Archive for September, 2013

27th September 2013

Monday, September 30th, 2013

Sports Equipment Presented to School

Sainsburys were kind enough to donate some colourful and exciting sports equipment to the school from their Active Kids selection. As he was in town Kevin Brennan the MP and shadow minister for schools came along to our assembly on Tuesday to present to the equipment. The highlight of the assembly was when cheeky Mr Smart got Ms Busby skipping alongside Kevin Brennan!

Parent/Carer Consultation

Our parent and carer consultation evening dates for the autumn term are: Wednesday 2nd October and Thursday 3rd October (Year 4 Tuesday 1st October and Thursday 3rd October). A letter was sent home yesterday with details. If you did not receive one please ask for a copy as soon as possible at the office.

Governors Business Meeting

The Middle Street governing body met yesterday evening to elect the chair and organise committees etc. Anna Clark has been elected as our chairperson. Anna is a parent governor and will hold the position for a year. Hannah Jefferies (a parent governor) is working with a group of governors to develop a governor’s page on the school website. This will hopefully help the school community have a better understanding of the role of a governor and the work they do supporting and challenging the school ensuring it provides the best outcomes for all Middle Street children.

On-Time Teds

This week’s Key Stage 1 winners are Year reception and in Key Stage 2 the winners are Year 5. Well done to both classes for being on time for school!

Silly Dressing Up Day

Pay a £1 and wear something wild and wacky to school on the last day of half term (Thursday 24th October). Be as imaginative and as colourful as you can. The money raised will go towards buying some new playtime games and equipment such as a new hockey set, foam balls for football and new champ balls.

Bike It Launch

A bike it launch is to take place on the Lewes Road on 5th October. I am told more information to follow.

Walk to School Week

Walk to school week takes place week beginning 14th October. Get your walking shoes ready!

Pesky Pests

Please check your child’s hair regularly for head lice. Those pesky pests are quite busy at the moment swinging around from head to head.

Be a Bollywood Star

Emporium Theatre is running Bollywood dance and drama sessions on 30 and 31st October for years 5 and 6 children. If you are interested please email: education@emporiumbrighton.com

Lost

Ms Trojanowski has lost her Kindle Fire Tablet. She left it overnight in school inside a yellow bag. It was left in the year 1 and 2 shared area. The tablet has a white cover with colourful dots. Please return the tablet as soon as possible if it has been mistakenly picked up. The tablet actually belongs to her son Josh who is very upset.

Autumn Half Term Break

We break for the autumn half term on Thursday 24th October and return to school on Tuesday 5th November.

20th September 2013

Monday, September 23rd, 2013

Learning Journey Booklets

You may have already received your child’s learning journey booklet. If not it will arrive home soon. The booklet outlines the learning covered in your child’s class this term.

Governors Business Meeting

The governors meet for the first time this academic year on Thursday 26th September. The first meeting is a short one to elect a chair, assign members to sub committees etc.

Parent/Carer Consultation

Our parent and carer consultation evening dates for the autumn term are: Wednesday 2nd October and Thursday 3rd October. A more detailed letter will arrive home next week.

Snack Time Reminder

Children may only have fruit or veg for their snack times. Sandwiches, biscuits, fruit bars, snack bars etc are not allowed. Unadulterated fruit and veg only please.

Allergies Please Help

We have several children with quite serious and in some cases life threatening allergies. The key problematic allergens are from dogs and nuts. Dogs are not allowed in the playground at any time so please remember to leave your dog at home or leave outside the school away from the school gates. We also have no nut policy so no nuts of any sort in school please. Do remember that nuts are often in other food products e.g nutella, so do check. Frustrating I know but I don’t think any of us would want to be responsible for the potential outcome for a child with allergies if exposed to an allergen.

Rain Wear for Playtimes.

Middle Street children go out to play whatever the weather. Please ensure your child has a waterproof warm coat and waterproof shoes or wellies for playing outside at break times.

PE Kits

PE kits consist of a white tee shirt, black or navy shorts and plimsolls. All of which should be named and in school on the days your child has PE. Tee shirts with the Middle Street logo can be purchased from the school office. If your child does not have a PE kit in school they may lose some golden time if it becomes a regular occurrence. All parts of the PE kit should be clearly labelled with your child’s name. We have so many kits turning up in lost property but because they are not named we can’t return them to their owner.

MP to visit

On Tuesday we will be having a visit from the Shadow Schools Minister Kevin Brennan MP. He will be presenting the school with £400 of Sainsburys Active Kids sports equipment.

On-Time Teds

This week’s Key Stage 1 winners are Year reception and, in Key Stage 2, the winners are Year 5. Well done to both classes for being on time for school!

Autumn Half Term Break

We break for the autumn half term on Thursday 24th October and return to school on Tuesday 5th November.

13th September 2013

Friday, September 13th, 2013

Chris Riddell Pops In

Chris Riddell the author dropped by yesterday to chat to years 4 and 5. He talked about the inspiration behind his books and produced a drawing for the school. Children were able to buy signed copies of his latest book.

Meet the Teacher

Each teacher is inviting parents and carers in to talk about the learning and expectations for their class for the year.

The meetings begin at 9.10 until 9.30. The sessions are as follows:

Year 1 and 2: Wednesday 18th September.
Year 3 and 4: Thursday 19th September
Year 5 and 6: Tuesday 17th September.
Reception: Wednesday 25th September.

PLEASE do not exit the school in the mornings via the small side gate in Middle Street if it is closed. Please use the main gate in Boyces Street. The side gate is closed at 9.00 am. On two occasions this week someone has opened the gate and it has been left open causing a safety and security risk. It is not possible to secure this gate from the outside so please do not use it after 9.00 am. Thanks

Friday Morning Sing-a-long

Several parents and children came along this morning to our Friday morning sing-a-long in the hall. The sing-a-long is open to all children and their accompanying adults. We begin at 8.35 and end about 8.45. It’s great fun so do come along.

Adult Choir

We have an adult choir which meets at Middle Street every Thursday evening 6.00 till 7.00. We are called the Dulcetones and if you would like to find out more simply turn up for a session or go to www.dulcetones.co.uk or give Sarah (our choir leader)  a ring on 07540644534. The sessions are £5 if you pay half termly or £7 if you drop in. You do not need to be-able to read music or feel confident as a singer. Trust me Sarah will soon have you singing in ways you never imagined!

Attendance and Punctuality Must Improve

I have received a letter from the local authority stating that our attendance figures are not good enough and are below the national average. Poor punctuality does affect attendance figures. If children arrive after 9.30 the late mark is counted as an unauthorised absence and therefore impacts on the overall percentages. Holidays and other requests for leave will only be considered (not necessarily agreed) if there are truly exceptional circumstances for the request. Missing school means children are missing out on important learning.

Breakfast Club for Nursery

Nursery children are able to attend breakfast club in the mornings. Please ask at the office about fees etc if you are interested. We provide an additional adult with early years experience to support the little ones who do attend breakfast club.

Big Parenting Debate

Brighton and Hove City Council’s Public Health and Children’s Services are launching a Big Parenting Debate on 16th September. The purpose of the debate is to explore various issues, identify support and training needs, raise awareness of what support is available etc. There are flyers and a few questionnaires (with freepost envelopes) parents and carers may like to read and complete available in the school foyer. Do help yourselves and get involved in this important debate.

On-Time Teds

This week’s Key Stage 1 winners are Year 1 and in Key Stage 2 the winners are Year 5. Well done to both classes for being on time for school!

Autumn Half Term Break

We break for the autumn half term on Thursday 24th October and return to school on Tuesday 5th November.

6th September 2013

Friday, September 6th, 2013

Welcome Back

What a wonderful start to the term. It was great to see you all again after the break looking tanned and happy. The children have all settled in their new classes and Learning Journeys have got off to stunning starts!

We have several new children starting with us across the school this term. If you are a new family to our school I would like to welcome you to Middle Street and I am delighted you have joined us. We are welcoming back Ms Moriarty and Ms Howell from maternity leave. Ms Moriarty is teaching in year 6 and Ms Howell is teaching in year 2. We also have a trainee teacher with us for the autumn term. Ms Stevens is working alongside Mr Brosnan in year 4.

School Library News

We are currently in the process of making improvements to our school library. We also want to update our book collection so we were wondering if you had some good quality unwanted (and in good condition) children’s books at home that you would like to donate to our library? We are particularly interested in books by David Walliams, Antony Horowitz, Frank Cottrell Boyce and The Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Tin Tin and Asterix books. Any books will be gratefully received. Please drop off donations to Mrs Hemstedt either at the office or the school library. On Wednesday we will have available some old library books to give away which may be of interest to you. The books to take away will be in the main playground or if it’s raining in the hall.

Ideas for fundraising to buy new books are also welcome. Let us know if you have any ideas to help us re-stock our library.

Breakfast Club Update

Please see attached information regarding breakfast club.

Allergies Alert

We have several children in the school with severe life threatening allergies. Please do not send nuts or food containing nuts into school at anytime. This is a serious matter please support us in keeping those unfortunate in having allergies safe. Thank you.

Meet the Teacher

Each teacher is inviting parents and carers in to talk about the learning and expectations for their class for the year.

The meetings begin at 9.10 until 9.30. The sessions are as follows:

Year 1 and 2: Wednesday 18th September.
Year 3 and 4: Thursday 19th September
Year 5 and 6: Tuesday 17th September.
Reception: Wednesday 25th September.

Emergency Contact Forms

Attached is a form for you to complete and return to school please. We can then ensure we have up to date contact and emergency contact details for you. Please provide full contact details for someone who would be available to collect your child from school if unwell when you are not available.

Parent/Carer Consultation

Our parent and carer consultation evening dates for the Autumn term are: Wednesday 2nd October and Thursday 3rd October. A more detailed letter will arrive home in the next few weeks.

On Time Teds

Each week we award a class in Infants (key stage 1) and a class in the juniors (key stage 2) the On Time Ted for having the least late marks in the register. In order to have a chance of winning the ted and therefore the chance to win a class prize at the end of term each child should be in school on time every day. Arriving on time to start the school day has a very positive impact on children’s learning and well being so please make every effort to ensure your child is in school and in class before 9.00 am every day.

Safety Reminders

Please could parents and carers support the school in keeping children safe by ensuring their child is not climbing on the school walls or the green partition outside reception class in the main playground at the beginning or end of the day? Staff will challenge the children if they see them climbing and children will lose Golden Time as a result. Children should not be playing with balls in the playgrounds at the beginning or the end of the day for your safety as well as the children.

Autumn Half Term Break

We break for the Autumn half term on Thursday 24th October and return to school on Tuesday 5th November (we have staff training days on the Friday and Monday).