September 2011 School Newsletter

Clarence Road,Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B74 4LD Telephone: 0121 308 5392 Fax: 0121 308 5061

Friday 9th September 2011 DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES Tues 13th Sept Wed 14th Sept Thur 15th Sept Fri 16th Sept

Mon 19th Sept Wed 21st Sept Thur 22nd Sept Sat 24th Sept Mon 26th Sept Tues 27th Sept Wed 28th Sept Tues 4th Oct Fri 7th Oct Mon 10th Oct

Fri 14th Oct Mon 17th Oct Tues 18th Oct Wed 19th Oct Thur 20th Oct Fri 21st Oct Mon 31st Oct Tues 1st Nov

Year 6 visiting Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery Year 5 Parents’ Meeting - ”Ipad” - 6.45 pm - KS1 hall “Big Breakfast” Themed Lunch KS1 Parents’ Meeting “How do we teach Reading and Phonics” 6.45 pm - KS1 hall Squirrels visiting Blakesley Hall Eid Celebration - Year 3 Assembly - 2.30 pm - Gandhi & Barnardo - KS1 hall Mandela & Pankhurst - KS2 hall Bikeability for Year 5 this week Moles visiting Blakesley Hall International Day of Languages Celebration—Balloon Release pm Reception Parents’ Meeting “Foundation Stage Profile” - 6.45 pm - KS1 hall Olympics “11 months to go” - Year 6 Assembly - 2.30 pm - KS1 hall PTFA AGM - 8.00 pm - KS1 hall (all welcome) Community Fayre - 10.00 am to 1.00 pm - Arthur Terry School Robins’ INSPIRE Parents’ Workshop - 9.00 am to 11.00 am - KS1 hall Wrens’ INSPIRE Parents’ Workshop - 1.15 pm to 3.15 pm - KS1 hall Year 1 visiting Aston Hall Year 6 Parents’ Meeting “Learning Expectations” - 6.45 pm - KS1 hall Parent Council Meeting - 2.20 pm Harvest - Year 6 Assembly - 2.30 pm - Barnardo & Gandhi - KS1 hall Mandela & Pankhurst - KS2 hall Bikeability for Year 6 this week Swifts’ INSPIRE Parents’ Workshop - 9.00 am to 11.00 am - KS1 hall Swallows’ INSPIRE Parents’ workshop - 1.15 am to 3.15 pm - KS1 hall PTFA Meeting - 7.30 pm (all welcome) PTFA Halloween Disco - 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm - KS2 hall Owls’ INSPIRE Parents’ Workshop - 9.00 am to 11.00 am - KS1 hall Kingfishers’ INSPIRE Parents’ Workshop - 1.15 pm to 3.15 pm - KS1 hall Individual Photographs Parent Consultations - 3.30 pm to 5.00 pm for KS1. 6.00 pm - 8.00pm KS2 Parent Consultations - 3.30 pm to 5.00 pm for KS2. 6.00 pm - 8.00pm KS1 Olympic “10 months to go” - Year 4 Assembly - 2.30 pm - KS1 hall BREAK UP FOR HALF TERM Staff INSET Day - school closed for children School re-opens for children

WELCOME BACK I would like to extend to you all a very warm welcome back to school. I hope that you all had a very good summer and I look forward to working in partnership with you this year.

A special welcome to all of our new Reception children and parents and also to the new families who have joined us in other parts of the school.

We also extend a very warm welcome to Miss Doyle who has joined us this September as Squirrels’ Class Teacher, Mr Cross who will be teaching across KS2, Mr Jeffries who will be teaching music across the school and Mrs Parkes who is joining us one day a week in Foxes. We would also like to welcome Mrs Griffiths as our new admin assistant in the School Office.

Also we would like to congratulate Miss Dutton (now Mrs Willmore) on her marriage during the holidays; Mr Hamilton on becoming a father for the first time and Mrs Everton for giving birth to her second baby girl.

PARENT HELPERS

PTFA AGM

At school we welcome parent helpers/ volunteers to work in class and support our children’s development.

If you have some free time and would like to help out for a short time each week please come

The PTFA AGM will be held on Thursday 22nd September at 8.00 pm in KS1 hall.

If you have an interest in finding out more about the PTFA or in standing for office, and raising much‐needed funds for our school, I would urge you to come along and join us.

INSPIRE PARENTS’ WORKSHOPS Robins Wrens Swifts Swallows Owls Kingfishers Hedgehogs Rabbits Moles Squirrels Foxes Otters Hares Badgers

Monday 26th September - 9.00am-11.00am Monday 26th September - 1.15pm-3.15pm Monday 10th October - 9.00am-11.00am Monday 10th October - 1.15pm-3.15pm Monday 17th October - 9.00am-11.00am Monday 17th October - 1.15pm-3.15pm Monday 14th November - 9.00am-11.00am Monday 14th November - 1.15pm-3.15pm Monday 21st November - 9.00am-11.00am Monday 21st November - 1.15pm-3.15pm Monday 16th January - 9.00am.11.00am Monday 16th January - 1.15pm-3.15pm Monday 30th January - 9.00am-11.00am Monday 30th January - 1.15pm-3.15pm

HEALTHY SNACKS AND LUNCHES In line with our Healthy Eating Policy and for the benefit of our new parents please may we remind you that children should only bring into school healthy snacks - eg fruit or cheese snacks - and lunches. We would be grateful if you could ensure that children do not bring crisps, chocolate biscuits or sweets of any kind. Water bottles should contain flavoured or plain water

International Day of Languages On Monday 26th September it will be the International Day of Languages. To mark this we will be holding a celebration event on Wednesday 21st September.

On that day children should come to school dressed in the colours of their allocated country. For a £1.00 contribution each child will be given a helium balloon to release with a message attached.

There will be a prise for the balloon that travels the furthest.

SCHOOL PROFILE As you know the school profile now replaces an Annual Governors Report to parents. Our school profile is complete and can be viewed on www.direct.gov.uk

END OF DAY ARRANGEMENTS If your child is in KS2 and you wish them to walk home unaccompanied we would kindly ask you to send a letter to that effect to your child’s class teacher. Children without a letter of consent will not be permitted to walk home unaccompanied.

IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN In the first instance you should speak to your child’s Class Teacher. If he or she is unavailable please leave a message with the School Office and they will ask the teacher to telephone you as soon as possible.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of this discussion then you should seek further support from: Mrs Joy Tombs, Assistant Head; Mrs Nichola Leeson, Assistant Head, Miss Fiona Marsh, Deputy Head; or Miss Beth Clarke, Head Teacher Appointments to see any of the above can be arranged via the main School Office.

WALK TO SCHOOL ON WEDNESDAYS Our Walk to School on Wednesdays campaign will begin again this week.

Meet us either at Wild Wood Florist on Clarence Road or at the bottom of Four Oaks Common Road at Razor’s Edge Hairdressers at 8.30 am and we’ll walk to school together, alleviating the congestion on Clarence Road and reducing the number of car journeys made.

BIRTHDAY ASSEMBLIES Birthday Assemblies will be on Wednesday afternoons at 2.50 pm in KS1 and 3.10 pm in KS2.

If you are around and would like to pop in for your child’s birthday please do, we would love to see you.

SENIOR STUDENTS We are now appointing our new Senior Students in Year 6. Our Senior Students are those who demonstrate a mature and responsible attitude and as such have specific duties assigned to them. All our Senior Students wear a Senior Student badge and you’ll be sure to meet them during forthcoming events.

KS2 TUCK SHOP PRICES Toast (1 slice)

15p

Crumpets (1) 20p available Monday, Wednesday and Friday Bacon sandwich 55p available Tuesday and Wednesday Fruit flakes

35p

Fresh fruit

25p

Milk shake

35p

Fruit juice

.

20p

Wagtails and Woodpeckers As you know this year we are oversubscribed. If you need child care before or after school it is essential that you book you child in well in advance.

Wagtails - 308 8656

CYCLING TO SCHOOL To increase pupil fitness and reduce air pollution we are actively encouraging our most responsible students in Years 5 and 6 to cycle to school. Please send a letter of consent to your child’s Class Teacher beforehand.

Please note ALL pupils cycling to school MUST wear a helmet. Bikes can be stored AT YOUR OWN RISK in our bike shed and should be securely locked.

HOMEWORK Children will receive homework on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. One of these pieces of homework will be set via Moodle our Virtual Learning Environment and children will need to complete this on-line. If your child doesn’t have access to the internet at home, please let your child’s Class Teacher know so we can make alternative arrangements.

A copy of our Homework Policy is available at the School Office or on our website.

On occasions children may also receive homework on one of the days unspecified e.g. if they have not completed an activity in school within the given time frame or if the teacher feels that reinforcement of a particular skill is necessary. All homework tasks will be included in your child’s homework diary

HARVEST HARVEST for Free the Children This year all proceeds from Harvest will go to Free The Children. Free the Children believes in a world where all young people are free to achieve their fullest potential as agents of change. The charity empowers young people to remove barriers that prevent them from being active local and global citizens. Their international project have led to over 650 schools and school rooms and provided clean water, health care and sanitation to one million people around the world, freeing children and their families from the cycle of poverty. This year we will be asking children to bring their donations into school in a decorated recyclable container.

Something re-used from home e.g. a yoghurt pot

WET MORNINGS - PLEASE NOTE Children in KS1 should enter school through the YEAR ONE fire exit door (not the main entrance) which is accessed via the KS1playground. The children can then wait under teacher supervision in the KS1 hall until school starts. We would kindly ask parents not to accompany their children inside.

Children in KS2 should enter school through the FRONT DOORS and wait under supervision in the KS2 hall.

MEDICINES IN SCHOOL We can only administer prescribed medicines which need to be taken four times a day in school. Please obtain a form from the School Office and complete it to show details of the medicine and dosage. All medicines should be handed to the School Office by the parent or carer.

PPA STAFF

(Planning, Preparation and Assessment) Our PPA teachers this year include Mrs Maddox, Mrs Beesley and Mr Cross.

Mrs Beesley will specialise in the teaching of French and Mr Cross in the teaching of music and citizenship. Mrs Maddox who is based solely in KS1 will be delivering phonics into reading sessions.

If you want to know more about PPA please speak to your child’s Class Teacher.

MONIES COMING INTO SCHOOL All the administration of dinner money, clubs, trips, book clubs etc is done by the admin staff in the School Office, therefore, to ease the congestion in the entrance please do not bring any returns direct to the office.

EVERYTHING should go with your child to their Class Teacher who will then forward the items to the Office.

There are a wide range of activities and events that we collect money for ranging from trips, to dinner money, to uniform payments, to after school clubs, to name just a few. Therefore it is essential that all monies that come in are clearly labelled with your child’s name and class and state what the money is for. Many of you already do this and it is greatly appreciated. We don’t expect you to go out and buy lots of new envelopes, old ones you have received at home are perfectly alright so long as you have room on them to write the necessary information.

Thank you to everyone who has already paid dinner money this term. For anyone who hasn’t yet paid the amount due is £66.50.

Year 3 Recorders Mr Jefferies, our music teacher, will be teaching the recorder to Year 3 children every Tuesday. Recorders are available to buy from the school office if you have not already bought one. They cost £5.00.

CELEBRATING SUCCESS At the end of the Summer Term we were thrilled with the progress made by our pupils in KS2 SATs. Our provisional results were: 88% of children achieved level 4+ in Maths - 40% achieved Level 5 93% of children achieved Level 4+ in English - 42% achieved Level 5

WORK CARRIED OUT AT SCHOOL OVER THE SUMMER You will already know that there has been a lot of refurbishment taking place at school during the summer break. This has included: 

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Refurbishing our parent meeting room – Kestrels.

ABSENCES FROM SCHOOL If your child is absent from school you must telephone us on the first morning of absence so we can accurately complete our registers. On return to school it is essential that you send a written note giving the reason for the absence. Thank you.

Extending the KS1 playground.

Installing a friendship area in the KS2 playground.

Refurbishing the Year 2 toilets.

HOUSE SYSTEM

Extending the perimeter fence.

As you know we operate a house system at school and the children are allocated to a house for the duration of their time at Hill West.

Re-carpeting some areas of school.

Again this year we will be holding our celebration assemblies (eg Eid, Divali, Harvest, Nativity, Easter etc) in house groups.

Do you know which house your child is in? If not don’t worry we shall shortly be sending you this information.

SCHOOL UNIFORM School uniform bearing our school logo is available to purchase from the School Office any time after 9.30 am each day.

If you are unable to come into school please do not worry order forms are available from the School Office or from our website. These should be returned enclosing the required amount and your order will then be given directly to your child when the items are available.

CATCH IT, BIN IT, KILL IT

THEMED LUNCHES Big Breakfast on Wednesday 14th September.

Look out for other exciting and tasty menus throughout the school year

Can all parents remind children that we reduce transmission of cold and flu-like symptoms by  Washing of hands  Coughing and sneezing into a tissue  Disposing of tissues in bins

PARENT MEETINGS We have various evening parent workshops taking place this half term.

For parents in KS1 The first meeting on Thursday 15th September is for ALL KS1 parents and will explain our approach to the teaching of reading and spelling.

The second is for the parents of children in our new Reception classes and it will take place on Wednesday 21st September. This meeting will look at helping your children to learn to use letter sounds and names.

For parents in KS2 On Tuesday 13th September we will be holding an “Ipad” meeting for ALL the parents of children in Year 5.

The second meeting is for parents of children in Year 6 and this will take place on Wednesday 28th September. This meeting will talk you through what will be expected

AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS We will be running the following clubs this half term MONDAY Samba Drumming for KS2 Cheerleading for Yrs 1 & 2 Cross Country Training for Yrs 4,5 & 6 ICT for Yrs 2 & 3 TUESDAY Hill West Singers for KS2 children German for Yrs 4,5 & 6 ICT for Yrs 2 & 3 WEDNESDAY Drama for KS2 Basketball for KS2 ICT for Yrs 4,5 & 6 THURSDAY ICT for Yrs 4,5 & 6 Instead of places being allocated on a “first come first served” basis as previously, all club acceptance slips will be put into a “hat” and successful names drawn from that. Applications should be in an envelope clearly marked with your child’s name, class, and the club for which they are applying. The draw will be made on the day following the return date given on the club letter and you will be notified by a return slip whether or not your child has been allocated a place. If there is a payment required please send this is in with your application and it will be returned to you if your child’s name is not drawn out. Maximum numbers for clubs will be strictly adhered to.

If you have any queries about clubs please speak to the School Office in the first instance and they will be pleased to help you. Please do not approach club instructors directly as they will be busy supervising activities.

We hope that this system will be more fair to those children whose parents are not able collect them or bring them to school.

We have now been using Parentmail for three years and we have found it has greatly improved communication with parents. However, we still have over 100 children whose families have not signed up to Parentmail. The service is free to parents and we can send emails to up to three email addresses so you can receive information on your work computer as well as at home. We are also able to send out texts to nominated mobile numbers, although we will reserve the use of texts for emergency situations where we don’t have time to communicate through normal means.

If you have not yet signed up to Parentmail please do so, it will save you time having to search through school bags. It will also go some way to reducing the amount of paperwork sent home, thus helping the environment. Just send your email and mobile phone details to Mrs Balla in the school office.

BEHAVIOUR We have recently completed a review of our staffing structure and I am pleased to tell you that Miss Fiona Marsh will be the whole school lead for behaviour. Her role will be far-reaching but her main responsibilities will be to  Ensure that policies and procedures in relation to behaviour are reviewed and evaluated  To Oversee all rewards and sanctions  To Be the first point of contact for parents who would like to discuss behaviour related issues  To Contact parents to inform them of behaviour related incidents  To Identify with class teachers those children who would benefit from additional support to make the right decisions  To Hold regular meetings with parents, teachers and children to draw up Individual Behaviour Plans and review these  To Support lunchtime supervisors with the management of behaviour at lunchtime.

When Miss Marsh is unavailable, Mrs Tombs will be only too happy to help.

Dear Parents, Just a few words of thanks for the cards and gifts that you kindly gave me at the end of last term. They were much appreciated.

From John, the lollipop man CHICKENS Later this month the school will take delivery of two lovely little hens. They will live in a fox proof “Egglu� and the children from a nominated year group will take it in turns to care for them.

We will run a competition in school to name the chickens and will let you know shortly.

The Arthur Terry School Community Fair will take place on Saturday 24th September 2011 from 10.00am until 1.00pm.

This local event provides free information about local services and businesses in the Four Oaks area. There will be music and dance performances, the Staffordshire Brass Band, a dog display team and displays and tournaments from local sports clubs and schools.

If you have a business, service or charity to promote at this event then please contact Amanda Lansdowne on 0121 323 1121