Thomas Russell Junior School
Inspiring all, achieving together.
Newsletter
Issue No. 21
Headteacher Mrs S Sharpe
What is the Big Pedal? - The Big Pedal is a giant
inter-school cycling competition happening in
schools all across the UK from 5-23 March 2012.
It’s powered by UK charity Sustrans
(www.sustrans.org.uk) and funded by the Bike Hub
(www.bikehub.co.uk).
The Big Pedal works a bit like the Tour de France.
Each day is a new stage taking schools on a virtual
route all around the UK. Schools record how many
pupils, parents and staff cycle and scoot to school
each day and the more that do, the faster their time
will be for that stage. The winning school is the
school that completes the whole race in the fastest
overall time.
Parent Governor
As you may recall we have a vacancy on the Governing
Body for a Parent Governor. I would ask parents to
consider if they feel they have the necessary time, skills
and commitment to be a School Governor.
We would be particularly interested to hear from any
parents with expertise in the fields of Finance and / or
Health and Safety.
If anyone would like to see me for an informal chat so I
can outline the key roles and responsibilities, then
please feel free, or speak to an existing Governor who
will be able to tell you more.
Nomination forms can be collected from the office.
The closing date for nominations is
Friday 16th March at 9:30am.
This post is subject to a CRB check due to the nature of
work and contact with pupils at the school.
Parent Consultations
We are holding our Parent Consultations on
Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th February.
You should by now have received your
appointment. Please do let us know if you are
unable to attend the appointment given.
Some Governors will be present at Parent
Consultations, so do take the opportunity to
speak to them then if you may be interested in
being a Parent Governor, or about other aspects
of school. Complimentary hot drinks will be
served in the hall for parents.
**PLEASE NOTE**
There will be NO after school clubs on Tuesday
or Wednesday due to Parent Consultations
Let’s all get involved - The more of us that take
part, the better we will do in the competition and
the higher our chances of winning some brilliant
prizes, not to mention the health benefits for
everyone.
What to do - The best thing you can do is
encourage your child(ren) to cycle or scoot to
school every day during the race, and to join them
in doing so.
Why we're taking part - We think it's a fantastic
way to promote cycling in our school and to get
more pupils riding their bikes. What's more it's a
fun, sociable way to start the day and we'll be
competing to become one of the UK's top cycling
schools!
Great prizes too! - There are some brilliant prizes
up for grabs this year including cycle storage from
Cyclepods and Lockit Safe, and a bike stunt show
from Team M.A.D., the UK's No. 1 mountain bike
display team.
Dinner Money
More information - For more information about the
Big Pedal and to keep track of how we’re doing
during the competition, visit the Big Pedal website:
www.thebigpedal.org.uk Enjoy the ride!
Find Newsletters online at:
24th February 2012
Please remember that Dinner Money for the
half term was due last Monday - the payment
due is £60.90. Less £10.50 for those at
Chasewater. Please remember any credits /
debits from last half term.
www.thomasrussell-junior.staffs.sch.uk
A word from the Chair of Governors
I am writing to you regarding the restoration of beef
as an option on the school lunch menu.
I expect you will recall that BSE in cattle emerged
as an issue in the 80s with vCJD in humans
confirmed as a possibility in the 90s. Staffordshire
County Council reacted by imposing a ban on
serving beef in all county schools. Subsequently
the council invited schools to decide individually
whether they wished to resume the serving of beef.
Governors at TRJS sought further information
regarding the sourcing and processing of the beef
provided to schools. At the time a private company
was involved and further information could not be
obtained. Consequently beef has not since been
served at the school.
County Catering Services have undergone
significant changes in the last three years and we
have now received information and assurances
regarding beef supplies. Beef chunks are sourced
from Mathews based in Rochdale and originates in
the UK, is Farm Assured and Non GM. Minced
beef is obtained from Wilsons in Gosport: country
of origin is the UK and it is processed using EU
approved methods. (More expensive cuts are not
provided due to cost.) All products used by the
Service are fully traceable and locally sourced
wherever and whenever possible.
Learning Platform Workshop Session
Don’t forget we are offering a workshop on Tuesday 6th
March, from 3:45 - 4:45, in the ICT suite for any parents who
would like help understanding how to navigate and use the
Learning Platform or using ‘iamlearning.co.uk’. It is essential
that you bring your log on details with you, which were sent
after the Learning Platform launch.
Please let your class teacher know if you will be attending via
a note in the Homework Diary.
Games Kit - including Trainers
As the weather begins to improve we hope to be able
to take the children outside for their Games lessons
on a more regular basis. From next week we would ask
parents to ensure children have trainers on a Tuesday
(Y5&6) or Thursday (Y3&4) for their Games lesson
as pumps are not adequate for outdoor use.
As a result, governors expect beef to again
become an option on TRJS menus as from the
week commencing 5th March.
Children always have a choice of menu options at
lunchtime so there is no question of anyone being
expected to eat any particular foodstuff. We will
continue to ensure meals are properly identified so
children can make informed choices.
If you have any concerns, queries or comments
please contact either Mrs Sharpe or myself.
Best Wishes,
Terry Wells
Residential visits questionnaire
Thank you for the excellent level of returns
regarding residential visits. We will be making
decisions based on the information we receive
from these. We have had 35% returned already
- if you wish to have your say then please ensure
you return the completed questionnaire to
school by Friday 9th March.
Find Newsletters online at:
World Book Day
We will be celebrating World Book Day on
Friday 2nd March, including an opportunity for
the children to come dressed as any book
character for the day. There will also be
various book based activities and
competitions going on throughout the day.
Another Prize Winner!
Congratulations to Millie H in Y4 who has won
3rd place in a regional design competition after
designing a ceramic tile for Staffordshire’s
Olympic Wonderwall.
The purpose of the competition, which
received over 1,600 entries, was to encourage
and inspire young children to look at the
future in a positive manner and to give them
the opportunity and means to demonstrate
their artistic talents.
All of the winners from Foundation, Key Stage
1, Key Stage 2 and Secondary Categories will
have their tiles made into a permanent piece
of Public Art that future generations can
admire. The unveiling of the winning designs
will form part of the Olympic Torch visit to
Staffordshire. Congratulations Millie.
Best wishes,
Mrs S Sharpe
www.thomasrussell-junior.staffs.sch.uk