Friday 10 October 2008

WHOLE SCHOOL LETTER (9)

SUFFOLK SPORTS AWARDS
We have been nominated for the Suffolk Sports Awards in the School of the Year section. We have just been told that we have been shortlisted in the finalists and have been invited to the Suffolk Sports Awards evening in Ipswich in a few weeks time. At this ceremony there will be people who took part in the Olympics and Paralympics. There are various awards for individuals and groups. We are delighted to be shortlisted and will let you know what happens.

SAFETY
Our school is an ‘open’ site and I would like to remind parents the measures we have in place to improve the safety of the children during the time they are at lessons.
All fire exit doors from the school will be closed and therefore locked to anyone trying to get inside after 9.00am and before 3.00pm each day. Everyone will be able to get out, of course, in the event of fire.
We are aware that one of the two gates leading from the front playground is broken, and we are organising a replacement stronger gate. Gates MUST BOTH BE CLOSED from 9.00am to 3.00pm each day. Could we ask parents to be vigilant and ensure the gates are closed behind them as they leave after dropping children off in the mornings, or Nursery parents when collecting at 11.30am.
The front door and the door next to the hall will be the only doors with access to the school during lesson time. We would ask anyone who wishes to enter or leave the school to do so via these doors. This will include parents helpers, visitors etc.

GOLDEN DAY
Friday 17 October is our Activity Day, this year’s theme is ‘Golden’. The children will be doing assorted activities based around this theme.

QUIZ NIGHT
The Friends tell us that there are only 4 tables remaining for the Interactive Family Quiz on 17 October. The deadline for ordering tickets is this Wednesday.

STORYTELLER THEATRE – Monday 20 October
A production of Tales from the Gypsy Caravan is to take place during the morning of Monday 20 October Nursery will be attending). This is a multicultural experience with 3 tales from around the world – Africa, Slovakia and China, using music, song and traditional storytelling.
The cost of this production is £330 therefore we would ask for a voluntary donation of £1.00 per child. According to the Governors’ Policy of Charges and Remissions for School Activities parents who are in receipt of: (a) Income Support; (b) Income Based Job Seekers Allowance; (c) Child Tax Credit and do not receive Working Tax Credit and who have an annual taxable income of less than £15,575; (d) Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; or (e) a guaranteed element of State Pension Credit do not need to pay for this event. Nor will they be expected to make a voluntary contribution of money unless they wish to do so. Teachers will deal with the collection of money in the same sensitive way that operates for those children who receive free school meals. Please complete the form overleaf and return it to the class teacher by Thursday 16 October.

OPENING CEREMONY
We are having an official opening & dedication ceremony for the new class rooms and computer suite on Tuesday 21 October in the afternoon. The children will get to see the ‘ribbon’ being cut in front of an invited audience from the Diocese, community, press and the teams involved with the building.

MINI POTS OF CARE
Just a reminder about returning the sponsorship envelopes and money by 20 October. Thank you.

HALF TERM
Half term commences on Monday 27 October. There is NO non-pupil day before half term this year.

ONE CHRISTMAS
We have been advised that the children taking part in this project will be performing at the Felixstowe Pavillion on Sunday 7 December. More details will be given at the recording this Sunday.

CHRISTMAS SHOEBOX APPEAL
In previous years we have supported Samaritan’s Purse, however this year we have a local church contact who is taking a container personally out to children in Croatia. Each shoe box should be filled with around 10 items that cost no more than £15. We do not have specific leaflets for this, so please use the Samaritans Purse leaflet (and labels) which will help you with what items can go in the boxes.
PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO CUSTOMS REGULATIONS there are items that cannot be included – please read the leaflet. We cannot send the boxes if there is no £2.50 to cover the transport costs. So please only send in shoeboxes with the accompanying £2.50. Although the leaflet mentions the 1 to 18 November as the campaign dates – our final date will be FRIDAY 7 NOVEMBER as the boxes are to be collected then. Extra leaflets are available from the school office.

HALLOWEEN AND GUY FAWKES NIGHT
Suffolk Police have asked us to remind young people to take care with basic safety procedures over the next few weeks:
If children wish to engage in “trick or treat” please can parents suggest they call only on their family or known friends and members of the community because elderly, or people living alone, can feel vulnerable to unwanted callers in the evening.
The DTI runs an annual safety campaign to promote the safe use of fireworks in the run up to Bonfire Night. Information can be found on their website: www.dti.gov.uk/fireworks

BONFIRE LUNCH
SCC Caterings menu for Wednesday 5 November will consist of: Bangers and Mash, Cheddar Cheese Catherine Wheels, Bonfire Baked Beans, Popping Peas and Sizzling Sweetcorn. Dessert is Toffee Apple Tart and Cascading Custard.

DON’T FORGET
The cost of school meals after half term will rise to £1.90 a day, £9.50 a week.