School Newsletter 18th September 2009
Dear Parents/Carers
Welcome Back
Welcome back to a new school year at William Barcroft Junior School. I would like to start by thanking everyone for the warm welcome in my first few weeks as Head teacher. I have met and chatted with many of you and hope to get to know all of you well in the coming years.
As I am sure that your children have told you I am happy to be called Mrs C. as a shorter, easier version of Mrs. Constantopoulos. I try to get out on the playground before school and after school and I’m always more than happy to discuss anything regarding your child either then or during the school day. My office is located directly off the reception area of the school at the front of the school.
Name Badges
All school staff now wear name badges showing their full name and job title. Whilst I felt it was right to include staffs first name could you ensure that surnames are used by the children and yourselves.
Shoe Changing policy
I am sure you are now aware that the school policy on shoes in school has changed. I felt it more beneficial to the children to keep their shoes on during the day. Some children were walking around with no shoes on, which not only is a health and safety risk but also very cold in the winter. The shoe boxes were unhygienic and the time required to change shoes wasted valuable learning time.
Dinner
We now have a new school meals provider. The dinners are very good. Each day a member of staff eats in the hall and we are working hard to make the lunch times an enjoyable social occasion. In the future you will be invited to come into school to enjoy dinner with your children.
Dinner Money
From now on dinner money MUST be paid weekly to the class teacher. Daily payments will not be accepted and the front office will not take money.
Attendance
Unfortunately the attendance figures at the school over the past years have been very low. It is extremely important that the children are in school in order to learn.
Holiday requests will be looked at in line with LA policy and will only be agreed to if the request complies with the four criteria laid out by the Local Authority and your child’s attendance is above 95%. Please bare this in mind before booking holidays.
It is also very important that you gain permission to take your child out of school for medical appointments. You must bring the appointment card with you.
Lates
Children who are late for school are also monitored with the Education Welfare Officer. From Monday 21st September if your child is up to 10 minutes late they will no longer be admitted through the front door but must go through the year four door, where Mrs. Snell will record the reasons. If you are more than 10 minutes you will need to come to the front entrance but may be required to speak with the Head teacher.
Lost Property
We have a lot of lost property which is left over from last year. This will be displayed in the hall on Tuesday 22nd at 3.15. Please visit the school hall and take any clothing that is yours.
Term Dates
Thursday September 3rd to Friday October 23rd Term One
Tuesday November 3rd to Friday December 18th Term Two
Tuesday January 5th to Friday February 12th Term Three
Tuesday February 23rd to Thursday April 1st Term Four
Tuesday April 20th to Friday May 28th Term Five
Tuesday June 8th to Thursday July 22nd Term Six
Request for help
We are keen to encourage parents to come into school and help. If you would like to come in and get involved in any way please let us know. This could be anything from reading, artwork or gardening. Please let us know, we would very much appreciate it.
Have a good weekend
Claire Constantopoulos
Head teacher
