School Newsletters

To view a 2010 newsletter please click on the relevant link below:

School Newsletter 12 - March 5th 2010

School Newsletter 11 - February 10th 2010

School Newsletter 10 - January 29th 2010

School Newsletter 9 - January 11th 2010

 

 

December18th 2009, 

Newsletter 8, Page 1

Dear Parents,

There is much to write about in this week’s newsletter.  Firstly, I must congratulate everyone involved in our Christmas performances.  I thought they were excellent and I know many of you did as well.  We do have a wealth of talent in this school.

On Friday the kitchen staff did wonders in preparing the Christmas lunch.  As our kitchen has just had a major installation (new cooker hood) the cooks are still getting used to the new equipment.  On Friday morning the gas kept cutting out just as they were starting to prepare the dinner.  This was very stressful for them as you can imagine.  Luckily we were able to get the problem sorted out and the cooks were able to get the dinner out on time and it was enjoyed by all.

Sadly we are saying goodbye to Mrs Amanda Flint.  Amanda has been very successfully teaching French to our children.  She is going to be working in a secondary school in Weybridge and we wish her good luck and know that she will do an fantastic job.  Next term we welcome Madame Laurence Ardley to St Edmund’s.  Mme Ardley will be teaching French on Mondays and Tuesdays.

As you know I am returning to St James in January but I want to take this opportunity to thank all involved with St Edmund’s – Governors, staff, children and parents for making my time here so enjoyable.  From January your new Interim Headteacher will be Mrs Ann Ramiz and I have no doubt that you will give her a warm welcome.  Mrs Ramiz is currently the Deputy Headteacher at St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School in Littlehampton and she will be here on a full-time basis.

I wish you all the best, Happy Christmas and I hope you have a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

Best wishes to you all,

Mr Mark Smith

Interim Headteacher

 

Mon 4th Jan    Children return to school for the spring term

Sun 17th Jan    School Mass 10.15am St Joseph’s in Milford TBC

Thu 28th Jan    Y4 Cake Sale

Wed 3rd Feb    PSA Film Show

Mon 8th Feb    4-6.30pm Parents’ Consultation

Tue 9th Feb    4-6.30pm Parents’ Consultation

Fri 12th Feb    INSET DAY—school closed

Mon 22nd Feb  Children return to school after the half-term holiday

Thu 25th Feb    8.15am Lenten Mass in school hall

Mon 1st Mar    9-10.30am Y5 Cycling Proficiency (for two days)

Thu 4th Mar    8.15am Lenten Mass in school hall

Tue 9th Mar    9.30am Open Morning

Thu 11th Mar    8.15am Lenten Mass in school hall; 3.30pm Y5 Cake Sale

 

This Year’s Dates

Autumn term:  Wed 2nd Sept-Fri 18th Dec 2009.  Half-term Oct 26th-30th 2009

Spring term:    Mon 4th Jan-Wed 31st March 2010.  Half-term Feb 15th-19th 2010

Summer term:  Mon 19th Apr-Fri 23rd July 2010.  Half-term May 31st-4th June 2010

 

PLEASE NOTE INSED DAYS FOR THIS YEAR:-

Spring Term:  Fri 12th Feb 2010

Summer Term:  Fri 28th May and Fri 9th July 2010

 

December 18th 2009, 

Newsletter 8, Page 2

Important Information

 

PARENTMAIL

Thank you to all of you who have completed and returned the ParentMail Data Capture sheets which have now been sent off.  As many of you know, we used it yesterday and again this morning.  We were interested to note that our SMS text message which was sent at just before 8am this morning (letting you know that school was open) was not received by many of you until gone 9am.  Obviously, we will be investigating with ParentMail the reasons for this with a view to speeding up the process.  We note that there remain some who have chosen not to sign up for what will be an important method of communicating with you.

PHYLLIS TUCKWELL HOSPICE

We knew those lovely little cuddly toys / tree decorations would be popular with the children, and so they have proved to be.  Thank you for buying them as the money will go towards the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice 

EXTENDED SCHOOLS QUESTIONNAIRE

Thank you to all those who returned the extended schools questionnaire.  From the results of the questionnaire we have found that: a) there is little demand for the school to provide a breakfast club and after-school care, and b) there is little demand for the school to provide various parental support courses or advice.  However, there were many suggestions for the type of extra-curricular activity the school could provide in the future, and we particularly noted the comments regarding more female-orientated clubs and life skills clubs such as cooking.  We will be looking at our extra-curricular provision and hope to be able to offer some of the opportunities you suggest in the future.  If you are able to give some time to run a cookery or dance club then please contact the school office.  For those of you in need of breakfast and after-school care, the Children’s Centre at Loseley Fields will have some information regarding the facilities on offer in Godalming.

SCHOOL TRIPS SAVING SCHEME

I have attached a timetable showing the school trips currently planned and their approximate costs, this is not a final list as there may be other visits added during the coming terms.  From January you are able to spread the cost of the school trips over the two terms e.g. pay £5 a month.  The school office will collect the money per family and issue a card to record your deposits.  The cost of the trip will be deducted from the money you have saved up.  If you do not have sufficient money saved up you will be asked to pay the balance of the cost for that trip, or any excess left at the end of the school year will be returned to you.  This is not compulsory.  The residential visits to Kingswood and Sayers Croft are NOT included in this scheme as they have their own payment scheme.

CHILDREN IN NEED / LES AMIS-BURKINA FASO

The final count for Children in Need was £305.19 and this has been divided between Children in Need and Mrs Nicholls’ charity, Les Amis-Burkina Faso (www.les-amis-bf.org.uk).  The Christmas collection held after all the performances raised over £400 and this will be donated to Number 5 the shelter for the homeless in Guildford.  Thank you for your generosity.

DINNER AND MONEY MATTERS!

Just a reminder that the school kitchen does not operate ad-hoc provision of school dinners: only in exceptional circumstances can we provide a school dinner at short notice for a child who would normally bring a packed lunch.  Any change to dinner arrangements MUST be made in writing giving a week’s notice of the proposed change to dinner arrangements.  Please note that dinner money for the next half term must be received within the first week of next term.  Please see below for how much dinners will be for the half-term 4th January to Thursday 11th February.

MISSION TOGETHER

Don’t forget to return the Mission Together boxes to school promptly in January.

BUS/TAXI QUERIES: Please note that the telephone number for any queries relating to school transport has changed to: 0300 200 1004

Money Matters: second half of Spring Term 2010

Dinners                            £55.10—29 days at £1.90 / day up to the end of the half term, cheques payable to “Surrey County Council”

Governors’ Fund             £20 per family per TERM, cheques payable to “A&B Diocesan Trust St Edmund’s” or Standing Order

Outings:                           Please make cheques payable to “St Edmund’s School Fund”

 

December 4th 2009, 

Newsletter 7, Page 1

 

NEWSLETTER 7: 4th December 2009

Dear Parents,

I want to begin by saying thank you to all those involved in organising, setting up, running and clearing up the Christmas Fair.  It was a fantastic afternoon and I particularly enjoyed seeing so many grandparents, aunties, uncles and family friends coming along to support our school, it is events like this that really show the strength of the St Edmund’s community.

We have a very busy week ahead of us as the Christmas performances get their premières; I hope you have remembered to get your tickets and do not forget that if you want to use the crèche (Key Stage Two performances only) you must book your children in using the booking forms which are available from the school office.

Schools are always exciting places to be in the run up to Christmas, and we now have our Christmas card post boxes up as well as Advent calendars.  We have also started the regular Advent Mass on Thursday mornings at 8.15am: do not forget that you are very welcome to join us for these masses as are members of the parish.

I look forward to welcoming many of you to our Christmas celebrations of the coming weeks.

Best wishes to you all,

Mr Mark Smith

Interim Headteacher

FUTURE EVENTS

Fri 4th Dec            DISCO—CANCELLED!! (see 11th below)

Mon 7th Dec        9.30am KS2 dress rehearsal

Tue 8th Dec         10am KS1 dress rehearsal

Wed 9th Dec        10am KS1 Xmas performance; 5pm KS2 Xmas performance

Thu 10th Dec       8.15am Advent Mass; 2pm KS1 Xmas performance; 6pm KS2 Xmas performance

Fri 11th Dec         School Christmas Lunch;

                                DISCO (new date!): 5.30-6.40pm KS1; 6.55-8.10pm KS2

Tue 15th Dec       10.30am End-of-Term Mass

Wed 16th Dec      3.00pm Music Assembly for parents

Thu 17th Dec       8.15am Advent Mass; pm Christmas class parties

Fri 18th Dec         1pm Carol Service in hall; 2.00pm EARLY CLOSE for the holidays

Mon 4th Jan         Children return to school for the spring term

Sun 17th Jan        School Mass 10.15am St Joseph’s in Milford TBC

Thu 28th Jan        Y4 Cake Sale

Wed 3rd Feb        PSA Film Show

Mon 8th Feb         4-6.30pm Parents’ Consultation

Tue 9th Feb         4-6.30pm Parents’ Consultation

Fri 12th Feb          INSET DAY—school closed

 

This Year’s Dates

Autumn term:        Wed 2nd Sept-Fri 18th Dec 2009.  Half-term Oct 26th-30th 2009

Spring term:          Mon 4th Jan-Wed 31st March 2010.  Half-term Feb 15th-19th 2010

Summer term:      Mon 19th Apr-Fri 23rd July 2010.  Half-term May 31st-4th June 2010

 

PLEASE NOTE INSED DAYS FOR THIS YEAR:-

Spring Term:        Fri 12th Feb 2010

Summer Term:    Fri 28th May and Fri 9th July 2010

  

December 4th 2009, 

Newsletter 7, Page 2

 

Important Information

 

PARENTMAIL: Thank you to all of you who have completed and returned the ParentMail Data Capture sheets which have now been sent off.  We are very excited at the prospect of using this excellent facility for communicating with you, and are hoping that this will take effect promptly in the Spring Term.

CHRISTMAS PERFORMANCES: There are still some families from both Key Stages which have not yet returned their ticket request forms for the Christmas performances.  Please ensure that you do this very soon to avoid disappointment. 

CRIB-BUILDING AT LADYWELL CONVENT: this will take place at 5.30pm on Thursday 17th December and all are welcome.

SICKNESS AND UPSET TUMMIES: Please could we remind all parents that any child who has been sick or had diarrhoea must not be returned to school too quickly, as these bugs are very infectious.  Children who have been ill need to have two clear days before being returned to school.

PHYLLIS TUCKWELL HOSPICE: By way of fundraising for the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, there are some charming little cuddly toys / tree decorations available to look at and give donations towards in the school office.  These would make ideal stocking-fillers, and donations of not less than £1 would be greatly appreciated by the hospice.

PSA: A big thank-you to everyone who supported last weekend’s Christmas Fair by either being involved in the running of it or by coming to it.  We were absolutely delighted with the turn-out and by the sum of just over £2,900 which was raised.  Everyone had great fun and there were many winners of a variety of events as follows: The Grand Draw: £100 – Isabelle White (Y2); Teacher’s Hamper – Catriona Kay (Y3); PSA Hamper – Debbie O’Mahoney (Olivia YR).  The 100 Club: £100 – Mr Bernard Polack; £50 – Mr & Mrs Boyle.  Lucky 100: The Ball Family; Festive Treasure Hunt – Lily Phillips (Y2); Guess the Sweets in the Jar – Ella Glennon (Y1) guessed 140 sweets (there were 148); Silent Auction for Bay Tree Curry for Six – Tanya Glennon.  Still on the subject of the Christmas Fair, well done to the winners of the competition to design the cover for the fair’s brochure.  Mr Smith picked a winner from each class and then the overall winner as follows: Erin Daffin (YR), Anna Gaszka (Y1), Maja Fulford (Y2), Holly Fargus (Y3), Jessica Smith (Y4), Sophie Atkins (Y5) and Sophie Brookings (Y6).  Of these class winners, Sophie Brookings won the overall prize. 

CAUGHT ON CAMERA!  We have recently been given a photograph of a car parked actually on and therefore completely blocking the pavement in The Paddock.  I believe that this photograph has also been sent to the police.  Can we once again urge you to park both with consideration and always within the law, i.e. NEVER on pavements (even half on pavements); NEVER on or near junctions or near or across people’s driveways.

DINNER AND MONEY MATTERS!: Just a reminder that the school kitchen does not operate ad-hoc provision of school dinners: only in exceptional circumstances can we provide a school dinner at short notice for a child who would normally bring a packed lunch.  Any change to dinner arrangements MUST be made in writing giving a week’s notice of the proposed change to dinner arrangements.

ECO-COMMITTEE: Every break the Green Team from Y5 and 6 gave been going around the school grounds collecting rubbish.  Afterwards they weighed the amount of rubbish found and the total was 4.7kg!  We noticed too many unhealthy snacks were being brought into school.  Please can everyone remember to bring either fruit or cereal bars for breaktimes?  We are hoping to tell you about the improvement of the litter problem in our next report.                                                                                                   The Green Team

RECONCILIATION: Our whole-school Reconciliation Service was held first thing this morning.  Unfortunately, due to a shortage of priests available to help us with this, children were not able to avail themselves of the sacrament on an individual basis.  If you wish your family to receive this sacrament before Christmas, then you will need to refer to your parish newsletter which will give details of how to arrange this with your parish priest.

MISSION TOGETHER: We greatly enjoyed our Mission Together assembly on Wednesday of last week and we are now sending home the Mission Together boxes which need to be returned after the Christmas holidays promptly in January.  If we could appeal to you to make sure that foreign coins are not put in we would be very grateful.  Thank you.

BUS/TAXI QUERIES: Please note that the telephone number for any queries relating to school transport has changed to: 0300 200 1004

Money Matters: second half of Autumn Term 2009

Dinners                            £66.50—35 days at £1.90 / day up to the end of the half term, cheques payable to “Surrey County Council”

Governors’ Fund             £20 per family per TERM, cheques payable to “A&B Diocesan Trust St Edmund’s” or Standing Order

Swimming Y1 &  3            £38 (this covers the for the whole term) cheques payable to “St Edmund’s School Fund”

Outings:                           Please make cheques payable to “St Edmund’s School Fund”

November 20th 2009, 

Newsletter 6, Page 1

 

NEWSLETTER 6: 20th November 2009

Dear Parents,

            The past two weeks have seen the school starting to prepare for Christmas.  Children are rehearsing for the performances, Mrs Watson has completed the hall display and the PSA are busy finalising the Christmas Fair.

            However, before Christmas we have St Edmund’s Day to celebration.  I was really impressed that we have so many children willing to audition, but I do think that I will stick with teaching and not try to be the new Simon Cowell, as it was so difficult to select the final acts for our talent show on Friday.  In the end, I was able to select 19 acts from the 69 who auditioned, and wish them all the best of luck on Friday.

            This week, as well as this newsletter you should also receive a copy of the Extended Services Questionnaire.  Please complete and return this by 30th November.  The questionnaire returns will help us to plan for future services for the school community.

            On the sporting front, we must congratulate our football team on their outstanding 6-0 victory over close rivals, Busbridge Junior School.  Thank you to Mrs McCarthy and Miss Yesson for all that they do for and with our footballers.

            May we appeal to all of you to make sure that you have completed and returned the ParentMail Data Capture Forms so that we can set up the communication network as soon as possible.

            Please remember that, if you are sending breaktime snacks into school with your child(ren), these should be of a healthy nature.  Fruit and cereal bars are ideal.

            On the subject of food, due to problems with our kitchen equipment, the school meals are currently being cooked offsite (at Busbridge).  The children, however, are still being given the full menu though we have had to adapt our lunchtime arrangements.  We are in the process of resolving the problems but it may take a week or two.

            Our planned 8.15am Advent Mass scheduled for Thursday 26th November is CANCELLED as Father Michael will be away that day.  All other Thursday 8.15am Masses as listed below will go ahead as planned.  Everyone, including parishioners, are welcome to join us.

Best wishes to you all,

Mr Mark Smith, Interim Headteacher

FUTURE EVENTS

Fri 20th Nov         St Edmund’s Feast Day (10.30am Mass in school); Talent Competition pm

Tue 24th Nov      Y5 to Guildford Museum

Thu 26th Nov      8.15am Advent Mass in school hall —CANCELLED

Fri 27th Nov         Bring-a-Bottle MUFTI DAY (for Christmas Fair)

Sat 28th Nov       Christmas Fair 2.00-4.00pm

Tue 1st Dec        7.00pm meeting of the Full Governing Body

Thu 3rd Dec        8.15am Advent Mass in school hall; Y1 to Guildford Museum (school room)

Fri 4th Dec           DISCO (new date!): 5.30-6.40pm KS1; 6.55-8.10pm KS2

Wed 9th Dec      10am KS1 Xmas performance; 5pm KS2 Xmas performance

Thu 10th Dec      8.15am Advent Mass; 2pm KS1 Xmas performance; 6pm KS2 Xmas performance

Fri 11th Dec         School Christmas Lunch

Tue 15th Dec      10.30am End-of-Term Mass

Wed 16th Dec    3.00pm Music Assembly for parents

Thu 17th Dec      8.15am Advent Mass; pm Christmas class parties

Fri 18th Dec         1pm Carol Service in hall; 2.00pm EARLY CLOSE for the holidays

Mon 4th Jan        Children return to school for the spring term

Sun 17th Jan       School Mass 10.15am St Joseph’s in Milford TBC

Thu 28th Jan       Y4 Cake Sale

Wed 3rd Feb      PSA Film Show

Mon 8th Feb        4-6.30pm Parents’ Consultation

Tue 9th Feb        4-6.30pm Parents’ Consultation

Fri 12th Feb         INSET DAY—school closed

This Year’s Dates

Autumn term:        Wed 2nd Sept-Fri 18th Dec 2009.  Half-term Oct 26th-30th 2009

Spring term:                          Mon 4th Jan-Wed 31st March 2010.  Half-term Feb 15th-19th 2010

Summer term:      Mon 19th Apr-Fri 23rd July 2010.  Half-term May 31st-4th June 2010

PLEASE NOTE INSED DAYS FOR THIS YEAR:-

Autumn Term:      Weds 2nd Sept and Fri 23rd October 2009

Spring Term:        Fri 12th Feb 2010

Summer Term:    Fri 28th May and Fri 9th July 2010

November 20th 2009, 

Newsletter 6, Page 2

 

Important Information

 

SAFETY FIRST!

Following one or two incidents of cars coming into the front car park too fast, and car doors being opened without due care and attention, we are taking this opportunity to appeal to you: if you need to drive into the car park, to do so SLOWLY.  Equally, please check for pedestrians before opening your car door.  Please note that NO cars may use the car park at the end of the school day, as this is reserved for the various school buses and taxis.

 

Equally, it has come to our attention that some of our parents are parking right on the corners of junctions, necessitating children having to step right out onto the road in order to see if it is safe to cross.  This is a recipe for disaster!  Therefore, once again, we have to appeal to you to park with consideration and, at the very least, within the law.

 

 

PARENTMAIL: Thank you all of you who have completed and returned the ParentMail Data Capture sheet which will be sent off on Monday 23rd November.  For all of those who have completed and returned this form, we will soon be able to let you have via SMS and e-mail our school news such as the newsletter, cancelled clubs, school closures, etc.  As you can imagine, this will facilitate greatly the dissemination of information to parents. From next term, those who have not completed and returned the form are welcome to collect hard copies of newsletters and other similar items of communication directly from the school office.

 

SICKNESS AND UPSET TUMMIES: Please could we remind all parents that any child who has been sick or had diarrhoea must not be returned to school too quickly, as these bugs are very infectious?  Children who have been ill need to have two clear days before being returned to school.

 

NOT BEFORE 8.40AM! We are once again making a plea to all parents to ensure that no child is left at school unsupervised before 8.40am.  Children are not supervised by our staff members before this time.  We cannot, therefore, sanction any child being left on the school premises, unsupervised, before this time.

 

PSA: The PSA wish to say a big ‘thank-you’ to all the helpers who came to help at the last film show just prior to half term.  A record 118 children enjoyed ‘Monsters vs Aliens’ and we raised about £230 for our school.  The PSA have asked us to say sorry for all the confusion over the Directory.  It will be issued really soon! 

 

PLEASE NOTE that the new date for the PSA Disco is: Friday 4th December

 

BRING-A-BOTTLE MUFTI DAY – 27TH NOVEMBER: Please don’t forget Friday 27th November is a Bring-a-Bottle MUFTI Day.  ALL children who wish to wear mufti that day MUST bring a bottle for the tombola stall at the following day’s Christmas Fair.  On the subject of the fair, please do watch out for all the PSA notices which will shortly be going out regarding this important annual event.

 

PLASTERS FOR DISASTERS AND FOR EVERY LITTLE BUMP … An increasing number of children are availing themselves of the school’s stock of plasters for things such as blisters and verrucas.  If we could respectfully remind parents that if you know that your child is suffering from these, then you do need to send your child into school with suitable plasters.  There does appear to be quite a number of children with blisters on their feet, predominantly on the back of their heel.  Please could we ask you to ensure that you ensure that your child’s shoes are correctly fitted, as ill-fitting shoes are the prime culprit for blisters.

 

DINNER AND MONEY MATTERS!: Just a reminder that the school kitchen does not operate ad-hoc provision of school dinners: only in exceptional circumstances can we provide a school dinner at short notice for a child who would normally bring a packed lunch.  Any change to dinner arrangements MUST be made in writing giving a week’s notice of the proposed change to dinner arrangements.

 

BUS/TAXI QUERIES: Please note that the telephone number for any queries relating to school transport has changed to: 0300 200 1004

 

Money Matters: second half of Autumn Term 2009

Dinners                £66.50—35 days at £1.90 / day up to the end of the half term, cheques payable to “Surrey County Council”

Governors’ Fund         £20 per family per TERM, cheques payable to “A&B Diocesan Trust St Edmund’s” or Standing Order

Swimming Y1 &  3            £38 (this covers the for the whole term) cheques payable to “St Edmund’s School Fund”

Outings:                           Please make cheques payable to “St Edmund’s School Fund”

 

November 5th 2009, 

Newsletter 5, Page 1

 

NEWSLETTER 5: 6th November 2009

Dear Parents,

I sincerely hope that you have all had a really good half-term break and are now gearing yourselves up, as we are, for this next and very busy part of the autumn term.

I would like to congratulate all the children who took part in the SongTree concert at Leatherhead Theatre this week.  They had a very long day of rehearsals and then a performance in the evening.  They sang really well and were a credit to the school and their families.  I must also thank the staff and parents who came to supervise the children.  They all had a very long day, but without support like this our children would not be able to participate in many activities.  We do, therefore, appreciate all the support which you give to the school.

On a very sad note, I would ask you to remember in your prayers the Downing family, as Mr Downing passed away during the course of the half-term holiday.  May he rest in peace, and consolation be given to his family.

It is astonishing to think that Advent begins at the end of this month, on Sunday 29th November.  We are hoping that Fr Michael will be able to come to us every Thursday morning through Advent in order to celebrate an early-morning Mass 8.15am Mass for us.  Everyone, including parishioners, are welcome to join us.

Best wishes to you all,

Mr Mark Smith, Interim Headteacher

IMPORTANT DATES

Mon 9th Nov       Y4 to Maritime Museum, Greenwich

Thu 12th Nov      Y3 Cake Sale

Fri 13th Nov         Y2 Assembly; PSA Disco KS1 5.30-6.40pm; KS2 6.55—8.05pm

Wed 18th Nov    2.15pm Parents’ Forum meeting in the library

Thu 19th Nov      Y3 walk to Mass at St Edmund’s church

Fri 20th Nov         St Edmund’s Feast Day (10.30am Mass in school); Talent Competition pm

Tue 24th Nov      Y5 to Guildford Museum

Thu 26th Nov      8.15am Advent Mass in school hall

Fri 27th Nov         Bring-a-Bottle MUFTI DAY (for Christmas Fair)

Sat 28th Nov       Christmas Fair 1.30pm—4.00pm

Tue 1st Dec        7.00pm meeting of the Full Governing Body

Thu 3rd Dec        8.15am Advent Mass in school hall; Y1 to Guildford Museum (school room)

Fri 4th Dec           Reconciliation Service (TBC)

Wed 9th Dec      10am KS1 Xmas performance; 5pm KS2 Xmas performance

Thu 10th Dec      8.15am Advent Mass; 2pm KS1 Xmas performance; 6pm KS2 Xmas performance

Fri 11th Dec         School Christmas Lunch

Tue 15th Dec      10.30am End-of-Term Mass

Wed 16th Dec    3.00pm Music Assembly for parents

Thu 17th Dec      8.15am Advent Mass; pm Christmas class parties

Fri 18th Dec         1pm Carol Service in hall; 2.00pm EARLY CLOSE for the holidays

Mon 4th Jan        Children return to school for the spring term

This Year’s Dates

Autumn term:        Wed 2nd Sept-Fri 18th Dec 2009.  Half-term Oct 26th-30th 2009

Spring term:                          Mon 4th Jan-Wed 31st March 2010.  Half-term Feb 15th-19th 2010

Summer term:      Mon 19th Apr-Fri 23rd July 2010.  Half-term May 31st-4th June 2010

PLEASE NOTE INSED DAYS FOR THIS YEAR:-

Autumn Term:      Weds 2nd Sept and Fri 23rd October 2009

Spring Term:        Fri 12th Feb 2010

Summer Term:    Fri 28th May and Fri 9th July 2010

 

November 5th 2009, 

Newsletter 5, Page 2

 

Important Information

ST EDMUND, KING & MARTYR

St Edmund was the martyred king of the East Angles.  He was elected king in 855 at the age of fourteen and began ruling Suffolk the following year.  In 869 or 870 the Danes invaded Edmund’s realm, and he was captured at Hone, in Suffolk.  After extreme torture, Edmund was beheaded and died calling upon Jesus.  His shrine brought about the town of Bury St Edmund's.  He is depicted as crowned and robed as a monarch, holding a sceptre, orb, arrows, or a quiver.  He died in the year 869.

We are greatly looking forward to our St Edmund’s Day celebrations.  The day will begin with a Mass in the hall at 10.30am to which you are welcome.  In the afternoon, rather than the usual visitation from a theatre company, we are looking forward to our ‘St Edmund’s Got Talent’ competition.  As that day coincides with the BBC’s Children in Need appeal we will be asking the children to bring copper coins into school which we will use to mark out the outline of Pudsey Bear in the playground.  All monies raised will be split between Children in Need and Mrs Nicholls’ excellent charity, Les Amis-Burkina Faso (do visit her website: www.les-amis-bf.org.uk).  November 20th promises to be a fun-packed day!

THE CELLAR

We have recently received a lovely thank-you card from The Cellar following our donation of food to them after our Harvest celebrations.  They say, “A big thank-you for all of the wonderful foods given to The Cellar from your Harvest Festival.  What a wonderful assortment!  We will be giving these to local families in need this Christmas.  Thank you for supporting us in this way.  Debbie, Emma and all at The Cellar”.

RUNNING FOR CHARITY

Pippa Barrett (Fred Y5) is running in the 2010 Virgin London Marathon on behalf of SENSE a charity for deaf/blind people.  Please would you consider sponsoring her via her just giving web page on which we can claim gift aid back.  Here is the link http://www.justgiving.com/pippabarrett/

BRING-A-BOTTLE MUFTI DAY – 27TH NOVEMBER

Please make a note in your diary now that Friday 27th November is a Bring-a-Bottle MUFTI Day when children who wish to wear mufti that day MUST bring a bottle for the tombola stall the following day’s Christmas Fair.  On the subject of the fair, please do watch out for all the PSA notices which will shortly be going out regarding this important annual event.

KEEPING DRY!

We couldn’t help but notice that many children leaving for Leatherhead yesterday in the pouring rain had no coat.  We are aware that the new reversible fleece is an excellent item on a cold but dry day, but not entirely suitable on a really wet day.  Therefore, children really should have a coat (navy blue please) with them / available to them on winter days.

MONEY MATTER

We note that a number of parents have not yet paid the dinner money for their child(ren).  We are taking this opportunity to let those parents know that unless payment is received by Monday 9th November, we will be asking you to provide a packed lunch for your child(ren).  This is in line with Surrey County Council’s policy with regard to the collection of dinner money.  Dinner money can be paid on-line at www.surreycc.gov.uk by clicking on the ‘Pay for it’ box, then ‘School meals payment for non-secondary schools’ then ‘Payment’.  The school code is ECDE3728. 

BUS/TAXI QUERIES: Please note that the telephone number for any queries relating to school transport has changed to: 0300 200 1004

Money Matters: second half of Autumn Term 2009

Dinners                            £66.50—35 days at £1.90 / day up to the end of the half term, cheques payable to “Surrey County Council”

Governors’ Fund             £20 per family per TERM, cheques payable to “A&B Diocesan Trust St Edmund’s” or Standing Order

Swimming Y1 &  3            £38 (this covers the for the whole term) cheques payable to “St Edmund’s School Fund”

Outings:                           Please make cheques payable to “St Edmund’s School Fund”

 

October 21st 2009, 

Dear parents,

Here are just one or two notices to flag up to you before we finish for our half-term holiday.

School Closure: Please don’t forget that the school is closed for INSED this Friday, 23rd October and that we re-open after the holiday on Monday 2nd November.  School closes at the normal time of 3.30pm tomorrow, Thursday 22nd October.

St Edmund’s Got Talent: The auditions for this will be held after half-term.  Those acts which pass the auditions will perform to the whole school on the afternoon of St Edmund’s Feast Day, i.e. November 20th.  The acts will be judged and a winning act selected.

All Hallows Eve Party: Don’t forget this parish social which takes place in the Wilfrid Noyce Centre, Crown Court, from 7pm to 10.30pm on Saturday 31st October.  Tickets are £3/adult and £1/child or free if you dress as your favourite saint.  For further details please contact Jan Honeysett on 01483 429615.

Lost property:  Do please check the lost property box for items your child may have lost.  We are only half way through our first term of the new academic year and, already, we have an amazing amount of lost property.

Au revoir:  This week we say goodbye to Mrs Brodbin as she starts her maternity leave.  I would like to express my thanks for all her hard work for the school and hope that she enjoys a well-earned rest as she prepares for the birth of her baby.

Welcome: We are delighted to welcome Mrs Lorraine Price who has come to cover Mrs Grazier’s (Y6) maternity leave, and also Miss Laura Taverner who has come to Year 3 to cover Mrs Brodbin’s maternity leave.  I have no doubt that you join us in giving them both a really warm St Edmund’s welcome.

Verrucae: there is a growing number of children who habitually come to the office when it is time for PE in order to avail themselves of the school’s supply of plasters.  Please could we appeal to you, parents, to ensure that if you know your child has a verruca, that he/she brings a good plaster with them to school on the days when they have PE?  Thank you very much.

I do hope that you all enjoy a really restful half-term break.

With kindest regards

Mr Mark Smith

Interim Headteacher

October 16th 2009, 

Newsletter 4, Page 1

NEWSLETTER 4

Dear Parents,

The weather over the past two weeks has started to change, the leaves are falling and the nights are drawing in – autumn has arrived.  There have been some fantastic sunsets that really make me stand in awe of God’s creation.

                As you know, we had our Harvest Festival last week and it is great to see how many children want to be involved in school activities like this and how generous our families are.  My office has many bags of food that we will shortly deliver to the Cellar Café in Godalming to support their work in helping local people in need.  We are also able to make a donation to CAFOD to support their work in other countries.  Thank you to all who donated to our Harvest Festival.

                We were all thrilled to hear that Mrs Grazier gave birth to a baby girl, Bethan, last Saturday.  Congratulations to Claire and her family and we look forward to meeting Bethan soon.

                As half term approaches please do not forget that the school will be closed for an INSED day on Friday 23rd October and will re-open on Monday 2nd November.

                In the meantime, you should all have seen the parish flier which has recently gone out regarding a social event on 31st October.  Contact Jan Honeysett for more information on 01483 429615)

Best wishes to you all,

Mr Mark Smith, Interim Headteacher

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Mon 19th Oct       Parents’ Consultation & Target Setting (4-6.30pm)

Tue 20th Oct       Parents’ Consultation & Target Setting (4-6.30pm)

Thu 22nd Oct      APPLICATION DEADLINE for Year R intake Sept 2010

                                Y4 walk to Mass at St Edmund’s church; Y2 Cake Sale

                                3.30pm SCHOOL CLOSES FOR HALF-TERM

Fri 23rd Oct          INSED DAY: SCHOOL COSED

Mon 2nd Nov      School re-opens after half-term holiday

Thu 5th Nov        Y6 to Henley Fort

Mon 9th Nov       Y4 to Maritime Museum, Greenwich

Thu 12th Nov      Y3 Cake Sale

Fri 13th Nov         Y2 Assembly; PSA Disco KS1 5.30-6.40pm; KS2 6.55—8.05pm

Thu 19th Nov      Y3 walk to Mass at St Edmund’s church

Fri 20th Nov         St Edmund’s Feast Day (10.30am Mass in school)

Tue 24th Nov      Y5 to Guildford Museum

Fri 27th Nov         Bring-a-Bottle MUFTI DAY (for Christmas Fair)

Sat 28th Nov       Christmas Fair 1.30pm—4.00pm

Tue 1st Dec        7.00pm meeting of the Full Governing Body

Thu 3rd Dec        Y1 to Guildford Museum (school room)

Wed 9th Dec      10am KS1 Xmas performance; 5pm KS2 Xmas performance

Thu 10th Dec      2pm KS1 Xmas performance; 6pm KS2 Xmas performance

Tue 15th Dec      10.30am End-of-Term Mass

Wed 16th Dec    3.00pm Music Assembly for parents

Fri 18th Dec         1pm Carol Service in hall; 2.00pm EARLY CLOSE for the holidays

Mon 4th Jan        Children return to school for the spring term

 This Year’s Dates

Autumn term:        Wed 2nd Sept-Fri 18th Dec 2009.  Half-term Oct 26th-30th 2009

Spring term:                          Mon 4th Jan-Wed 31st March 2010.  Half-term Feb 15th-19th 2010

Summer term:      Mon 19th Apr-Fri 23rd July 2010.  Half-term May 31st-4th June 2010

PLEASE NOTE INSED DAYS FOR THIS YEAR:-

Autumn Term:      Weds 2nd Sept and Fri 23rd October 2009

Spring Term:        Fri 12th Feb 2010

Summer Term:    Fri 28th May and Fri 9th July 2010

October 16th 2009, 

Newsletter 4, Page 2

 

Important Information

Next Thursday is the Surrey deadline for applications for the 2010 intake.  Please ensure that you read this important notice (below) carefully if this applies to you, or if you know of someone to whom it may apply:-

 

APPLICATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER 2010 INTAKE: The school would like to remind all parents of children whose fifth birthday falls between 1st September 2010 and 31st August 2011 that if they wish their child to attend St Edmund’s they must ensure that they fulfil the application process correctly by completing the school’s own application form as soon as possible, but no later than the 22nd October 2009 deadline set by Surrey.  For those who have lodged the St Edmund’s form we have automatically sent out the Surrey County Council leaflet giving information on the admissions process.  Surrey is encouraging applicants to complete the Surrey application form online whenever possible.  More information on the Surrey application process can be found on their website as follows: www.surreycc.gov.uk/admissions

 

Failure to complete a St Edmund’s application form by the deadline given by Surrey will mean that we will not consider your application until after all those who have fulfilled the application procedure correctly.

 

DROP-OFF: It has come to our attention that there are still a significant number of children being left at school too early and without any form of adult supervision.  If we could take this opportunity to remind you that children must NOT be left at school before 8.40am, at which time a member of staff is available in the playground to supervise children arriving at school.

RUNNING FOR CHARITY: Pippa Barrett (Fred Y5) is running in the 2010 Virgin London Marathon on behalf of SENSE a charity for deaf/blind people.  Please would you consider sponsoring her via her just giving web page on which we can claim gift aid back. Here is the link http://www.justgiving.com/pippabarrett/

ST EDMUND’S FEAST DAY – 20TH NOVEMBER: As many of you know, we normally invite a theatre company in to entertain the children on St Edmund’s Feast Day.  However, this year we are going to offer to the children the opportunity to take part in a talent show instead.  As it happens, this day coincides with the BBC’s Children in Need appeal.  Children will be asked to bring copper coins into school which we will use to mark out the outline of Pudsey Bear in the playground.  All monies raised will be split between Children in Need and Mrs Nicholls’ excellent charity, Les Amis-Burkina Faso, about which you all had a newsletter recently (see: www.les-amis-bf.org.uk).  November 20th promises to be a fun-packed day!

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR: Thank you to the many of you who supported the recent Scholastic Book Fair by buying books for your children.  We are pleased to say that St Edmund’s made £834 from the fair which will, obviously, go towards the updating and refreshing of our school books, particularly in the library.  A particular thank-you to Mrs Cairns for all that she did to make the fair possible – without such help and support we would find it very difficult to put such a fair on.  Thank you, also, to all the children who made such an effort to dress up as a Superhero last Friday 9th October.  There was a great variety of superheroes represented and I am pleased to announce the class winners as follows: YR – Tara Smith; Y1- Freya Payne; Y2 – Issie White; Y3 – Abi Nichol; Y4 – Hattie Owen; Y5 – Kieran Macdonald-Brown; Y6 – Faith Hellett.

BRING-A-BOTTLE MUFTI DAY – 27TH NOVEMBER: please make a note in your diary now that Friday 27th November is a Bring-a-Bottle MUFTI Day when children who wish to wear mufti that day MUST bring a bottle for the tombola stall the following day’s Christmas Fair.  On the subject of the fair, please do watch out for all the PSA notices which will shortly be going out regarding this important annual event.

DOMESTIC ABUSE AWARENESS WEEK: 19TH-25TH OCTOBER: Sadly, domestic abuse continues to be an issue across Surrey with Surrey police handling around 900 reports each month.  Domestic abuse is not only about physical violence but includes a wide range of bullying and abusive behaviours such as isolation, constant criticism, sexual abuse and many others.  Domestic abuse can devastate families and lead to tragic deaths.  It is really important that people know that local services are available to offer information and support for people affected, as too many people suffer in silence.  ‘Chapter 1’, the provider for Domestic Abuse support in Waverley and Guildford, can give support by telephone or, where appropriate and safe, with one-to-one meetings.  Outreach services offer anything from a one-off opportunity to talk, to longer term, ongoing support and assistance.  They will also help you deal with other agencies, in an advocacy role, to help you to get the services or information that you need.  This means they will support you in talking to the police, legal services, housing or benefits agencies etc., according to your wishes and needs.  Outreach services are also able to talk to you about how to get appropriate legal information and advice.  The number to ring in Guildford and Waverley is 01483 577392.

PLEASE SHUT THE GATES! Thank you to those of you who are making a concerted effort to ensure that the gate into the KS2 playground and Reception area are kept shut at all times.  Your efforts are appreciated as, leaving them open, causes an alarm to sound in the office.

BUS/TAXI QUERIES: Please note that the telephone number for any queries relating to school transport has changed to: 0300 200 1004

Money Matters: second half of Autumn Term 2009

Dinners                            £66.50—35 days at £1.90 / day up to the end of the half term, cheques payable to “Surrey County Council”

Governors’ Fund             £20 per family per TERM, cheques payable to “A&B Diocesan Trust St Edmund’s” or Standing Order

Swimming Y1 &  3            £38, cheques payable to “St Edmund’s School Fund”

Outings:            Please make cheques payable to “St Edmund’s School

 

October 2nd 2009, 

Newsletter 3, Page 1

NEWSLETTER 3

Dear Parents,

We had a large number of prospective parents at this week’s Open Morning who all appeared to enjoy their tour of the school and the lovely refreshments offered to them, including beautiful cakes made by Mrs McAully and Mrs Slade.  Children from Year 6 were excellent tour guides giving honest and informative answers to many questions.  My thanks to them and to all the members of the Parents’ Forum and PSA for providing the teas and cakes and for talking to our prospective parents.  One point I made in my presentation was that we do work in partnership with you in order to give your children the best possible education we can.  The support the school gets from you, the parents, on occasions such as the Open Morning is an indication of that partnership.

This week Mrs Grazier begins her maternity leave and we all wish her well and are looking forward to meeting her new baby in due course.  We warmly welcome Mrs Lorraine Price who, with Mrs McCarthy, will be covering Mrs Grazier’s maternity leave.

All that leaves me to say is my continued thanks to the staff and to you for all that you do to make this school the lovely school that it is.

Best wishes to you all,

Mr Mark Smith, Interim Headteacher

Mon 5th Oct         Y3 Theme Week

Tue 6th Oct          10.30am Harvest Mass; Individual photos

Wed 7th Oct        Individual photos

Thu 8th Oct          Y6 walk to Mass at St Edmund’s church; Individual photos

Fri 9th Oct             Y4 Assembly

Sat 10th Oct         PSA Ceilidh at Borough Hall

Fri 16th Oct          Y3 Assembly; PSA Film Show (NEW DATE)

Mon 19th Oct       Parents’ Consultation & Target Setting (4-6.30pm)

Tue 20th Oct       Parents’ Consultation & Target Setting (4-6.30pm)

Thu 22nd Oct      Y2 Cake Sale; 3.30pm SCHOOL CLOSES FOR HALF-TERM

Fri 23rd Oct          INSED DAY—SCHOOL COSED

Mon 2nd Nov      School re-opens after half-term holiday

Thu 5th Nov        Y6 to Henley Fort; Y5 walk to Mass

Mon 9th Nov       Y4 to Maritime Museum

Thu 12th Nov      Y3 Cake Sale

Fri 13th Nov         Y2 Assembly

Thu 19th Nov      Y3 walk to Mass at St Edmund’s church

Fri 20th Nov         St Edmund’s Feast Day (10.30am Mass in school)

Tue 24th Nov      Y5 to Guildford Museum

Sat 28th Nov       Christmas Fair 1.30pm—4.00pm

Wed 9th Dec      10am KS1 Xmas performance; 5pm KS2 Xmas performance

Thu 10th Dec      2pm KS1 Xmas performance; 6pm KS2 Xmas performance

This Year’s Dates

Autumn term:        Wed 2nd Sept-Fri 18th Dec 2009.  Half-term Oct 26th-30th 2009

Spring term:          Mon 4th Jan-Wed 31st March 2010.  Half-term Feb 15th-19th 2010

Summer term:      Mon 19th Apr-Fri 23rd July 2010.  Half-term May 31st-4th June 2010

 

PLEASE NOTE INSED DAYS FOR THIS YEAR:-

 

Autumn Term:      Weds 2nd Sept and Fri 23rd October 2009

Spring Term:        Fri 12th Feb 2010

Summer Term:    Fri 28th May and Fri 9th July 2010
 

October 2nd 2009, 

Newsletter 3, Page 2

 

Important Information

 

We are fast coming up to the Surrey deadline for applications for the 2010 intake.  Please ensure that you read this important notice (below) carefully if this applies to you, or if you know of someone to whom it may apply:-

 

APPLICATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER 2010 INTAKE: The school would like to remind all parents of children whose fifth birthday falls between 1st September 2010 and 31st August 2011 that if they wish their child to attend St Edmund’s they must ensure that they fulfil the application process correctly by completing the school’s own application form as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline set by Surrey.  For those who lodge the St Edmund’s form we will automatically send out the Surrey County Council leaflet giving information on the admissions process.  Surrey is encouraging applicants to complete the Surrey application form online whenever possible.  More information on the Surrey application process can be found on their website as follows: www.surreycc.gov.uk/admissions

 

Failure to complete a St Edmund’s application form by the deadline given by Surrey will mean that we will not consider your application until after all those who have fulfilled the application procedure correctly.

 

ABSENCES: Please don’t forget that it is a legal requirement that if your child has been absent from school for whatever reason, they must bring a note with them upon their return to school giving reasons for the absence. 

See full size imagePLEASE SHUT THE GATES! Mrs Nicholls is still having to come out and shut the gate into the KS2 playground many times between 3.45pm and 4.45pm as it is persistently left open.  This and the first gate into the Reception playground area MUST BE KEPT SHUT AT ALL TIMES.  Leaving them open causes an alarm to sound in the school office.  Please, if you are going in and out of these gates, particularly after the end of the school day, make every effort to ensure that these gates are shut behind you.  Equally, if you notice that the gates have been left open by somebody else, please help the office out by shutting them. 

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR: As you will have seen from the flier which went out on Wednesday, the Scholastic Book Fair arrives in school next week.  You are free to come and look at and buy the books every morning between 8.40am and 9.00am, and then every afternoon between 3.30pm and 4.00pm.  Also, please don’t forget that Friday 9th October is our ‘Superheroes Dressing Up Day’, when children are invited to come to school dressed as a Superhero.  Obviously, we are keen to avoid 101 Supermen or Spidermen!  Please therefore encourage your children to think broadly about people who have been heroic in so many ways through the years.  As you will also have seen from the flier, you do need to make sure that the outfit is practical and comfortable as the children will be wearing their outfit all day.  There will be a winner from each class who will be presented with a £5 voucher to spend at the book fair

WORLD’S BIGGEST COFFEE MORNING: Ali McAully has asked us to pass on a really big ‘thank-you’ for supporting her coffee morning in support of the Macmillan Cancer Support World’s Biggest Coffee Morning held at her house last Friday morning.  An amazing £684.50 was raised!

MRS SUE KNIGHT: Please note that the funeral for Mrs Sue Knight (long-time leader of the local Tumble Tots) will be held at the Guildford Crematorium at 3.30pm on Wednesday 7th October.  Her family has requested that no black is worn.  All are welcome.

CAFOD: Thank you to everyone who supported Years 6’s Bring-&-Buy sale which raised £180.39.

SPORTS NEWS: Our first tournament of the season took us to Salesian College in Farnborough for a 5-a-side tournament involving 24 teams from a very wide range of schools, including many independent schools.  Our team were fantastic, winning all three matches in their pool, thus making it through to the quarter finals where they won 2-1 after being 1-0 down.  Unfortunately, in the semi-final we lost

1-0.  The boys were a credit to the school and themselves.  A really great start to the season!

BUS/TAXI QUERIES: Please note that the telephone number for any queries relating to school transport has changed to: 0300 200 1004

Money Matters: first half of Autumn Term 2009

Dinners                            £68.40—36 days at £1.90 / day up to the end of the half term, cheques payable to “Surrey County Council”

Governors’ Fund             £20 per family per TERM, cheques payable to “A&B Diocesan Trust St Edmund’s” or Standing Order

Swimming Y1 &  3            £38, cheques payable to “St Edmund’s School Fund”

Outings:                           Please make cheques payable to “St Edmund’s School Fund”

 

 September 4th 2009, 

Newsletter 1, Page 1

 

September 4th, 2009

Dear Parents,

Welcome back to St Edmund’s.  I do hope that everyone had an enjoyable and relaxing summer holiday and that you all feel ready to face the new term.

I am really excited when I look forward to the coming term and feel very privileged to have been invited to take the role of Interim Headteacher.  It has been many years since I left St Edmund’s, during which time the school has changed a lot.  It is great to return and see the ICT suite, the Years 3 and 4 classrooms and the Reception class as well as the developments in the playground which add so much to the children’s time in school.  At the time I left, some of these improvements were just ideas, not even plans, so they reflect the hard work, dedication and energy of many members, both past and present, of the St Edmund’s community.

 As well as changes to the buildings there have also been changes to the personnel and, although buildings are important, I do believe that it is the people who make the community.  I am working with some people with whom I worked before, but I am also working with many new colleagues as well as the children and families of the school.  I look forward to us all working together to ensure that your children’s time in St Edmund’s is productive, creative and educational and that we can all work to achieve our best.

I do hope to meet as many of you as possible around the school in the coming days and weeks.

Best wishes to you all,

Mr Mark Smith

Interim Headteacher

FUTURE EVENTS

Thu 3rd Sep        School opens

Mon 14th Sep     3.30pm and 3.50pm Meet-the-Teacher

Tue 15th Sep      Y6 to Farnham Fire Station for Junior Citizen (am only); 7pm Governors’ Meeting

Thu 17th Sep      Life Bus in school (until 18th)

Sun 20th Sep      School Mass at 10.15am, St Joseph’s, Milford

Mon 21st Sep     Y6 Cycling Proficiency (max two groups of 10 all week)

Thu 24th Sep      Y4 to Hampton Court; Y1 Cake Sale

Tue 29th Sep      Open Morning for prospective parents

Fri 2nd Oct                           Y3 to Butser Farm; 3.30pm PSA Film Show

Tue 6th Oct                          Harvest Mass; Individual photos

Wed 7th Oct        Individual photos

Thu 8th Oct                          Individual photos

Fri 20th Nov         St Edmund’s Feast Day (Mass in school)

Tue 24th Nov      Y5 to Guildford Museum

This Year’s Dates

Autumn term:     Wed 2nd Sept-Fri 18th Dec 2009.  Half-term Oct 26th-30th 2009

Spring term:      Mon 4th Jan-Wed 31st March 2010.  Half-term Feb 15th-19th 2010

Summer term:   Mon 19th Apr-Fri 23rd July 2010.  Half-term May 31st-4th June 2010

PLEASE NOTE INSED DAYS FOR THIS YEAR:-

Autumn Term:    Weds 2nd Sept and Fri 23rd October 2009

Spring Term:     Fri 12th Feb 2010

Summer Term:   Fri 28th May and Fri 9th July 2010

 September 4th 2009, 

Newsletter 1, Page 2

 

Important Information

STAFFING 2009—2010: Year R Miss M Longmire; Year 1 Miss A De Filippis; Year 2 Mrs S Watson / Mrs F Muir; Year 3 Mrs V Brodbin; Year 4 Miss P Godber; Year 5 Miss K Donlon; Year 6 Mrs C McCarthy/Mrs C Grazier.  The maternity leave for Mrs Grazier is to be covered by Mrs McCarthy, increasing her hours to four days per week, and Mrs Lorraine Price will cover the remaining day in Year 6 and also Miss Donlon’s SLT cover.  As some of you are aware, Mrs Brodbin will also be going on maternity leave later this term, and her cover will be undertaken by Miss Laura Taverner.  The cover for PPA (Planning, Preparation & Assessment) time will still be used to enhance a creative curriculum, with three specialist teachers in Years 1 – 6.  French will continue to be provided by Mrs Amanda Flint; dance/drama by Mrs Debbie Raymond, and music by Miss Sophia Davis (provided by Surrey Arts).  As you may know, PPA has always taken place on Tuesday and Friday afternoons.  However, as a general rule, PPA will be on Monday afternoons for Years 4, 5 and 6, and will remain on Tuesday afternoons for Years 1, 2 and 3.  Year R PPA will continue to be Wednesday afternoon, as a general rule.

UNIFORM: It has been lovely to have a bit of reasonably warm weather to come back to school, and it is nice that the children have had the opportunity to wear their summer uniform for a bit longer.  However, please could we ask that all children are back into winter uniform after the next half-term break?  Please note that for boys (except those in Reception), this means that they should come to school in a proper school shirt plus tie.

MEDICINES: All those children who, at the end of last term, cleared out their inhalers and other medicines which normally need to be in school, should remember to bring such items back to school as soon as possible.  Please ensure that ALL medicines are very clearly labelled.

SWINE FLU: Please remember that if your child shows flu-like symptoms, the guidance is to: 1) keep them at home, 2) limit contact with people and 3) access the swine flu website at www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu

AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS: Generally speaking, after-school clubs resume in the second week of term, i.e. from Monday 7th September.  Please see below a table which may be useful to you:-

Mon    Y1/2 Football (Matt) (from 7th)         3.30-4.30pm

            Cricket (from 14th)                            3.30-4.30pm

Thu     Y5/6 Netball (St Ed’s)            3.45-4.45pm

            Y2/3 Football (Matt)   3.30-4.30pm*

Tue     YR Football (Matt)                              3.30-4.30pm

            Y5/6 Homework                                 3.30-4.15pm

Fri        Y4/5 Football (Matt)   3.30-4.30pm*

            Y2-6 Golf                                3.30-4.30pm

            Y4/5/6 Tennis                        3.45-4.45pm

Wed    Y4/5/6 Football (St Ed’s)                   3.45-4.45pm*

            Y1/2/3 Tennis (from 9th)                   3.45-4.45pm

 

*Please note that only those clubs marked with an asterisk will be cancelled in bad weather.  If Matt has to cancel his training sessions the onus will be on him to let you know – not the school office.  If Wednesday football has to be cancelled due to bad weather, the decision will be made by 1.30pm where possible.

SCHOOL MASS: Please don’t forget that our first School Mass of the year will be celebrated for us at 10.15am at St Joseph’s in Milford on Sunday 20th September.  We would love to see as many of our children as possible and would remind you that children should come to Mass wearing their school uniform.  We will shortly be writing to you to ask if your child would like to take an active part in the Mass such as a reading or offertory procession.

OPEN MORNING FOR PROSPECTIVE PARENTS: If you know of any parents who are interested in looking around the school, please advise them that our next Open Morning for prospective parents is being held on Tuesday 29th September.  It will begin at 9.30am with a short talk by Mr Smith, our interim Headteacher, after which our Year 6 children will give tours.

APPLICATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER 2010 INTAKE: The school would like to remind all parents of children whose fifth birthday falls between 1st September 2010 and 31st August 2011 that if they wish their child to attend St Edmund’s they must ensure that they fulfil the application process correctly by completing the school’s own application form as soon as possible, but no later than 30th Sept 2009.  In September of this year we will send out to everyone who has already lodged an St Edmund’s application form with us a Surrey County Council leaflet giving information on the admissions process.  Surrey is encouraging applicants to complete the Surrey application form online whenever possible.  More information on the Surrey application process can be found on their website as follows: www.surreycc.gov.uk/admission 

BUS/TAXI QUERIES: Please note that the telephone number for any queries relating to school transport has changed to: 0300 200 1004

THE WORLD’S BIGGEST COFFEE MORNING: You are invited to attend The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning in support of Macmillan Cancer Support on Friday 25th September at Mrs Ali McAully’s house: 122 Busbridge Lane, Godalming.  Telephone: 01483 422191.

Money Matters: first half of Autumn Term 2009

Dinners                 £68.40—36 days at £1.90 / day up to the end of the half term, cheques payable to “Surrey County Council”

Governors’ Fund £20 per family per TERM, cheques payable to “A&B Diocesan Trust St Edmund’s” or Standing Order

Swimming Y1 &  3     £38, cheques payable to “St Edmund’s School Fund”

Outings:  Please make cheques payable to “St Edmund’s School Fund”

Our mission at St Edmund’s is to develop, support and guide everyone at our school to achieve their best in their lives, within a caring community which reflects the love of God

St Edmund's Catholic Primary School, The Drive, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1PF
Telephone/Fax 01483 414497