Newsletter April 2015 www.holthouse.sheffield.sch.uk In our assembly this week we have been talking about the coming general election. To help the children understand this important democratic process we are going to hold our own Holt House election. As there are six classes there are six vacancies for Holt House members of parliament. However there doesn’t have to be one MP elected from each class. Children can vote for children from other classes to represent them, just like adults can vote for candidates from any party. If it turns out that more children are elected from one class than another, then that class will have a majority in the Holt House parliament, just as a political party does in the House of Commons. Any child can stand for election but they will need to be willing to stand up in assembly and say three things: what they want to do; how they will do it and why they should be elected. The children have been given this example today: “I want the children at Holt House to have more things to play with at morning break. I will organise a sponsored skip to raise money to buy new play things. You should vote for me because you can trust me and rely on me to do what I have promised.” These hustings are being held in school in assembly once a week until Election Day on 7 May, starting on Tuesday 21 April. If there are lots of children who want to stand for election then classes will vote for candidates that they would like to put forward to stand for our parliament. Please ask your child if they are interested in standing for election and support them in helping to work out their ideas about what they want to do, how they are going to do it and why others should vote for them. If any child wants to get really involved and put up posters or distribute leaflets, then see Mrs Haynes. Easter Hat Competition Thank you for helping your children make such lovely hats. They were all brilliant and in so many different ways. The competition was judged by Mrs Copley, who is one of our governors and she had a very difficult job. Congratulations to the prize winners who were: Edwin, Mya & Amir (Rhinos); Jana, Charlie & Phoebe (Magpies); Hafsa Islam, Harry & Hafsa Imran (Koalas); Jasper, Keyaan & Polly (Swans); Haider, Amira & Frank (Hedgehogs); Aamina, Easa & Oliver (Honey Bees); Anish, Noor & Erno (Pre-School). Green Day Friday 1 May is Green Day. Children can wear green clothes to school instead of uniform. They will be learning about green issues, such as re-cycling and taking part in tidying up our school or planting in the outdoor learning areas. All parents and carers are welcome to drop in any time up to 2.30pm to join in with Green Day. Walk to School Week 18 – 22 May Please help your child to be healthy and active, as well as reducing pollution by walking to school every day in this week. If you really cannot walk to school then Park and Stride. Children will get a sticker or a stamp on the class chart every day they manage this. KS1 Picnic Time Taylor Shaw, our school dinner provider, is providing paper ‘grab bags’ for children who order sandwiches, so that they can eat them outside when the weather is fine. It’s really good that there is this option, so we can keep our summer picnics. (Reception children stay indoors to have more support with their lunches.) The Summer Fair is coming soon! The Summer Fair is on Fri 12 June 2.30 - 5.30pm. More details will follow in the next few weeks. Other Dates Mon 4 May: School closed for May Bank Holiday 25 - 29 May: Half term holiday Mon 1 June: School CLOSED for staff training Please let us know your views or queries – write in the home school diary, use our website feedback page or catch one of us on the door one morning. with best wishes – Mrs Haynes