Friday 11th January 2019
Dear Parents and Carers
The children have settled very well back into school after the holidays and it has been good to see the wide range of work they have been doing already.
In the first, short week back, we have had children representing the school at Netball (High 5) coaching, at the Small Schools’ Football Tournament and with our Deep Water Swimming lessons at St. Mary’s School, Shaftesbury. As usual, the children always try their hardest, play fairly and are a real credit to the school. Well done to all of them.
Swimming Pool Qualification
The Deep Water Swimming is to supplement our own swimming sessions in the Summer Term in the school pool. While the outdoor pool may at present not be a terribly appealing prospect, the summer term is a different matter. I was very impressed with how well the children progressed in these sessions, and, thanks to the staff, the pool was continuously in excellent condition for swimming. In order for us to use the pool safely, trained adults need to check the chemicals in the pool every two hours, and to be able to swim on Mondays it often needs testing at the weekends. If you would like to support the swimming in our pool, a facility we are unusually lucky still to maintain here, there is a one day course next term in Gillingham which will provide the necessary knowledge and qualifications for 5 years. The costs of the course would be funded by the school. Please let me know if you would be interested in helping us run the pool in the summer.
Parking
As a result of discussions with a number of parents, I am putting out a few gentle reminders about driving on or near school property. Please take great care on the roads around school; they are narrow with some blind bends which need to be taken with caution. Please also observe the one way system around the school car park and drive extremely slowly on site to ensure the safety of our children and those in the pre-school. Also, if you are fortunate to be able to park on the road buy online visa directly outside school, please avoid leaving gaps just too small to fit in another car.
Clubs
Our after school clubs start again next week, but due to unavoidable circumstances, we need to change the days. Art Club is now on Thursdays, Hockey will be on Wednesdays and Netball has moved to Tuesdays. Mr Griffin’s Tennis continues on Thursdays. Even if your child has previously attended one of these clubs, please sign and return the attached form on Monday.
PTFA News
There will be a PTFA meeting to discuss forthcoming events next week. The meeting takes place at 3:00pm next Wednesday, 16th January in the Library.
Celebration Assemblies
Due to a tightening of our security systems and to remain compliant with GDPR, I am no longer listing children’s names in these newsletters. If you want to keep in touch and find out who and what we have been celebrating, please visit the school website, where you will find a whole range or useful information. Following a school-based glitch last term, we are aiming to keep the site regularly updated with school events and photos.
Bad weather contingency
With the promise, or threat, of the Return of the Beast from the East, please also use the school website to keep informed of our plans in the event of poor weather. With a number of staff living a considerable distance away, we may have to keep the school closed, or close early. The Breeze Radio and the Dorsetforyou website will announce any closures, but I will also send out a message via ParentMail and update the website the moment a decision has been made, so please do not phone the office to check if we are open or closed. If there is no message, assume we are open!
With best wishes
James Stanford
After School Clubs
| Child’s name | Parent signature | |
| Tuesday – Netball KS2
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| Wednesday – Hockey KS2
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| Thursday – Art
All year groups subject to availability |