Newsletter

Autumn Term 2016 - Newsletter 2

30th September 2016

Dear parents/carers,

Independence

One of our school priorities this year to help raise standards is to develop children’s independent learning. This is a wide ranging concept, but one important element of it is to help the children to think through and solve problems for themselves before going to an adult. For our youngest children, this could be as simple as answering a question with another question - “Where should I put my jumper?” might be answered with “Where do you think a good place for it to go would be?”. As children progress through the school, we introduce the “6Bs” as prompts for when children are ‘stuck’:

• Be Brave - have a go

• Be Still - stop and have a think

• Backtrack - look back at the learning objective and success criteria

• Bits and Bobs - use classroom resources to support you

• Buddy - ask a classmate

• Boss- ask the teacher/teaching assistant

It would be great if parents could support this approach by encouraging independence in your own children. This could include things like:

• showing them how to do something, rather than doing it for them (eg fastening shoes)

• encouraging them to take responsibility for the things they need for school

• doing age appropriate jobs around the home

By developing independence, children gain in self confidence and problem solving skills.

Cathedral Church Schools’ Service

Each year, a service takes place in St Edmundsbury cathedral for all the church schools in the diocese. This is a lovely, family-friendly service with all sorts of entertaining songs, stories, dances etc. This year, we are excited that 11 children from our school will be taking part in a dance performance with children from Thorndon Primary School. From the rehearsals, it is going to be a stunning performance!

The service takes place on 16th October at 5.30pm at the cathedral in Bury St Edmunds and all are very welcome to attend.

Parent Governor Election

We welcome Matt Bush (Bethan and Isla’s dad) to the governing body following the recent parent governor election.

Harvest Celebrations

Parents and other relatives are warmly invited to join us at our annual Harvest Service at 9am on Tuesday (4th October) in the church. As usual, we are asking that children bring in vegetable boxes which will be presented as part of the service. These will be sold off at the school gate the end of the school day with proceeds going to Tearfund, the charity chosen by the School Council.

Talent Show

Tickets are still available at the school office for the Talent Show on 15th October at 6pm. It is not too late to enter either! Tickets are £2.50 for adults and £1 for children. Entering an act costs £1.50, with a prize of £25 for the winner. This is fun family night out and it is always a pleasure to see all the talent we have in our school.

Tuck Shop

In the past the Friends have run a tuck shop in the carpark at the end of the day on a Friday. This was extremely popular with the children! They are keen to bring it back after the half term break but will need some volunteers to run it on a rota basis. This will only involve about 1/2hr of your time from about 3.00 - 3.30pm. Please speak to Emma Morris, Tracey Sheppard, David Noble or me if you would be willing to do this.

Vicky Doherty

Headteacher

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Dates for your diary:

Term Dates

2016-17

Autumn Term

Thursday 1 September 2016 to Tuesday 20 December 2016

(Half Term: Monday 24 October 2016 to Friday 28 October 201)

Spring Term

Wednesday 4 January 2017 to Friday 31 March 2017

(Half Term: Monday 13 February 2017 to Friday 17 February 2017)

Summer Term

Tuesday 18 April 2017 to Friday 21 July 2017

(Half Term: Monday 29 May 2017 to Friday 2 June 2017)

PD Days:

21st October 2016

4th January 2017

18th April 2017

Parent Response Slip

Either email or send in a paper version for the attention of the Headteacher.

Name of parent  ________________________ Date _______________

Comment

Thank you for taking the time to respond. Your views are listened to and given careful consideration.