Dear Parents/Carers,
School Blog
There are lots of fantastic pictures of our children learning this week on the Blog. The Blog can be found on the new school website.
Year 2 Curriculum - Studying a Non-European Country
Year 2 this year are studying life in a non-European country. If you have a child in Year 2, and have family links with a non-European country, please see Miss Letherby or speak to Miss Roberts in the school office. Miss Letherby would like to plan learning around the culture and experiences of children in her class.
Clubs
Clubs will start again next week. Letters will have come home with your children for Year 2 to Year 6. If your child would like to join a club please return the permission slip to school. Clubs this term will run until the 8th December and will begin again in the New Year on Monday 9th January.
Scooters and Bikes
Please can I remind you that children should not be riding their scooter or bike on the front reception area. Children need to get off their bikes and scooters at the front gate and walk them to the bike shed.
Dealing with Problems
If parents have any problems regarding their child, they are always advised to see the class teacher. It is always unacceptable for an adult to talk to somebody else’s child about a concern they have.
Poor Attendance
Unfortunately attendance this week has been disappointing. This is mainly due to children being on holiday.
So… Holidays and Long Weekends - another reminder!
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 that 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.
Bikeability for Year 5 - 26th September
If your child has signed up to take part in the Level 2 cycle training they must bring a roadworthy bike to school on Monday.
Bristol Family Cycling Centre
The Bristol Family Cycling Centre at Hengrove has launched its Autumn programme of sessions for children and adults.
The Centre has a range of traffic-free paths and tracks to allow children and adults to perfect their skills and abilities, regardless of age, ability or access needs.
Sessions are running most days and are a great way to get your children cycling in a fun and friendly atmosphere with Bikeability-trained cycle trainers.
New sessions this term include an after-school drop-in bike club, a weekly bike maintenance session for those aged 8-18, regular children’s bike swaps, and learn-to-ride sessions for pre-schoolers and school-aged children. Adults can also learn to ride at the Centre or get their cycling confidence back in a supportive environment. Please see the accompanying timetable for full details of sessions.
Children and adults can bring their own bikes or try one of ours. The Centre also has a range of all-ability bikes for those with mobility issues.
The Centre is just off Bamfield in Whitchurch, BS14. The entrance can be accessed from the bottom right-hand corner of the Action Indoor Sports car park.
For further information contact emma.barraclough@bristol.gov.uk or the Road Safety team on 0117 9224383 or visit our website for up-to-date information about session times and special events at www.betterbybike.info/familycyclingcentre.
Governing Body Vacancy
As I am sure you are aware, all schools have a Governing Body who support the Headteacher and the Senior Leadership Team in their endeavours to make this school an outstanding establishment where all children thrive.
We now have a vacancy on our Governing Body for a Parent Governor. All parents are eligible to apply for this voluntary role and we would ask you to contact the school office if you would like your name to be put forward.
Currently, the vacancy will be to support the work of the Staffing and Resources sub committee which will meet termly in addition to the Full Governing Body meetings which are also termly. Meetings will run from 3:30 to 5:30. An interest in the school and finding out more about the way that the school is managed is the first consideration and if you have any specific skills with budgets or experience with staffing issues you would be particularly welcome.
If you would like further information please speak to Miss Roberts in the office who will either be able to help you or will put you in touch with the Clerk to Governor to answer any specific questions.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Punctuality
Very few children are now arriving to school after 8.50am. A big thank you from all of the teachers.
St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School Open Day / Evenings
Thursday 6th October 9.15am - 10.45am
Wednesday 12th October 9.15am - 10.45am
Karin Smith MP Visit
Karin Smith MP, visited our school today. She met children throughout the school and enjoyed a very stimulating Q and A session with Year 6 pupils. Please look at the School Blog for photographs.
Parents’ Group
While Christ the King currently has no PTFA, a number of parents have spoken to me who are interested in arranging social events and fundraising for the school. If you are interested in being involved, please let the school office know and we can then organise a meeting of parents over tea and coffee.
School Pond - Help Needed
Mrs. Gray has been working over the last couple of years to develop and improve the use of our school pond. Recently however, the pond has become overgrown and she would very much appreciate if any parents would be able to help. Please let the school office know if you are able to help.
Paying for School Trips
At Christ the King we have always done our best to provide excellent school trips and have not asked for a financial contribution. However, due to increasing costs we are now going to ask for a contribution towards such visits. The £5 contribution will usually cover less than half of the overall trip cost with the school subsidising the rest. This contribution is still much lower than what most schools request and enables us to keep giving your children great experiences outside of school.
Head teacher Award - Creative Learning
Each week we will be having a special focus for our Headteacher Awards. This week, our focus is Creative Learning.
Headteacher Awards for Monday Assembly are:-
Kaya (Y1), Rubyleigh (Y2), Francine (Y3), Tyler V (Y4), Naomi (Y5), Ester K (Y6) and Kyle (Y6)
Parking
Please do not park on the zig-zag or loading bays when dropping or picking your child up from school.
Please can parents / carers keep the entrance to the school clear when waiting to drop off or pick up children.
Primary School Admissions
Reception admissions for September 2017 are now open on www.bristol.gov.uk/schooladmissions. Children born between 1st September 2012 and 31st August 2013 must apply for a school by midnight on 15th January 2017
Year 6 to apply for a Secondary school place
Parents/carers need to apply for a secondary school place for their child in Year 6. The website is now open on www.bristol.gov.uk/schooladmissions. Secondary school choices need to made by Midnight on 31st October 2016.
Key dates for Diaries
- 27th September - Year 2 visiting Westonbirt Arboretum
- 6th October - Year 1 visiting Puxton Park
- 21st October - End of Term 1
- 31st October - Start of Term 2
- 18th November - Feast of Christ the King Mass
- 7th December - Year 1 and Year 2 trip to Colston Hall to see Little Tim and the Brave Sea
Captain
- 16th December - End of Term 2
- Term 3 - 3/1/17 - 10/2/17
- w/c 8th May 2017 - Y6 SATs week
- 6th January 2017 - Y6 to visit Create Centre
- 9th - 12th June - Year 6 camp to Manor Adventure
- Term 4 - 20/2/17 – 7/4/17
- Term 5 - 24/4/17 – 26/5/17
- Term 6 - 5/6/17 – 21/7/17
Yours sincerely,
Matt Condon, Headteacher
