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9th September 2019
Dear Parents,
Welcome back to a new academic year. I hope that you had a lovely summer and were blessed with many happy memories of time spent with family and friends.
The term began for staff last Wednesday when we spent some precious time in prayer before undertaking training and preparation for the year ahead. This included work on safeguarding, health and safety, our mission and ethos and the curriculum. We are very excited to be starting a new year and can assure you of our hard work and commitment to the life and work of our school.
Thank you
Thank you so much for the cards, gifts and kind words that were shared with staff at the end of last term. We were all overwhelmed by your kindness.
Staffing
For the next few weeks, Year 2 will be taught by Miss White and a teacher new to our school, Ms Broomer as Miss Philips is recovering from planned surgery. We wish her a speedy recovery.
Welcome
This term we welcome Mrs Kahraman who is joining us to teach Year 4. We also welcome back Miss Stevens, who following the very early birth of her daughter, Zoe, is back with us supporting children across the school.
We offer a very warm welcome to the new children who have started with us this term as well as the new Reception children who will be joining us over the next few weeks.
School Nurse
The nurse will continue to hold drop-in sessions once every month in school. If you would like to discuss any health concerns that you have for your child – bed wetting, asthma, allergies, frequent illness etc – sign up for a 10 minute slot, please see the office.
School Applications
If your child is in Year 6, please be aware that online applications for secondary schools open today, Monday 9th September. If you have a child who is due to start primary/infant school in September 2020, online applications open on Monday 4th November. It is really important that applications are made on time and I would strongly recommend that more than one school choice is made.
School Uniform
Thank you for sending your child to school in the correct uniform. Please make sure that the uniform policy is followed every day – shoes must be plain black, hair accessories should be small, green, hair coloured or yellow and shirts should be white polo shirts. Please ensure that every piece of your child’s uniform and PE kit are clearly labelled. Remember also that long hair must be tied back and off of the face and hair must not have lines/patterns shaved in to it.
Please make sure that your child has a waterproof coat with them every day for playtimes.
Nasal Flu Vaccine
This year, the school nurses are offering the nasal flu vaccine to children from Reception to Year 6 on Monday 18th November. It is a very simple and pain free vaccine that protects children against flu and the serious complications associated with it. Letters and consent forms will be sent home in a few weeks.
School Building Fund
Thank you to those who have paid so promptly and to those who have signed up for the standing order. The building fund is crucial to our school budget as Catholic schools only receive 90% of the budget for building and maintenance with the remaining 10% being the responsibility of the parents who have chosen a Catholic education for their child.
Activities in Portsmouth
Portsmouth City Council has recently launched a new ‘PYC’ website – play, youth, and community - bringing together information on adventure playgrounds, free activities and community venues for families and young people. Please visit www.pycportsmouth.co.uk
School Dinners
As I’m sure you are aware, Portsmouth City Council have changed catering provider for schools. Our meals are now provided by Caterlink. You should have received an e-mail to sign up but if you have not, please see the office. Meals are free for children up to the end of Year 2 but meals for Key Stage children must be paid online.
Dropping Off and Collecting Children
Please remember that our school is very much a part of our local community and we take our responsibilities very seriously. I therefore ask you to ensure that our local neighbours are treated considerately and with respect. Please ensure that when you are dropping off and collecting your child that you always park safely and considerately – it is not acceptable to park over our neighbours’ drives, designated bays, disabled spaces (unless you are entitled to do so) or on yellow lines, even for a few minutes. It is also not acceptable to park over the school gate. Problems are regularly reported in Bridgeside Close, on Arundel Street and in Cottage View but I am trusting that this gentle reminder will ensure that we can demonstrate that our school listens to the concerns of our neighbours and acts with compassion and respect.
Please also remember that dogs, even if carried, are not permitted on the school site.
Children who are late to school must be brought in to the office and signed in. If your child brings themselves to school, please make them aware that if they are late, they will need to bring themselves to the office and sign themselves in.
Polite Request
If you have a message for your child’s class teacher – eg about who is picking them up – we politely ask that you share this with your child and their teacher at the beginning of the day.
rather than phoning the office. Obviously, we are more than happy to pass on messages for unforeseen circumstances.
Meet the Teacher
Each class teacher will hold a meeting to introduce themselves and explain a little more about their expectations and the year ahead for your child. The meetings will be held in the classrooms on the following days:
Tuesday 17th September: Year 1
Wednesday 18th September: Year 3, 4, 5 and 6
A date for Year 2 will be confirmed when Miss Philips returns.
Term Dates
The term dates can be found on the school website or requested from the office.
The school and nursery will be closed for the following INSET days this year;
Monday 7th October
Friday 31st January
Monday 29th June
Wednesday 22nd July
Thank you once again for your continued support and I look forward to us having a happy and productive year ahead.
Yours sincerely,
L. Park
Head Teacher
DIARY DATES
September
Monday 9th Secondary School Applications Open
Wednesday 11th Yr 5 Trip – Butser
Yr 3 Trip – Watercress Line
Thursday 19th Yr 5 Swimming
Wednesday 25th All Yr R Full Time
Thursday 26th Yr 5 swimming
October
Thursday 3rd Yr 5 Swimming
Friday 4th CAFOD Harvest Fast Day
Saturday 5th Family Photos at School
Monday 7th INSET Day - School and Nursery Closed
Thursday 10th Yr 5 Swimming
Thursday 17th Yr 5 Swimming
Sunday 20th Education Sunday
Thursday 24th Yr 5 Swimming
Friday 25th 3.45pm Half Term Starts
November
Monday 4th 8.45am Back to School
School Photos
Yr R Applications Open Online
Wednesday 6th –Friday 8th Yr 6 Residential
Thursday 7th Yr 5 Swimming
Monday 11th Start of Anti-Bullying Week
Wednesday 13th No Pens Wednesday
Thursday 14th Yr 5 Swimming
Monday 18th Nasal Flu Vaccination
Start of Road Safety Week
Thursday 21st Yr 5 Swimming
Thursday 28th Yr 5 Swimming
December
Wednesday 18th 2pm Christmas Show: Cathedral
Friday 20th 1.30pm End of Term
January
Monday 6th 8.45am Back to School