14 Nov 2008 - Newsletter highlights - 14th November 2008

Visits and Visitors

The Year 6 children had a wonderful trip to the Krishna Mandir (the Hindu Temple) this week.  This visit was in connection with the children's work on 'Aspects of Hinduism', and they were able to see and experience the atmosphere of the temple and Hindu worship.  The children, staff and helpers were made very welcome at the temple, and they returned to school full of information about what they had seen.

The Year 4 children will shortly be visiting the Mosque in Gloucester in connection with their RE work on 'Aspects of Islam'.  In our original letter about this trip, we mentioned it would be a mark of respect for the girls to wear a scarf or hat at the visit.  We would like to add that this is of course optional.  We also have further details of the planned visit of Mrs Piperdy.  She is the Muslim Liaison Officer for Gloucester schools and is employed by Gloucestershire County Council.  She also provides a range of services to schools and will be visiting next week to support our class work.  Mrs Piperdy will talk to the children and show them artefacts and clothes, and will also answer the children's questions.  This will be excellent preparation for the visit where she will show the children the important aspects of the building.  The children will also see the splendid 'prayer carpet', the Qur'an and the beautiful art work, tiles and chandeliers.  We are all looking forward to the visit and past year groups have always found it a wonderful experience.

 

These two visits are part of the programme of visits we make in Key Stage 2 to support the work we do to meet the Gloucestershire Agreed Syllabus in Religious Education.  Other visits are to the Synagogue as part of the Y5 work on 'Aspects of Judaism' and to the Cathedral as part of the Y3 work on 'Christianity'.  In addition, there are visits through the year to our Parish Church.

 

If you have any queries about any aspects of our work in RE, or would like to have a look at the Gloucestershire Syllabus, please come and talk to me or to Mrs Edwards (RE Subject Leader).

 

On Monday the Reception children had a visit from Fire Fighter Adrian from the Gloucester Fire and Rescue Service, who talked to them about smoke alarms and showed them his uniform.  Unfortunately, it was too wet for the children to go outside and see his fire engine, so he will be returning later in the term.  Last week, Fire Fighter Chris came to speak to the whole school about Bonfire Safety.

Illness

Please remember that children should be given plenty of time to recover from any illness before they return to school.  In cases where children have been suffering from sickness and/or diarrhoea, they should be clear for 48 hours before returning to school.

Friends' Association

The new Committee of the Friends' Association is working hard in preparation for the Christmas Fair on Saturday 29th November.  Please look out for a letter from them in the children's book bags early next week.

 

Please could parents of infant children bring in cakes (on Friday 28th November) and parents of junior children bring in bottles.  Everyone is welcome to donate raffle prizes, nearly new toys and books, or jam jars filled with items of your choice.

 

Collection boxes will be put outside the main door from next week.  If you are donating a bottle or a jam jar or any item in a glass container, please ensure these are brought to school by an adult and not a child.

 

Remembrance Day

On Tuesday the children in Year 1 - 5 observed the 2 minute silence at 11am as part of our assembly (Y6 were out of school on a trip).  The children in Reception listened to a story about Peace in their classroom and had some quiet time reflecting on the ideas it contained.

Charities

Thank you to those of you who contributed to the Poppy Appeal.  any thanks to Kate McMahon, Vice Chair of the Friends' Association, for dressing up as a clown this afternoon and collecting for Children in Need.  Thank you also for all the donations we received from the children; we shall let you know the total as soon as the money has been counted.

 

The last day for returning the Shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child is Monday.  Many thanks to all those who have brought in a box already.  There will be many excited children opening their girfts of toys, sweets, toiletries, hats and gloves etc.

Anti Bullying Week

Next week is National Anti Bullying Week.  The theme this year is 'Being Different - Belonging Together'.

 

Attendance for October

Here are the percentages for attendance for each class for October:

 

Y3T - 98.4

Y1B - 98.1

YRC - 98

Y3EC - 97.6

Y5J - 97.1

YRL - 96.6

Y5Y - 96.5

Y2A - 96

Y4H - 95.8

Y2T - 95.6

Y6T - 95.5

Y1G - 94.7

Y4M - 94.6

Y6N - 92.8

 

Our school target for the year is 96%.  Our attendance since the beginning of the year is 96.6%.

 

Please remember that holidays during term time will be authorised only in exception circumstances, such as parents' work commitments or a family crisis.  Full details are given in the Attendance Policy sent out to all families.  Please click here to go to the Attendance Policy.