Dear Parents and Carers
Firstly, I would like to congratulate the children in Year 6 for their efforts and attitude during this week’s statutory tests. They approached each paper in a calm way and all tried their hardest – we are very proud of them. Years 2 and 5 have also been involved in tests this week, with other year groups joining in next week. We find these tests very helpful for writing the annual reports at the end of the term, and they also help us to know where we need to focus our teaching for the future. Year 2 and Year 6 results will be shared with the children’s parents before the end of the Summer Term.
Outdoor Project – PTFA
Those of you who approach the school from the Shaftesbury direction will hopefully have noticed the results of the grand working party’s efforts last weekend. The fabulous stage, complete with story-telling chair and bleachers, the cleaned walls and playground, and the posts for hanging bunting all make the school look much smarter, and the children are very excited to use the area for quiet play, recitals, story-telling and role-play. We are proposing to hold a Grand Opening after next week’s Oaks Class Assembly on Friday afternoon at 2.45pm, 25th May – I hope you will be able to join us. A huge thank you goes to all the parents who came along to build, scrub and sand, and others who chopped, weeded and cleared the garden areas, to make such a positive difference to the outside of our school.
Internet Safety Briefing
A small group of parents joined me on Wednesday to hear about ways we can work to keep our families safe on-line. A Police Officer, from the Safer Schools and Communities Team, shared information about the latest ways our privacy and security can be put at risk and strategies to put in place to make sure your children don’t access sites that can be dangerous. A list of resources was also shared, which I attach to this letter, and I would thoroughly recommend visiting the sites mentioned to ensure you are doing all you can to protect your children, whether they are looking at YouTube clips (for which they should not be younger than 13) or using a games console to play against other people.
Forest Schools – Tuesday next week
We have another busy week next week in the run-up to the half term holiday. On Monday, of course, Conkers and Acorns classes are going on their Farm Visit, and some of the children in Year 6 are taking part in the local Kwik Cricket competition. We have therefore postponed Forest Schools to Tuesday, 22nd May.
Road Closure – Thursday 24th May
Please be advised that Stour Lane, which runs past the school, will be closed from the Stour Provost end by Quarry Close to beyond the sharp double bends on this day between 09:30 and 16:30. The morning school run should therefore not be affected, but please be aware of potential disruption at the end of the day, and approach from the Angel Lane direction.
General Data Protection Requirement (GDPR)
Many of you will be aware of changes to the Data Protection Act which require organisations which hold your details to actively seek your permission to use them. If you receive your letters or other information via e-mail, text or ParentMail, please send a quick e-mail to school (the text for which you can copy and paste) agreeing to us contacting you via these messaging services. For our records, we need you to write something to the effect of: I am happy for Stower Provost Primary School to send me information via e-mail, ParentMail or text. 18/05/18. Your name Please note that if we do not received you permission, you will no longer have any electronic information sent to you from us.
Later in the term I will be contacting you to let you know how we, along with all other schools, use your information to help in your child’s education.
This week’s Star Pupils
Conkers: Finley for talking about feelings in circle time.
Acorns: Mason able to recognise people who can help us
Chestnuts: Daniel for being able to discuss how to solve problems.
Oaks: Katie for showing confidence in challenges and supporting others.
Please note that this half term finishes at 3:20pm on Friday 25th May, and the children return to school after their holiday, on Monday, 4th June.
With best wishes
James Stanford