1. education
2. school

Friday 15th May 2015
Dear Parents/Carers
Despite some obvious challenges, this
week has been a positive one for those
of us at Sayes Court.
Some of you would have seen in the
news this week about the pressure that
the children across the country have
been feeling as they sat down to
complete their SATs tests this week. The
Year 6 children really have applied
themselves brilliantly and with the
minimum of fuss too!
Many of you will recall taking tests as a
child but it is easy to underestimate the
disproportionate amount of pressure our
youngsters have felt over the course of
the week. I am proud of each and every
one of them and want to celebrate their
achievements as individuals not as a
level that they get after sitting a stressful
exam. The first of the maths tests was
particularly hard and I wonder if those
who set the tests appreciate the anxiety
they cause.
Whatever the outcomes end up being,
the learning that has taken place this
year in Year 6 has been commendable
and both the children (and the team of
dedicated adults - spearheaded by Mrs
Boldero) can feel content with doing
their best.
Last Friday saw the school’s Democracy
Day and there are some pictures at the
end of the newsletter to show some of
the highlights of this event. Voting and
the concept of democracy is a
challenging one for children and it was
great to see how much they gained from
the experience of designing their own
country to champion. The counting will
take place at the end of this week and
will be announced next Monday. The
‘presiding officer’ will be Alex Russell, the
head of the Bourne Trust who is coming
in to find out how the school is doing on
its continued journey of school
improvement.
Last Thursday, as I have already
explained, saw the School Improvement
Planning Inset session. I hope that some
of you have taken the opportunity to
Issue 93
come into the entrance foyer to
look at the thoughts of those that
were present on the day. Do have
a look and maybe even put a
sticker against the ideas that are
most important to you too.
A final update from last week:
Linda Kemeny who is the leader
for Education for the whole of
Surrey came to visit on Friday. It
was good that this coincided with
our Democracy Day and Linda left
with really positive impressions of
the school and the amazing
children we have here. It was
also useful to pry a bit more
about the on-going issues around
the school expansion which is
planned. Please be reassured that
as soon as I know anything – you
will be ‘in the loop’ too.
Finally, a few reminders to
you all:
Please make sure that we are all
keeping the high standard for
dress that is expected here at
Sayes Court. Uniform is often a
slippery slope and before you
know where you are, the
standard is falling. Please work
with us in ensuring that your
children are attending school
appropriately dressed.
Another way that you can help
the smooth running of the school
is by using the office to book
appointments with your child’s
class teacher. Remember, the
class teacher is the first point of
call for any issues that you may
have and Mrs Richmond or myself
are on call when these avenues
are exhausted. Also remember
that parents are only allowed to
enter the building by the front
entrance not the side ones!
With best wishes
Paul Grimwood
Headteacher
TIME TO CHAT
May’s Value is
PATIENCE.
This week has not seen many
opportunities to come together as a
school – SATs really do take over for a
week!
Despite this, patience has been
demonstrated really well by everyone
here at Sayes Court.
One thing that demands a lot of
patience is gardening and next week all
of the children will be taking part in a
sunflower growing challenge. Mrs Glen
and Mrs Leaver will be supplying the
necessary equipment and resources and
the children will then have a go at
planting the seeds. I wonder who will
win?
This has led to this week’s ‘Time to
chat’…
Have a chat with your
family this weekend.
What are their favourite
plants to grow?
Why?
If they don’t like
gardening – what
flowers are special to
them?
Is there a reason why?
Strive- Create- Succeed
CONGRATULATIONS
TO MRS GLEN AND MRS LEAVER AND
THE ECO CLUB!!!
For winning a place in the Chelsea
Flower Show with their growing skills,
the scarecrow competition at Hampton
Court and getting through to the
Wisley Gardens Raised Bed
competition, well done and the very
best of luck.
STRING ACADEMY AT THE SHIPLEY
ARTS FESTIVAL
Billy in Year 5 took part in the String
Academy at the Shipley Arts Festival last
night, playing with young and gifted
musicians from the world-renowned Yehudi
Menuhin School and the spectacular
Windlesham School. He’s worked hard
both at home and at various rehearsal
venues for the last few week, under the
expert tutelage of Rachel Barnes, and in
the concert last night we were incredibly
proud to see and hear how it all came
together,. Inspiring stuff, a wonderful
opportunity.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Alicia (Year 5) passed her ballet grade
2 exam and with a merit too!
DEMOCRACY DAY
Results will be announced next week!
Stars of the Week
Oak
Ash
Aalyah
Yew
Imogen
Holly
Stephen
Beech
Bradley
Alder
Joshua
Willow
Sycamore
CLASS ATTENDANCE WEEK
ENDING 08/05/15
WINNING CLASS ATTENDANCE:
Oak 100.00%
Sycamore 100.00%
Alder 98.25%
Willow 96.79%
Ash 95.33%
Yew 93.59%
Holly 92.47%
Beech%
Year
so Far
95.59%
THE SCHOOL DAY
STARTS AT 8.50AM
Xander
CLASS
Learners of the Week
Oak
Ash
Mimi
Yew
Mikey
Holly
William
Beech
Harvey
Alder
Pranav
Willow
Sycamore
Joe
BUILDING,LEARNING,POWER
Oak
Ash
Max
Martha
Yew
Holly
Charlie & Evan
Beech
Amelia & Kanisha
Alder
Amy
Willow
Sycamore
Remi
Ash
Oak
Yew
Holly
Beech
Alder
Willow
Sycamore
TOTAL
TOTAL LEARNING
TIME
LOST OVER WEEK
0 mins (Fantastic!)
75 (Not good)
25 mins
10 mins
25 mins
0 Mins (Fantastic!)
105 mins (Disaster)
0 mins (Fantastic!)
4 HOURS
LIBRARY NEWS
A big thanks to Mrs Burge for all her
hard work raising money through the
scholastic book fairs/catalogue. We
have just spent nearly £300.00 on
new books for the library. The books
include:
• Alex Rider/Artemis Fowl/graphic
novels
• Percy Jackson
• Tom Gates: |Yes! No
• Beastquest
• Lego Ninjago/movie
Please look after the books you
borrow from the school library. Many
books are being returned damaged
(or wet) from leaking water bottles).
If you do damage or lose
a book please contact Maria
[email protected].
Thank you Aidan (Y6), James
(Y5) and Bradley (Y3) for
donating books to the
school library.
MAY 2015
Monday 18th Year 6 to Thorpe Park
Tuesday 19th PTFA Summer Fair mtg
Wednesday 20th Chelsea Flower Show
Wednesday 20th Year 4 to Jubilee PE
Thursday 21st Eco Club to Wisley Gardens
Thursday 21st 9.00am Year 3 Class
Assembly all parents welcome
Friday 22nd Enrichment Day
Friday 22nd French Café 8.30am
Friday 22nd Break up for half term.
JUNE 2015
Monday 1st INSET DAY
Tuesday 2nd Children return to school
Wednesday 3rd 1.30pm Fullbook visiting
year 6
Friday 5th MUFTI DAY for Summer fair
Friday 5th 9.00am Year 6 Class Assembly
parents welcome
w/c Monday 8th Year 5 & 6 Residential
trip to Beaconsfield
Friday 12th 9.00am Yew Class Assembly
parents welcome
Tuesday 16th Year 3 & 4 trip to British
Museum
Friday 19th 9.00am Reception Class
Assembly parents welcome
Saturday 20th Summer Fair
Monday 22nd Year 1 Trip to Brighton
Friday 26th 9.00am Year 2 Class Assembly
Monday 29th Eco Club to Hampton Court
JULY 2015
Friday 3rd Sports day and Picnic
Tuesday 3rd Year 5 Away Day Fullbrook
Thursday 9th 6-8.00pm Full Governor
Body Meeting
Friday 10th Reception on Wildlife Trust
Trip – Nower Wood
Tuesday 14th ‘Moving up morning’
Tuesday 14th 6-7.30pm Summer Disco
Tuesday 21st Break up for Summer
Holidays
DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
School meals
A reminder that the dinner money due for
this half term is £75.60 .This takes into
account the Inset day on 1st June, and is
adjusted accordingly for any
trip/absences for your child. Those on the
Beaconsfield Residential, the cost is
£65.10. School meals must be paid for in
advance. Please act promptly if you
receive a payment reminder text.
If your child wishes to change meal
arrangements, please ensure that you
notify the school in advance and fill out
the ‘change of meal arrangement’ form is
available from the office. Please note that
this form must still be completed even if
your child is receiving free or universal
free school meals. Thank you