St Luke's C of E Primary School, Glossop

Newsletter
14.11.13
Dear Parents,
The children arrived back from Edale on Friday tired and a little grubby having had a fantastic time. They were a credit to school, you and most importantly themselves.

Yesterday was a very sporty day with children at cross country and tag rugby, again the children did us proud. I don’t think any of the children got confused and tried to tackle their fellow runners!

We are all very excited, and envious of the older children and their teachers, because on Friday they are getting to watch a broadcast of a live performance of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Richard II. As if that wasn’t enough David Tennant is playing the title role. I have tried to pull rank and swap classes for the morning but no joy!

This Friday, 15th November, is Children in Need day. We are giving the children the opportunity to dress up as their hero, or bring in a picture of their hero, or act heroically. For this fun we are asking them to bring in donations for Children in Need.

Friday is also the day Ospreys lead our assembly. As always we would love you to join us.

Any photo orders need to come into school by tomorrow.

Next week is another busy week; it is anti-bullying week which is an opportunity to look again at what is bullying, what to do if someone is feeling bullied and how we should all behave so everyone feels safe in school. We are having a big write week which always produces some fantastic writing. As if that wasn’t enough on Thursday 21st November Harriers and Merlins are going to Tatton Park and on Friday 22nd it is the turn of Kites and Eagles. A few children have not brought back their permission slips for this trip yet, without this slip they cannot go. To round the week off nicely the Year 4s are having their Year Four sleep over on the Friday night.

Glossop food bank is very short of food. We have a donation box in the entrance hall under the table. If you have any spare tins or packets all donations are very gratefully accepted.

The Chestnut Centre in Chapel has asked me to tell you about their Christmas Grotto which is open on December 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st & 24th. Tickets are £7 per child and include entry into the park. If you have never visited the Chestnut Centre it is an otter and owl sanctuary and well worth a visit.

You should be receiving some information about fostering. Derbyshire is very short of foster places, please think about whether or not this was something you could do.

Applications for next year have opened. if your pre-school child will be four by the end of August you need to be applying for their primary school place.

Finally a new date for your diary. There will be an INSET day on Friday 17th January 2014.

Alice Littlehailes

Newsletter
7.11.13
Dear Parents,

I hope you all enjoyed half term. I know the children have come back raring and ready to go. Mrs Hukin had a very busy half term – she gave birth to Ebony Rose Hukin on Sunday 27th October. I know everyone will be delighted for her and her husband.

We are pleased to welcome Ms Lee, Miss O’Sullivan and Miss Roberts into our school. They are training to be teachers and will be working with us up to Christmas.

Well done to all the bikability students, everyone passed their level two.

The Year Sixes are in Edale at the moment. They have arrived safely and are having a great time.

The older children are starting to look at food and farming in World War II. I can feel rationing coming on. To support this work the children are going to Tatton Park. If you haven’t yet sent back their permission slip yet please do so as soon as possible. Without this we cannot take the children.

Last night there was a good PTA meeting to plan the Christmas Fair, 5.30 Friday 6th December, and look at future events. They are planning more discos, a scoot and skate session, a wine and quiz night, the Easter raffle and a grand summer Saturday. If you were unable to make the meeting but would like to get more involved in the valuable work of the PTA please approach a member of the PTA or come into the office.

You should have received the proof copy of your child’s / children’s photos this week. If you would like to purchase their picture please bring the order form and money into school by Friday 15th November. Orders that come in after the collection date will have to pay for post and packing.

The Kestrels and Peregrines are leading our assembly tomorrow and Ospreys on Friday 15th. Do join us if you can.

Exciting news on Friday 13th December the whole school is going to attend a live orchestral performance of seasonal music including The Snowman film with live music. As this is being staged at Glossopdale all we will be asking for is a contribution of the cost of the ticket £5, there will be no transport costs hooray!! (No need to send in contributions yet, a letter will follow.) We will then come back to school for Christmas Dinner. A day full of fun and excitement. I know there have been a number of requests for contributions recently and I apologise for that but this seemed like too good an opportunity to turn down.

Can I remind you that bikes and scooters are not to be ridden inside the school grounds but to be pushed. There have been a number of near misses and we want everyone to be safe.

Glossop Jog money is almost all in if you still have some to send in please do so ASAP.
Alice Littlehailes

Newsletter
24.10.13
Dear Parents,

We have had typical walk to school week weather this week! Well done to everyone who braved the rain and walked all or some of the way to school.

Other highlights since the last newsletter have included;
challenge afternoon. The children worked so well in their houses to create countries, solve codes, choreograph dances, build towers and many other things. Everyone commented on the cooperation in evidence and the leadership skills shown by the older children.
The PTA disco. This was a sparkling affair attended by most of the school. Everyone glittered and glammed and a good time was had by all.
Bikability. The older children braved the wind and rain to learn how to ride safely. They complete their training on the first Monday back after half term 4th November (remember your bikes!).
I am sure the Year Twos will have had a fantastic time at Glossopdale doing sports this afternoon.

Tomorrow 25th October is an INSET day when school is closed for staff training and next week is half term so we will see the children again on 4th November.

That first week back is a busy one we have got;
Bikability on the Monday 4th.
ICT club starts Monday 4th.
The Year Sixes off on residential to Edale – Wednesday 6th – Friday 8th.
Messy Church Wednesday 6th.
PTA meeting 7.30 at Glossop Cricket Club Wednesday 6th.
Kestrel’s and Peregrine’s assembly on Friday 8th.

I hope you all have a happy and safe half term. If your children are going out trick or treating can I remind you of the Police advice that they do not go unaccompanied, they only go to houses of people they know and that they respect others in the community by not knocking on doors of houses without lights or welcoming signs. Many older or vulnerable people in the community find trick or treating worrying and none of us would want to add to their anxiety levels. If you are having, or going to, a bonfire with fireworks please follow the firework code.

We have Remembrance Day Poppies in school which will be available for a donation the first week back.

There is a new school meals menu starting after half term which should have come home today. However the first week back is an extra special school meals week.
Monday Burger – cheese or quorn
Tuesday Sausages – baked or quorn
Wednesday Roast dinner or pasta bake
Thursday Bolognaise or sweet and sour quorn
Friday Fish fingers or cheese and tomato wrap
Every day there is the option of jacket potato.

The cancelled cookery taster session for Key Stage Two children and there parents has been rearranged for Wednesday 6th November. Phone 01457 852245 to book a place.

Alice Littlehailes

Newsletter
17.10.13
Dear Parents,

We held our Harvest Festival on Tuesday and the children spoke and sang so well in church. The children throughout school have been learning about food and farming and so were able to talk with confidence about the items you might find in a lunchbox.

Friday 18th is Disco Day. It is all set to be a strictly glam occasion. The disco starts at 4.45 and finishes at 6.15. Entrance is £1. Food, drinks and goodies will be available to be bought on the night.

Next week is Walk to School Week. This happens twice a year. On this week everyone is encouraged to walk to school, or if it is too far park a distance from school and walk. This has even more relevance for us this year as we have just been named and shamed for bad parking by the Police. The police safer neighbourhood emails, that go out to the whole community, have talked about the way people are parking around St Luke’s School. Please can we use this opportunity to really think about how we get our children to and from school and how we can do this as safely as possible.

On Wednesday 23rd October it is photo day. If you would like a pre-schooler’s photo taken with their siblings in school please come along at 8.30am.

Wednesday is also the first of two Bikability days. If your child in Year 5 or 6 has signed up for this remember to bring their bike to school for 8.30.

On Thursday 24th October the children in Ospreys are taking part in a cluster multi skills sports afternoon at Glossopdale. The children will walk there and back as it is on the Talbot Road site. Please make sure they have their PE kit in school for then.

Remember the staff are having an INSET day on Friday 25th October when school is closed to the children. The children will finish for the half term holiday after school on Thursday 24th October.

If you have any Glossop Jog sponsor money still to send in please can this be sent in as soon as possible.

If you have any Morrison’s Gardening vouchers, or know of anyone who has, Gardening Club would love you to send them in. They use them to get equipment to help them keep the gardens looking so good.

It is parents evening on Tuesday and Thursday next week so school afterschool clubs are cancelled. (Film, Gardening, Cookery and Sports).

Alice Littlehailes