Dear Parents and Carers

I hope that you had an enjoyable half term.  The children have certainly settled back into school extremely well and we are looking forward to what is traditionally one of the most enjoyable times to be in school. 

The staff would like to thank you for returning your parents evening reply slips and we were thrilled that you all felt that your children enjoyed school and that the academic and pastoral support that we give to your children met with your approval.  We have sent out on the school jotter key dates for the rest this year, can I please add in the Infant Nativities which will take place on Wednesday 14^th 7 Thursday 15^th December at 1.45pm in the school hall.  More information will be sent from the Infant Classes to keep you updated.  Sorry for this omission.

On our final Friday afternoon before half term our boys and girls tag rugby team took part in the Chesterfield High Tournament.  The boys and girls played superbly together with all the teams playing each other.  Mr Parry and I were again delighted with their attitude and they thoroughly deserved to come second and were narrowly beaten in the final match. 

Thank you to the many reception parents who attended our phonics workshop which took place after school on Tuesday.  We hope that you found this informative and that you all managed to ease yourselves out of the reception chairs. 

I am pleased to be able to inform you that we have secured some extra funding which will be put to good use to replace any external doors and fittings that have seen better days.  This should make our school even smarter for our children as well as improving the working environment for everyone.  We shall also benefit from having a brand-new disabled toilet installed which will clearly be a valuable addition for anyone in our school family that requires such a facility.

We look forward to taking our Year 5 children to take part in the Football Festival which was postponed early in the term.  When Mr Parry and I return we shall enjoy a planned friendly training/slash games session with some of the girls from Green Park Primary.

All children will be given a pre-printed Christmas Shoe Box and leaflet to be taken home after today.  As a school we have always tried our best to support those in greatest need and I was humbled by your generosity last Christmas and once again ask that you consider taking part in this charitable event.  The boxes are fairly modest in size and I ask that you find some time with your child to plan for some items to make up a gift for many children who will never have received anything.  Many of these boxes will see their way to extremely troubled areas in Europe and in particular Ukraine.  I still fill two boxes, one for a boy and one for a girl with my daughter who is now 19.  We have done this each year since she became a member of the St John Bosco Family.  We enjoy spending some time putting these together in the knowledge that the true message of Christmas and the gift of giving really does underpin this act.  I fully appreciate that on this occasion it may simply be too much to ask and if you need to return the box there is a place outside Mrs Greenwood’s office where we will save them for another time. 

I have been asked to remind you by the governing board that earrings are not considered appropriate at school although an exception is made in Year 5 when the summer holidays allows time for piercings to heal, but this does not mean they can continue to wear earrings in Year 6. 

Can I again remind everybody to make sure that children’s clothing is clearly marked and that all children wear appropriate footwear for school.  Black Trainers are not considered appropriate.

We currently have a vacancy for someone to join our Team of Welfare Staff, the hours involve attendance from 11.45-1.15pm Five Days Monday – Friday.  If this is something you feel that you or a member of your family would enjoy, please contact the school office.

Thank you for all your continued support and kindness which is much appreciated.

Yours sincerely

Mr D MacAreavy - Headteacher