Dear Parent/Carer, Welcome back to the summer term. I hope you had a restful Easter holiday. OFSTED REPORT I can confirm that the Ofsted Report from the Inspection which took place on Tuesday 7 th March 2017 will be available on the Ofsted and school websites on Tuesday 25 th April. We will be emailing a copy out to all parents on that day. STAFF UPDATE Mrs Exley At the end of last term we said goodbye to our Clerk to Governors Ailsa Exley. We will be recruiting later this term for a new Clerk. Mrs Yates We will also be saying a very sad goodbye to Mrs Yates who will be leaving us on 12 th May to start a new career. Mrs Yates has been at North Town for nearly 14 years and she will greatly missed by everyone. HUMANITIES HALF TERM As you will have read in your child s Summer Term 1 Curriculum Overview which was sent home before the holiday, the children will be focusing on the overarching theme of humanities throughout their learning this half term. SCHOOL GATES REVISED OPENING AND LOCKING TIMES Just a reminder as from the beginning of this term - the following opening and locking times will apply to all school gates: Mornings Staff Car Park Gate will open at 7.00am and locked at 8.00am Staplegrove Road entrance will open at 7.00am and locked at 8.55am Wood Street entrance will open at 7.00am and locked at 8.55am Afternoons Staff Car Park Gate will be closed all afternoon. Staplegrove Road entrance will open at 3.00pm and locked at 6.15pm Wood Street entrance will open at 3.00pm and locked at 6.15pm This is to comply with new Ofsted guidance on site security which is designed to make the site safer for the children when they are attending school. POLLING DAY REMINDER 4 TH MAY 2017 I would like to remind you that the school will be closed to pupils on Thursday 4 th May as the school is being used as a Polling Station for the Somerset County Council elections. The Nursery will be open as normal. GENERAL ELECTION 8 TH JUNE 2017 As you will now be aware, the Prime Minister has called a General Election which will take place on Thursday 8 th June 2017. We have received verbal confirmation that the school will be used as a Polling Station which unfortunately means that the school will be closed to pupils for this day. I appreciate that this is short notice and may cause inconvenience to you. I hope you will appreciate that the safeguarding of pupils is our upmost priority and the reason we have to close the school, as we are unable to separate the children from members of the public coming on site to vote. The Nursery will be open as normal. E-SAFETY It has recently come to our attention that many children are using the Musical.ly app, which should not be accessed by children under 16. Aspects of this site have raised some serious safeguarding concerns, which have been forwarded to the police. Please ensure you check the age restrictions on all apps, games and social media sites that your children are accessing, and monitor their usage. Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure your child is safe online. Cont d..
HEALTH WEEK/SPORTS DAYS Mr Templeton is currently organising this year s Health Week which will take place during the week commencing Monday 5 th June. The week is full of different sporting/healthy activities for the children and we would be grateful for any parental support during this week. If you are able to help, please contact your child s class teacher as soon as possible. As the General Election is taking place on Thursday 8 th June, we have had to move the Key Stage 2 Sports Day. Sports Days will take place at French Weir Park and the dates and times are now as follows: Key Stage/Year Groups Date Time Early Years Tuesday 6 th June 9.30am 11.30am (approx.) Year 3 and Year 4 Tuesday 6 th June 1.15pm to 3.15pm (approx.) Year 5 and Year 6 Wednesday 7 th June 9.30am to 11.30am (approx.) Your child will need to bring to school a T shirt in the colour of their house team which they will wear for the event. Blackdown green, Quantock blue, Mendip yellow and Brendon red. NEW LUNCH MENUS Our new lunch menus for summer term 2 (June and July) will be sent home today. If you would like your child to have a school lunch, please would you complete the menu and return to school with the necessary money (if applicable) by Friday 5 th May. Emma, our Kitchen Manager, would be interested to hear from parents and carers about menu suggestions. She will be meeting with our School Council in the next few weeks to discuss the children s ideas as well. If you have any suggestions, please email kitchen@northtownschool.org.uk. WARM WEATHER UNIFORM OPTIONS As we are now in the summer term, the children may wear the warm weather uniform options as detailed below: Green & white gingham dress Grey shorts White short sleeved shirt (NOT polo shirts) The children must still wear a tie to school if they wear a shirt, however, at the discretion of myself or the Senior Leadership Team, the tie maybe removed if the weather is very hot. With the warmer weather approaching, please would you apply sun cream to your child before they come to school and provide your child with a cap/sun hat to wear as we like to take our learning outside of the classroom whenever possible. Please ensure the cap/sun hat is clearly named. Also, sun glasses are not permitted unless for medical purposes. Please note that the children should not bring sunglasses into school. RED NOSE DAY On Friday 24th March we supported Red Nose Day by asking the children to come into school with 'crazy hair'. The children really enjoyed taking part in this and we saw lots of interesting and original hair styles! We also held a very successful cake sale and we would like to thank you all for the donations of cakes that were sent into school. We raised a total of 288.18. Many thanks to those of you who contributed. MUFTI MONDAY There will not be a Mufti Monday in April. Also, due to the May Day Bank Holiday and Year 2 and Year 6 SATs, there will not be a Mufti Monday in May either. However, we will be holding mufti day on Friday 19 th May, where the theme will be that the children wear red and yellow clothes to school. Please could your child bring into school a 1 donation. All the money raised will be donated to the local charity Reminiscence Learning who are working with Year 4 on an intergenerational dementia awareness community project (The Archie Project). The reason for choosing a theme of red and yellow is that these colours are the last colours to go in the ageing eye and so are the most easily recognised by older people. STATUTORY TESTS YEAR 1, 2 AND 6 CHILDREN During this term, the following statutory tests will be taking place: Year 6 SATs Monday 8 th May 2017 to Thursday 11 th May 2017 Year 2 SATs Monday 15 th May 2017 to Thursday 18 th May 2017 and Monday 22 nd May 2017 Year 1 and some Year 2 children Phonics Check Tests Monday 12 th June 2017 to Friday 16 th June 2017 It is very important that the children attend school during the above dates and any term time absence requests will not be authorised. Cont d..
SAINSBURY S ACTIVE KIDS VOUCHERS Just a reminder that we are collecting the Sainsbury s Active Kids vouchers. The promotion ends on Tuesday 2 nd May, however, we will be collecting the vouchers until the end of June. These provide a range of valuable resources for use both at lunchtime in the playground and during Physical Education lessons. There is a box for collecting these vouchers situated in the foyer just outside the main office. We would appreciate it if you would donate as many vouchers as you can to our school and nursery. Thank you. PRO COACHING AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS CLUBS SUMMER TERM Below are the Pro Coaching after school clubs for this term. If you would like to book your child on one of these clubs, please book on line at www.pro-coaching.co.uk. The clubs will start week commencing Monday 24 th April 2017 and will end week commencing Monday 17 th July 2017 except dance which finishes on Friday 7 th July. Please note that there will be no Football on Thursday 4 th May due to the school being closed to pupils for Polling Day and there will be no Dance on Friday 9 th June due to the PTA Summer Fair taking place. Day Age Group Venue Run by Monday Gymnastics Reception age to Year 4 Hall Pro Coaching Wednesday Football Reception age to Year 1 age MUGA/Hall Pro Coaching Thursday Football Year 2 age to Year 6 MUGA/Hall Pro Coaching Friday Fun Dance Year 2 age to Year 6 Hall Pro Coaching CELEBRATION ASSEMBLIES If you are invited to one of our Celebration Assemblies to see your child receive their award, for site security reasons, please would you arrive at school no earlier than 9.50am and make your way to the school hall where the assembly will start at 10.00am. Thank you for your co-operation. AWARDS Congratulations to Thia, Evei, Maisie, Eleanor, Jagdish, Thomas, Eliza, Sohan, Olivia, Freya, Benjamin, Florence, Reece, Cameron, Adi, Marley, Mia, Ashleigh, Teegan and Valerie who all achieved their Bronze award for receiving 100 house points. Congratulations also to Marta, Janice, Max, Isibeal, Abaigeal, Mia, Lucca, Freya and Hana who have achieved their Silver Award. House points are awarded for good behaviour and an excellent attitude towards learning. GOLD BOOK AWARD Congratulations to Lucas from New Rock Pippins and Will from Royal Russets who were recently nominated to be in our Gold Book. Yours sincerely Mike Snowden Head teacher SCHOOL DISCOS Just a reminder that our school discos will be held tonight in the school hall at the following times: Pippins, Court Royal, Kingston Black and the Russets will be 5.30pm - 6.30pm Year 3 and 4 will be 6.45pm - 7.45pm Year 5 and 6 will be 8.00pm 9.00pm Please remember to bring the permission slip and entry is 2. PTA SUMMER FAIR This year, our Summer Fair will take place on Friday 9 th June straight after school. A sign-up sheet for volunteers to help run a stall will be put up nearer the time. More details to follow. Cont d
SUMMER TERM 2017 EVENTS CALENDAR Please see below for our Summer Term Events Calendar. If your child is representing the school in a sporting fixture, Mr Templeton will send you a letter confirming this: Event Date Time Venue Humanities Theme Summer Term 1 Tuesday 18 th April to Friday School Hours North Town School 26 th May PTA Discos Friday 21 st April 5.30pm to 9.00pm Hall Cross Country Monday 24 th April 4.00pm to 5.00pm Kings College Year 5 Strike/Field Festival Wednesday 26 th April School Hours Castle School Year 3 Kilve Residential Visit Wednesday 26 th April to Friday Kilve Court 28 th April Russets visit to Bristol Pirate Walk Thursday 27 th April School Hours Bristol Court Royal and Kingston Black Nature Walk Friday 28 th April 1.15pm to 3.15pm Long Run Meadow Bank Holiday Monday School Closed Monday 1 st May Opera Plus Rehearsal for Choir Tuesday 2 nd May 3.30pm to 5.00pm Hall Opera Plus Performance for Choir Tuesday 2 nd May 5.30pm Hall Russet Classes Multi Skills Festival Wednesday 3 rd May School Hours Castle School Parents Play Workshop Wednesday 3 rd May 9.00am to 12 noon North Town School Year 5/6 Boys Kwik Cricket Tournament Wednesday 3 rd May 3.50pm to 5.40pm Taunton Vale Sports Polling Day School Closed to Pupils Thursday 4 th May School Hours North Town School Completed School Lunch Menus Summer Friday 5 th May School Hours North Town School Term 2 to be returned Year 6 SATS Monday 8 th May to Thursday School Hours North Town School 11 th May Year 2 SATS Monday 15 th May to Monday School Hours North Town School 22 nd May Year 4 Quad Kids Athletics Competition Monday 15 th May 9.45am to 12.30pm Castle School Year 5/6 Quad Kids Athletics Competition Monday 15 th May 2.30pm to 5.30pm Castle School Kingston Black & Court Royal Multi Skills Wednesday 17 th May School Hours Castle School Festival Pippins Parent Share Meeting Wednesday 17 th May 2.40pm to 3.00pm Pippins Classrooms Year 3 Open Morning Thursday 18 th May 8.50am to 12.10pm Year 3 Classrooms Queens College Swimming Gala Thursday 18 th May 4.00pm Queens College Year 6 Outdoor Adventure Residential Parents Thursday 18 th May 6.00pm to 7.00pm School Hall Information Meeting (Sept 17) Reminiscence Learning Archie Project Day Friday 19 th May School Hours North Town School Children to wear Red and Yellow clothes KS2 SEND Parents Meetings Monday 22 nd May School Hours North Town School Whole School Photo Tuesday 23 rd May School Hours North Town School Year 6 Leaver Photo Tuesday 23 rd May School Hours North Town School Kingston Black and Court Royal Parent Share Meeting Tuesday 23 rd May 2.30pm to 3.00pm Kingston Black & Court Royal Classrooms Year 5 Open Morning Wednesday 24 th May 8.50am to 12.10am Year 5 Classrooms Year 6 Parent Share Meeting Wednesday 24 th May 9.00am to 9.30am Year 6 Classrooms Year 3 Parent Share Meeting Wednesday 24 th May 3.00pm to 3.30pm Year 3 Classrooms Year 5 Parent Share Meeting Wednesday 24 th May 3.15pm to 3.45pm Year 5 Classrooms Year 4 Parent Share Meeting Wednesday 24 th May 3.30pm to 4.00pm Year 4 Classrooms Year 5/6 Boys Kwik Cricket Tournament Wednesday 24 th May 3.50pm to 5.40pm Taunton Vale Sports New Parents Evening (Reception parents Wednesday 24 th May 6.00pm to 8.00pm North Town School whose children start in September) Golden and Royal Russets Parent Share Thursday 25 th May 8.30am to 9.00am 8.30am to 8.45am Meeting Early Years SEND Parents Meetings Thursday 25 th May School Hours North Town School Year R and Year 6 Heights and Weights Friday 26 th May School Hours North Town School Measurements Check by NHS Last day of Summer Term 1 Friday 26 th May School Hours North Town School Summer Half Term Holiday School Monday 29 th May to Friday Closed 2 nd June First day of Summer Term 2 Monday 5 th June School Hours North Town School Mufti Monday Monday 5 th June School Hours North Town School Art Theme Summer Term 2 Monday 5 th June to Friday 21 st School Hours North Town School July Health Week Monday 5 th June to Friday 9 th School Hours North Town School June Year 6 Business Project Trading Monday 5 th June to Friday 23 rd School Hours North Town School June Early Years Sports Day Tuesday 6 th June 9.30am to 11.30am French Weir Park Year 3 and 4 Sports Day Tuesday 6 th June 1.15pm to 3.15pm French Weir Park
Event Date Time Venue Year 3 Athletics Festival Wednesday 7 th June School Hours Castle School Year 5 and 6 Sports Day Wednesday 7 th June 9.30am to 11.30am French Weir Park General Election Polling Station School Thursday 8 th June School Hours North Town School Closed to Pupils PTA Summer Fair Friday 9 th June 3.30pm to 5.00pm North Town School Phonics Check Week Monday 12 th June to Friday School Hours North Town School 16 th June Year 6 Open Morning Tuesday 13 th June 8.50am to 12.10pm Year 6 Classrooms Year 6 Bike Ability Course 1 Day 1 Wednesday 14 th June School Hours North Town School New Reception Children - Induction Morning Thursday 15 th June TBC North Town School Year 6 Games Festival Thursday 15 th June School Hours Taunton Vale Sports Year 6 Bike Ability Course 1 Day 2 Friday 16 th June School Hours North Town School/Local area New Reception Children Induction Morning Tuesday 20 th June TBC North Town School Year 6 Bike Ability Course 2 Day 1 Wednesday 21 st June School Hours North Town School Pippins Multi Skills Festival Wednesday 21 st June School Hours Castle School Russets Open Morning Thursday 22 nd June 8.50am to 11.45am Golden and Royal Russet Classrooms Year 6 Bike Ability Course 2 Day 2 Thursday 22 nd June School Hours North Town School/Local area Women s World Cup Cricket Match Australia v West Indies Monday 26 th June 8.30am to 2.30pm Somerset County Cricket Ground Cross Country Monday 26 th June 4.00pm to 5.00pm Kings College Full Governors Meeting Tuesday 27 th June School Hours North Town School Year 6 Production Tech Rehearsal Tuesday 27 th June 4.00pm to 7.00pm Castle School New Reception Children Induction Morning Wednesday 28 th June TBC North Town School Year 4 Orienteering Festival Wednesday 28 th June School Hours Norton Manor Camp Year 5 Outdoor Education Festival Thursday 29 th June School Hours Norton Manor Camp Year 6 Production Dress Rehearsal Thursday 29 th June 3.30pm to 7.00pm Castle School Year 6 Production Grease Friday 30 th June 7.00pm Castle School Mufti Monday Monday 3 rd July School Hours North Town School Arts Week Monday 3 rd July to Friday 7 th School Hours North Town School July Secondary School Induction Days Tuesday 4 th and Wednesday School Hours Secondary Schools 5 th July Reception Children Induction Morning Wednesday 5 th July TBC North Town School School Reports sent home Friday 7 th July School Hours North Town School TLP Awards Evening Wednesday 12 th July 6.00pm to 8.00pm Bishop Fox s School Informal Parents Evening Thursday 13 th July 3.30pm to 4.30pm Classrooms PTA Discos and Year 6 Leaver Evening Friday 14 th July 5.30pm to 9.00pm North Town School Class Swap Morning Monday 17 th July School Hours North Town School Meet the New Teacher Meeting Monday 17 th July 3.30pm to 4.30pm Classrooms Early Years Prize Giving Tuesday 18 th July 9.15am to 10.15am Hall Key Stage 2 Prize Giving Tuesday 18 th July 10.30am to Hall 11.30am Summer Term House Treat Tuesday 18 th July School Hours TBC Year 6 End of Year Visit Wednesday 19 th July School Hours TBC Year 6 Leavers Service Thursday 20 th July 10.00am to St James Church 11.30am Last day of school year Friday 21 st July School Hours North Town School INSET Day - Monday 24 th July School Closed to pupils Summer Holidays School Closed Tuesday 25 th July to Friday 1 st September INSET Days School Closed to pupils Monday 4 th and Tuesday 5 th September First day of Autumn term 2017 Wednesday 6 th September School Hours North Town School