Blandford St Mary Primary School Newsletter Headteacher: Mr Paul Lavis Deputy Headteacher (on secondment): Mrs Lauren Houlston
March 2012 Volume 4, Issue 18
Contents:
Dear Parents
Book Day
2
Wellington Boots
2
School Nurse Drop In
2
Dogs
2
Lost Property
2
Bake Sale
3
Hello All! The sun is shining! What’s going on? Is it spring or is it false promise? Who knows?
Anyway, I trust this newsletter finds you well and that life is good for you at the Parent Carer Council Event 3 minute. Vacancy
3
Local Vacancy
4 I’m going to take the opportunity over
Celebration Assembly Dates 9th March - Year 4
16th March - Year 3
23rd March - Enterprise whole school
30th March - Year 2
Keeping You Informed the next few newsletters to share some information with you all about various aspects of school life and the goings-on behind the scenes of Blandford St Mary Primary School that you might not always get to hear about. In the latest parents survey a small percentage of those who responded suggested that we didn’t keep parents informed enough about school—so this is an effort to put that right. Progress At School For those of you who attended our Parent’s Workshop in the Autumn Term or indeed anyone who has spent time discussing their child’s learning in school—you will remember the emphasis that we put on ‘next steps’ and children working towards targets set for them. These targets are set in what’s called: The
Zone of Proximal Development!
Look at the triangle below—the tip of the triangle is where we want the children to go—the base of the triangle is your child’s existing knowledge and skill. If we keep moving our children into the tip of the triangle then they will make excellent progress.
This requires an attitude that accepts that learning is a challenge though and we are working on developing the mindsets of our children so that they are always ready for this challenge. I’m pleased to report that 100% of the parents who answered the most recent survey said that they agreed (or strongly agreed) that their children were making such progress at our school. Teaching & Learning The figures mentioned above also complement the results of the part of the survey relating to the quality of teaching at school. 100% of parents who answered the survey either agreed (or strongly agreed) that their children are taught well at Blandford St Mary Primary School. We agree—over the past 2 years here, the vast majority of lessons we have observed have been adjudged ‘good’ or better. I look forward to sharing more information over the coming months.
Page 2
Volume 4, Issue 18
Blandford St Mary Primary School Newsletter
Notice Board Library Launch ~ Book Day On Wednesday 7th March, we are having our very own “Book Day” To celebrate the completion of the set up of the school library. We have Kathryn White, a well known children's author, coming in to perform the opening ceremony. Kathryn will also be conducting workshops with the children throughout the day. We are inviting the children to dress up as a character from their favourite book. With this in mind, can we please ask you all to have a good look at home to see if you have any of our books lurking in dark corners, under beds or indeed on your bookshelves? We would like to say a big thank you to Claire Manners, Denise Legg, Sharon Upward, Claire Wright, Sheila Robertson and the many others who have helped with the library, we couldn’t have done it without you or indeed, our lovely Mrs Burge!
Wellington Boots Due to the nature of some of the activities at lunch time, we would like the children to each bring in a pair of wellington boots in a named carrier bag. These will remain in school during the week and could be taken home for the weekend. Please inform either your child’s class teacher, or the office if this is not possible.
Drop--In School Nurse Drop The next School Nurse drop in is on Monday 19th March at 8.50am. Please let the office or one of the class teachers know if you would like to make an appointment to see Sarah. You can also just pop in on the day.
Thank you
Dogs
Easter Lunch
Lost property
Please can we remind you that for health and safety reasons, under no circumstances should any dogs be brought into the school grounds. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation with this.
There is an Easter lunch of roast turkey, roast vegetables followed by an Easter nest cake, on the hot school meals menu for the 28th March. If you would like your child to have this then please submit your order either on line or through the school office no later than the 20th March.
There will be a display of lost property items in the hall after school on Wednesday. Any items which are not collected will be recycled.
Volume 4, Issue 18
Blandford St Mary Primary School Newsletter
Page 3
Notice Board
Vacancy We are looking for a friendly, capable and enthusiastic Childcare Supervisor to start ASAP for our Breakfast Club. Recent experience of working with children is essential. Part-time hours: 7.45 am to 8.30 am daily. Term time only. Childcare Supervisor Job description: XS3.10 Pay scale JE Grade 6 ÂŁ8.52 to ÂŁ 8.90 per hour. Please contact the school office for an application form. Closing date for applications: 12th March 2012. Interview date: 16th March 2012. This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post will require a criminal record bureau check via the CRB.
Blandford St Mary Primary School Newsletter Blandford St Mary Primary School Birch Avenue Blandford St Mary, Dorset DT11 9QD Phone: 01258-453331 Fax: 01258-455865
Website : www.blandfordstmary.dorset.sch.uk
Local Vacancy
School Diary Dates: Wednesday 7th March Monday 12th March Monday 19th March - Friday 23rd March Friday 23rd March Friday 30th March Monday 16th April Monday 7th May Monday 4th June - Friday 8th June Monday 2nd July
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Book Day School Photographer - Class Photo’s Enterprise Week FOS School Disco Children break up for Easter holidays Children back to school May bank holiday Half term Staff training day