21 Oct 2009 - School Newsletter - 21st October 2009

Dear Parents/Carers

It was great to see so many parents in school last week attending parents’ evenings and the Open Day. I hope you enjoyed being shown around school by your children.

Have a good break next week and see you for Term 2 on Monday 2^nd November.

Maths’ Library is starting after the holiday on Thursdays in the Link. There are different levels of games to suit all ages from Reception to Year 2. This is a way of borrowing maths’ activities that you can play with your child at home. It is an effective way of doing maths’ homework rather than pages of sums as it gets children to apply maths rather than just rote learning. (Not to mention it’s good fun!).

Y2 Maths’ Booklet- Some parents have been asking questions about how we teach maths as children get older so in response to this we have put together a booklet for Year 2 parents with explanations and examples about number work. If you need further assistance Year 2 staff are very willing to help, please don’t be shy about asking them after school!

Individual Photos- October 22nd

The ‘NewGen’ photographer will be in school from 8.30 and will start with babies and siblings including those not in our school. Please let junior staff know that your child may be late in that morning. Tickets will be issued on a first come first served basis on the morning from 8.30 onwards (please do not come to the office before 8.30 but wait outside).

Transfer to Junior School-Y2 children will automatically transfer to Holymead Junior School at the end of this year. There is no need to fill in any forms. If for any reason you wish your child to transfer to a different school eg if you are moving house, then please come and collect a form from the office.

INSET date- the infant and junior schools will be closed on 12^th February 2010 for staff training.

Friends’ News-congratulations to Hazel in Class 9 for drawing the winning picture of Holymead Infant School, which will be used on the Friends’ calendar. All the children have drawn a picture of themselves which the Friends are busy arranging into birthday months.

Cake Sale- the Friends will be holding a cake sale on Friday 6^th November (first Friday after hols). Please bring in donations of cakes from Wednesday 4^th November.

Healthy Living Week

This week we are focussing on healthy living such as eating a balanced diet and why we need to do exercise. Please ask your child what they are learning about healthy eating and exercise (and if they say ‘nothing’ check with their teacher!!).

Walk to School Month- October

Keep on walking to school for the rest of the week-it’s part of our healthy living week!

STAND (after school club) still need a walker for Wednesdays and Fridays – if you would like to earn a little extra after school please contact Ros on the number or email address below.

There are some places at the after school club on:

Monday               4 places available

Tuesday               3 places available

Weds                    no space currently

Thursday             8 places available

Friday                    4 places available

Enquiries for places to Ros Bagman : owenjames1@sky.com<mailto:owenjames1@sky.com> / 0117 972 1411

Windmill Hill City Farm – Please help to save Windmill Hill City Farm.  It’s having a troubled time at present and will close without good support! Visit www.pledgebank/SaveWHCF to help or go along to see Aardman Animations (of Wallace and Gromit fame!) on their fundraising day on Saturday 24^th October.

Entry Fee: Adults £3, Kids £2, Under 3s go free. Tickets include entry to four workshops (2D Drawing, Modelmaking, Animation and Sound Design). Entry to the cinema only will be £1 on the day. ADVANCE BOOKING (0117 963 3252) RECOMMENDED.

Dates for Diary-

3^rd December Theatre group performance of Sleeping Beauty

8^th, 9^th, 10^th December- KS1 Christmas Play –times to follow

8^th and 9^th December- Reception Christmas Play- times to follow

Term Dates

Term 1 ends Friday 23^rd October 3.10pm

Term 2 starts Monday 2^nd November         Term 2 ends  Friday 18^th December 09

Term 3 starts Tuesday 5^th January 2010 (4^th Jan INSET- school closed)

Term 3 ends Thursday 11^th February 3.10pm (12^th Feb INSET- school closed)

Term 4 starts Monday 22^nd February

Please note other school holiday dates for 2009-10 are available on the Bristol City intranet site but they don’t include INSET dates which are the 5 days of closure for training set by individual schools.

Yours sincerely,

Kate Slatcher