www.st-michaels-pri.devon.sch.uk Newsletter - January 2013 Dear Parents and Carers, Welcome back – I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year. Since the last newsletter: • The FS and KS1 children performed their Christmas production, ‘Christmas with Aliens’, to family and friends, as well as to the rest of the school. The children danced, sang and acted with great confidence and all enjoyed the production. • Year 3 and 4 took part in a Victorian day, dressing up in appropriate dress and experiencing school as it was in Victorian times. • The school choir performed a selection of Christmas carols at several local venues, including homes for elderly residents and Tesco. They also performed at Kingsteignton Town Council Carol Service. They sang beautifully on each occasion and were a credit to the school. Bag packing for Chernobyl Children’s charity: On Sunday 23rd December, members of Year 5 and 6 as well as several staff packed bags at Tesco. The aim was to raise money for the Chernobyl Children’s charity, which is a charity the school supports. The choir also helped raise money for this when they sang at Tesco. The children managed to raise a staggering £1000 and should be truly proud of their efforts. Well done! Uniform: I would like to remind you that the revised school uniform policy is now in place following our consultation with you all last term. All children should be wearing school uniform and school shoes, including the school sweatshirt or sweat cardigan with school logo or Froglets logo for Nursery children. Although children may wear trainers for playtimes, they need to wear their school shoes both to and from school. We realise that some of you have already bought plain blue sweatshirts or cardigans, so we are stocking logos which you are able to purchase and sew on. You will need to purchase both the St Michael’s logo and the USF logo at a cost of £2 each. However, these will only be available until the end of the Summer term. From September, 2013, all children will need to wear the proper school sweatshirt or sweat cardigan with the school and USF logo on it. These must be purchased from school and currently cost £9.00 for the sweatshirt and £11.00 for the sweat cardigans. At present, the school subsidises the cost of these items, but we will not be able to do this indefinitely. Prices will be going up at Easter, so get orders in early. For your information all other items of uniform with logos are available as an option. The only compulsory part of the uniform with the school and USF logo is the school’s sweatshirts and sweat cardigans. Year 6 SATs: Please can I remind the parents of children in Year 6 that your children will sit their SATs in the week beginning the 13th May. Please could we ask that you do not book a holiday for that week and also try to make other appointments either for the afternoon or for after school. Thank you for support in this matter. Cycling and Scootering It is great to see the children cycling, scootering and walking to school. If children wish to cycle, they will need to do so with an adult. If they are 10 years of age or over, have completed a Bikeability course and have written permission, they can cycle alone. To help ensure children stay safe we ask that all children who cycle or scooter wear a helmet. If you would like to take of advantage of the reduced price cycle helmet offer, please send your order and payment into school by Friday, 18th January. Additional sessions in Nursery: We are now offering additional sessions for our Nursery children at a cost of £9:00 per 3 hour session and we have a few sessions still available. If you are interested in purchasing additional sessions for your child, please see one of the Nursery staff. By now, you should have received information about what your child will be learning this term and the clubs list. If you haven’t, please see your child’s teacher. If you have any questions or comments please do not hesitate to contact me. Kind regards Karen West Head of School Dates for the term Class Assemblies – week beginning (Usually Friday’s but subject to change) January st 31 Year 3 and 4 to Great Hall, Exeter, for a music concert. Details to follow. February th th 5 ,6 18-22nd 25th Cultural workshops with Chartwell Dutiro for the whole school Half term Work showing 3:30 – 4:30 4th Yew 11th 25th Elm Hazel 4th 11th 18th 25th Maple Larch Oak Holly March th 7 15th 28th World Book Day Enterprise day for Comic Relief School finishes for Easter April th 16 School opens