Thomas Russell Junior School Inspiring all, achieving together. Newsletter Issue. 1 Headteacher Mrs S Sharpe 6 th September 2013 Dear Parents, Each week at Junior School you will receive a Newsletter. Sometimes they contain lots of information, other weeks not so much. They form a vital part of the communication between home and school. Please take the time to read the Newsletter thoroughly and get into the habit of putting it somewhere safe so that everyone in your family can refer back to it when necessary. Welcome and welcome back We had a superb start to the year this Wednesday as we welcomed 60 new children, 2 new teachers, a new Governor and lots of new families to our school. Y3 children had clearly remembered lots from their transition visits and came into school smart and confident. We welcome Mr Richard Edwards and Mrs Louise Vardy, both teaching in Y4. We also welcome back Mr Dan Kiley on a more long term basis to Y3 covering Mrs Gahagan s management release time and Mr Mark Tricker on to the Governing Body. Open playground You are encouraged to come onto the playground to collect your children at the end of the day. It is really important that children are collected from the playground until parents are confident their child has the maturity and safety awareness to allow them to leave school unaccompanied. By coming onto the playground you can make the most of the informal opportunity to see your child s class teacher if you have anything to ask or just to chat about how your children are settling in to their new class. If you would like a more formal appointment to meet with class teachers in the classrooms, please write a note in the reading record, phone the school or ask a teacher when you see them on the playground. Parent Pay Thank you for your patience as we move over to Parent Pay. We are aware there have been some teething problems with the system, but please bear with us as we do hope it will save time and energy going forward. If you need assistance, just e-mail: questions@thomasrussell-junior.staffs.sch.uk House Congratulations to our Year 6 children, who have been nominated by the other children, as House and Vice- this week. Being a House Captain / Vice Captain includes responsibility for organising the teams for House events, collecting trophies on behalf of their House, representing the school at events and a range of other responsibilities. It is an honour to be voted a House Captain / Vice Captain and we are confident the children will carry out their roles diligently and with pride. Millie Poole Jacques Agnew Anson Bassett Edward Cunningham Isabelle Evans Sophie Ehlen Evan Bavester Clinton Vice Oliver Warzybok Libby Gee Vice Emily Tricker Alex Wragg Vice Owen Leech Molly Fuller Jervis Vice Libby Hudson Robert Russell Lawrence Wedgwood Sophie Widdowson
Getting organised! Below is a timetable to help parents and children to be clear about which equipment is required in school on which day for each of the classes. Any changes to this will be communicated in Homework Diaries. Instrument Swimming Games PE 3G Recorder Wednesday Thursday Monday 3M Recorder Wednesday Thursday Monday 4E Thursday Wednesday Friday 4R Thursday Wednesday Friday 5M Clarinet Monday Tuesday Wednesday 5B Clarinet Monday Tuesday Wednesday 6P Tuesday Monday Thursday 6D Tuesday Monday Thursday PE kits are left in school. Other items are brought on the day they are required and taken home again Swimming We hope to begin our swimming lessons on Monday 15 th September and once again are putting out a request for parents to act as Eyes. The role of Eyes is a simple yet vital one of keeping watch over the children whilst in the water. If you are able to offer an hour (or more) of your time each week, please complete the attached sheet and return it to school, indicating when you could help. We would not be able to offer swimming lessons without the continued and valuable support of parents, so thank you in advance. Specialist Musical Tuition As you may be aware, last year we made a 2-year commitment to provide all children with specialist musical tuition in Y3 and Y5. Our Y5 children will be learning clarinet and our Y3s will be learning a combination of recorder (Autumn), percussion /drumming (Spring) and ukulele (Summer). We are also offering peripatetic lessons on a small group basis for those families who wish to participate. There may be parents of children in Y4 or Y6 who wish to continue learning the instrument they were introduced to last year. Below is a form to complete for children who already pay for tuition to determine if you wish to continue it this year and for those who wish to find out more and be placed on the waiting list for peripatetic tuition. Summer Holiday The summer was busy for you all, I m sure. As always we were also busy in school with lots of improvement work. We have improved safety railings in stair wells and completed lots of decorating. Hand dryers have also been installed in all of the children s toilets no more running out of paper towels! Extra-Curricular Clubs We have now finalised the list of clubs and activities that will be available to children during the Autumn Term please see attached. For activities during the school day children can just turn up (no return slip required). Those clubs running after school will require a completed permission slip. Please note that some clubs carry a and some may also have limited places. We have simplified the system and include all permission slips on one form. Please sign the corresponding box if you would like your child to attend a club and tick the box to confirm you have uploaded payment onto Parent Pay, then return by Wednesday 10 th September. You will receive written confirmation of the after school clubs your child is offered a place on. I know that many children enjoy the wide range of clubs that we offer throughout the children s time in school and I am sure you would join me in thanking staff for giving up their own time voluntarily to provide so many of these activities. Please note the start dates for each different club. I would ask that if children sign up to any clubs they commit to attending every single session. We require a written note if your child is going to be absent. Advance tice Diary Dates Mon 13 th & 4:00 - Tues 14 th Oct 7:00 Parent Consultations Fri 24 th Oct 3:30 Last day of term Mon 3 rd v 8:50 Back to school More information will follow closer to the time. Best wishes, Mrs S Sharpe
Swimming Eyes Parent s Name: Contact numbers: (H) Child s Name: Class: (M) Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 1.15 2.25 2.20 3.25 lessons OR I am available for a maximum of session(s) I am unable to commit to a regular session, but can be contacted to cover individual sessions when regular Eyes are unavailable. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Peripatetic Musical Tuition Child s Name: Class: My child will be continuing with peripatetic tuition for this year Please indicate the instrument on which your child receives tuition My child will not be continuing with peripatetic tuition for this year I would like to receive more information about costs of peripatetic lessons and to place my child on the waiting list. Please indicate the instrument on which your child would like to learn
Fri Thurs Wed Tues Mon Extra Curricular Clubs and Activities - Autumn Term 2014 Child s Name: Class: DEADLINE - WEDNESDAY 10 th SEPTEMBER PLEASE PAY FOR CLUBS VIA PARENT PAY Before School Mrs Rumsey - Mrs Rumsey During School String Lessons Mrs Z Griffiths Woodwind Mrs R Lesley School Council - regular meetings 9:00 9:30 Mrs Sharpe Lunch Time Keyboards Mr Atterbury Keyboards Mr Atterbury La Jolie Ronde French Club - Mrs Kingston - see separate booking form or contact sharonkingston@ hotmail.co.uk 07780 635926 Stationery Shop Y6 children After School Dodgeball Club Burton Albion Coach - 3:30-4:30 - All years - (starts 15/9) Multi-Skills Club - Burton Albion Coach - 3:30-4:30 - All years - (starts 16/9) Netball Mrs David - 3:30-4:30 - Y5&6 (starts 16/9) Eco Warriors - Mrs Gahagan & Mrs Fowler - 3:30-4:30 - (starts 17/9) Art Club Miss Bordoli - 3:30-4:30 Upper School (starts 17/9) Netball Mrs Vardy Lower School - 3:30-4:30 (starts 18/9) Dance - Miss Press - 3:30-4:30 - All years (starts 18/9) SoccerStars 3:30 4:30 All years Choir Mrs Sharpe - 3:30-4:30 All years (starts 26/9) Permission signature (only for after school activities) Class nominated children See Company booking form Please note there are limited places available for a number of the activities and some activities may carry a 22 term 22 term