Dear Parents and Carers,
School Reports
Reports will be sent out to parents today. I have read all of the reports and each one celebrates the achievement of each child. The teachers have done a tremendous job of describing each child’s success.
Reading during the summer
Research shows that children who read for 10 minutes a day during the summer holidays make better progress in school than those who don't read. Here are some websites to give ideas and free resources to keep your children reading through the summer, and make a start back in September easier for them:
- https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/
- www.readongeton.org.uk
- http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/free-resources
- https://www.clpe.org.uk/clpe/library/booklists
- https://www.scholastic.co.uk/piecorbett/resources
Summer Activities
There are lots of brilliant summer activities taking place in the local area this holiday:
Leave of Absence During Term Time
We must remind all parents that the Headteacher CANNOT authorise any leave of absence during term time unless for exceptional circumstances. Any requests must be made in writing on a form available from the school office and must be made at least ten days before the leave is due to commence. Any leave taken that has not been considered exceptional will be recorded as unauthorised. There will be two unauthorised absences recorded for each day - morning and afternoon. If there are eight or more unauthorised absences recorded within a ten week period, the school can issue a penalty notice. This will be £60 per child for each parent, meaning a possible penalty charge of £120 per child.
We appreciate that holidays taken during term time can be much cheaper than those taken during the school holidays but we have a legal responsibility to ensure that every child is attending school and receiving their education.
Goodbyes
After many years of service, Mrs Martin has decided to take retirement at the end of this school year. Mrs Martin has been an active member of the school team as a teaching assistant and more recently our school administrator. We wish Kate a very happy retirement.
Mrs Leaker, who has served brilliantly as a teacher and teaching assistant, will sadly also be leaving us this week. We wish her luck in her new teaching role at Willow Park Primary School.
First Holy Communion
Can the governors, staff and pupils of School of Christ the King wish all the children who received their First Holy Communion last Sunday congratulations, and to those receiving it this Sunday, a happy and holy day.
Tobacco Factory Stories and Photography Project
Boomsatsuma CIC, a creative and cultural organisation, is trying to secure funding to deliver a photography project that explores how and why the community around the Tobacco Factory has evolved and changed over time. Working with pupils aged 9 - 16 from local primary and secondary schools, boomsatsuma will train young people in analogue photographic skills whilst developing their understanding and experience of local heritage and offer them careers opportunities and intergenerational community engagement. The project will end with a celebration event and exhibition at Tobacco Factory to showcase the work of the young people involved and the local stories they have researched.
For our application, we're conducting some research. It would be great if you could complete the survey below to help us secure the funding!
https://forms.gle/V9Ag7jEkfcgyXpxu7
Medical appointments
Please provide evidence of medical appointments if you wish to take your child out of school for an appointment, may we ask that you always try to have these appointments out of school hours, where possible.
Sports Day - update
Please can your child come into school on this day in their PE kit and with a water bottle. Other than this, it will be a normal school day.
We will share lots of photos and videos on Facebook so you can all see what is going on.
Places Available
We have a number of places available for this September’s Reception Class. If you know somebody who might need a school place, please ask them to contact the school office.
Dates for Diaries
- Sports Day - Monday 19th July
- End of school year - Wednesday 21 July 2021.
- Start of 2021-22 school year - Monday 6th September
Yours sincerely
Matt Condon
Headteacher
