadly died of bowel cancer at the age of only 27 and the Foundation, set up in his name,
raises funds that are used to give people with life-limiting conditions the chance to enjoy some special days out with their families and
friends. They also provide scholarships for local young people with exceptional talent in sport or music who need support to fulfil their
potential.
After a very successful inaugural run last year, the charity is hoping that even more people will join them this year for a run or walk
round the lovely Maldon Promenade Park on Sunday 13th December. There is a 5Km run or, for those who want a shorter distance, the
3 Km Reindeer Run includes a treasure hunt, is buggy friendly and can be taken at a stroll.
As well as the run, there is a mascots race and a warm-up session that proved to be great fun last year. Bands and bell-ringers will be
there to add some Christmas music, so enter the run, pick up your Santa Suit and join in the fun!
Details and a registration form can be found at the following link: http://www.drfsantafunrun.org/
Free School Meals
If your child receives a free school meal the school receives an additional £1,320 a year to help educate your child, this additional
funding is known as Pupil Premium. The school will receive the additional Pupil Premium funding once your child is registered as eligible
for free school meals. The school continues to receive the additional funding for 6 years even if you lose your eligibility. The school
must demonstrate that the Pupil Premium has been used to improve the outcome of disadvantaged children.
If you think you may be eligible for Free School Meals you must apply through Essex County Council’s website. To be eligible you must
be receiving one of the following: Income support or income-based Job Seekers Allowance, Child Tax Credit with an annual taxable
income of less than £16,190 (provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit), Pension Guarantee Credit, Income-related
Employment and Support Allowance or Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
Applications can be made using this link: https://forms.essex.gov.uk/default.aspx/RenderForm/?F.Name=ezuYezDPCbJ&HideAll=1
Free School Meal applications are only accepted for children in Year 3 and above. (If you have a child in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 we
would have received notification of your eligibility when you provided us with your National Insurance numbers in September) If you
need assistance with your application or do not have the internet at home, please speak to a member of the office staff. To complete
the application you must bring with you a National Insurance Number and parent’s details, your child’s details and proof of your
eligibility.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Friday 11th December – Year 2 /3 Christmas Performance 2pm
Monday 14th December – Reception/Year 1 Christmas Performance 10am
Monday 14th December – Year 2 / 3 Christmas Performance 6.30pm
Tuesday 15th December – Reception/Year 1 Christmas Performance 2pm
Wednesday 16th December – KS2 Christmas Dinners
Thursday 17th December – KS1 Christmas Dinners
Thursday 17th December – Last Day of School
Friday 18th December – INSET DAY
And finally….
“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new
paths.” Walt Disney
Tracey Thornton
Headteacher
Website address http://www.maldonprimaryschool.ik.org/
Inspiring success for all