Parwich Primary School Newsletter Autumn Term (2) This half term, has once again been jampacked with inspirational learning activities for our pupils within school, within the local community and further afield. When asked what individual highlights have been, responses varied: making a diva lamp; being given a clarinet to learn; receiving their next enamel team point badge in the Celebration Assembly; tasting the mince pies that they had baked; watching the cat in the pantomime, Dick Whittington, reading their own poem out at the Remembrance Assembly; singing a solo in the Christmas performance. Please, enjoy browsing through our recent events on our school website. Lunches Money Junior Class Only For parents who wish to pay for their child s lunches for the half term the amount is 2.10 a day for 29 days at a total of 60.90, cheques payable to Derbyshire County Council. (If you are in credit/arrears you will receive a note home) A reminder to parents who pay weekly, please send payments for dinners to school on Monday morning for the beginning of each week. Also, if at any point you wish your child to swap to or from lunches to sandwiches, we would need a weeks notice. Fruit Money Junior Class Only Parents can either pay for the whole year at a cost of 18.00 or in 3 termly instalments, September, January and April at a cost of 6.00 per term. Cheques payable to Parwich Primary School. Banking Arrangements Reminder Dinner Money, School Clubs, Trips Etc. As part of the banking guidelines we are asking parents to please make sure: Cash/Cheques are sent into school in a sealed envelope marked with name, date and list of contents. Cheques are now to have your full name on the reverse with a list of what the cheque is payable for. Autumn Term (2) 21 December, 2018 Dates For Your Diary December 2018 / January 2019 24th December 4th January CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY January 2019 7th INSET Day 8th School Opens for Spring Term 1 10th Year 5/6 Gymnastic at QEGS 3.45pm 14th KS2 Swimming Starts 14th KS1 Gymnastics at QEGS 12.45pm 21st PTA Meeting in school at 2pm 24th Year 5/6 Sportshall Athletics at QEGS 12.45pm 31st Year 3/4 Sportshall Athletics at QEGS 3.45pm February 2019 5th Chinese New Year Day 7th Year 3/4 Splashdown Swim at Ashbourne Leisure Centre 12.45pm 18th 22nd HALF TERM March 2019 5th INSET Day 6th INSET Day Christmas Party Afternoon The whole school thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon, on Thursday 20 December, which included playing games, dancing and being visited by a very special guest: Santa. Thank you to parents for the generous donations of party food. SAFEGUARDING Parking Polite reminder: Please, can parents not drive right up to the school at the beginning and end of the day (to drop off, or pick up), as it becomes very congested and a hazard to pupils walking to school. Jewellery Polite reminder: No android watches should be worn within school, unless there are exceptional circumstances and it has been agreed with the Headteacher.
Remembrance Day As part of their Remembrance Topic this term, the children learnt about World War I and explored, very deeply, the feelings of those involved and surrounded by war. Following on from their learning, on Friday 9th November, our pupils presented a special Remembrance Assembly for the Parwich community, to mark the centenary of the end of World War I. For the assembly, they prepared their own poems, artwork and World War I songs to share with their audience. The Last Post and two minutes silence took place, as part of the assembly, and we were very proud of the respect the children showed throughout. All of our pupils enjoyed commemorating the centenary and starting the weekend proceedings of community events within the village. Thank you to all who came to watch the children; they felt very proud to share their work with you. School Attendance / Absence / Punctuality Please, can parents be aware that registers are called at the start of each morning (8:45am) and afternoon sessions (1:15pm). Pupils arriving less than half an hour after register closes, will be coded as L (Late); more than half an hour after taking the register will be coded as U (Unauthorised Absence). The school will seek to establish reasons for persistent latecoming or regular absences. These will be monitored and referred on, if necessary. If a pupil is to see a doctor or dentist etc, teachers require notification, before the absence and should be provided with a copy of the card/letter, where possible. Such appointments are coded as M and should be arranged outside school hours, unless there are special circumstances.
After School Clubs Whole School Open Centre and Hindu Temple Trip Spring Term (1) (3.30 4.30pm) To help our pupils learn about the celebration of Diwali and as part of our RE topic this term on Hinduism, we visited the Open Centre and a Hindu temple in Derby. The children enjoyed hearing about the story of Rama and Sita and making their own Diva lamps, before heading to the Hindu Temple. Monday Year 6 SATs (English) In the temple, the children learnt a little more about the Hindu religion and how Hindus worship God. Our pupils admired the beauty of the temple and, whilst we were there, the children were given the opportunity to watch particular religious practises take place, ask questions and try on traditional Hindu costume. The children enjoyed learning about another faith and, as always, were wellbehaved and respectful at all times. Bowl / Petanque Tuesday Singing & Drama Wednesday Craft Year 6 SATs (Maths) Thursday Construction, Toys & Games If your child is interested in attending a club, please contact Jenny Warner in the school office. Sporting Events This half term, our Y5/6 pupils all participated in the QEGS cluster basketball event and Sam (Y3) and Sam (Y4) both attended the SSP My Personal Best pentathlon individual event. Our children should be proud of their performances, as they all showed great sportsmanship and high level individual ability was also noted. Well done. Children in Need In support of Children in Need 2018, we held a NonUniform day on Friday 16 November. 40 was raised and donated to the appeal.
Our Christmas Production Nativity in Rhyme From sheep to wise men, every pupil put their all into their individual roles: all learnt their lines and many song lyrics, delivering excellent performances over two days in front of a very appreciative audience in the Memorial Hall. A huge well done to everyone involved. PTA News Christmas Dinner Day Fundraising events this half term have raised further funds: With Christmas songs playing in the background, the whole school gathered together to savour a mouthwatering Christmas dinner cooked by Janet Gosling. Thank you, Janet. Parwich Christmas Fair Tombola ( 133) Christmas Cake Raffle ( 242) In addition, the Book People book fair enabled the school to choose 64 of books for the school library completely free. The children have enjoyed festive treats, thanks to the PTA providing icecream at the Christmas pantomime, crackers to pull at the Christmas dinner and the present idea to Santa. A huge thank is to be extended to our PTA members and all those who continually support their work. Donations to School This half term, donations have been gratefully accepted from the Parwich United Charities and Parwich Independent Welfare Fund. Our thanks is extended to them for their support.
The Christmas Experience Whole School Pantomime Trip On Thursday 6th December, the whole school visited St Peters Church in Parwich to hear the Christmas story and take part in an unforgettable interactive tour. The children were guided around displays at the church in small groups, where they heard stories about Christmas at each one from parishioners kindly acting as storytellers. Each storyteller focussed on a particular aspect of the Nativity preparation, announcement, promises, journey, message and gift. The children had time for activities and reflection at each display, before gathering around a crib to hear about the wonderful message of the birth of Jesus and to think about what gift they might give him. Buxton Opera House was the venue for the whole school pantomime trip to watch Dick Whittington. A fabulous time was experienced by all, seeing this live performance on such a grand stage. Useful Websites Terms Dates for 2018 2019 Spring Term Monday 7 January 2019 Monday 25 February 2019 Summer Term Monday 29 April 2019 (6 May is a Bank Holiday) Monday 3 June 2019 Friday 15 February 2019 Friday 12 April 2019 Friday 24 May 2019 Monday 22 July 2019 INSET Within these dates, the school will be closed for children on five days for the purposes of staff training. Monday 3 September, Monday 7 January, Tuesday 5 March, Wednesday 6 March & Monday 22 July. Links to all of these can be found on our school website.