FLYING BULL PRIMARY & NURSERY SCHOOL
Flying Bull Lane, Portsmouth PO2 7BJ
Headteacher: Mr. D. Hewett–Dale
head@flyingbull-prim.portsmouth.sch.uk
Office Manager: Mrs J. France
Flying Bull Newsletter
Number 113
Telephone: (023) 9269 4313
Fax: (023) 9265 0289
September 2013
Dear Parent / Carer
Welcome back after the summer break. I hope you had a great time with your children, at least we had some good weather
this year! I have listed as many dates as I have available up until half term we will do our best to let you know of any new
dates as they come up.
The Dates for September / October
Tuesday 10th 2 – 3 p.m.
Wednesday 11th a.m.
Thursday 12th
Monday 23rd
Monday 30th
Tuesday 1st October
Wednesday 16th October
Monday 21st October
Wednesday 23rd October
Friday 25th October
Friday 25th October
Saturday 26th October
City Boys school Roadshow for Y6 boys in school hall
Triple P parents course for 6 weeks in Community Room
Year 3 on visit to All Saints Church
Year 1 trip to HMS Victory
4W on visit to Portchester Castle
4W on visit to Portchester Castle
Whole school to watch performance of Dick Whittington in the
hall
2C on visit to Portchester Castle
2R on visit to Portchester Castle
School Photographer – all pupils
Break up for half term
Family Photo Sessions – more details to follow
Attendance
At the end of the year, our whole school attendance was 94.4%. It is disappointing that we did not hit the 95% target.
However, the number of children achieving 100% and above 95% has increased. This means it is a small number of regular
pupils who are affecting the school attendance figure.
Please remember that the government have changed the rules on holidays in term time. We are not allowed to authorise
any holidays and taking your child out for a holiday can result in a fixed penalty fine. Some families went on holiday without
informing us last year, but it did come to our attention after. These fixed penalty fines can be given even after the holiday.
School starting time
Please remember that the school starts at 8.45, with teachers in their classes or on duty from 8.35 for children who arrive
just before. Children should be on site before 8.30, unless they are attending the Breakfast Club, which is in our new
meeting room next to the main entrance or if they come by one of the Local Authority taxis. No children should be waiting
in our welcome area before this time.
Starting School September 2014 / Secondary Transfers
Parents of children who are due to start school in September 2014 can now make their application for a place. You can
apply by going to either on line on the Portsmouth City Council website www.portsmouth.gov.uk/schooladmissions or by
using a paper application form available from the office. If you have any problems making your application please do not
hesitate to come in to the school office and we will be happy to help you. Please make sure you make your application as
soon as possible as there is a danger of not getting a place if you leave it too late. If your child is now in Year 6 and will be
transferring to Secondary school next September then you also need to make your application for your chosen school this
can also be done on line using the same email address or pick up a paper form from the office, once again if you have any
queries do not wait but come to the office and we will do our best to help you.
School Meals
School meals must be paid for at the time of booking. If you would like to order a school meal for your child please come to
the school office. Meals are £2 per day for a 2 course meal. We are no longer able to order meals without payment in
advance.
School Uniform
We still hold a stock of school jumpers, cardigans and polo shirts at the school office, some sizes are limited stock Book
bags are also available at £2 each.
On the subject of uniform, most children have returned to school looking extremely smart in school uniform/school colours.
There are a few that have not. Please ensure your child is in the correct clothing.
I also need to remind you that children should not be wearing jewellery apart from STUD EARRINGS and a WATCH.
We are discussing changing our uniform for September 2014, and one change that has been definitely decided is that
children will be expected to wear black shoes from September 2014. This is just to give you a heads up should you be
thinking about replacing your child’s footwear in the near future.
Free Activities for those in receipt of Free School Meals
This is a great opportunity for children who receive free school meals to take part in 3 months of free Swimming or dance
lessons. There are three venues where these courses will be taking place: Mountbatten Centre – Swimming & Dance
lessons Eastney Swimming Pool – Swimming lessons Charter Academy – Swimming lessons. After the initial 3 months
there is the option to continue at half price. If you are interested please collect an application form from the school office.
Ladies is English your second language - have you recently arrived in this country?
If the answer is Yes and you would like to join a group where you can meet and socialise with others, improve your English
or receive support to improve your chances of finding work there are several clubs available for Ladies only.
Job Club every Monday 1pm – 4 p.m. at the Learning Place Derby Road
Cross Cultural Women’s Group Wednesdays 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. at Friendship House
Improve your English skills for Everyday Life – Landport Community Centre Mondays 10 a.m. – 12 noon
For further details please contact Marshada 02392 841692 or 07961 086246 or email
marshada.chowdhury@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Finally, do not forget to check out our newly revamped website on www.fbps.co.uk
Thank you for all your help and support.
Yours sincerely
Mr D. P. Hewett-Dale
Headteacher