Archive for January, 2014

24th January 2014

Friday, January 24th, 2014

Golden Time

Can you help at Golden Time? Every Friday afternoon the children enjoy choosing from a range of activities, such as cooking, sewing, football and circus skills, for their Golden Time. Golden Time is a reward for hard work and good behaviour throughout the week and we try to offer different activities so there is something fun for everyone. We currently have a parent running a sports activity which many of our KS1 children enjoy. If you have a particular interest or skill and would be happy to run an activity, with or without a member of school staff, please speak to Mrs Jones, Ms Moriarty or Ms Bish.

Gardening Club

As spring approaches, so does Gardening Club! If you are a keen gardener, would you like to help with our weekly club to make growing a success? Some of the jobs include pruning trees and bushes, which we are finding hard to do. We are also hoping to extend our gardens so any skills would be greatly appreciated. Gardening club will be held after school every Monday, starting after half term. If you would like to help, please speak to Ms Purdy in Year 2 or Mrs Walker in the office.

Lucky Lock

To encourage more people to cycle and scoot to school, we now have the lucky lock! If you find the pink lock around your scooter or bike, come to the office and ask for the pick key. When you bring the lock to the office you can claim your prize. Well done and thank you to our Eco Warriors who are in charge of the lucky lock, and have also been working hard to record how many bikes and scooters were in school before the lucky lock. Hopefully we can increase the number of children cycling or scooting instead of coming by car!

Thanks also to Bike-it-Ben who has donated a balance bike to our Early Years children.

Free School Meals

If you think your child may be entitled to free school meals and you have not claimed for this, please do so. You may not want your child to have their meal every day, but once you have claimed you can order their meal whenever you like. Also, part of the school budget is calculated according to the number of children who are eligible for free school meals, so it is valuable for us to have a correct record of all our eligible families. Nursery children who attend morning and afternoon sessions can also claim free school meals.

You can apply online or request an application form from the office. To find out more or to see if you are eligible use the following web address:

http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/children-and-education/schools/free-school-meals 

Nursery Open Day

Our open day is 2nd April from 3.30pm. If you, your family or friends are considering Nurseries for your children, please do come and have a look around.  If you are unable to come to the open day, appointments can be arranged through the school office.

On-Time Teds

This week’s Key Stage 1 winners are Reception and in Key Stage 2 the winners are Year 6.Well done to both classes for being on time for school!

Positive Parenting Programme (Triple P) Talks

The following Triple P talks will be held at Tarner Children’s Centre from 10-11.30am on the dates shown:

Saturday 1st February  – The Power of Positive Parenting

Saturday 1st March – Raising Confident, Competent Children

Saturday 5th April – Helping Children to Deal with their Emotions

Everyone is welcome. No booking is required – just turn up. For more information call 01237 294108.

Half Term Break

We end for the half term break on Friday 14th February and return on Tuesday 25th February.

17th January 2014

Friday, January 17th, 2014

Wednesday Morning Football Club

The children enjoyed their early morning football club this week. Please could parents ensure their child is not left unaccompanied and that they stay with their child until the club leaders arrive and take over?

Year 5 Meet the Teacher

Ms Burrows has organised a meeting for year 5 parents on Monday 20th January at 9.10 – 9.30. This is an opportunity to come and meet Ms Burrows and she will share with you the learning and expectations for the months ahead.

Jig-Saws Please

Do you have any (complete) unwanted jig-saw puzzles at home that you could donate to the Family Room’s new puzzle table? The learning mentors would like 50 to 500 piece puzzles please.

On-Time Teds

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

Term Time Holidays

When requesting a holiday during term time (which I must encourage you not to do) please ensure that you identify clearly the exceptional circumstances leading to your request. I cannot authorise holidays during term time unless there are truly exceptional circumstances. Please put your request in writing (not an email). Thank you.

Good Luck Ms Lawrence

Ms Freya Lawrence is leaving us today for her maternity leave. Ms Lawrence works as a teaching assistant in year 5. Good luck Ms Lawrence.

Level 1 and 2 Cycle Training

Cycle training takes place at Preston Park and Hove Park on Monday 17th February until Friday 21st February. The sessions start at 10 am until lunchtime. The training is aimed at children from age 9 to 14. Places are limited and are on a first come first served basis. Please contact Emily Tester on 01273 293847 to book a place.

Half Term Break

We end for the half term break on Friday 14th February and return on Tuesday 25th February.

10th January 2014

Friday, January 10th, 2014

Welcome Back and Happy New Year to You All

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a restful break. The first week back has been great. It was a real pleasure to see the children bouncing through the door on Monday with happy smiling faces. They all settled quickly back into school and their learning. If you are new to the school I would like to extend a warm welcome to you from the Middle Street community. We have some new members of staff and they are: Ms Laura Burrows who is covering maternity leave. Ms Burrows is teaching year 5. Ms Nicky Reid is the temporary teaching assistant in year 3 while Ms Sayers is away. Ms Harli Scourfield is a working as a teaching assistant in year 4.

Time to Say a Fond Farewell to Mr Dyer

Mr Dyer has decided to leave the world of education and say goodbye to Middle Street. Mr Dyer will be leaving us at the end of this half term. We are very, very sad that he will be leaving us. He has been very much a special part of Middle Street having had links with the school for 30 years and worked in the school for 16 years. We will be having a get together for everyone to say thank you and celebrate the years Mr Dyer has worked at Middle Street. I shall let you know the date very soon.

Snakes Alive

Years 5 and 6 enjoyed a slithery experience when ‘Zoolab’ visited their classrooms with a selection of reptiles and other animals as part of their stunning learning journey start. The children learnt lots of facts and asked questions to help them with their learning journey. They also all had opportunities to touch the snakes and their slithery and spidery friends. How lovely!

Travels to India

Years 3 and 4 travelled to India yesterday. They went by plane, experienced passport control and customs. They then drove through the streets of Mumbai in a taxi arriving at a hotel in time to learn a Bollywood dance. The dance was filmed and the director was very impressed by their dance skills. Wow! The things Middle Street children get up to!

Year 5 Meet the Teacher

Ms Burrows has organised a meeting for year 5 parents on Monday 20th January at 9.10 – 9.30. This is an opportunity to come and meet Ms Burrows and she will share with you the learning and expectations for the months ahead.

Jig-Saws Please

Do you have any (complete) unwanted jig-saw puzzles at home that you could donate to the Family Room’s new puzzle table? The mentors would like 50 to 500 piece puzzles please.

On-Time Teds

This week’s Key Stage 1 winners are Reception and in Key Stage 2 the winners are Year 6.Well done to both classes for being on time for school!

Good Communication

A reminder to everyone that you are always welcome in school to talk through any problems or worries you may have and you feel we should know about it. (We also like to hear about the good things too.) We are all here to help my door is always open as is Mr Smart’s and Mrs Jones’.

School Counsellor News

Our school counsellor Ruth Lazarus is expecting a baby in March. Mr Hugh Miller will be covering her maternity leave from after half term.

Donations of Cars Please

Nursery and reception are in need of Matchbox and other toy cars. If you have some at home that are no longer played with they would love them for their current learning journey. Please hand in any donations directly to nursery or reception or if you prefer the school office. Thanks.

Bike It News

Bike it Ben will be in school on Monday so bring your scooters and bikes in for a free check. There will be a special bike it day for reception and nursery on Wednesday 15th January. So the younger children should bring their scooters and bikes in on that Wednesday for a free check.

Lost

Ruby from Year 6 has lost her very special converse trainers. They are new black with a ‘bubbly tops’. She left them at school on the day of the Christmas show but has since disappeared. Please check at home and if you find them please return them to the school office.
Ruby’s dad has also lost his black umbrella (full length not telescopic). He thinks he left it in school so if you spot it please bring to the office.

Half Term Break

We end for the half term break on Friday 14th February and return on Tuesday 25th February.