16th October 2017
NEWSLETTER 2 AUTUMN TERM 2017
Dear Parents & Carers,
The first half term is nearly over, all children have settled in well in their new classes.
Safeguarding
Our Senior Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mrs Kirsty Barber, with Mr Good as Designated Safeguarding Lead. Please do not hesitate to contact any of us for help or advice.
Contacting staff
Our School Administrator, Mrs Emma Chambers, is at school every day and is always pleased to arrange for you to see a member of staff or deal with your queries. We remind parents that teachers are unable to see you first thing in the morning without an appointment, unless there is an emergency.
School Improvement Priorities
We continue to work closely with Neil Campbell our Norfolk Improvement Officer and are making progress in the areas identified for development.
Safety matters
Just a reminder that we ask parents not to enter the teaching block first thing in the morning. This is for Safeguarding reasons; any visitors who enter the teaching block will need to sign in at the office and wear a visitor’s badge.
Children need to take their bags onto the playground when they arrive and put them on their pegs when the bell goes at the start of the day.
School Council:
School council representatives have been chosen from each year group and have met a number of times on a Thursday lunch time. They have discussed issues that have been raised by their peers and also matters around the school. A school library committee have had the chance to choose the furniture ready for the library update, and are also keen to begin to raise more money for the library, after seeing how expensive the furniture is.
They are keen to organise the Children in Need fundraising and have some lovely ideas, including a North Elmham Bake Off.
Assemblies:
The group known as “Open the Book” have started to come in for assemblies, every other Monday. The group read and act out stories from the bible. The children are enjoying seeing the bible stories coming to life.
EYFS and KS1:
Whales class are going to the Science experience at the Forum, in Norwich. Sheep class had a visit from Special Sergeant Chambers giving the children the opportunity to meet people who help them and to sit in the police car.
We held a meeting for all KS1 and EYFs parents around Tapestry on Tuesday 3rd October, but unfortunately this was not very well attended. We run workshops for parents to be better informed on what we do and to also offer an opportunity to talk to teaching staff. We will be running a Phonics Workshop on 7th November and do hope for a better attendance.
The morning routine appears to be working well, with parents dropping children off at the gates for the classes, thus giving the children the opportunity to do their early work in a calm classroom environment or to go outside.
KS2:
All children this half term have had the opportunity to learn to play the violin with Mrs Clinton, which they are loving.
Both classes have been or are preparing to go on a trip; Doves class visited Houghton Hall with children from Stibbard and all seemed to have a fantastic day, exploring the art installations in the grounds.
Lions will shortly be going to Cromer and Overstrand. They will visit the Henry Blogg museum, Cromer lifeboat and look at coastal erosion around Overstrand.
Andy from RAISE has been coming into school to teach the Old Testament through active storytelling to Lions class.
Pawel, the FA Skills Coach has been in every Wednesday and taught all classes a variety of football skills. The children have learnt a lot and have enjoyed the experience.
Library
Fund raising for the Library continues, the school council are keen to organise some more fundraising opportunities so watch this space! FONES continue to organise a variety of different events to raise money for which we are very grateful.
Key dates for your Diary
| 16th October: |
Whales Class are visiting the Forum in Norwich for a Science experience. |
| 18th October: |
Mr Good’s class will join with Years 5 & 6 from Stibbard for a visit to the coast of North Norfolk as part of their Geography work. |
| 19th October: |
Harvest Festival Church service up at the church 09:00-09:30. |
| 19th October: |
Last day of half term |
| 30th October: |
School reopens |
| 7th November |
Phonics Workshop for parents in KS1 and EYFS |
| 10th November |
Individual and Sibling Tempest Photographs |
| 10th November: |
13:30-14:30 Remembrance Service |
| 14th and 16th November |
Parents evenings |
| 17th November |
Children In Need fundraising day – North Elmham Bake Off, Dress Spotty and a Spot competition. Children In Need merchandise is also available to buy. |
| 17th November 14:00-15:00 |
Sheep Class Discovery Cafe. |
| 20th November |
09:30-10:15 NEW INTAKE open morning |
| 24th November |
FONES Clay Barn Experience |
| 29th November |
13:30-14:15 NEW INTAKE open afternoon |
| 8th December |
Aladdin Panto – ‘Chaplins Touring Panto’ in the school hall 13:00-15:15 (whole school) |
| 12th December |
KS1 and EYFS Nativity Grandparents and Friends of the School |
| 13th December |
KS1 and EYFS Nativity Parents performance |
| 18th December |
KS1 Christmas Party |
| 19th December |
Last Day of Term |
With best wishes from the Senior Leadership Team
Kathryn Batcock & Sue Tobin (Headteachers)
Kirsty Barber (Assistant Headteacher N Elmham)
Craig Isherwood (Deputy Headteacher Stibbard)
We have Laura Samuels an International triple jumper, supported by Sports for Champions coming into school on 19th January at 13:00.