‘Learn to Love, Love to Learn’
Friday 7th November
Class Assemblies
This week has been a busy week of sporting fixtures as
our netball and football teams are playing their final
matches this term before it gets too dark. Children in
Key Stage 2 took part in a cross country competition
today at Forest Hall School. Next Friday will be the turn
of our Key Stage 1 children who are also taking part in a
(short) cross country event. Thank you to the staff and
parents who organise these events, and those who
come along and support the children and help with
transport.
Parents are welcome to join us in our Friday
assembly each week at 2.50pm when we
celebrate the achievements of the children.
Class assemblies will take place on the
following dates and these assemblies will
begin at 2.45pm.
Friday 21st November
Friday 28th November
Badgers Class
Ladybirds Class
Bag2School
Thank you to everyone that donated to October’s collection. With 450kg donated, we raised
£180.00. The next collection will be in May.
Operation Christmas Child
We now have quite a stack of Christmas Child boxes gathering in the entrance hall – thank you to
those families who have contributed to this. We have now been given an extended final deadline for
all boxes to be collected from us and therefore we have a few more days to collect them so please
any more boxes could be brought to school by next Wednesday 12th November.
Parent Consultation Evenings and Termly Reports
This afternoon you will receive a short termly progress report along with confirmation of your
appointment time with your child’s class teacher. Meetings will take place in the hall on Tuesday
and Thursday next week and classrooms will be open to view children’s work. May I ask that
discussions are kept to 10 minutes, teachers have a tight schedule of meetings and if one overruns it
inconveniences all the following parents. If necessary, a follow up appointment may be made with
myself or the class teacher.
Children In Need – Friday 14th November
The School Council has agreed that school will support Children In Need on Friday 14th November.
Friday will be a ‘dress down’ day. The theme this year is ‘Be a Hero’ and children may wish to dress
as their hero or their favourite superhero. Alternatively children may wish to come to school in nonuniform or could bring their teddy dressed as a hero! We ask for a donation of 50p for Children In
Need.
The children are eager to create a Pudsey Bear made from money. If you have some spare change,
please send in a few coins to add to the creation.
Christmas Pantomime
If you haven’t already done so, the deadline for returning forms together with payment is Friday 14th
November.
Reminders
School opens for children at 8.45am. A few children have been arriving at school before then, as
early as 8.15am on some occasions. Teachers are not available to supervise children at this time so
please ensure children are with a parent or, if coming to school by themselves, they do not arrive at
school too early.
The cold weather has arrived – please make sure children have a coat in school as we go outside for
some fresh air and exercise at playtime and lunchtime
Emergency Contact Details
Parents are asked to let Mrs Field know if any contact and telephone numbers have changed
recently so that we can get hold of someone in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Nursery Open Morning
Nursery has an open day on Saturday 15th November 10:00am – 12:00 noon with Christmas crafts
for the children to do.
The school and nursery have separate admissions. Parents need to apply for a nursery place even if
their siblings are in school and vice versa.
Nursery Fundraising Event
The quiz evening at the Birchanger Social Club takes place on 15th November starting from 8pm. £10
a ticket which includes a sausage and chip supper. Tickets are available from the Nursery office.
Holiday Dates
Holiday dates for the academic year are below. It may be of note to some families that the Easter
holiday in Hertfordshire schools is from Friday 3rd to Friday 17th April which is different to Essex
schools –Monday 30th March to Friday 10th April.
Good attendance at school is important and in line with guidance nationally and from Essex County
Council, the school is not able to authorise term time holidays unless there are exceptional
circumstances. I would like to clarify that differing school holidays would not be seen as an
exceptional circumstance.
Diary Dates
This half term is one of the busiest in school and we have set dates for the many events that take
place. I will inform you as soon as possible if there are any changes to these.
It would really help the Office if you could check your child’s book bags every evening for any forms
that need to be signed and returned
Have a lovely weekend
Helen Coop
Dates for your diary
Tuesday 11th November
Thursday 13th November
Thursday 11th December at 2pm
Friday 12th December at 2pm
Monday 15th December
Tuesday 16th December
Wednesday 17th December
Thursday 18th December at 9.30am
Thursday 18th December pm
Term Dates 2014-15
Friday 19th December
Monday 5th January
Tuesday 6th January
Friday 13th February
Monday 16th – Friday 20th February
Monday 30th March – Friday 10th April
Monday 4th May
Monday 25th May – Friday 29th May
Wednesday 22nd July
Parent Consultation Evening 3.30pm – 5.30pm
Parent Consultation Evening 5pm – 8pm
Reception and Key Stage 1 Nativity
Reception and Key Stage 1 Nativity
Key Stage 1 party
Visit to the pantomime
Christmas lunch
Christingle Service in the church
Key Stage 2 party
Last day of Autumn Term
INSET Day, pupils not in school
First day of Spring Term for pupils
INSET Day, pupils not in school
Half term holiday
Easter holiday
Bank holiday
Half term holiday
Last day of Summer Term
There is one further INSET day to be taken this academic year - date to be confirmed