Headteacher News 10-3-23

Star of the Week!

It was a pleasure this afternoon to award so many of our children a star of the week certificate or for some children their 25 or 50 dojo certificate. Hearing of children who are showing responsibility for their learning in class and showing excellent resilience and determination is always so wonderful to hear. A special mention this week however goes to Elsie in 1JM who was awarded the first ‘Gold’ award for achieving 75 dojos this year. She looks well on course for reaching 100 and being on the roll of honour at the end of the year!

Uniform Expectations

Recently I have seen a number of children who are not wearing the correct uniform in school. This includes not wearing a tie or not wearing the correct shoes or jumper. Uniform expectations for all children represent the community we all belong to and so I ask for all parents and carers to ensure they support us in ensuring all uniform is worn by all children in our school. Information on uniform expectations can be found here on pages 21-24. https://www.northsteadprimary.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Information-and-Expectations-Document.pdf

Great News

Well done to Mrs Gunstone and Mr Wormald who recently signed off on a large scale project with the Department for Education to upgrade all aspects of our school computer and wireless network. This work will commence soon and see our school network significantly enhanced. Work like this is not always seen by all who learn and work in our community as it goes on behind the scenes. Thanks Mrs Gunstone and Mr Wormald. This will make a big difference to our school!

We have also recently been successful in a bid for additional sports funding into school as part of the DFE opening schools facilities fund. What does this mean? It means we have been able to order new gymnastics equipment for our school, new resources for PE and we will be able to offer an abundance of new sporting opportunities for children to take part in both before and after school. Look out for information about this coming home before Easter.

Attendance

We continue to improve attendance as a community with a lot more classes achieving 95%+ attendance regularly. I’ve still got a box of chocolates waiting for another class to be awarded for 100% attendance!

Travelling Book Fayre

This will be visiting school on Tuesday 21st March to Monday 27th March. The venue for the book fair will be communicated when sorted. Please come along and purchase a book or two. School receives commission from each book sold with the money raised invested straight back into books for our school and our library.

Communication with staff in school

I have noticed an increased use of class dojo to contact class teachers about many aspects of school. Please remember that class teachers are teaching all day and will not be able to answer any queries. I ask that all queries throughout the day are communicated to the school office on 01723 362249. Should you wish to make an appointment with a class teacher to discuss your child, please do this through the same method. All visitors into school, including parents need to sign in at the main reception.

Please also note that I no longer read messages on class dojo. Should you need to contact me for any reason please contact school in the normal ways e.g. telephone and email.

Red Nose Day

As per the class dojo story shared earlier in the week…

🔴Comic relief – Friday 17th March🔴
This year’s theme is ‘Dress up for joy!’
We invite all children to come to school dressed in whatever brings them the most joy, this could be fancy dress, party clothes, pyjamas, onesies or casual.
If you wish to donate to Comic Relief, please donate directly to the comic relief website, which lists the different ways to donate.
https://www.comicrelief.com/fundraise/pay-in-your-money
Thank you

School Opening Hours from September 2023 (as previously shared on email and class dojo)

Following the consultation that took place in the Autumn Term in regards to the planned opening and closing times of school from September 2023, I am pleased to provide the following information.
The following has been unanimously agreed by the Governing Body.
School registration time will be 8:40am – All children expected to be in their classrooms by this time.
School end time will be 3:10pm
This ensures school is open for 32.5 hours (in line with Department for Education guidelines).
School gates will open at 8:30am from September 2023.
School gates will open at 3:05pm from September 2023.

Parent’s Consultation Evening

Information on this will be sent out within the next week for you to make appointments. We will again be using a cloud based system to enable parents and carers to schedule appointments with their class teacher(s).