NewStAnd Newsletter 13th January 2012

St Andrew's Church of England Primary School Newsletter Friday, 13th January 2012


Clubs / activities
Peter Pan Panto
Pupil Premium
Touch typing club
Traffic at pick-up time
New drum teacher - Paul Huddleston
Dodgeball from Team Theme
Wednesday Club
Music tuition
Breakfast club & school Start time
Dates for your diary
Uniform

Clubs / activities
A short reminder that the clubs / activities letter was sent out this week and that they all begin next week. We look forward to having many children joining in activities at lunchtime and after school.

Panto - "Peter Pan"
On Friday 20th January 2012 we have booked a travelling theatre production company to visit our school with their production of Peter Pan. The children will watch the pantomime during the school afternoon. The cost of this event is £4 per child with the PTA providing ice cream. Thank you to everyone who has paid at what we know is often a time of year when funds may be in short supply. We only charge enough to cover the cost of the event and unfortunately, due to squeezed budgets at this difficult time, we will have to review future events such as this if we are unable to cover costs.

New look website
Thank you to everyone who has complimented the new look website which recently went online. Bella Neate-Clegg has been central to the process of planning and designing our school website.

Pupil Premium - funds for school
Below is a copy of a letter that was sent out recently. This is for anyone who may not have received it:

Department for Education - Information to Parents and Carers

Did you know…just registering your child for Free School Meals means that your school gets extra money?
Register now to make sure we don't miss out

The government gives money to schools to help children from lower income families do their very best. This funding is called a 'Pupil Premium'.

For every child registered St Andrew's will receive £600 this year.

We use this money to help fund and maintain our support and Special Educational Needs services in school.

Please register as soon as possible to make sure your child and others do not miss out on this valuable source of funding.

How does it work
1. First, check if you qualify - it is not just if you are unemployed, so please look at the list below.
2. Registering is really quick and easy - if you think you qualify contact Dorset Direct on 01305 221000. They will help you register. You can also apply on paper by downloading an application from from the Dorset County Council Website (www.dorsetforyou.com)
3. If you want your child to have a free, healthy meal at lunchtime that's great - they will get the free meal (saving you over £360 a year), extra benefits and school gets £600 extra.
4. If you don't want your child to have the school meals they can continue as normal - as long as you qualify and are registered, the school still gets £600 extra.

No one will know you have registered and it will not affect any other benefits you may be claiming.

Please talk to us about registering today. Do you qualify?
You can register your child for Free School Meals / Pupil Premium if you get any of these benefits:
• Income support;
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance;
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance;
• Income under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999;
• The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit;
• Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income that does not exceed £16,190.
• Working Tax Credit 'run-on' - the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.

Please come and talk to us if you are not sure.

Thank you for your support.

Touch typing After School Club
Last year the PTA purchased licenses for the KAZ software to learn touch typing. Sara Lackford has run an after school club but is unable to continue this term. If anyone would like to take over running the club we would love to hear from you. No typing experience is required we just ask that you are CRB cleared. The club could be run as before, immediately after school or during a lunch time if that is more convenient. Alternatively if you have children that are interested in doing the course it is possible to provide log in details so you can work through the course at home via the internet. Please leave your details at the school office and a log in can be arranged. The software is probably best suited to those pupils in Key Stage 2. The current licenses will expire in February so if you are keen bear this in mind. If there is not enough interest the licenses may not be renewed.

Traffic at pick-up time
Thank you for your rapid response to our request last week (see below) to ensure more space and visibility for pedestrians crossing Stonyacres at pick-up time.
Several parents have raised the issue of congestion around school and Stonyacres at pick-up time after school. This has made viewing traffic and crossing the road safely more difficult. We realise that parking is limited but the safety of our children, parents and carers is of paramount importance to us. Would drivers please avoid parking near junctions. The highway code says that drivers should not park "opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction" or "near a school entrance". To ensure the safety of our children please respect these rules.

New drum teacher - Paul Huddleston
We are very lucky to have secured the services of a new drum teacher. Paul Huddleston is a very accomplished teacher. He has taught for many years in state and private schools and also plays professionally. He will be joining us in the new year and will teach on Thursday afternoons. If your child would like drum lessons please enquire at the office to set dates.

Dodgeball from Team Theme
We welcome Lee Cuff and Team Theme back next term. Dodgeball will begin on Friday, January 13th. A letter will be sent out early in the new term.

Wednesday Club (written by Anne Reason)
Wednesday Club has been an after school activity since 1987 with the kind permission of the Head Teachers ever since then. I thought some of you might not realise what goes on at the Club and therefore we would like to introduce ourselves. Children of every Christian denomination can join once they have reached their 6th birthday and our aim is to have fun with them but obviously share stories, songs and prayers relating to the Bible. We meet at 3.10 pm each Wednesday and finish at approximately 4pm. We use the Scripture Union 'Light' series and run 3 classes: The Planets, The Followers and The Explorers. We hold an open afternoon towards the end of the summer term when we say farewell to those who are going on to secondary school and give them something to remind them of their time with us. We also have 2 parties a year, one at Christmas and one at the end of the summer term. We are not only interested in sharing our faith but also showing them that having faith can be fun! If you are interested in either sending your child to us, having a further chat about what we get up to or coming to help as a volunteer, please do get in contact with me.
Anne Reason 01935 873726

Music tuition
We have a wide range of music tuition available in school. Teachers, instruments and times are listed below:
Paul Huddleston: Drums - Thursday afternoon from January
Christine Dickerson: Tuesday; piano
Joy Edwards: Wednesday; piano and keyboard
Siska Redman: Thursday am; flute and clarinet
Roger Trim: Thursday pm; violin, guitar, mandolin, accordion and psaltery.
If you are interested in your child learning one of these instruments please ask Sandra for further details at the office. For any instruments not on the list that you are keen on, please ask us and we will attempt to secure a teacher.

Breakfast club & school start time
School opens at 8.30 am for an 8.45am start. Breakfast club is available from 7.30am at £3.50 (w. breakfast) / £3.00 (w/o breakfast). No booking is required. If you only require a shorter time, please contact school and we will try to arrive at a flexible arrangement.

Dates for Diary (More to follow)

20th Jan, Fri - Peter Pan panto
10th Feb, Fri - End of half-term; Valentine Disco at school.
20th Feb, Mon - Back to school
24th Feb - Willow and Ash visit to Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre
29th Feb, Wed - Books at Bedtime, 6-7pm
1st Mar, Thu - World Book Day - Fancy Dress and activities
2nd Mar, Fri - Chestnut showing assembly, 2.30pm
6th Mar, Tue - Willow showing assembly, 2.30pm
8th Mar, Thu - Holly & Acorn visit to Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre
9th Mar, Fri - Oak & Chestnut visit to Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre
11th March, Sun - Messy Church at St Andrew's CofE Primary
13th Mar, Tue - Book Fair Week
16th Mar, Fri - Holly & Oak showing assembly, 2.30pm
20th Mar, Tue - Jurassic Coast Van in school
21st Mar, Wed - Acorn showing assembly, 2.30pm
23rd Mar, Fri - Big Jurassic Mile (as part of Sport Relief)
27th Mar, Tue - Ash showing assembly, 2.30pm
30th March, Fri -Easter Church Service, 9.30am (provisional, TBC)
End of term
16th April, Mon - INSET, school closed
17th April, Tue. - Back to school
May 7th, Mon - Bank holiday
June 1st, Fri - end of half-term
June 11th, Mon - back to school
24th June, Sun - Messy Church at St Andrew's CE Primary
July 20th, Fri - end of term
21st October, Sun - Messy Church at St Andrew's CE Primary

Paul Miller
(Headteacher)

ST. ANDREW'S CE PRIMARY SCHOOL
SCHOOL UNIFORM AND DRESS POLICY
September 2011

Introduction
It is our policy that all children wear school uniform when attending school and organised events inside or outside of normal school hours.
Aims and Objectives
Our policy on school uniform is based on the notion that school uniform:
• Engenders a sense of community and belonging
• Is practical and smart
• Makes children feel equal to their peers in terms of appearance
• Is designed with health and safety in mind and is appropriate to the activity involved
• Promotes a sense of pride in the school
If a pupil does not keep to the uniform policy we endeavour to find out why this is happening so that we can remedy the problem.
Children will not be discriminated against if parents/carers cannot provide them with the whole school uniform.
Our School will consider the needs of different cultures, race and religion and will not discriminate on grounds of gender.
Role of Governors
It is the governors' responsibility to ensure that the uniform meets all the regulations concerning equal opportunities.
The governing body will consult parents/carers for their views and concerns before deciding on the introduction of a new uniform or dress code, or before amending an existing one.
This policy, which has been endorsed by the school governors will be reviewed every 2years.
Cost of School Uniform
The school logo is on the sweatshirt, polo shirt and fleece jacket.
The uniform policy incorporates items which are also available "off the peg" from a number of high street retailers. This enables parents/carers to shop around for the most suitable option, whilst ensuring their child adheres to our school uniform code.

The St. Andrew's Primary School uniform consists of:
Boys - Royal blue Polo Shirt; Royal blue Sweatshirt; Royal Blue Fleece Jacket; Trousers/shorts Grey or Black
Girls - Royal blue cardigan; Royal blue polo shirt; Royal blue sweatshirt; Royal blue Fleece Jacket; Skirt or pinafore - grey or black; Trousers -grey or black; checked summer dress or skirt -Royal blue.
Physical Education
Our school uniform includes clothing required for P.E.
We have adapted a comfortable PE uniform which should enhance children's participation and enjoyment. The PE uniform is the same for boys and girls.
• White polo shirt
• Plimsolls (plus trainers in KS2 for outside sports)
• Shorts - black /royal blue
• PE bag
• Tracksuit (plain dark colour) - optional for cold weather
• Swimming - Boys - trunks and cap (not baggy style shorts) - Girls - one piece costume and cap.
• If children attend after school clubs they may be asked to wear different clothes e.g. shin pads/football boots.
THE SCHOOL ASKS THAT ALL ITEMS OF THE SCHOOL UNIFORM ARE CLEARLY MARKED

Jewellery Policy

Occasionally pupils wear personal items to school which constitute a health and safety hazard.
The following recommendations are in line with Dorset Health and Safety Policy and Safe Practice in Physical Education document.

• The wearing of jewellery is discouraged with the exception of one pair of small, plain stud type earrings.
• No studs or rings may be worn in any other part of the body.
• The wearing of necklaces, bracelets, and rings is not permitted. The only exception is allergy alert bracelets.
• A small simple watch may be worn so long as it is not set to "make noises".
• Neither the school nor its staff is responsible for any loss, theft or damage to any of these articles. Anything of value brought into school is at the owner's risk.
During sporting activities such as PE and swimming, children must remove all jewellery e.g. earrings, watches, and the responsibility of their safekeeping rests with pupils.
The removal of jewellery e.g. earrings and watches and replacing them is the responsibility of the pupils. School staff are not permitted to carry out this task. If it is not possible to remove the earrings then the pupils should cover them with plaster.
Hair and Make-up Guidelines
Hairstyles for both boys and girls should be simple and easily managed. Extremes of styles or colours are not permitted. The School requests that the children do not have their hair coloured or shaved in elaborate styles. In the interests of hygiene and safety, hair which touches the shoulders should be worn tied back. Hair ornaments should be in school colours.
Unusual hair ornaments should not be worn because they can be dangerous and/or distract children from their learning.
Nail Vanish and/or make-up should not be worn in school.
Footwear Guidelines
• Children should wear black, low-heeled shoes, which can be Velcro, slip-ons, buckles or lace ups. The wearing of boots in school is not encouraged.
• It is dangerous for children to wear shoes that have platform soles and high heels and they should not be worn.
• The wearing of trainers all day in school is not encouraged.
• In the summer months the children may wear sensible school style sandals (including white sandals.
• High heeled and strappy sandals are not allowed on health and safety grounds.
• Beach shoes are not permitted.
• Socks should always be worn for good foot hygiene.
The Role of the Parents/Carers
The School asks all parents/carers who send their children to St. Andrew's to support our school uniform policy.
It is the responsibility of parents/carers to ensure that their children have the correct uniform and that it is clean and in good repair.