Archive for January, 2007

26th January 2007

Friday, January 26th, 2007

Bike It Assembly

Gary Shipp our Bike It link co-ordinator presented prizes to the winner of the design a flag competition and to the runners up during Mondays assembly. The children were asked to design a flag for Gary’s bike trailer. The flag design should alert everyone of the cyclists presence on the road and also to advertise ‘Bike It’. Nerissa in Year 4 designed the winning flag. Her prize is a bike, lucky girl!

Preston Manor

Year 3 will be dressing up in period costume when they visit Preston Manor on Monday 29th January.

Photos

The photographer will be in school on Friday 2nd February. He will be taking photos of children individually.

Playground Work Begins

Work begins on the main playground improvements on Monday 5th February. Small groups of children will be working with Nick and Joe from ‘Touchwood’. The working parties will be preparing wood, carving designs and building benches. The completed structures will then be put in place during half term. Every thing is made from beautiful wood especially selected for us from sustainable woodlands.
If you would like to see photos of examples of some of the structures they are displayed on the children’s notice board.

Coffee Morning

The School Association monthly Coffee Morning takes place again on Wednesday 7th February at 9.00am in the Family Room.

Bad Weather

We were all very excited and pleased to see the snow on Wednesday and very disappointed when it had disappeared by the next day. Unfortunately when we do have snow it can cause problems for staff and children getting to school. When we have a snowfall please listen to one of the local radio stations: BBC Southern Counties, Southern FM or Juice FM who will broadcast the news if the school is to be closed due to bad weather.

Warm Clothes

Many children have been cold over the last days because they do not have appropriate clothing on for the weather. There are areas in the school that can be quite cool and obviously it has been very cold when the children go out to play. Please can you ensure your child brings a winter coat to school for playtimes and have warm jumpers or sweatshirts to wear in school when they need to.

Invitation from Parents’ Forum

Parents are invited along to a meeting organised by Brighton and Hove Parent’s Forum. Brighton and Hove Parents forum have been asked to take part in a consultation on Transfer and Transition. They would like parents to participate and share their experiences of Transfer and transition in schools in Brighton and Hove. Transfer is the term for when children move from one school to another. Transition is the movement from one key stage to another or one year to another within the same school. The meeting will take place at Hollingdean Children’s Centre, Brentwood Road on Wednesday 31st January at 7.00 – 8.00pm. Please note this is not a meeting to discuss choice of schools or admissions procedures. For more information please call Tasha Barefield on 294391 or email her at tasha.barefield@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Congratulations to..

Emilia Gibson in Year 4. Emilia recently went to London to appear on the TV programme ‘Smile’. She read Nev (a blue bear) a story called ’Nev’s Nightmare’. You can catch Emilia reading to Nev on ‘Smile’ which goes out at 7.30 on Sunday 28th January. Well done Emilia!

Half Term

We finish for the half term break on Friday 9th February. School begins again on Monday 19th February.

19th January 2007

Friday, January 19th, 2007

The Mayor’s Parlour

Mr Collins took the School Council down to the Town Hall on Tuesday to meet the Mayor, Mr David Smith.

The children enjoyed a drink and a biscuit with the Mayor while he told them about his duties and the role he plays in the city. Mr Smith visited the school and spoke to the children in assembly in December.

School Council Meeting

The next children’s School Council meeting is on Tuesday 23rd January.

Sundance Closure

Those of you who use the Sundance after School club will be aware that they will be closing in March. I know this leaves many of you in a difficult situation, which we are aware of. I have been trying to find out on your behalf what after school care services there are available in the area. The clubs we have spoken to so far are full but there is the possibility of a new club starting up soon which I will keep you updated as and when I get more information. We will continue to do what we can to help but please do what you can to arrange alternative child care for your child after school.

Trainers with Wheels

One or two children have been wearing the trainers with integral wheels. Please could I ask you not to allow your child to wear this type of trainer to school for very obvious safety reasons. A child did actually have an accident recently in school as a result of wearing this type of trainer.

Drama Club

The Bigfoot Drama After School club starts this coming Monday. Please note though that there will be no club on Monday 29th January. Bigfoot will make up for the lost time later in the course with two longer sessions. You will be informed of the dates and times of longer sessions nearer the time. They apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Chickenpox

Mrs Dyer would like me to tell you there are children off school in both the morning and afternoon nursery classes who have chickenpox.

INSET days

We have 2 more INSET (teacher training days) over the next two terms. The first is on June 4th and the final one is on the very last day of term 25th July. I will of course remind you again nearer the time.

Please find attached

A letter and a response sheet from our Chair of Governors, Nick Ebdon regarding secondary school admissions proposals. Please make every effort to complete and return the response sheet as directed in Nick’s letter.

Wonderful Atmosphere

I wanted to say, and I hope you don’t mind me being a bit ‘fluffy’ what a brilliant start to the term we have had here at Middle Street. I am so proud of all the children, they have settled back into school after the excitement of Christmas calmly getting on with their work and having fun. We have many visitors to the school who pick up on the warm glow and they all comment on the children’s positive attitudes, confidence and enthusiasm. So very well done to all the children.

12th January 2007

Friday, January 12th, 2007

Thank You

On behalf of the staff and myself I would like to say a belated thank you for all the lovely Christmas presents we receive from the children and their families. It’s a very thoughtful gesture and very much appreciated.

Coffee Morning

The School Association held another successful coffee morning on Wednesday. The next coffee morning will take place on Wednesday 7th February.

Train to run Positive Parenting Groups

I have been asked to ask you if there are any parents or carers who would like to train to run positive parenting groups. Parents taking part will be paid for their time and get the chance of some brilliant training. If you are interested and want to know more please contact Ros Cook at AMAZE ON Tel no: 772289 or email: info@amazebrighton.org.uk

Extended Schools

Please could you hand in as soon as possible the Extended Schools questionnaire we sent out to you before the holidays.
We would like input from parents and carers on the services and activities they would like to see on offer at school or nearby. The information gathered will inform our next steps in the development of the school’s extended services. If you are unable to locate your questionnaire, please ask for another from the office.

Club News

Good news we still have spaces in the following clubs: Bigfoot Drama club needs more year 3 and 4 children so they can perform ‘The Witches’
Basketball for years 3, 4 and 5.
Multisports for years 5 and 6
French for years 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Please let Mrs Walker know in the office if your child is interested in joining one of the above clubs.

Hair, Phones and Jewellery

Please could I remind you that all children with long hair should have it tied back whilst they are in school. This includes boys as well as girls. When children have their hair tied back we have far less of a of problem with head lice.
Please could I also remind you that children should not be wearing jewellery in school for obvious health and safety reasons as well as the possibility that precious items may be lost.
We are happy for children to bring mobile phones to school but would like them to hand them in to the office for safe keeping during the day. It is not permissible for mobile phones to be used during the day. If children wish to contact home they should ask at the office and parents or carers wishing to contact their child should do so via the office.

SHOEBIZ

Just to remind you that our group of year 6 children, are still collecting unwanted shoes for their Blue Peter Shoebiz appeal. Please put your unwanted shoes in a carrier bag and place in the Shoebiz box by the office. We have done very well so far so keep those shoes coming in. The appeal is to raise money to support children in Malawi.

Governors Meeting

The next full governors meeting will take place on Thursday 18th January. We almost have a full governing body now. All parent vacancies have been filled. Your parent governors are: Ms Joanne Smith, Ms Helen Cartledge, Ms Chetana Parmar, Mr Terry Stewart and Mr Nick Ebdon.

Congratulations to…

Nina Steele in Year 3 for gaining her ASA swimming award at Level 7 and her 400 metres distance certificate. Well done Nina!

Zoe Peyton Jones in Year 3 for that stunning violin recital you performed for Year 3, Mr Brazil and me. Well done!

5th January 2007

Friday, January 5th, 2007

Happy New Year

Welcome back to you all and an especially warm welcome to all the new children and their families who have joined us this term.
We hope you all had an enjoyable Christmas and are now sticking to your New Years resolutions, just as we all are!

Club News

A letter detailing this half terms clubs should be coming home today.

Year 2 Pyjama Day

Ms Moriarty and Year 2 all looked very cuddly in their pyjamas at the end of term. They held a sponsored pyjama day to raise money for the Smile Train charity, which supports children with cleft palates. They managed to raise so far £109 and there’s more to come. Congratulations and well done to Year 2 and especially to Hardy who first suggested the idea of raising money for the charity.

Year 6 Visit to Pizza Express

Year 6 will be making their own pizzas and finding out all about food preparation, food hygiene and healthy eating with the help of Pizza Express. Their visit takes place on Wednesday 10th January.

Extended Schools in the Community Questionnaire

Before the holidays you should have received a questionnaire regarding the possible services and activities we may be able to offer to parents and carers through the school. We would be very grateful if you could complete the questionnaire when you have a few minutes and return it to school. The information gathered will inform our next steps in the development of the school’s extended services. If you unable to locate your questionnaire, please ask for another from the office.

School Association Coffee Morning

The School Association are holding another of their wonderful coffee mornings on Wednesday 10th January at 9.00am in the Family Room. Come and join us for a coffee and a chat. It’s a great opportunity to meet new friends especially if you are new to the school.

New Education Welfare Officer

We have a new Education Welfare Officer, Ms Sue Fears. We have already met with Ms Fears before the holidays and discussed the issues we have with lateness and absences. She expressed her concern over the high level of absences within a minority group of families. Ms Fears may already have been in touch if your child has a poor attendance or punctuality record. I am afraid she has made it quite clear to Mrs Walker (Attendance manager) and I that she will except no excuses for poor attendance and requested that I pass that message on to all.

Congratulations to..

Nathan Davis-Winstanley in Year 6 who will also have his poem published in ‘A Pocketful of Rhyme. East and West Sussex Verses’ due for publication on 28th February 2007. Well done Nathan.

Half Term Break

We break for the half term holidays on Friday 9th February and return to school on Monday 19th February.