NEWSLETTER
William Gilbert Endowed School
Dear
Parents
At the beginning
of this new academic year I would like to welcome all staff, parents and pupils
who have returned to school after the summer vacation and wish an especially
warm welcome to parents and pupils who are new to the school. It is always the schools desire to seek a
happy and successful partnership with parents whilst their children attend
William Gilbert and to that end we ask you not to hesitate to come in if you
have any query or concern. Staff will
always be willing to speak to you at the beginning or end of the day although
the end of the day is preferable if you have more than a quick message, as
there is more time available.
The school
will be closed to pupils on 3 occasions during this academic year in order for the
staff to undertake training. The dates
are:-
Tuesday 19th October 2004
Wednesday 5th January
2005
Monday 6th June 2005
Thank you
for abiding by our school uniform and turning the children out so smartly. On the first day everyone shone from head to
toe. It is always a delight to see the
children in their new school shoes and with new haircuts and styles. Unfortunately a number of them were well
scuffed and dirty by the end of the first day!
One or two parents have asked if summer uniform can still be worn. Yes, girls may wear their school dress and
boys a white polo shirt until October half term. After half term all pupils must wear a white
shirt and school tie. If possible I
would like Year 6 girls to have a skirt available for Church Services and
formal occasions. There is no longer any
restriction on when girls can wear trousers, however they must be smart. You will be asked to substitute unsuitable
trousers for something more acceptable.
Combats, chinos, jeans will all be refused.
Pupils are
allowed to wear a watch from Year 2 upwards.
Earrings can prove to be a health and safety risk especially in PE
lessons and playtimes. Girls who have
had their ears pierced during the holiday or in the future may wear a small
stud earring but no hoops, until their ears are completely healed. Parents must
sign a disclaimer form and provide their child with surgical tape to cover
their earrings in PE lessons unless they can be removed. Pupils need to be able to apply the tape or
remove their earrings themselves. After
12 weeks from the date of piercing I have been advised that holes will not
close up and earrings may not then be worn during school hours. Without a completed disclaimer form girls
will not be allowed to wear their earrings.
The school will record dates and no exception will be made after 12
weeks unless a medical certificate is provided.
Can all
pupils with collar length hair please wear their hair tied back. If hair is so fine that it is not quite long
enough to tie back please ensure a headband keeps it off their face.
In the past the school has been extremely fortunate
to have a large number of parents and friends of the school to come in and
help. There is no doubt that the help
and assistance given to the school is fundamental to its success and we are
most anxious that it should continue. If
you are willing to come in to help us then we would be delighted to hear from
you.
May I
remind parents that the school day begins at 8.55am and pupils should be on the
premises a few minutes before, ready for the bell to ring. Of course there are occasions when a problem
arises and you cannot avoid being late such as road works/accidents causing
hold ups, inclement weather etc. We do
ask for your support in ensuring your child does arrive at school on time. Parents of pupils who are regularly late will
be asked into school to discuss the problem as all late arrivals are marked on
the computerised register, which is monitored by the LEA.
Equally
important is the end of the day. Pupils
are easily deflated, worried or upset if whoever they are expecting to meet
them is not outside on time. Once again,
unavoidable circumstances may cause you to be delayed and if that is the case
please try and phone school with alternative arrangements or so we can inform
your child and keep them safe. All
pupils know if there is no one to collect them they should come back into
school to their teacher and that they must not go home with anyone elses
parent or minder without permission from their own parent.
The staff
are trying hard to be prompt with home times, they are so often engrossed in
teaching that time is forgotten.
However, we do appreciate the wait outside can be tedious and tiresome
especially if you have a toddler and pupils in both departments.
May I
remind you that younger brothers and sisters are not allowed on the infant
playground while waiting and that the grit box and school steps are dangerous and
should not be played on. We would
greatly appreciate your support on these matters.
CLUBS AND
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES (JUNIOR PUPILS)
I will be
writing in due course with details of the clubs and after school activities
that the school will be offering this year.
A number of staff have offered to do a club this year and we are also
seeking parental help to run activities such as chess, drama, Kwik cricket,
short tennis or any other worthwhile activity or sport a parent or parents
would like to introduce.
We are
aware that we have a number of talented parents so if you are willing to give
your time and make the commitment to help on a regular basis we would be
delighted to hear from you.
If you
would like more information or would like to discuss a proposal for an activity
please call in to see me.
With the
support of Derbyshire Constabulary, the school seeks the co-operation of
parents to provide the safest use of Vicarage Lane to its pupils and parents.
To do this
the school urges parents who bring and fetch children by car to avoid using
Vicarage Lane.
However,
in the event of an emergency when it may be necessary to use Vicarage Lane it
is safest and in everyones interest to travel along Vicarage Lane in a
westerly direction, from Castle Hill to Hazlewood Road.
Under no
circumstances should anyone stop on the zig zag lines outside the school
gate. In fact, failure to respect the
zig zag lines can lead to police intervention, which may result in the
prosecution of anyone committing an offence.
Since the
school and Derbyshire Constabulary urged parents to avoid using their cars on
Vicarage Lane there has been almost unanimous support from parents. It is to be hoped that this will continue and
when everyone co-operates, your child will, of course, be that much safer.
Please
enable the school to speedily make contact with you, especially in an emergency
by ensuring we are updated with any changes in contact addresses and telephone
numbers, including mobile numbers. It is
also very important for the school to be aware and updated of any allergy or
medical condition your child may have.
Please find attached a form to complete if any of your details have
changed.
In order to record evidence as well as pleasure we like to take photographs of the pupils and record their work on video from time to time. Such material is kept in school and used purely for school records and evidence of progress/achievement.
We would
appreciate your support in allowing us to take photographs and video concerts
for example at Christmas etc. If
however, you do not give your permission for your child to be photographed or
videoed then you must return the reply slip attached. Non-return will be interpreted as parental
approval.
Junior
pupils who have requested music lessons will be informed this week if there are
places available for them and will also receive details of instrument hire and payment
from the respective teachers, all who do their own organization and timetables.
Pupils who
are continuing lessons should bring their instruments as normal this week -
Violins on Wednesday, Guitars, Woodwind, Brass on Thursday.
A copy of
our Home-School Agreement, which we would like to invite you to sign and with
older pupils discuss with them will be sent out shortly. The agreement provides mutual support and
sets out clear objectives.
It is not
a legally binding contract but if you wish to have a formal partnership with
the school and approve of the terms of the agreement then the appropriate
section should be signed and returned to your childs class teacher for safe
keeping with your childs school records.
PACKED LUNCHES
Pupils who
bring a packed lunch for their dinner may bring a boxed drink, plastic bottle
or drink container of juice, squash or water.
No fizzy drinks are allowed, neither are sweets.
We are
experiencing problems with older children using the school playground for
skateboarding outside of school hours and damage is being caused to school
property. If you live near to the school
and notice anybody on school premises at evenings or weekends could we ask that
you phone the police on 01773 570100. We consider this is the only way to
prevent further damage occurring.
May I take
the opportunity to reaffirm to all parents new and established, that all the
staff and I care that your child feels happy and safe at school and are keen to
ensure that each child achieves his/her full potential. The door is always
open please do not be afraid to approach me or any member of staff if you
have any concerns or queries.
Yours
sincerely
S J Whyld
(Mrs)
Headteacher
"
I am
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My full
name is
Address
Date of
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Date
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I am
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Club. I am available to do this club on
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I do not give permission for my child
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schools evidence collection system.
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. Print
...