News
Dear Parents - Welcome to the new school year! Here are some things for you to note:-
Meet the Teacher – Next Monday, 6th September, we shall be holding open sessions when you can come into your child’s class to meet their teacher on an informal basis. It will give you an opportunity to see where your child is sitting and the resources available in the classroom. The session will be from the end of school at 3.15pm until 4pm. Each class will be sending out regular newsletters to let you know what they’ve been doing – the first will be the end of this month.
Smart children – The children all look fantastic in their uniforms today. Please make sure all items are named. Every child must have a water bottle to access the water machine and they also need a full PE kit please. No jewellery, make-up, tattoos, trainers etc!
School dinner price increase – The price of a school meal has increased to £ 2.10 per day.
Children’s Centre – The work to build the new Children’s Centre is due to begin in a few weeks. This means that the majority of the staff car park is unavailable for parking so we will have to use some of the top playground. Sapphire Class will be entering/exiting through the early years area to the gate at the side of the school. To avoid congestion with parents of the new year R children due to start next week, I am asking for parents of Sapphire Class to wait outside the gate. This will help with the children’s independence and Mrs Corey and the teaching assistants will be on hand to see the children in and out safely.
Health & Safety – If you have any messages/queries for your child’s teacher, please pass them through the office as parents will not be allowed to go through the school building without signing in as a visitor. If you need to see your child’s teacher, please make an appointment through the school office.
Celebration assemblies – These will start again on Friday 10th September at 9am. All parents are welcome to attend, but there will no longer be a coffee session to follow.
Library review – Is there anyone who could spare some time to help with sorting out books in the library? We will be buying more resources for the library this year but first need to have a sort out! Please let me know if you can help.
Dates: Please note!
Friday 24th September – Europe day (information to follow)
Monday 27th September, 9am – Harvest Festival (information to follow, all parents welcome to attend)
Friday 22nd October – Last day of term 1
Monday 1st November – First day of term 2
Friday 5th November – Staff development day (School closed for pupils)
Dear Parents
School Uniform orders – please complete by Thursday so that we can be sure of you receiving your goods at the beginning of next term. We have a new PE uniform (purple shorts & yellow t-shirt) so if your child has outgrown their existing kit, please order from our supplier at very reasonable prices. All children need a full PE kit with plimsoles that fit please!
Uniform & presentation - Whilst you are reviewing your child’s uniform, please note that children should have proper shoes in black, not trainers when they return to school. I have noticed some pupils wearing white trainers – these are not appropriate with school uniform and if funds are limited I would urge you to ensure that you purchase black shoes throughout the year so that uniform requirements are always met. Please remember that children should not be wearing jewellery, tattoos, nail varnish etc and that girls with long hair should always have it tied back. Pupils in Diamond and Jet class would benefit from having a good supply of pens, pencils etc. Please make sure all uniform and equipment is clearly named.
Key stage 2 production – Thank you for supporting the recent production of ‘Joseph’. It was a great success, the children obviously enjoyed taking part and I received lots of lovely comments from members of the audience.
Goodbye! – We are saying farewell to a fantastic group of 9 year 6 pupils. We thank them for all their hard work and efforts in their time at Littlebourne. We wish them well in the future. We shall also be saying goodbye to Mr McDonagh who is moving on to become an Assistant Head’ at a school in Folkestone. We wish him great success in his new role. Please note, the Leaver’s service is on Thursday afternoon at 2.30pm, and our final Celebration Assembly for this term will be on Friday morning as usual.
Attendance & term time absence – You should have all received a letter relating to this. Please return the reply slip to confirm that you have noted the contents, otherwise you will be ‘chased’ by the office staff!
Dates to note –
Staff development day = Wednesday 1st September (School closed to pupils)
First day of term for pupils = Thursday 2nd September
Please note that all pupils should be punctual, arriving between 8.45am – 8.55am when the register is taken. Any child arriving after 8.55am will be registered as late.
Best wishes for a fabulous summer – thank you for your continued support, see you all in September…
Jacqueline Reed - Headteacher
Dear Parents
Charity week – Many thanks for your support with the various activities throughout Charity week. All four classes did exceptionally well and the current total stands at over £ 500. If your child has any outstanding sponsorship money to hand in, please can you ensure they do this as soon as possible.
School uniform provider – We have found a new company (‘Threads’) to provide quality uniform items at reasonable prices quickly and efficiently. They will have a stall at the forthcoming summer fair so that you can see the range and order items if required. As well as having yellow polo shirts complete with the school logo, we are also going to have a new PE uniform starting from September (Purple shorts and yellow t-shirt with the school logo). Uniform can be ordered through the school office.
Waiting list for places – We are full from September in all year groups except one. For this reason please can you let us know of any imminent moves that mean your child will not require their place in September. Our waiting list is growing as we receive regular enquiries from parents wanting places for their children.
Organisation – Please encourage your children to develop their organisational skills so that they bring everything they need for the school day. PE equipment is essential, especially at this time of year when classes are practising for sports day (Monday 21st June). Water bottles need to be brought in each day as well as any homework tasks and reading books etc. With your support, every pupil should be prepared for the day ahead.
Dates to note –
Monday 21st June – sports afternoon starting at 1.15pm
Monday 21st June – ‘Your child’s amazing brain’ presentation at St Stephen’s Junior School (details on reverse of this letter)
Saturday 3rd July – FOLs summer fair
Monday 5th July – Information afternoon for Sept 2010 yr R parents, 2.15pm
Tuesday 6th July – Parents information session provided by the Extended Schools Service (details to follow)
Monday 12th & Tuesday 13th July – Key stage 2 production of ‘Joseph’
Friday 16th July – Pupil reports to parents
Friday 23rd July – Last day of term
Jacqueline Reed - Headteacher
Dear Parents
Modern Foreign Languages, Silver Accreditation – I am delighted to inform you that we have recently gained the Silver accreditation for the provision of modern foreign languages. A huge amount of work has been completed at Littlebourne over the past few years in this area of the curriculum and we were pleased to have gained the Bronze status last year. Expectations are obviously greater for the Silver award, but thanks to the efforts of Miss Hardy, who co-ordinates MFL, and especially Mrs Bristow, who does most of the teaching, we have now received this higher status. Your children are now receiving a full range of language teaching, primarily in French, but with the number of student teacher placements we have lately accepted, of Italians and Germans, they are obviously able to enjoy learning about other languages and cultures too.
Waiting Shelter & new playground equipment – The playground storage shed and waiting area is completed. Parents are now welcome to use the waiting area as a shelter when required, BUT please make sure you supervise your toddlers. Pupils have been told that it is not appropriate to be running around and playing on the decking of this area. Parents of Emerald Class should now be waiting for their children on the playground at the end of the day and not going through the soft play area as this creates a traffic jam when Diamond class exit through their back door. The children will soon have a lot of new playground equipment that will be stored in the shed. All of this has been funded from money allocated for our Travel Plan.
Water bottles – All pupils need one of these! Please buy replacements from the school office if your child has lost or damaged theirs.
Sponsored Read & Book Fair – Many thanks for your support with these two events. The sponsored reading event raised £ 300 and the book fair meant we had £160 worth of books gained in commission. A total review of the books in the library is one of our future intentions, so this will all help.
Dates – please note
Friday 28th May – last day of term 5, return to school for term 6 on Tuesday 8th June
Monday 21st June – sports afternoon
Friday 23rd July – last day of term 6, return to school on Thursday 2nd September for new school year
Jacqueline Reed - Headteacher
Dear Parents
Parent Survey – Many thanks for the return of over 80% of the surveys sent out. There are still 14 parents that haven’t sent them back however. It would be great if we could get everyone’s opinions… If you know you haven’t returned your response and you can’t remember where the survey is, there are some spare copies in the school office. Remember this is a way of you telling us what you think and remaining anonymous in the process as all envelopes will be sent unopened to NFER for them to process. Please return any outstanding surveys by Monday 15th March please. Thanks for your help with this.
Easter competitions – This year our traditional Easter competitions will be bonnets and eggs once more! Details as follows:-
• Easter bonnets/hats/headpieces decorated accordingly
• Creative egg characters/scenes – (if a real egg is used, please make sure it has been hard boiled first!)
As usual prizes will be awarded for originality, effort and creativity and all entrants will be rewarded for their participation. Entries for the competitions should be clearly named and brought to school on the morning of the Easter service, Tuesday 30th March. Parents are welcome to join us for this service which starts at 2.30pm.
Parent interviews – These will take place in the week beginning 22nd March on Monday and Wednesday. You should have already received a letter regarding further details. Any parent who has not seen this letter, please contact the school office. Please note there will not be either netball or football club during this week.
Science/Technology week – Today sees the start of another of our curriculum enhancement weeks with a production by the Quantum Theatre Company. The production will be funded from the school budget and should inspire the children with the focus on science and technology over the coming week.
Dates:-
Thursday 25th March – class group photos
Wednesday 31st March – last day of term 4
Monday 19th April – first day of term 5
Jacqueline Reed - Headteacher
Dear Parents
Parent survey – Thanks to those parents who have already sent back survey responses, so far we’ve have just over half. This is a really good way for you to tell us what you think – all surveys will remain anonymous and confidential. NFER will be analysing the answers and providing me with feedback. I can then obviously use this to review procedures as necessary and include any particular issues within the ongoing development plans for the school. The final date for handing in the survey is March 15th and I would be very grateful if everyone could send them back.
Cultures week – This proved to be a very interesting and successful week here at Littlebourne. Thanks to those of you who visited the school to share your experiences with the children. We were fortunate to have a fantastic French puppet show on the final day and this was funded through the local education partnership.
PE uniform – Another reminder about the importance of ensuring that your child has a FULL PE kit in school everyday… This means a white t-shirt, black/blue shorts and plimsoles/trainers that fit! I still have to lend equipment on a regular basis and it is often the same pupils that I see time after time. Please check that your child is well organised for PE lessons – bags can be left in school on pegs and do not need to be taken home everyday.
Parent governors required! – There are still two vacancies on the governing body for parent governors. I know there are many of you who are interested in the strategic work of the school and are incredibly supportive. It would be a great asset to the school if we were able to have a full membership of our governing body. Please see me or Mrs Corey if you think you might be able to help. There are training sessions available for governors and meetings are all organised in advance and only add up to around six per year. Nobody expects you to be an expert – just someone who is interested in ensuring the best provision for Littlebourne School!
Forthcoming dates:-
Friday 12th March – start of Science/Technology week
Monday 22nd March & Wednesday 24th March – parent interviews (letter to follow)
Thursday 25th March – class group photos
Tuesday 30th March at 2.30pm – Easter service in school hall, all welcome
Wednesday 31st March – Last day of term
Jacqueline Reed - Headteacher
Dear Parents
Snowy conditions – Obviously the school will remain open if possible throughout the severe weather conditions. However, the level of provision we will be able to offer may be reduced, depending on the number of staff who are able to complete their journeys. Today most staff eventually arrived, and I’m pleased to say that about 80% of pupils also attended. As I said in my previous letter about severe weather, parents must make their own decisions regarding whether to make the journey to school. Please avoid telephoning the office to check whether we are open (lines are needed for staff contact) instead listen to the announcements on BBC Radio Kent. If Littlebourne is not listed among the school closures, it means we are open!
PLEASE NOTE – THERE WILL BE NO SCHOOL LUNCHES AVAILABLE TOMORROW (FRIDAY 8TH) SO ALL PUPILS WILL REQUIRE A PACKED LUNCH.
There may be further disruption to the provision of school lunches next week, depending on whether deliveries can get through – updates will be provided.
Reading – Over the past few years this school has been very successful in the number of children attaining the highest level in the national reading assessments. Obviously we want to maintain this strength, as we know that children who are confident readers find it easier to access all areas of the curriculum. As you know, we do expect all parents to support their children by reading with them every day. Thanks to parents who do this and remember to sign the reading record book, however we have noticed in recent months that some children are not getting this valuable support at home on a regular basis. I know family life can be hectic and finding time for everything can be a challenge, but please can I reinforce the need for parents to read with their children every day. It really does make a difference. We would love to have more parental support with our guided reading sessions here in school first thing in the morning. Any parents who can offer 15-20 mins at the start of the day, please let us know.
Class assemblies - Parents are very welcome to attend the following dates:- Wednesday 13th January, Jet Class; Wednesday 20th January, Sapphire Class; Wednesday 27th January, Diamond Class; Wednesday 3rd February, Emerald Class. All assemblies start at 9.05am.
Best wishes
Jacqueline Reed - Headteacher
Newsletter 5 - 27/11/2009
Dear Parents – Latest information to note please:-
Nativity – Emerald and Sapphire classes are busy with their rehearsals for this year’s nativity play. The performance will take place at 9.15am on Thursday 10th December. We do ask, if possible, that you avoid bringing babies and toddlers to this event as the children need as few distractions as possible so they can deliver their best performances. Parents who do have to bring young ones will be asked to sit near to an exit so they can move out of the hall if necessary.
Carol Service – The whole school will be involved in this Church service on Tuesday 15th December at 2.20pm. The older children will be leading the service with readings and poems. Parents are welcome to attend with their best voices to join in with the singing!
Photographs – Please can you return your orders to the office by next Wednesday (2nd December) and ensure cheques are made out to ‘Profiles Photography’.
Pantomime – Hopefully your child will already have told you about the wonderful pantomime they experienced on Monday afternoon. I understand The Channel Theatre Company presented a fantastic rendition of Pinnochio – much enjoyed by everyone. Although expensive, we do feel that experiences like this are important. Many thanks for the financial contribution from FOLs that made this possible, alongside the purchase of our brand new light weight staging.
Attendance assembly on Friday 4th December – Please note that our usual ‘Celebration Assembly’ next Friday will be replaced by an attendance assembly presented by Lee Kennedy, the Education Welfare Officer. Parents are invited to attend if they are interested or have questions regarding this important issue.
Arrivals and collections – Just to remind you that all children should be at school by 8.55am when the register is taken. The end of the day is 3.15pm and children should be collected promptly at this time.
Please note the dates:-
Friday 27th November – FOLs wine & wisdom 7.30pm
Thursday 10th December – 9.15am, Emerald & Sapphire Christmas Nativity
Friday 11th December – 3pm – 4.30pm Christmas Fair
Tuesday 15th December – 2.20pm Christmas Carol Service in the Church
Thursday 17th December – Party Day! Talent Show at 9.15am with refreshments served by FOLs
Friday 18th December – Last day of term 2
Monday 4th January 2010 – First day of term 3
Best wishes
Jacqueline Reed - Headteacher
Newsletter 4 - 09/10/2009
Dear Parents – Now we are in the second week of term 2, please note the following:-
Change of name – For those of you writing cheques for school dinner money fees, please note that ‘Scolarest’ has now become ‘Chartwells’.
Sickness & virus – If your child has symptoms of flu-like illness they should not come to school. I am aware that a few of our families have been prescribed anti-viral drugs in response to symptoms, so obviously please can I reinforce the government guidance relating to the prevention of infection – using tissues and washing hands thoroughly. Please note, a child should be free of any sickness/diarrhoea for at least 24 hours before they return to school.
W.O.W (Walk on Wednesday) – thanks for supporting this scheme. Don’t forget you can ‘park and stride’ by parking a short distance from the school and walking the last bit. Please can I remind car drivers that you are not supposed to park on the yellow lines outside the school or block the school gates. I know parking is an issue and this is why I am keen to get as many pupils as possible walking to school, even if it’s only the last section of the journey. Please do all you can to help!
Anti-bullying week – The children will be involved in PSHE activities throughout next week to support this important focus. On Friday 20th we will have a blue day, when pupils can wear blue clothes to show their support for anti-bullying strategies. The celebration assembly will be focused on the work that classes have completed relating to anti-bullying.
Please note the dates:-
Friday 13th November – individual and sibling group photo’s.
Week beginning Monday 16th November – Anti-bullying week
Thursday 19th November – 3.15pm – 4.15pm Literacy & Numeracy workshop for parents
FOLs will be running a ‘Quiz & Fizz’ on the same afternoon for children
Monday 23rd November – Theatre-in-education visit with production of Pinnochio
Friday 27th November – FOLs wine & wisdom 7.30pm
Thursday 10th December – 9.15am, Emerald & Sapphire Christmas Nativity
Friday 11th December – 3pm – 4.30pm Christmas Fair
Tuesday 15th December – 2.20pm Christmas Carol Service in the Church
Thursday 17th December – Party Day! Talent Show at 9.15am with refreshments served by FOLs
Friday 18th December – Last day of term 2
Best wishes
Jacqueline Reed - Headteacher
Newsletter 3 - 09/10/2009
Dear Parents
Here is the latest information for your attention:-
Harvest Festival – thank you to all those who came to the service on Monday and made contributions for the homeless. It has been pointed out that I didn’t give you much notice of the date – apologies for this. Unfortunately I was waiting for confirmation when I sent out newsletter 1, so it was missed until the second newsletter last week. Sorry for any inconvenience caused. To make amends I am providing you with a nice long list of dates with this newsletter!
Names!! – As you all know from family experience, it takes a bit of effort to get children organised and ready to go anywhere…multiply your experience at home by up to 30 and you’ll understand how tricky this is for teachers at the end of the afternoon! To help us out, please can I ask you to check that your children’s things are all clearly marked with their names, especially sweatshirts and fleeces. Being able to make sure the right clothing is going home with the correct owner will be one less thing for teachers to sort out. Thanks for your help with this.
W.O.W – the ‘walk on Wednesday’ scheme started this week with great success according to the first lot of data collected. Thanks for your support with this, especially if you are making the effort to ‘park and stride’ with your children. The children will gain rewards if they get the stickers on their cards so please keep encouraging them.
Dates for you to note:-
Friday 23rd October – Non uniform day (£ 1.00 each). FOLs will be serving refreshments and selling cakes (served by the children) after the Celebration Assembly. This is also the last day of term 1.
Monday 26th October – Friday 30th October = Autumn term break (No school for pupils)
Monday 2nd November – Term 2 begins
Friday 6th November – Staff development day (No school for pupils)
Week beginning Monday 9th November – Parent/teacher interviews (details to follow)
Week beginning Monday 16th November – Anti-bullying week
Thursday 19th November – 3.15pm – 4.15pm Literacy & Numeracy workshop for parents
FOLs will be running a ‘Quiz & Fizz’ on the same afternoon for children (details to follow)
Monday 23rd November – Theatre-in-education visit with production of Pinnochio
Friday 27th November – FOLs wine & wisdom 7.30pm (details to follow)
Thursday 10th December – 9.15am, Emerald & Sapphire Christmas Nativity
Friday 11th December – 3pm – 4.30pm Christmas Fair
Tuesday 15th December – 2.20pm Christmas Carol Service in the Church
Thursday 17th December – Party Day! Talent Show at 9.15am with refreshments served by FOLs
Friday 18th December – Last day of term 2
Best wishes
Jacqueline Reed - Headteacher
Newsletter 2 - 30/09/2009
Dear Parents
Here are the latest items for your attention:-
School uniform enquiries – If you wish to order, collect or enquire about school uniform at the office, please can you do this after school rather than before. As I am sure you can appreciate, the office is usually very busy first thing in the morning, so it would be very helpful if all uniform enquiries could be left until the afternoons. Thanks for your support in this.
Walk-on-Wednesday – As part of our School Travel Plan we are now taking part in the WOW (Walk on Wednesday) scheme. This is a highly successful county-wide scheme that encourages families to be kind to the environment by leaving the car at home on Wednesdays and walking to school instead. This scheme will hopefully prove more successful than our previous attempt to run a walking bus. We will be starting next Wednesday (6th October) – a letter to give you further details is attached.
Pupil targets – Our focus for this academic year is writing, so we have amended our target system so that it reflects this. For the time being, children will only have a target in writing and when their teacher has seen sufficient evidence to show they have met this, they will receive their red target badge. After three red target badges have been successfully gained, a gold star will be awarded.
Harvest Festival – We are holding our Harvest service in the church on Monday 5th October at 9.15am. All classes will be participating and you are very welcome to join us. Financial donations for a local homeless charity will be collected. If you wish to make a donation, please send it in a clearly marked envelope to the school office.
Best wishes
Jacqueline Reed - Headteacher
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