Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Mad About Maths Week

  Mon 30 Jan 2017

  Dear Parents/Carers,

  During the week beginning Monday 30th January, we will being having a maths week in school and as part of this parents are invited to come and join in. Throughout this week, during maths sessions the children will be focussing on using their maths skills to complete a variety of problem solving and reasoning type activities. There are also a few special events happening to make this a very exciting and special week for the children.

  On Monday 30th, Years 1 to 6 will be taking part in a Problem Solving Workshop where the children will be challenged to solve a range of puzzles provided by the Happy Puzzle Company. There will be a chance for parents to see these puzzles and, if you wish, to buy the puzzles in the hall after school.

  On Thursday afternoon, starting at 1:45, we would like to invite you all to come in and join your children in their class to play some maths games. These games are often used to help consolidate and support the children’s learning in a fun way that you may wish to continue at home.

  After this, there will be tea and coffee served in the hall and an opportunity to have a look at the school’s calculations policy with Ms Vobes.

  On Friday 3rd, we are supporting the NSPCC’s Number Day. The children are being asked to come to school dressed up as something within the theme of numbers, whilst they work on specially selected maths activities and investigations. They could come dressed in clothes covered in numbers, dressed as dice or a calculator or any other creative ideas that they think of. We will be collecting donations to support the NSPCC on this day [suggested donation is £1].

  We will also be running a school wide competition during the week; take a look at the fabulous prizes!

  We hope this will be a really productive week for the children, as they have an opportunity to put all their maths skills and knowledge into practice, and hope that you will be able to join us to make this an enjoyable week at school.

  Thank you in advance for your support.

   

  

• Mr Seargent and Miss Donnelly arrive in Kolkata, India for the school link project , Phase 2

  Sat 14 Jan 2017 Mr Seargent

  If you would like to follow the blog for The Kolkata link school visit, Mr Seargent and Mrs Donnelly will be posting regular update on the Link School page.  Visit the Home Page and click on About Us>International Link School, for daily updates.

   

  Subject to access to internet, we will also seek to upload video links on the Video Stream Page.  Visit the Home Page for the link

• Adverse Weather Actions

  Tue 10 Jan 2017 Mr Seargent

  Speculation is that, over the next few weeks, adverse weather conditions are possible. Forecasts vary.

  Parents and carers are to assume that, unless announced otherwise, the school will be open in adverse weather conditions, including snow.

  The school will only close if:

  • Advised to do so by the Local Authority
  • Met Office warnings advise ‘non travel’ in and around the immediate vicinity of the school
  • Limited numbers of staff at school prevents ‘acceptable’ adult to pupil ratios

   

  If school does close, you will be informed via the texting service, telephone, school website or local radio news station. Please avoid calling the school, as lines will be limited as we contact the appropriate authorities.

  Deciding to travel to school or take your child out of school, even if it is open

  1. It will be the responsibility of parents and carers to decide if it is safe for them to travel to school. The Headteacher cannot make such decisions on your behalf. In exceptional cases, the school can authorise absence as a result of problems caused by adverse conditions, such as road closures, traffic delays and similar. However, parents electing to take their child out of school when it is not closed should assume that absence is unauthorized unless told otherwise. Authorisation, in such cases, will be the decision of the Headteacher in consultation with the parent and if necessary the governing body.

  School should be informed if you deem it unsafe for you to travel.

  Limited staffing resulting from adverse conditions or ‘other school closures’

  Should the number of staff in school be reduced, ‘best fit’ actions may be taken to meet the needs of pupils, including; combining classes, ‘skeleton’ curriculum delivery or in extreme cases, some non-academic activities.

  Should a change of circumstance occur after school has started, we will inform you of this as soon as we can.

  I reiterate that parents are to assume that school is open unless informed otherwise.

  Suitable clothing

  In all circumstances children should arrive at school with clothing suited for outdoors, including:

   

  • Hat and gloves
  • Wellington boots (or similar)
  • A change of foot-wear

   

  A ‘common sense’ approach to snow

  Many schools are of the opinion that snow and children do not mix. I do not agree. Although I understand that children, like all of us, are more vulnerable to slips, trips and incoming snowballs at this time of year, I will not prevent children playing out, or in, the snow.

  Of course, careful consideration will take place prior to break times as to the conditions of the playground, snow and ice in order to assess or ‘reduce risk’, however children should anticipate being outdoors.

  Snowballing

  When there is sufficient snow, designated areas will be provided in which the throwing of snowballs is allowed and areas will be chosen where snowballs are not allowed. This way children will be able to follow the ethos of the RESPECT agenda, making ‘clever choices’ and being ‘responsible’ for them, choosing where to play and what experience they want. Those entering areas designated for snowballing must accept that they are likely to be hit and that they take this risk by playing there.

  It may be useful to discuss and impart your wishes with your child regarding this matter, as they will be responsible for where and how they play.

  To summarise

  • The school will close only if there is no safe alternative
  • Children should come prepared to go outside
  • Every opportunity will be provided for pupils to keep safe, whilst enjoying the conditions
  • Working conditions may require adaptation if other schools close or staffing is restricted.