Tuesday 2 September 2008

WHOLE SCHOOL LETTER (1)

WELCOME BACK TO A NEW SCHOOL YEAR

CELEBRATION ASSEMBLIES

Celebration Assemblies are on Fridays at 2.30pm. Parents are invited to watch their own child’s class and we would ask that you take your seats by 2.25pm. We endeavour to bring the children in as quietly as possible and we would appreciate the parents joining us in this. Could we ask that parents with younger siblings sit in the hall where they are able to make a discreet ‘quick exit’ should it be necessary, as the disruption of a noisy toddler is difficult for the children to cope with.
The rota is as follows:5 Sept No Parent Assembly
12 Sept No Parent Assembly
19 Sept LC
26 Sept GH
3 Oct NS
10 Oct EM
17 Oct JC
24 Oct CH
31 Oct Half-Term
7 Nov GM
14 Nov CA
21 Nov PL/DD
28 Nov RV
5 Dec No Parent Assembly
12 Dec DB
19 Dec No Parent Assembly

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS NO NON-PUPIL DAY IN OCTOBER THIS YEARFriday 10 October - Harvest Festival am at St Michael’s Church – Parents invited
Friday 17 October - Activity Day – Golden Day
Wednesday 22 October - Thomas Mills Open day and evening for Y6 pupils
Monday 3 November - Working Space Theatre – ‘Snow Queen’
Monday 27 - 31 October - Half-term
Tuesday 18 November - Van Cols Photo Day – individuals and family groups
Wednesday 26 November - Parent Consultation Day – Target Setting (see note below)
Friday 5 December - Christmas Fair 6-8pm
Wed 10 & Fri 12 December - Foundation Christmas Production – 9.20am
Wed 10 & Fri 12 December - Key Stage 1 Christmas Production – 10.15am
Tuesday 16 December - Key Stage 2 Carol Service 1.30pm – Parents invited
Wednesday 17 December - Christmas Dinner Day
Friday 19 December - Last day of term
Monday 11 May – Friday 15 May 2008 - SATS week
Monday 6 – Friday 10 July 2009 - Year 6 Camp

PARENT CONSULTATION DAY – TARGET SETTINGWe are making a change this year in that Pupils should attend school as normal 8.50am – 3.05pm. Interviews will be timetabled with parents throughout the day. Details will follow nearer the time.

CHANGES TO SCHOOL TIMES
Please note that the first morning bell will ring at 8.45am, at which time the children should make their way to class, it will ring again at 8.50am when school begins and the register will be taken.
Morning break will be 10.55am – 11.15am and Afternoon break will be 2.15pm.
To enable us to adapt our curricular timetable we have decided to move lunch back by 15 minutes, so lunch hour is now 12.15pm – 1.15pm. Nursery lunch club times remain the same, finishing at 1pm.
The end of school remains at 3.05pm.

SCHOOL ACTIVITIESDetails will be sent out about school activities/clubs as soon as available.
Known start dates are as follows:
Orchestra and Guitar* 3 Sept
Netball Practise 5 Sept
Wind and Brass* 9 Sept
After School Football 9 Sept
Board Games 9 & 10 Sept
Hitcham’s Holy Horrors 10 Sept
K’nex Club 11 Sept
Recorders 11 Sept
Keyboard 11 & 12 Sept
Singing Club 12 Sept
Knitting Club 15 Sept
Computer Club - Mr Brook will inform children when date decided
Recorders: Children who are interested in beginning or continuing these lessons should meet Miss Hitchcock in the hall on Thursday 11 September at 3.15pm to be placed in their groups.
*Guitar and Wind and Brass timetables not yet available.

ORCHESTRA – KS2 (& KS1 who have instrument lessons)
If your child is interested in joining Orchestra they can go straight to the Spare Reception Room on Wednesday 3 September at 12.30pm to speak to Mrs Fell.

BUYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS FOR LESSONSThere is a scheme available called an ‘Assisted Instrumental Purchase Scheme’ (AIPS) which enables schools to purchase musical instruments on behalf of parents. This saves money on the purchase because the school can claim back the VAT. Once the parent has chosen an instrument the school will place a formal order. Once the instrument has arrived the school will pay the invoice and the parent will reimburse the school for the total excluding VAT. The pupil must be having music lessons at the school.

CHEQUESIt would be very helpful if apart from school lunch cheques (that are paid to Suffolk County Council) and photographs all cheques that come into the school should be made payable to ‘Framlingham Sir Robert Hitcham’s CEVAP School’.

PROCEDURE FOR ABSENCES & LATE ARRIVALS
If your child is ill or going to be late: Ring the school on 723354 ideally by 8.30am
State: Child’s name, Child’s class, Reason for absence or lateness
If they are likely to be off for more than one day, state: Which day they will be back
If you do not know how long they will be off: You must ring EVERY MORNING
Please read the enclosed copy of ‘Attendance – Parent Guide’.

HOLIDAY FORMSCould we please remind parents that THREE WEEKS notice is required if you wish to make a request to take your child out of school in term time. Requests are authorised at the Headteacher’s discretion.

PAINTING APRONSAll children in the school require painting aprons, from Nursery up to Year 6. An old large shirt is ideal but please do make sure the sleeves are not too long. May I take this opportunity to remind you that ALL uniform, especially sweatshirts, painting aprons, plimsolls etc need to be named – Thank you.

EMAIL
Many parents now receive their school letters by email, if you would like to register please do email us saying so on admin@hitchams.suffolk.sch.uk . We are endeavouring not to produce a ‘hard’ copy to those households that receive letters by email, so please ensure your child is aware they do not need to receive a paper copy. Those who are already registered do not need to re-register.