Dear Parents and Carers,

Remember that school is closed on Monday, due to the Bank Holiday.

Staff Training Days

We are planning to use the first two days of the new school year in September as staff training days. This means the new school year will start for children on Monday 5^th September, 2016.

Stranger Danger

Following recent concerns in the local community, we have been sharing the stranger danger message with children in school:

Be aware of stranger danger and stay safe

• Never go off on your own with a stranger, take things from them or get in a car with them.
• Make sure you tell your parents where you are.
• If someone scares you, or makes you feel uncomfortable go somewhere safe, which could be your home, your school or a police station. Remember to tell someone what has happened straight away.

If you would like to discuss any other policing matters please contact your local policing team on 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

Please talk to your child and make sure they know the Stranger Danger rules.

Local Event

The Food Jam Hartcliffe event is being held on Thursday 5^th May from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. 

This is a free event – all food and fun provided.        

Collecting Children Early

The end of the school day is very important and it has become noticeable that children are being collected early for different appointments. Please can you make these appointments for out of school hours.

Year 6 SATs Breakfast Club

The Year 6 children will have a Breakfast Club starting at 8am for the week of SATs tests from 9^thMay.  In the past, this has proven to be good for the children and has helped them to get the best results possible. 

Parking

Please be considerate when parking your car to drop off or pick your child up from school and do not park in driveways of local residents.

Metro bus Construction works

We have been advised that the final layer of surface course tarmac on Creswicke Road and Inns Court Avenue will take place from Tuesday 3^rd May and should be completed by Monday 9^thMay.

Extended School Clubs – Breakfast and After School

I have not yet planned the details for a breakfast club and after school club but would like to find out from parents if you would be interested to use these facilities.  There will be a cost per child to use these clubs but again no costings have been made.  If you would be interested in using these clubs, please register your interest with Kath Roberts in the school office.

Payment of School Dinner Money

Please can I remind you that payment of school dinner money must be made in advance of the meals being eaten.

The menu for Tuesday’s hot lunch will be cheeseburger.

AN IMPORTANT REMINDER about Attendance – Holidays and Long Weekends

It is highly unlikely that the school is able to authorise an absence due to holiday. Absences can only be authorised in exceptional circumstances.

Due to government guidance, the school is expected to take action when children have 8 or more unauthorised sessions (4 days). This would normally be in the form of a fine of £60 per child per adult.

So where children have been on holiday in the current year or the previous year, or their attendance is low, it is very likely that we will issue a fine if there are 8 unauthorised sessions.

Can I remind you, as the weather begins to improve, children should not be taken out of school on Mondays or Fridays for long weekends (unless there are exceptional circumstances and it has been agreed in advance).

I promise that we do not want to issue fines, but will have no choice where authorised attendance falls below the expected level.

Attendance! Attendance! Attendance!

Well done to the following class who had attendance at over 97% this week:

·         Year 1 with 99%

·         Year 5 with 98%

·         Year 6 with 97%

This means Year 1 will have a special non-uniform day on Friday 6^th May.

Dates for Diaries

Monday 2^ndMay                                 -           Early May Bank Holiday (school closed)

Monday 9^th May                                  -           Start of Y6 SATs week

Thursday 26^th May                               -           INSET DAY

Friday 27^th May                                    -           INSET DAY

Friday 27^th May                                    -           End of Term 5

Monday 6^th June                                 -           Start of Term 6

Sunday 26^th June                                 -           First Holy Communion

Friday 22^nd July                                    -           End of Term 6

Monday 5^thSeptember                        -           Start on new school year

Yours sincerely,

Matt Condon

Headteacher

Dear Parents and Carers,

Improving Punctuality

After a disappointing drop in punctuality in Term 4, I am pleased to see most children are coming to school ready at 8.50am so far this term.

Science Week Assembly

All of our Headteacher’s Awards next week will link to this week’s Science Week. You are welcome to join us at 9am on Monday if you want to find out what the children have been learning.

School Blog and Newsletter Blog

There are many new posts on our school blog, which can be found on: 

christthekingblog.blogspot.co.uk

This blog features lots of photographs of life in school and is updated on a regular basis.

Both blogs are now linked to the front page of our school website.

Celebrating Great Attendance in Term 4

As you know, each term we now have a 100% attendance presentation when each class will have a special draw where children can win a new storybook.

This is now a termly event, which means children have a chance to participate 6 times in any year.

Each child with 100% attendance in Term 4, will be given a ticket on Monday, which means they can wear their own clothes on Wednesday

They will also be given another ticket, which they need to bring to the Wednesday’s assembly, so they can enter the draw for each class and have a chance of winning a book.

Designated Safeguarding Lead within School – a Reminder

The schools’ Safeguarding Policy is currently being updated to reflect the changes within school since 4^thJanuary. 

I would like to let you know that the designated safeguarding person within school is myself. I obviously work closely with Mrs. Jo Selway, who is the Learning Mentor. If there is a concern about child safety you can talk to any member of staff.

We frequently remind all the children that they can tell any member of staff if they have a concern.

AN IMPORTANT REMINDER about Attendance – Holidays and Long Weekends

It is highly unlikely that the school is able to authorise an absence due to holiday. Absences can only be authorised in exceptional circumstances.

Due to government guidance, the school is expected to take action when children have 8 or more unauthorised sessions (4 days). This would normally be in the form of a fine of £60 per child per adult.

So where children have been on holiday in the current year or the previous year, or their attendance is low, it is very likely that we will issue a fine if there are 8 unauthorised sessions.

Can I remind you, as the weather begins to improve, children should not be taken out of school on Mondays or Fridays for long weekends (unless there are exceptional circumstances and it has been agreed in advance).

I promise that we do not want to issue fines, but will have no choice where authorised attendance falls below the expected level.

Celebration Assembly – Science Focus

The next Celebration Assembly will be on Monday 25^th April at 9am, where the following children will receive their Headteacher's Award: Layah (YR), Omar (YR), Richel (Yr 1), Francine (Yr 2), Jessie B (Yr3), Marleymay (Yr4), Lilly-Grace (Yr4), Alfie Hi (Yr 5) and Archie (Yr 6).  Ellis (Yr 1) and Hollie-Jade (Yr1) will also be receiving their Reading Recovery Certificate in Monday’s Assembly.

Attendance! Attendance! Attendance!

Well done to the following class who had attendance at over 97% this week:

·         Year  1 with 99%

This means Year 1 will have a special non-uniform day on Friday 29^th April.

Dates for Diaries

Monday 2^ndMay                                 -           Early May Bank Holiday (school closed)

Monday 9^th May                                   -           Start of Y6 SATs week

Thursday 26^th May                               -           INSET DAY

Friday 27^th May                                   -           INSET DAY

Friday 27^th May                         -           End of Term 5

Monday 6^th June                                  -           Start of Term 6

Sunday 26^th June                                 -           First Holy Communion

Friday 22^nd July                         -           End of Term 6

Thursday 1^st September                       -           Start of Term 1

Yours sincerely,

Matt Condon

Headteacher

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you all enjoyed the Easter break and welcome back!

Bristol Old Vic Performance – Year 5 and 6

On the last day of term, I watched the performance by Year 5 and 6 at the Bristol Old Vic.  It was wonderful to be able to attend this and see the amazing drama work performed by our children.

Please visit the School Blog ( www.christthekingblog.blogspot.co.uk ) to see photographs of this exciting performance.

Designated Safeguarding Lead within School

The schools’ Safeguarding Policy is currently being updated to reflect the changes within school since 4^thJanuary. 

I would like to let you know that the designated safeguarding person within school is myself. I obviously work closely with Mrs. Jo Selway, who is the Learning Mentor. If there is a concern about child safety, you can also talk to any member of staff.

We always remind all children that they can tell any member of staff if they have a concern themselves.

AN IMPORTANT REMINDER about Attendance – Holidays and Long Weekends

It is highly unlikely that the school is able to authorise an absence due to holiday. Absences can only be authorised in exceptional circumstances.

Due to government guidance, the school is expected to take action when children have 8 or more unauthorised sessions (4 days). This would normally be in the form of a fine of £60 per child per adult.

So where children have been on holiday in the current year or the previous year, or their attendance is low, it is very likely that we will issue a fine if there are 8 unauthorised sessions.

Can I ask that as the weather begins to improve, children should not be taken out of school on Mondays or Fridays for long weekends (unless there are exceptional circumstances and it has been agreed in advance).

I promise that we do not want to issue fines, but will have no choice where authorised attendance falls below the expected level.

Celebration Assembly

The next Celebration Assembly will be on Monday 18^th April at 9am, where the following children will receive their Headteacher's Award:  Marley-James (Rec), Patrick (Yr 1), Dylan J (Yr 1), Sonny G (Yr 2), Sonny T (Yr 2), Jay (Yr 3), Bintou (Yr 4), Ellie B (Yr 5),Sam (Yr 6)

End of Key Stage Tests - Information for Parents

If you would like to find out more about the upcoming KS1 and KS2 tests, parents may find it useful to view the leaflet and short video the government has published online.  To view these resources online, please go to:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/2016-national-curriculum-tests-for-key-stages-1-and-2-information-for-parents

We will sending paper copies of the leaflet home next week with children in Years 2 and 6.

Attendance! Attendance! Attendance!

Unfortunately, no classes had attendance above 97% this week.

School Uniform

Please can we remind you that children should be wearing the following school uniform:-

·         Grey / Black trousers or skirts – NO TRACKSUIT bottoms

·         Red Sweatshirt or cardigan or fleece

·         White / red polo shirts

·         PLAIN BLACK SHOES

·         PE Kit plain white t-shirt / plain black shorts and PE daps or trainers

Dates for Diaries

Monday 2^ndMay                                 -           Early May Bank Holiday (school closed)

Monday 9^th May                                  -           Start of Y6 SATs week

Thursday 26^th May                               -           INSET DAY

Friday 27^th May                                    -           INSET DAY

Friday 27^th May                                    -           End of Term 5

Monday 6^th June                                 -           Start of Term 6

Sunday 26^th June                                 -           First Holy Communion

Friday 22^nd July                                    -           End of Term 6

Thursday 1^st September                        -           Start of Term 1

Yours sincerely,

Matt Condon

Headteacher