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January, 2006

1 ADVERSE WEATHER
2 THE QUICKEN TRUST
3 FoHF
4 ATTENDANCE FIGURES
5 STAFF CHANGES
6 PARENTS’ EVENING
7 NEW RECEPTION INTAKE
8 DIARY DATES

Dear Parents

Welcome back to the new term and a very Happy New Year to you all.

1 ADVERSE WEATHER
Where weather conditions are likely to cause widespread closures or changes to normal school arrangements, Southern FM (102.4 fm) has agreed with the LEA to include details of closures in its broadcasts and on its website. We will also contact Sovereign Radio (107.5 fm) and BBC Southern Counties Radio (104 - 104.8 fm) to ensure wide coverage in the event of school closure www.southernfm.co.uk.

Also, a reminder that children should not arrive on the school site before 8.30 am. The school gates are open so that children can wait on the playgrounds and not outside on the busy pathways. In the event of school closure, the radio station will be informed by 8.00 am on the day.

2 THE QUICKEN TRUST
Thank you to all those who contributed towards our Christmas charity – The Quicken Trust. We were able to present them with a cheque for £230 on the last day of term. The Headteacher, his wife and some children from Kabbuba Primary School, Uganda, visited us as part of their tour. They shared songs, visited some junior classes and stayed for lunch. The experience was enjoyed and valued by all.

3 FRIENDS OF HAWKES FARM
Thank you once again to all those who helped with the very successful Christmas Fair. We raised a total of £1,700. The Mayor and Mayoress opened the Fair and launched the new playboat (Infant Playground) which was recently purchased by the FoHF. Thank you for your continued support.

4 ATTENDANCE FIGURES
For the 2004 – 2005 academic year, we exceeded our target set with the LEA to improve attendance at the school. Our overall attendance rate was 96.3% which was 1.7% above the national average of 94.6%.

The Governors would like me to pass on their thanks for this continued improvement. The majority of the improvement is the reduction of holidays taken in term time. This has made a difference to all involved and ensures that during term time your child does not miss out on valuable teacher input time.

5 STAFF CHANGES
a) Congratulations to Mrs Stockdale (Yr 4 teacher) who gave birth to her second child - Samuel on 3rd December. Mrs Stockdale will now be on Maternity Leave until the end of the academic year.
b) Mrs Sullivan returns after her Maternity Leave and will be teaching in Yr 4 with Miss McRae.
c) Mrs Fleur Cann has been appointed as an Individual Needs Assistant in Reception.

6 PARENTS’ CONSULTATION EVENING
The next round of the Parents’ Consultation Evening will take place on Tuesday, 28th February 3.30 – 6.00 pm and Thursday, 2nd March 4.30 – 7.00 pm. More details will follow before the end of Term 3 (10th February).

7 NEW RECEPTION INTAKE – SEPT, 2006
Our open week for new admissions will take place week beginning 23rd January. Please contact the office with the date you would like to visit.

Monday, 23rd January 10.00am
Tuesday, 24th January 2.00pm
Wednesday, 25th January 10.00am
Thursday, 26th January 10.00am

8 DIARY DATES
Mon 23/1 Open Morning for New Admissions
Tue 24/1 Open Afternoon for New Admissions
Wed 25/1 Open Morning for New Admissions
Thur 26/1 “ “ “ “ “ “ “
Fri 10/2 End of Term 3
* * * * *
Mon 20/2 Beginning of Term 4
Tues 28/2 Parents Consultation Meeting
Thur 2/3 “ “ “ “ “ “
Fri 31/3 End of Term 4
* * * * *
Wed 19/4 Beginning of Term 5
Thur 20/4 Class Photos and Team Photos
Mon 8/5 Yr 6 SATS Test Week
Fri 19/5 Yr 6 PGL Residential Trip
Mon 22/5 Yr 5 Pyke House Residential Trip
Fri 26/5 End of Term 5
* * * * *
Tue 6/6 Beginning of Term 6
Tue 25/7 End of Term 6
Wed 26/7 Inset Day

Thank you for your support last term. If you do have any concerns regarding your child’s education, please do let us know.

Yours sincerely

Mrs V Cobb
Headteacher