Hello everyone! I have now recovered from my visit to Singapore which was absolutely fascinating. It was a real privilege to observe schools in another culture and country and I learnt a great deal. It was also very pleasant being in the sunshine for a short while!

I would like to thank you for your kind messages and words since I announced that I will be retiring in July. It still feels very strange and I cannot quite believe that I will only have one more term at the school. However, I know that it is the right decision and look forward to the governors appointing my successor in the near future.

Our Chair of Governors David Palmer has asked me to include a message in this Newsletter:

Dear Parents

As Chair of the Governing Body, I believe it is important that you as parents are kept well informed about issue which concern the school, your children and yourselves as parents. Mrs Lowe and the staff do an excellent job in the respect already, but I have previously expressed my view that Governors should be more visible and there should be a better understanding of what we do.

With Mrs Lowe’s announcement that she wishes to retire at the end of the academic year, much of time at the moment is taken up with appointing her replacement. Work started almost immediately and the advert is already on the west Sussex Grid for Learning website and will appear in the press at the end of this week. Six governors including myself have been selected by the governing to make the appointment, the closing date for which is at the end of March. We are confident of a good response and have set a timetable which, given that we are able to make an appointment, would allow the new Headteacher to start in September.

I was one of three non-staff governors who joined the staff on the School Review Day, the first of the two INSET dates at the beginning of this half term. It really was an excellent day which reinforced what a fantastic team we have and how committed we all are to provide the best possible education for “our” children. We looked at ways in which we could improve a number of aspects of the school and delivering the curriculum before preparing the School Development Plan. Parents will also have an opportunity to feed into this process, and I hope as many of you as possible will take the opportunity to participate on 16th March.

We also have a busy programme of governing body meetings this term. The dates are published on our website and you can ask to see the minutes for all formal meetings or attend as an observer. All positions on the governing body are currently filled, but we are able to bring in parents and others to help with special projects and we’re always pleased to hear from people who have special skills to contribute or who would like to join the governing body. If you would like to know more about the work of the governors, please visit the school website, talk to one of the existing governors, or leave a message with the school for me to contact you.

Lastly, one area where we are in need of help is someone to act as Clerk to the Governing Body. This will ideally suit someone who can attend around a dozen evening meetings each year, is used to producing minutes, and can get into the school fairly regularly to keep the inspection copies of minutes etc and other filing up to date. If you, or someone you know would be interested, please give your details to the school so that we can discuss the role further. You would be recompensed for your time.

David Palmer, Chair of Governing Body

Midday Meals Supervisor

Once again we are looking for a midday meals supervisor. If you can spare one hour each day we would love to hear from you. If you are interested and would consider a job share this is also possible. The hours are from 12.00 - 1.00pm each day and the rate of pay is £6.22 per hour plus Crawley weighting. Please get in touch with us if you are interested in either of these options.

Book Fair

As in previous years we will be holding a Book Fair in school from Tuesday March 15th to Friday March 19th. You are invited to come along to the Studio after school on each of these days to purchase books for your children. The more books you purchase the more free books we are able to have for school. The children can use their World Book Day Vouchers to help them make their purchases. Do come along for a browse and hopefully find something you like.

How Did We Do?

A number of parents returned the questionnaire which we sent out a few weeks a go to help us review the past year’s development. Generally comments showed that parents are very happy with the way the school is developing. Parents are clearly very appreciative of the school and the wide range of activities that go towards making the children’s education happy and fulfilling. Many thanks to those of you who completed a questionnaire and we will take account of your responses when we make plans for the year ahead. Don’t forget our Parents Review Evening to be held on Wednesday March 16th at 7.30pm (with a glass of wine and nibbles to help us along!) when we can discuss your views.

Fruit Scheme

Generally the children are enjoying the fruit which is available for them each day in school. Please encourage your child to take their fruit at playtime and to have a try! Lots of the children have found that they really do like pears, carrots, bananas etc. It’s surprising what you like when all of your friends are joining in too. There is usually fruit left over and we are encouraging the children to either have an extra piece of fruit to take into the playground after they have had their lunch or to take a piece of fruit on their way home.

Vouchers

Its voucher time gain! We are now collecting Tesco’s vouchers and also Sainsbury’s vouchers. The Tesco vouchers will help us buy computer equipment and the Sainsbury’s vouchers will go towards playground equipment. So please pop your vouchers in the appropriate boxes in the front entrance by the Office.

A small reminder that we continue to collect computer printer cartridges which also bring us in some extra funds. So if you would like to bring your old cartridges into school there is a collecting box in the library just by the front doors.

Role Play Toys

If your children have outgrown any toys that could be used in our role play areas and you are looking for a good home for them we would be very interested. Please speak to Miss Dowley or one of the Blue unit staff if you can help us out.

Road Safety

You may be interested in looking at the following website which is a company making Hi-viz tunics with safety reflective bands. The tunics are £3.50 each. The website is: www.safetyreflectives.com. Alternatively the contact in Nigel May-Brown on 01773 550070.

Your Child At School - Everything A Parent Needs To Know

This is another website that you may be interested in. It is on the West Sussex grid for Learning and consists of a wealth of information for parents and carers. The address is http://wsgfl.westsussex.gov.uk/mychildatschool

Medicine

If you need to come to school to give your child medicine at lunchtime please don’t forget to come to the school office rather than going to find your child on the playground. One of the staff will then bring your child to you. Many thanks

What’s On This Term