Newsletter 16.09.11 Blog Edition

Newsletter 16.09.11 Blog Edition

Thank you to all of the Parents/ Carers who attended the recent helpers meeting. If you were unable to attend the meeting and would be interested in volunteering please speak to Mrs Brannon. As a small school we do not have a large number of adults in the school however we welcome and appreciate any support that you can offer. You may be able to offer to support with tasks in school for example changing reading books, or you may prefer to work in a class supporting the learning or at a school club.

As we are at the beginning of the school year it is a good time to remind the children of a few of the ground rules regarding the playground in the morning and after school. No children are to use the trim trail or play train before or after school as they are not insured to do so. Children should not be riding scooters on the playground or be staying behind after the end of school for a game of football. As tempting as it may be the school day is over and for insurance purposes the children are required to leave the site as quickly and safely as possible.

A number of requests for term time family holidays have been sent into school recently. The school cannot grant authorisation for any absence other than exceptional or unavoidable circumstances. Any holiday during term time can be damaging to educational progress for a number of reasons. Our numbers of absences are closely monitored by the Local Authority and each term we have to report on the number of unauthorised absences. The school has targets set by the Local Authority for absence and unauthorised absence and if the targets are not met we have to explain the reasons behind this. Individual unauthorised absences are recorded on annual reports to parents. We will not authorise any leave from school during the month of May 2012 as many assessments are completed during this time including SATs.
I realise that it is tempting to book during a school week in order to gain a reduction in price or to avoid any queues. However, please do remember, that any absence has an impact on both the children and the school.

I hope that you have an enjoyable weekend.

Paul Driver
Headteacher

FOHBS Meeting: Monday 19 September
FOHBS will be meeting at 7.30 pm on Monday 19 September at school to kick off the planning process for fundraising for this academic year. If you are interested in joining us or just want to come along and find out what happens then please do come along, we always welcome new members. Alternatively, you can speak to one of us in the playground. Currently we are: Fiona Ryan (years 3 & 6), Kim Hindle (year 6), Andrew Dadswell (year 3), Claire Norman (years 4 & 3), Louise Piper (year 3), Tracey Norris (years R, 4 & 5), Donna Mountain (years r & 2) and Lydia Beckett (year 1).

Pupil Success
Congratulations to the following pupils:
Josh Dooley (Yr 5) who was awarded the best all rounder trophy for the Harpenden Cricket Club U9 team

Junior Wind Band Day
St Alban’s Music School is running two Junior Wind Band Days for woodwind, brass and percussion players of Grade 1 – 3 standards. The Days are Wednesday 19th October and Thursday 10th November from 9.30am – 3.00pm. The aim of each day is to give young people the opportunity of playing in an ensemble. There will be a short presentation at 2.45pm to which parents are warmly invited. For an application form speak to Mrs Brannon or Mrs Murray places are limited. The cost for the day is £15


Tuesday 13th September ............... Parent Helpers Meeting 9 am school Hall
Friday 16th September..................... Class newsletters home
Monday 19th September ................. Clubs start
Monday 19th September.................. FOHBs meeting 7.30pm in school
Tuesday 27th September ................ International Day
Wednesday 28th September ........... Yr 4 to Verulamium
Friday 30th September..................... MacMillan Coffee Morning 9.45am
w/b 3rd October .............................. Book Week
Monday 3rd October ....................... Yr 2 London transport museum visit
Monday 10th October ..................... Individual photos – new photographer Val Cols details to follow
Thursday 13th October ................... Yr 6 St Albans Crown court visit
W/B 17th October ........................... Walk to School Week
Friday 21st October ........................ Half term ends
Thursday 3rd November .................. Parent Consultations 5-8pm
Friday 4th November ....................... Junior and infant disco
Wednesday 9th November ............. Parent Consultations 3.30pm – 6.30pm
W/B Nov 14th ................................. Anti Bullying Week
Friday 18th November ..................... Children in Need
Wednesday 23rd November ........... Open Morning for EYFS starters 2012 – 9.30 – 11.30
Wednesday 30th November ........... Open Morning for EYFS starters 2012 – 9.30 – 11.30
Friday 25th November .......... Occasional Day – School closed
Wednesday 7th December.............. Rotary Carol Concert
Thursday 8th December .................. Nativity @ 2pm
Friday 9th December ....................... Open Morning for EYFS starters 2012 – 9.30 – 11.30
Friday 9th December ....................... Nativity @ 6.30pm
Tuesday 13th December ................. Whole School Panto Visit PM
Friday 16th December ..................... Term Ends @ 2pm