Spring Term Newsletter No 5                                                             Monday 30 January 2012

Dear Parents

Spring Term Open Evenings: 4.00-7.00pm Wednesday 1^st and Thursday 2^nd February:

Appointment lists have been on classroom doors since last Tuesday morning and most are quite full. Please sign up for a time which is convenient to you. We hope to see all families represented on these two evenings. Each family will have a ten-minute appointment with their child’s class teacher to discuss their child’s academic progress and behaviour/attitudes since September. Each child’s work which will be set out in the area immediately outside each classroom. Please arrive 10 minutes before your appointment to give yourself time to look at your child’s work before seeing the teacher and to avoid being late for your appointment. We work very hard to keep all of our appointments running to time.

We have no staff available to supervise a crèche on the evenings and so we hope that most families will organise other child care through family, friends or neighbours. If children have to attend on the evening, they will be expected to sit with parents showing their work and then wait outside whilst parents talk to the class teacher. Children will not be allowed to play in our outside areas for safety reasons.

School Buildings:

I am pleased to announce that we are working very closely with North Somerset Council officers to develop plans to update our school buildings. Significant condition needs have been identified at the school. The council is currently investigating options for the site that could include a major refurbishment and re-build of the accommodation. To meet the need for extra school places in the town, it may be necessary to provide extra capacity at the school, increasing its size from a 420-place primary school to a 630-place establishment. This could be progressed by providing new buildings suitable for 420 pupils and removing some existing accommodation. Some of the existing accommodation would be retained to enable the school to run seven extra class bases for an additional 210 pupils until such time as the capacity of the town can be met elsewhere. At that time, the older buildings would be removed, returning the school to its current size of 420 pupils. More news will follow when we have further details and/or any confirmation of these exciting potential changes.

Kitchen scores 100% in recent inspection:

Our latest routine kitchen inspection scored us full marks on Food & Nutrient Standards, Health & Safety, and Dining room facilities,. This is a great credit to Sheila Hale and her lunchtime team.  The price of a two-course hot meal remains great value at £1.80 per day. Our current 3 week menu is printed overleaf.

Don’t forget!!

Our latest Clothes for a Cause collection is tomorrow morning. Just drop your bag of items close to the school office entrance from 8.00am onwards. Please remember to return any unused bags (we get 2p for every bag returned).

Yours sincerely

Peter Turner

Headteacher

Reminder of School dates for these two terms:

Wed 1 & Thurs 2 Feb             Parent-teacher interviews (4.00-7.00) – no clubs on these evenings

Mon 13 – Fri 17 Feb               School closed for holiday

Mon 20 February                   School re-opens for pupils at 8.50am

Mon 2 to Fri 13 April               School closed for Easter holidays (reopens 8.50am Mon 16 April)

Spring Term Newsletter No 4                                                             Monday 23 January 2012

Dear Parents

Spring Term Open Evenings: 4.00-7.00pm Wednesday 1^st and Thursday 2^nd February

Appointment lists will be posted on classroom doors from Tuesday morning onwards. Please sign up for a time which is convenient to you. We hope to see all families represented on these two evenings. Each family will be allocated a ten-minute appointment with their child’s class teacher to discuss their child’s academic progress and behaviour/attitudes since September. Before the appointment parents/carers will be able to look at their child’s work which will be set out in the area immediately outside each classroom.

We have no staff available to supervise a crèche on the evenings and so we hope that most families will organise other child care through family, friends or neighbours. If children have to attend on the evening, they will be expected to sit with parents showing their work and wait outside whilst parents talk to the class teacher. Children will not be allowed to play in our outside areas for safety reasons.

Clearing your wardrobes/cupboards?

The new year is a great time to sort out all of those old clothes your child has grown out of. If you have any school uniform items (especially boys’ trousers) which we could use in our nearly new school uniform shop, please hand then into the school office for us to offer to other families. If your child needs new uniform or PE kit, remember there are some great bargains costing 50p or £1 at our shop in the main school building.

In a previous newsletter we asked if you had any dressing up clothes that your child has outgrown, our four youngest classes would love to have them! We did not get much response so please check again and give them to Year 1 or Reception class teachers.

Finally, any family member’s unwanted clothes or shoes or other bedding/towels are wanted by our charity link “Clothes for a Cause”. Accompanying tonight’s newsletter is a large bag per family for any donations you may have. Our next collection is on the morning of Tuesday 31 January. Please donate anything you can, as it all makes more money for the school and is a great help to communities in the 3^rd world. Ask neighbours, family and friends if they have any unwanted items too! If you have nothing to donate this time, please return the unused bag to school as this saves on waste and we get 2p for every bag unused!! If you need extra bags feel free to use any refuse sacks or ask in the school office for more bags.

Foodbank Donations – Thank You!

The charity were delighted to receive your generous donations on Friday – thank you to everyone who contributed.

History Week 2012:

Printed overleaf are details of some great half-term holiday activities atWestonMuseum. Please keep this for reference and keep the children amused during the holidays!!

Yours sincerely

Peter Turner

Headteacher

Reminder of School dates for these two terms:

Wed 1 & Thurs 2 Feb             Parent-teacher interviews (4.00-7.00) – no clubs on these evenings

Mon 13 – Fri 17 Feb               School closed for holiday

Mon 20 February                   School re-opens for pupils at 8.50am

Mon 2 to Fri 13 April               School closed for Easter holidays(reopens 8.50am Mon 16 April)

Spring Term Newsletter No 3                                                             Thursday 12 January 2012

Dear Parents

Mid-morning fruit snacks:

As you know all infant children (Foundation stage, Year 1 & Year 2 classes) receive a piece of fresh fruit every day free of charge from a central government scheme. Junior aged children have always been allowed to bring in fresh fruit from home for their mid-morning snack but very few children do this. At a recent school’s council meeting children asked if a fresh fruit tuck shop could be started to run during morning playtimes where junior children could buy a piece of fruit to eat on the playground. We have agreed to this idea and the details of how the scheme will work are below.

The scheme will be run every week by staff and children from Year 5. To avoid children carrying (& losing) money during the school day we will be using a system of card tokens to purchase fruit. Tokens can be bought in strips of five tokens for £1 every Friday morning from 8.30 onwards as follows:

Mrs Withers’ class will sell to their own children and to those children from Mrs Evans’ Mrs Rose’s and Mrs Hutchinson classes

Mr Goodhand’s class will sell to their own children and to those from Miss Crump’s, Mrs P-Ferris’ & Ms Brown’s classes.

Children will put their names on the tokens so that if a token gets lost or there is a dispute over ownership, the matter can be resolved with no fuss. Children can use their tokens on any day they wish to. There will be a choice of 2 or 3 types of fruit each day but if children do not like any of them they can save their token for a later day. To get the system started we will be selling tickets on two days during the launch week – both Friday 13^th and Monday 16^th 8.30-8.50am.

Reminder it is on Tonight! E-Safety talk for parents:

Keeping your child safe whilst they use mobile phones, laptops and games consoles is a major headache for all parents in our modern society! If you would like to know more about how to keep your child safe from harm and how to ensure they use these devices sensibly, please attend the parental workshop at WalliscotePrimary schoolat 5pm tonight. Walliscote Primary is hosting this event for several local schools and is situated directly opposite Weston police station.

“Your North Somerset”: Winter Gardens Sunday 22 January 12 to 4pm

This event grows in popularity and excitement each year. It is completely free for families to attend. Please pop in and experience all the planned events and learn more about what goers on in your local community

Yours sincerely

Peter Turner

Headteacher

Reminder of School dates for these two terms:

Fri 13 & Mon 16 January       8.30 onwards Junior Fruit tokens on sale in Year 5 classrooms

Fri 20 January                        Foodbank charity food collection in school hall 8.30am onwards

Wed 1 & Thurs 2 Feb             Parent-teacher interviews (4.00-7.00) – no clubs on these evenings

Mon 13 – Fri 17 Feb               School closed for holiday

Mon 20 February                   School re-opens for pupils at 8.50am

Mon 2 to Fri 13 April   School closed for Easter holidays(reopens 8.50am Mon 16 April)

Spring Term Newsletter No 2                                                             Monday 9 January 2012

Dear Parents

New Year – Let’s Get Organised:

Earlier today in school assembly I showed the children a top ten tips checklist on how to ensure they are fully ready to learn in school every day. The checklist is printed overleaf. Please take a few minutes as a family to see how well your child is prepared for school.

Water bottles, PE bags & reading/homework folders can be of any variety but we do sell very good quality ones at low prices which last a good many years. All items are available from the school office.

Breakfast club change:

In response to the request of many working parents we have agreed to open our ABC at 7.45am onwards instead of 8.00am from tomorrow. Breakfast will still be served at 8.00 but children can meet friends and play until the hot food is ready for them to eat. The price remains constant at £1.60 per day – no need to book in advance.

E-Safety:

Keeping your child safe whilst they use mobile phones, laptops and games consoles is a major headache for all parents in our modern society! If you would like to know more about how to keep your child safe from harm and how to ensure they use these devices sensibly, please attend the parental workshop atWalliscotePrimary schoolat 5pm this Thursday 12 January. Walliscote Primary is hosting this event for several local schools and is situated directly opposite Weston police station.

Children born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008:

Deadline to apply for a school place for September 2012 is this Sunday 15 January at midnight. Please make sure your friends and family with 3 or 4 year olds have applied online at

www.n-somerset.gov.uk/admissions or using a paper copy form sent to the Town Hall.

Foodbank Charity:

In these difficult days for family finances we are keen to continue supporting our local Foodbank shop. Please consider if you can donate some food items to our collection planned for Friday 20 January (8.30 onwards in the hall). If any families are struggling to feed their children adequately at the moment and would like to be supported by the Foodbank shop, please call in to see Mrs Francis or Mrs Light who will give you further details of how to access the shop.

Yours sincerely

Peter Turner

Headteacher

School dates for these two terms:

Tues 10 January                    First swimming session for Year 3 classes (11 sessions)

Fri 20 January                        Foodbank charity food collection in school hall 8.30am onwards

Wed 1 & Thurs 2 Feb             Parent-teacher interviews (4.00-7.00) – no clubs on these evenings

Mon 13 – Fri 17 Feb               School closed for holiday

Mon 20 February                   School re-opens for pupils at 8.50am

Thurs 29 March                      Ashcombe’s Got Talent 2012 – 9.00 school & 10.30 families attend

Fri 30 March                           Ashcombe’s Got Talent result & AFA Easter Draw in morning assembly

Fri 30 March                           2.45pm onwards AFA Easter Bonnet Parade & other attractions

Mon 2 to Fri 13 April   School closed for Easter holidays(reopens 8.50am Mon 16 April)

Spring Term Newsletter No 1                                                             Wednesday 4 January 2012

Dear Parents

Happy New Year: Best wishes to all of our families and we hope 2012 will be a good one for every child in the school. Regular school attendance and reading at home most evenings would be two great new year resolutions for every child!

Winter Weather: We will endeavour to keep the school open to pupils whatever the weather (as long as it is safe to do so). If we have heavy snow, we like the children to play in it on the field so please make sure your child is equipped with a warm coat, hat, gloves and a change of footwear (ideally wellingtons). We will use our school office answer machine & school website to keep parents informed of school closures. You can also listen to the local radio stations to keep yourselves informed.

Recycling Christmas Cards: We can act as a collection point for all this year’s old Christmas cards. Bring your cards to the school foyer during this week and put them in one of the clear plastic sacks provided.

After-school activities for the Spring terms 2012: Once again, the costs to join most of the clubs will be minimal (£2 per child for 10 weekly sessions) allowing all children who are interested to take part. This money is used to pay for all the materials. The age groups and numbers for each club are limited for obvious reasons. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis and children will be expected to attend every week, unless they are absent from school or have informed the club leader in advance that they have another commitment. Please complete the accompanying form to register your child’s interest in joining a club and return the form to your child’s class teacher as quickly as possible. Most clubs will be starting during the week beginning Monday 9 January and will finish during the week ending Friday 30 March. Another new set of clubs will be organised for the summer terms. If any parents or friends have ideas for clubs that they would like to organise and lead, please let me know.

Yours sincerely

Peter Turner

Headteacher

School dates for these two terms:

Tues 10 January                  First swimming session for Year 3 classes (11 sessions)

Wed 1 & Thurs 2 Feb         Parent-teacher interviews (4.00-7.00) – no clubs on these evenings

Mon 13 – Fri 17 Feb             School closed for holiday

Mon 20 February                 School re-opens for pupils at 8.50am

Thurs 29 March                    Ashcombe’s Got Talent 2012 – 9.00 school & 10.30 families attend

Fri 30 March                         Ashcombe’s Got Talent result & AFA Easter Draw in morning assembly

Fri 30 March                         2.45pm onwards AFA Easter Bonnet Parade & other attractions

Mon 2 to Fri 13 April           School closed for Easter holidays(reopens 8.50am Mon 16 April)

Autumn Term Newsletter No 17                                                      Wednesday 14 December 2011

Dear Parents

Fund raising for our new Music/Dance/Drama studio:

We are very grateful to Mark (YR parent) and Dawn from Scally’s for organising a fantastic evening last Friday in aid of our project. A fantastic sum of £1114.15 was raised. The hamper was won by Jake Saunders’ family(Year 2). Scally’s have also kindly donated a chocolate bar for every child as a special Christmas gift (circulated tonight).

In addition to this Kate Skeen (parent governor) has secured a donation of £1500 from the Garfield Weston Foundation. Site works are due to start in the New Year with the building itself arriving from Weston Hospital close to Easter.

AFA Christmas fayre:

I understand from the AFA committee that in excess of £2000 was taken at the event with a profit of approximately £1600 to be spent on school resources in the future. Thanks for all your support of this popular annual event.

Dressing-Up clothes:

Christmas is a good time to tidy out children’s bedrooms to make room for the new gifts from Santa. Our four classes in Years 1 and R would be very pleased to receive any dressing up clothes/outfits that your children no longer use or have grown out of. Please bring any donations to the school office or one of the Year R & 1

Seasonal best wishes:

In the final newsletter of 2011, I would like to wish all of our families a very peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year. I am sure 2012 will bring many challenges to all of us but so long as home and school are working together your children will benefit and learn from the adults around them. Thank you for the kind words in Christmas cards and the generous gifts you have given to school staff. We do appreciate all of them.

Reminder of dates for next term:

Thurs 15 Dec  Infant parties

Fri 16 Dec       School closes at 3.15pm for the Christmas holidays

Tues 3 Jan      School closed for staff In-service training on Teaching Phonics and Pupil Behaviour

Wed 4 Jan       8.50am school reopens for pupils

Thurs 12 Jan   Winners of shining star and improvement certificates have their free day trip

Fri 13 Jan        Mrs Plested-Ferris’ Year 4 class assembly

Yours sincerely

Peter Turner

Headteacher

Don’t forget to bring your entries for the Christmas Fayre Cake Competition on Friday 2nd December am.

Small cakes: Reception, Yr 1, 2, 3, 4

Christmas Biscuits : Yr 5 & 6

Prizes for best entries in every year group. Winners to be announced at the Fayre.

Don’t forget tomorrow is non-uniform day. Bring your donations for the Christmas Fayre to the hall.

Bottles, chocolates, gifts, smellies all welcome to make the fayre a very special day.

We will also start selling tickets for our Grand Raffle. Win an Xbox and loads of fantastic family days out. Draw during the fayre.

You can also bring your unwanted good quality toys and books for the second-hand stall.

Autumn Term Newsletter No 16                                                      Thursday 24 November 2011

Dear Parents

Industrial Action on Wednesday 30 November:

Further to my previous newsletter I am now able to confirm that the school will be closed to all pupils on Wednesday 30^th November. This is because the vast majority of classroom staff have decided to follow their union’s call to strike. This was a very difficult personal decision for all staff to take, including myself. We all realise the inconvenience that this causes to parents and the minor disruption caused to children’s learning. My subsequent decision to close the whole school was inevitable, given the very low numbers of trained staff who will be working on that day.

Free school Meals Entitlement:

Are your family missing out on £456 per year which is rightfully yours?

Is Ashcombe School missing out on £488 pupil premium funding per year because you are not claiming?

Printed overleaf are full details on eligibility for free school meals and we are asking all families to claim as soon as possible if they are eligible. Every January the government counts the numbers of children eligible for free school meals in each school. This number leads to additional funding to help the school meet the needs of all children. For each child receiving free school meals the government currently gives £488 per year. We understand this figure may be higher from April 2012 onwards and we don’t want to miss out on this money at a time of school budget cuts generally. Even if you do not want your child to eat the free school meals, please apply now, as your Christmas gift to the school!

Reminder of dates this term:

Sat 26 Nov      11.00-2.00 Scout & Guide Christmas fayre in scout & guide hut

Thurs 1 Dec    9.30am Jayne & Rachael’s classes Christmas production

Fri 2 Dec         3.15pm onwards AFA Christmas Fayre

Mon 5 Dec      2.15pm Years 3 & 4 Christmas production

Tues 6 Dec     9.30am Years 3 & 4 Christmas production    12.00 Infant Christmas lunch

Wed 7 Dec      12.15 Junior Christmas lunch

Thurs 8 Dec    2.15pm Years 1 & 2 Christmas production

Fri 9 Dec         9.30am Years 1 & 2 Christmas production   

Fri 9 Dec         8.30pm Live Music event in Scally’s bar in aid of new Music/Dance/Drama studio

Yours sincerely

Peter Turner

Headteacher

Autumn Term Newsletter No 15                                                      Monday 21 November 2011

Dear Parents

Industrial Action on Wednesday 30 November?: School staff are members of 8 different trades unions. Many of these have recently balloted their members about taking strike action to oppose the planned government changes to pension schemes. Most of these 8 unions are calling their members to take strike action but it is still hoped that this can be avoided if further negotiations are successful. I have to warn parents that the school may be partially or fully closed to pupils on 30 November. If this is the case you may have to consider your family’s child care arrangements. I will be able to make a decision and inform parents in my next newsletter on Friday 25 November. All staff are keen to avoid this action, but they are increasingly dismayed by the government’s reduction of pension rights when the current schemes appear to be self-funding with the current levels of contributions. If the proposed changes are implemented all school staff will have to pay more in contributions each month, work for longer before drawing their pension and receive less money during retirement (a triple whammy). We fully understand parental concerns on this issue and we will be doing a lot of soul searching this week before each individual staff member makes their personal decision whether to strike or not. Once these decisions are made I will be able to assess whether it will be possible to open the school or not on 30 November. Pupils’ safety will be a key factor in deciding whether pupils can attend or not on 30 November.

Children in Need: Friday 18 November: Thank you for all your support of our “Spotty day”. The total raised for Children in Need was £ 457.51. Any late donations need to be with us by Wednesday to be included.

AFA Non-Uniform Day: Friday 25 November: Any gifts donated by families should be brought to the main school entrance as your family arrives on Friday morning. Members of the AFA committee will be there to receive your gifts and sort them ready for use on Friday 2 December.

Children’s Hospice Calendar: I am pleased to share with parents the planned sale of an eye catching 2012 calendar, the proceeds of which will go to our local children’s hospice based at Wraxall. One of our families has been supported by this wonderful charity in recent months. We are keen to show our appreciation by encouraging families to purchase the calendar locally for their own use or to give to friends or family this Christmas. The calendar was produced by Bleadon WI & will be sold in Waitrose, Sanders Garden World, Bleadon Post office & Escape hair salon. Please contact 07721 677749 if you would like to purchase one directly.

Ashcombe Scout & Guide Christmas fayre: This annual event is taking place in the scout & guide hut on Saturday 26^th November – full details are printed overleaf.

Reminder of dates this term:

Tues 22 Nov   6.00-8.00 Russian Animation Family workshop in school hall

Fri 25 Nov       AFA non-uniform day in aid of Christmas fayre

Thurs 1 Dec    9.30am Jayne & Rachael’s classes Christmas production

Fri 2 Dec         3.15pm onwards AFA Christmas Fayre

Mon 5 Dec      2.15pm Years 3 & 4 Christmas production

Tues 6 Dec     9.30am Years 3 & 4 Christmas production    12.00 Infant Christmas lunch

Wed 7 Dec      12.15 Junior Christmas lunch

Thurs 8 Dec    2.15pm Years 1 & 2 Christmas production

Fri 9 Dec         9.30am Years 1 & 2 Christmas production   

Fri 9 Dec         8.30pm Live Music event in Scally’s bar in aid of new Music/Dance/Drama studio

Yours sincerely

Peter Turner

Headteacher