11 Jan 2008 - Newsletter No: 5 - 11th January 2008
Newsletter No: 5 11th January 2008
Dear Parents
A belated Happy New Year to you all. I hope you all had a pleasant and relaxing holiday.
Please find below a note from our Chair of Governors, Andrew Doughty, on the results of the Parents’ Survey that was undertaken at the last Parents’ Evenings:
Parents’ Evening Questionnaire
Thank you for all your responses to our questionnaire at the recent parents’ evening. We were delighted to receive 72 replies of which all but one were very positive about your feelings about the school.
The Good Bits
The main positive points about the school that you endorsed and asked us to continue doing were:
· Positive ethos of the school in terms of supporting all children, continued high expectations in terms of behaviour and manners and being a forward thinking school
· Very dedicated teachers delivering high quality, enjoyable and motivating teaching
· Friendly and welcoming attitude of staff that make them very approachable
· What we did right last year
In terms of last year’s developments that you were most pleased about were:
· Introduction of the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) leading to increased enthusiasm and enjoyment of lessons by the children through interesting topic work
· Additional after school clubs for sports (in particular for boys)
· Extension of French to all Key Stage 2 and the whole school French day
What you would like us to work on this year
Things that you asked us to work on that we need to ensure are addressed in our School Development Plan:
· Improved communication between the school and parents (in particular increased use of emails and the website) for notice of activities and concerns over children
· Review of the School Charter awards and Commendation Assemblies
· Continued efforts to address parking problems outside school
Things you asked for but the governing body decided not to add to the School Development Plan
· There were 10 requests for more sport in the curriculum and more after school sports clubs. We have increased the sports clubs from last year with kick boxing &
Thank you once again for your contributions on parents’ evening. They have been very useful in preparing our School Development Plan. If you have other concerns throughout the year please do not hesitate to contact the Headteacher or any of the school governors.
Andrew Doughty
Chair of Governors
Activemark 2007 & Artsmark Gold 2007
As you can see from Andrew Doughty’s comments above, at the end of last term I was delighted to be informed that we were again awarded Activemark for our commitment to sport. Activemark is awarded annually to schools who achieve the following:-
- The percentage of pupils participating in 2 hours high quality PE and school sport each week is significantly above the national average; and
- The school held a sports day; and
- The school met or bettered the national average for the percentage of pupils participating in sports clubs linked to their school.
Being awarded Activemark 2007 together with retaining our Artsmark Gold made it an excellent year for
Big Writing
In order to further raise standards at Harpole, we shall be introducing Ros Wilson’s “Big Writing”. This is a new initiative which focuses on improving the content of children’s writing. “Big Writing” will take place on a Friday for Years 1 – 6. Children in Key Stage 1 will be given a special pencil and children in Key Stage 2 a special pen for these sessions. Each pupil will also be given a portfolio to keep their ”Big Writing” work in. This will be available for Parents to see during class open mornings. “Big Writing” concentrates on 4 areas:-
Vocabulary – The words they use in their writing.
Connectives – The words use to join sentences.
Openings – The different way sentences can be started.
Punctuation – The use of punctuation.
Each of the above areas have 5 levels within them which are related to the National Curriculum levels 1 – 5 (The same levels given to you at the last parents’ evenings). The children will know what levels they are at and also what they need to do to get to the next level.
We shall be launching “Big Writing” on Friday 18th January. If you would like further information on “Big Writing” do not hesitate to contact your child/children’s class teacher.
I am pleased to say that, thanks to the FOHS, we shall be having an artist in residence at the school week commencing the 11th February. Every child in the school will produce their own clay tile linked to an overall theme. Once completed the whole mosaic will be fixed to the outside wall of the school entrance as a permanent feature. We shall be looking for parent helpers to assist during the 4 day residency especially at Key Stage 1. If you would like to help on any of these days then please attend the after school workshop we have organised for THURSDAY 7TH FEBRUARY 3.30 - 4.30pm in order to show you the process (you may even get to make your own tile!!) Please let me know if you will be attending this event.
8.00 am - 6.00pm Wrap-around Care
The Governing Body have now selected a provider to run our before and after school care. The organisation is called “Woodys Out of School Clubs” and is run by Mrs Sharon Jellis.
School Closure due to Snow
The LA has now introduced an additional new system of informing Parents of school closures in the event of bad weather. Parents can now also log on to www.northamptonshire.gov.uk to check if the school is closed. Both BBC Northampton and Northants 96 will continue to broadcast school closures via their radio stations.
A big thank you to all of you who supported the Blue Peter Appeal by bringing in your old CDs and DVDs. You managed a grand total of 150 discs. Also a big well done to Joe Jones (Yr4) for organising and co-ordinating the whole appeal.
Relief Lunch Time Supervisor
We are looking to recruit relief lunch time supervisors to cover in the event of staff sickness. If you would be interested in this, please contact Mrs Diane Simpson in the office for further details.
After School Clubs
Clubs will resume week commencing 14th January 2008.
Winter Weather & Break Times
Now that the weather is colder and damper please could all children be sent to school with a coat for break and lunch times.
Yours sincerely
Terry Mortimer
Headteacher
Dates for your Diary
Year 5 Assembly – Friday 8th February 2008
Pottery Workshop – 11th – 14th February 2008
Commendation Assembly– Friday 15th February 2008
Term Ends – Friday 15th February 2008
Term Starts – Monday 25th February 2008