Rainford NewsFlash – February 2015 Note from the Headteacher Many thanks to parents who came to the ‘Meet the Headteacher’ coffee morning, I enjoyed listening to your ideas and we are already putting some of them into practice. You will start to notice ‘guided reading stickers’ in home reading diaries to show when your child has read in a group in school. If you would like this record of school reading, please make sure diaries are in children’s bags each morning. We have also arranged dates for ‘Year group’ meetings in order to communicate New Curriculum expectations for this current school year to parents. Please check out ‘Upcoming events’. We are expanding our range of extra-curricular activities some of which take place at lunch times. More have been provided for our younger children. In order to gather parental views a little more formally there will be a questionnaire at parents’ evenings which I would appreciate if you would take the time to complete. We hope to continue to build excellent communication between school and home. F.O.R.C.E.S. Education Sunday We would like to give many thanks to all parents and friends of the school for their support at the recent FORCES coffee morning which raised a much appreciated £410 for school funds which will be used to further enhance the outdoor provision for our children. FORCES have sent thanks to all the people who donated cakes for this event. It was a joy to join with Janet, the parish community and children and teachers from Rainford Brook Lodge to celebrate Education Sunday. We were very proud of our children’s contributions and would like to thank Mrs Kelsey and Mrs Leeming for preparing them so well. MOTHER’S DAY GIFT SHOP Children are invited to purchase Mother’s Day gifts in our popular FORCES gift shop available for two days only in school on Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th March. All presents will be gift wrapped. £2 per gift. EASTER EGG TRAIL On Saturday 28th March (between 12.00 and 3.00pm) there will be an exciting Easter trail through the school grounds and the Linear Park. Those who complete the challenge will receive an Easter egg and have the chance to win a mystery prize. All are welcome. Tickets (£3) will be available from the school office from after half term. QUIZ NIGHT Adults are invited to a quiz night in the Legion on Friday 15th May. Book it in your diaries! Other upcoming events Choir The Young Voices choir will be singing for the Mother’s Union on the 5th February. They will also continue to impress everyone with their singing at the Phones 4 U Arena in Manchester (the old M.E.N) on the 3rd March. Thank you to all those who have bought tickets to support this event. School Disco There are school discos this Friday and due to our regular DJ being ill, we look forward with anticipation to DJ Mr Jarvis stepping in. We have received some offers of help from parents but more help is still needed so if you can help for an hour we would love to hear from you. Year Group Meetings End of year expectations have changed for children this year in Years 1 ,3 ,4 and 5 and from next Years 2 and 6 also. In order to inform parents of what their children will be expected to achieve by the end of this academic year, we have arranged the following information sessions for parents. Children in Year 1 – Tuesday 24th February at 6.00pm in Class 4 Children in Year 2 - (information regarding upcoming end of key stage assessment) – Tuesday 24th February at 6.30pm in Class 4 Children in Year 3 - Tuesday 24th February at 6.30pm in Class 7 Children in Year 4 – Wednesday 25th February at 6.00pm in Class 8 Children in Year 5 - Wednesday 25th February at 6.30pm in Class 11 World Book Day In order to celebrate reading within the school, children will be invited to come to school on 5th March dressed as their favourite book character. We would appreciate a contribution of £1 per child – money will be used to improve class libraries. Red Nose Day Children will be able to wear a red nose at break times and cakes will be on sale on Friday 13th March for 50p each. School Dates 6th Feb School disco Infants 5.00-6.00pm Juniors 6.30pm-7.30pm 10th and 12th February -Parents’ Evenings 24th and 25th February Year group meetings HALF TERM: 13 Feb 3.30pm School closes 24th Feb School reopens (INSET DAY: 23rd Feb) 3rd March Choir at Phones 4 U Arena 5th March World Book Day 13th March Red Nose Day 27th March School Disco th EASTER: 2 Apr 3.30pm School closes 20th Apr School reopens Foundation stage safety tabards We would like to say a big thank you to Mr and Mrs Magowan for ensuring all of our pupils in Pre-school and Reception have a reflective safety tabard. Reception wore them proudly as they joined with Tots Worship in Church this week. Half term holiday club Bumblebees are running a holiday club in the school during half term. If you are interested in a place please contact Emma King on 0777 179 7134 nd Forest School Extra-curricular Activities Monday Year 2 – Recorder Club -12.45pm Reception and Pre-school– Table Games 12.30pm KS1 – Craft Club – 12.30pm Years 4-6 Brass Band- 3.30pm Rec-Year 6 Zumba- 3.30pm Tuesday Years 3-4 Board Games 12.45pm Years 4-6 Young Voices -12.45pm Years 4-6 Netball 3.40pm 4.40pm Years 3-6 Judo 3.40pm – 4.40pm Wednesday Years 3-4 Dance Club 12.45pm School Council – Wednesday 12.45pm Years 1-6 – Homework Club12.45pm Years 1-6 Dodgeball 3.30pm Thursday Year 2 Book Club 12.45pm Friday Years 1-6 Street Dancing 3.304.30pm Our foundation stage children have been outside in all weathers and had great fun in our forest school area which is now festooned with ribbons. Emails If you are not receiving emails from the school, please pop into the office and check we have your correct details please.