CTK Newsletter

7th July

2017

www.ctk.education

Dear Parents/Carers,

VERY IMPORTANT! - School Crossing Patrol Consultation

Due to budget cuts, Bristol City Council are proposing to remove our School Crossing Patrol later this year. As you all know Mrs Harvey does an amazing job looking after everybody crossing the road and we believe that our children will be less safe without her.

Can we encourage all parents to share their views about this decision in the public consultation.

There is a public consultation event on Thursday 13th July at The Park from 6.30pm until 8pm.  It is free to attend however space is limited.  It is on a first come first served basis and to find out more please look at ‘eventbrite’ on the internet.

We do not want to lose Carina as our School Crossing Patrol so it is very important as many parents/carers attend this event as possible

Child supervision at the start of the day.

A big thank you to parents as most children are arriving at school each day by 8.50am. Can I remind all parents that younger children need to be supervised by a parent or carer until they are safely in school. Before 8.40am, unless they are in Breakfast Club, we cannot offer supervision and all younger children should be supervised by a responsible adult. We thank you all for helping us to keep our children safe.

Parent Governor 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.

Meetings are termly and  run from 3:30 to 5:30pm.   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 the Governors to answer any specific questions. Alternatively just come and have a chat with me about the role at the school gates.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Christ the King dates for school terms and holidays 2017 to 2018 (amended due to 3 planned INSET days)

Term 1 - Tuesday 5th September to Friday 20th October 2017
Term 2 - Monday 30th October to Friday 15th December 2017
Term 3 - Tuesday 2nd January to Friday 9th February 2018
Term 4 - Monday 19th February to Friday  23rd March 2018
Term 5 - Monday 9th April to Friday 25th May 2018 (Monday 7 May is a bank holiday)
Term 6 - Monday 4th June to Friday 20th July 2018

Parent Helpers for School Trips

We would like to create a small team of parents who are available to help out with school trips. We would offer some simple training and a full DBS clearance to ensure safety. Parent volunteers would not necessarily be on trips with their own child’s class but would have a great opportunity to support the school and our children. Please contact the school office if you are interested.

Holidays and Long Weekends - a 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 likely that we will issue a fine if there are more than 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).

Knowle and Filwood Library

Bristol council is considering closing a number of libraries across Bristol because of the latest rounds of cuts.  Both Knowle and Filwood libraries could be closed.  The council has asked for the public’s views and has launched an online survey.  Libraries are an essential service for families in our community.  Please take part in the survey to show your support for our libraries and, if you can, go to one this weekend.  You only need proof of ID and address to join and then you can take some books out!

The survey is on: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/libraries-archives/future-of-bristol-libraries-consultation.

Transfer from KS1 to KS2 - hot school meals

There are a number of children in year 2 currently eligible for Free School Meals.  To ensure these children receive a free school meal in September 2017 when they enter Year 3, parents/carers need to apply for free school meals to Bristol City Council. Our preferred method of application is online which is quick, easy and secure to use:  https://efsm.bristol.gov.uk.    

Parents/carers will be able to make online applications within 7 weeks of the child starting Year 3 in September.

If you do not have access to a computer then the school office will help you with your application.

Snapchat

Last week SnapChat, used regularly by many children and young people, launched a new feature. SnapMaps allows users to see the location of their contacts. This feature allows others to accurately pinpoint where you are which we believe puts our children at risk. There are three possible privacy settings:

• Ghost mode, where only you can see your position;
• My Friends mode, where any contact can see your location; and
• Select Friends mode, just those who you choose can see you

ChildNet have posted a thorough explanation of SnapMaps and how to ensure users stay safe. Well worth a read to share with anyone you know who uses the app.

Complaints Procedure

We have not received any complaints for a very long time and we hope this is because we are working successfully in partnership to care for and educate your children. However, if any parent feels that a concern they have is not being addressed in the normal way, there is a complaints procedure available, please ask.

Summer Holidays

Kids lunches at Filwood Community Cafe:-

For £1:00 you can a drink, sandwich, crisps, chocolate bar and piece of fruit.  To order in advance please ring 0117 9149216.

School Shoes

As you know, children at School of Christ the King are required to wear PLAIN BLACK SHOES. Although we prefer shoes, as an alternative we do accept PLAIN BLACK TRAINERS. However recently, a number of children have been coming to school wearing black trainers with brand markings (e.g stripes or ticks). These types of footwear are not permitted in school.

We do however appreciate that parents would rather buy new school shoes ready for school in September and we are happy to bend the rules until then; as long as children return wearing PLAIN BLACK SHOES in September!

Headteacher Awards

The Headteacher assembly will be at 9am on Monday 10th July and the following children will be receiving the Headteacher’s certificate

Kaleb and Freya (YR),Kaya, Ian and Cienna, Archie, and Alexander M (Y1), Ellis, Chanelle, Miliswa and Blessing (Y2), Kenzie, Mikolaj, Lewis and Kash (Y3), Tyler V and Filip (Y4), Namuessewene and Darrius(Y5).

Celebrating Great Attendance

Well done to the following classes for achieving 97% or more attendance this week:

• Reception with 97% attendance.
• Year 2 with 97% attendance.

Key dates for Diaries                    

• 13th July - Reception and Year 1 trip around Bristol
• 20th July - Picnic for whole school to celebrate Mrs Jay’s retirement
• Friday 21st July - End of Term 6

• Monday 4th September - INSET Day (school closed)
• Tuesday 5th September - Start of school year for children
• 14th and 15th September - Year 3 and Year 4 Barton Camp
• Monday 9th July - INSET Day (school closed)
• Friday 20th July 2018 - End of school year for children
• Monday 23rd July - INSET Day (school closed)
• Tuesday 24th July - INSET Day (school closed)             

Yours sincerely,

Matt Condon

Headteacher