04 May 2010
Dear Parents and Carers
SCHOOL GROUNDS
Paddock
We are delighted that the paddock is being returfed this week after the completion of the Children and Family Centre. Although the children will not be able to play on this area for a few weeks, this work marks a returning of the land back to the school.
Conservation Area
The bluebells are now in full bloom in the conservation area and we would like children to be able to access the area to enjoy this wonderful sight. So Mr Holyhead, our Premises Officer, has been laying pathways over the past few weeks in order to make this space more accessible to the children. We now need to move and dispose of large quantities of woodland material. If you are willing and able to help clear some of the wood and leaves and would like to join a working party for this task on Tuesday 11 May at 1.30pm, please let the school office know.
School Gardens
Our school gardens have now been planted by the children and staff. The Eco-committee recently wrote to our local garden centres asking for donations of seeds, netting, compost etc. I am delighted to report that Old Barn Nurseries was very generous supplying us with a mini greenhouse, seeds, netting and canes and Shoots Nursery sent us some seeds. We are looking forward to harvesting some of the crops before the summer holidays and the rest in September if the weather improves!
Bikes and Scooters
Can I remind all parents and carers that everyone must dismount from bikes and scooters before they enter the playground. We need to ensure that everyone is safe while waiting to come into school. Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.
TRAVEL PLAN
We have recently achieved our Travel Plan Mark 3 award which was presented to the school by Pene Mather, our school Travel Advisor. This award acknowledges the school’s work to improve safety for everybody on their journey to and from school. I would like to thank all members of the Travel Plan Committee for this achievement, especially as there are only nine schools in West Sussex who have been accredited with this award so far.
STAFF NEWS
Firstly, I would like to congratulate Margaret Dawson for her fundraising walk on the Great Wall of China over the Spring break. The group of 20 that Margaret walked with raised £46,000 for the Breast Cancer Campaign.
Secondly, Rebecca Hodder ran in the London Marathon in a very impressive time of 3hrs 42mins. She brought her medal in to show children in assembly today and told us she raised £250 for Cancer Research and a Bipolar charity.
Mrs Y Smith, Mrs Neale and Mrs Harding will be returning to school after our Summer half term on 7 June following maternity leave. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Miss Hodder, Mrs Wood and Miss Cohen for all their hard work and commitment over the past 2 ½ terms, covering maternity leave and we wish them well for the future.
MARIE CURIE DAFFODILS
We have raised £454.35 for the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity so far with the mini pots of care project. Many thanks to all of you who have already sent us your donations, if you have still to return your envelope, please do so by Friday 7 May.
PTFA SPRING COMPETITIONS
Huge congratulations to all entrants for the Spring Bonnets and Mini Gardens competition held at the end of last term. We had a record number of entries, 73 bonnets and 41 gardens which were so well planned and creative and a wonderful way to end the term! Many thanks to all the staff for donating chocolate eggs for the children’s raffle which was enjoyed by everyone.
SING UP FESTIVAL
30 of our Year 2 choir were invited to join a Sing Up Festival held at Trafalgar Infant School on Friday 23 April. The children joined with eight other schools from the West Horsham cluster with 280 participants on the day. Our children were congratulated by the organisers for their fantastic singing and also their behaviour. The West Sussex Music Service runs a Junior Choir for children aged 6-11 on Monday nights at Millais School from 5-6pm, an application form can be found on www.westsussexmusicservice.co.uk
Yours sincerely
Mrs Sue Winn
Headteacher
