Newsletter no 9

NSPCC

I’d like to start this newsletter with a huge thank you for all the support given for the recent sponsored run held on behalf of the NSPCC. Through a huge number of generous sponsors we have so far raised £1974.20 with yet more money coming in - an amazing amount of money for this special charity.

Helen Redman from the NSPCC will be returning to school on Monday 8th February to collect remaining monies, to thank the children and to share with them how the money will be used.

Information regarding Year 4

We informed you in the last newsletter of Mrs Townley’s great news. We have of course already given great consideration to the interim period while Mrs Townley takes maternity leave. For the final weeks of the first summer half term, Ms. Parkin will resume teaching responsibility for Year 4. During this period, Mrs Rabin will teach Year 3 replacing Ms. Parkin. We aim then to employ a teacher for the remainder of the term. The children will then move into Year 5 with a suitably qualified teacher. Upon her return, Mrs Townley will resume her role with her current class teaching Year 5. Miss Trivett will teach Year 4 for the academic year 2016/2017. Of course these initial plans may change as circumstances may vary , however, I felt it important to communicate some initial thoughts.

Sports News Athletics : Congratulations to the junior indoor athletics team who reached the Stockport finals. The team competed against 11 other schools and gained 6th place only being beaten by significantly larger schools – a tremendous effort by all.

Pop Lacrosse : Once again our team has reached the Stockport finals and we are excited at the prospect of competing to go through to the regional competition.

Daily run : On most days (unless the children have PE or the weather is just too unpleasant) all classes across our school are having a daily non-stop run of between 3-5 minutes with the aim to encourage active lifestyles, measure personal performance and increase levels of fitness.

5th February, 2016

Golden Table

22nd January Congratulations go to Eliza D, Nathan B, Sophia C, Harrison D, Isobel W & Ned D. 29th January Congratulations go to Archie B, Till B, Oliver G, Annie B, George M & Imogen T. 5th February Congratulations go to Valentina S, Casper H, Isla L, Dylan H, Freya B & Jacob F with the special award going to Maisie W.

Football Cards

We have had a book of football cards handed into the office. Please claim by 12th February. Thank you.

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Safeguarding updates

As part of our ongoing work on safeguarding children, next week we will highlight how to be safe on the internet during national Safer Internet Day. This takes place on 9th February, with the theme, 'Play your part for a better internet!’. The day offers the opportunity to highlight positive use of technology and to explore the role we all play in helping to create a better and safer online community. It calls upon young people, parents, carers, teachers, social workers, law enforcement, companies and policymakers to join together in helping to create a better internet. Get involved to play your part! Please look at the website link Safer Internet Day to see how you can support your child.

Alongside this we have added a new link on our website in the ‘Parents’ tab under ‘Safeguarding and the Digital World’.

The new link is for the work of the charity Barnardos which gives parents, carers and schools an excellent resource base to understand how to keep our children safe from child sexual exploitation. The resources can be viewed at http://www.barnardosrealloverocks.org.uk/

Sainsburys’ Vouchers

We are again taking part in the Sainsburys’ voucher scheme. Please send any vouchers to school with your child or post in the wooden office box at the entrance to school. Thank you.

Parents and driving on kerbs

Last year in our survey, parents commented on drivers mounting kerbs. This term, I’ve been informed of two

drivers mounting the kerb in order to pass vehicles and in addition, one driver using a mobile phone on Knowle

Road. I cannot stress enough that this is inappropriate as it potentially compromises the safety of our children

and families. We have a motto to keeping safe - Think Safe, Act Safe, Be Safe!

Please drive in the vicinity of school with due care and attention to ensure the safety of all our children and

families.

Lateness

As part of our continued commitment to improving children’s learning outcomes, we recently looked at the amount of learning time lost due to lateness since September 2015.

In total, 1017 minutes or 17 teaching hours have been lost. Lateness can not only raise an individual’s anxiety but also disrupts the relevant class. Very occasional lateness can be understandable, however, it is clear to see that the collective effect of lateness on learning is significant.

If your child is late, please ensure that you sign them in the late book. This is a very important safeguarding procedure. Our office staff will have to ‘guestimate’ minutes late should you fail to do so.

Attendance

Every half term, we look at the attendance figures and issue letters to those parents & carers whose children’s attendance is for what ever reason below 95%. These letters will be sent home next week. Furthermore, if your child has a pattern of persistent lateness, additional communication will be sent home.

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School Admin

Please ensure that forms and envelopes are clearly marked before posting in the office box We have recently

received the form below with £3 cash. If you recognise the writing, please let the office staff know so that the

payment can be allocated accordingly. Many thanks.

Parents’ Survey (as per last newsletter)

Last year we asked for your views, thoughts and perceptions of school through our extensive survey; once again

we ask you to contribute to our on-going self-evaluation through the school survey.

You will find the survey at the following address https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7XGFTND

Grounds Development

A small team of committed volunteers gathered on Thursday evening to discuss the future development of the

grounds at the back of school. You may recall that Rob Allen & Chris Gill worked on a development plan which

embraces the use of reclaimed materials. You can view this on our website and as we progress, a display in

school will share the development. Help from Barclays Bank Community Project and parent volunteers last

term got us started and we have another community team from Nationwide co-ordinated by Mark Woolley

supporting school on 14th March.

If you are able to help on that day, please inform the office - any help will be of value. In addition, we will co-

ordinate future days over weekends to aid the development where children and parents can lend a hand. More

information to follow soon.

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Q What do you do if you witness an incident within the school grounds?

A Speak to a member of the teaching staff within school in the first instance.

Believe you can and you’re halfway there.

Theodore Roosevelt

Safeguarding

If you ever have any on-line safeguarding concerns, you can report directly to the Child Exploitation and On-line Protection Centre (CEOP) www.ceop.police.uk www.thinkuknow.co.uk is also good site for understanding safety in this digital world. Please see our website for additional information on the whole subject of safeguarding children.

Australia Day

Our thanks go to the team in the kitchen for producing a fabulous feast for our most recent themed lunch

which coincided with Australia Day. The lamingtons pictured on the right were particularly popular!

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Dates for your diary

Year 2 Parents SATs Meeting Mon, 22nd February @ 6pm

Young Voices Thurs, 3rd March

Parents’ Evening Tues 15th & Thurs 17th March

Yr 5 Residential to Castleton 25th - 27th April

Class Photos Tues, 3rd May

Yr 6 Residential to Northumberland 18th - 22nd July

Individual Photos Tues, 20th September

Mellor Primary School Knowle Rd

Mellor Stockport SK6 5PL

0161 427 1052 schooladmin@mellor.stockport.sch.uk http://www.mellor.stockport.sch.uk

Please remember to keep the office informed of any changes in medical

conditions or emergency contact numbers & email addresses.

Many thanks.

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MELLOR PRIMARY SCHOOL

Knowle Road, Mellor SK6 5PL

Mid-day Assistant required

Hours:- 11.40am – 1.15 pm, Thursdays & Fridays, term time only

Starting at Pay Scale 1, Point 8, £7.19 per hour

Applications by noon, Wednesday 10th February

Interviews Friday 12th February

To start Thursday 25th February

To help supervise the children in the dining hall,

and outside during the lunch break

Please contact Mr J E Nicholson, Headteacher 0161 427 1052