NewStAnd Newsletter 14th October 2011

St Andrew's Church of England Primary School Newsletter Friday, 14th October 2011


E-safety day
Monster Ball Disco
Time travelling alien competition
Circus Stars Summer Reading Challenge
Eco Day
Messy Church
Parent Governor Election
Wednesday Club
Learning to tell the time
Uniform
Swimming pool news
Music tuition
Royal National Institute of Blind People stamp donation
Breakfast club & school Start time
New dates
Read on for more information

E safety day
Next Wednesday, October 19th, sees PC Jeff Grey come into school to take part in internet safety workshops with our children. He will discuss different issues with different classes using age appropriate material. He has asked me to request that parents / carers discuss the sessions with their children and also to let school know if they would like a follow up session held later in the school year aimed at adults.

Monster Ball Disco
The Monster Ball Disco, our annual alternatively named Halloween event, is next Thursday on the last day of term. It costs a frightening £1.00 to get in, it is from scary 6pm till terrifying 7.30pm. All the usual blood curdling treats are taking place, including dancing (my dancing is always quite horrifying), doughnut eating, biscuit decorating, tattoos, glowsticks and tuckshop. There will be spine chilling prize for the best dressed child from Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Reception children are very welcome but will need to be accompanied by an adult. Hope to see you all there!

Time travelling alien competition
Thank you and well done to all the children who took part in our competition. There was a massive response and it was INCREDIBLY difficult to decide the best. The winners are listed below and are displayed in our school hall.
Winner: Eve (Ash)
Runners-up: Hetty (Willow), Evie (Chestnut),Owen (Oak), Jack (Holly) and Esme (Acorn)

Circus Stars Summer Reading Challenge
Oscar, Reuben, Lily Finn, Amalie, Scarlett, Patience, Chloe, Sophie, Jim, Daniel, Lucy, Owen and Morgan all did fantastically well in the Summer Reading Challenge. They read and reviewed at least 6 books during the holidays and each received a well deserved Circus Stars certificate.

Eco Day, Monday October 10th
We had a great and very productive day this term. Thank you to the many parents who came on Sunday and gave hours of their time to help erect our new shed and help clear the field of wood. Your help is much appreciated.

Messy Church - 2nd October
On a sunny Sunday afternoon, 20 Mums and Dads, 35 children and a team of 17 (led by Kay Wilson White and Anne Reason) met in St Andrew's School, Yetminster for the 2nd Messy Church. It lasted for 2 hours from 3-5 and the afternoon was a mixture of crafts, songs, the story of The Good Samaritan through a play and video and then a meal of hotdogs and cakes. It was a really happy occasion and the team hope that those who attended not only enjoyed themselves but also learnt something from the story of The Good Samaritan.

Parent Governor Election
Please review this amendment to the ballot paper and election information regarding School Governors.
Please note that the candidate Emma Harris's child is in year 5 of St Andrew's not year 6 as stated on the ballot paper and information on candidates.

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 birthdayand 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

Life Education Van and Good King Hal
We've had 2 brilliant events recently in school. Unfortunately, some of these activities do cost a little extra. If it has slipped your mind with paying, the Life Education Van was £4.00 and King Henry VIII was £3.50. Would you please send the money in a sealed envelope or see Sandra in the office. Thank you very much.

Learning to tell the time!
Holly class are currently learning to tell the time, which can be tricky. If your child is in Holly, or another class, and would benefit from a little extra internet based fun help, then check out www.timemonsters.com . It is very good and can be used independently. It requires no reading and has 'time monsters' which keep the children engaged in their learning.

School Uniform
Schoolwear & More (10 Wine Street, Yeovil, 01935 478178) are to be our uniform supplier. They have said it will take approximately 10-14 days to be able to supply our school uniform with the logo.
The uniform policy is on the website.
We are planning on arranging a 2nd hand sale in the next few weeks. We'll let you know the time and date as soon as it is set. However, we are very short of items to sell. If you are able to donate any old, unwanted but still useful items of uniform, would you please bring them to school. Money raised will be donated to the PTA.

Swimming pool news
We have launched an internet based appeal to apply for a grant towards the project to renovate our swimming pool. From now, parents, relatives or friends of the school who would like to support us in applying for a grant to go towards the cost of turning our pool into a resource that the whole community can use can go online to vote. So far we have received 161 votes which is brilliant - thank you.
The link is:
http://communityforce.natwest.com/project/5090
Alternatively you can phone 0800 2100 246 and vote for project 5090.
Thankyou to the PTA swimming pool committee for setting this up - particularly Sharon Murphy, Anna Taylor and Maxine Balch.

Music tuition
We have a wide range of music tuition available in school. Teachers, instruments and times are listed below:
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.

Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) charity appeal
We are currently collecting used and new stamps to raise money for the RNIB. The RNIB campaign to eliminate avoidable sight loss and support research into sight loss and eye health issues. If you can help please send stamps in with your child. They should bring them to the office at morning break where they will be collected and sent on. We are doing this in conjunction with Yetminster Scouts. Thank you for your support.

Breakfast club & school start time
With the new term we have new travel arrangements. As a result, may I remind everyone that doors open 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)
19th October - E safety day with OC Jeff Grey
20th Oct, Thu - Oak showing assembly
20th Oct, Thu - Monster Ball Disco
21st Oct, Fri - INSET
22nd Oct, Sat - Race Night, Leigh Village Hall - PTA event
23rd Oct, Sun - World Cup Final, 9am
24th - 28th Oct - Half term
31st Oct - back to school
3rd and 4th November - School photographs (3rd: siblings and pre-school together; 4th: individual photos class by class)
4th Nov, Fri - Willow showing assembly
7th - 11th Nov, Mon- Fri - Leeson House residential
11th Nov, Fri - Chestnut showing assembly
17th Nov, Thu - Parent's eve, 4-7pm
18th Nov, Fri - Ash showing assembly
22nd Nov, Tue - Parent's eve, 4-7pm
23rd Nov, Wed - Holly and Acorn showing assembly
25th Nov, Fri - Christmas Fair
6th Dec, Tue - Christmas concert / play: KS1 - afternoon, KS2 - eve (these dates are provisional - please check with school before booking time off work)
7th Dec, Wed - Christmas concert / play: KS2 - afternoon, KS1 - eve (these dates are provisional - please check with school before booking time off work)
16th Dec, Fri - End of term church service at St Andrew's Church, 9.30am
3rd Jan 2012, Tues. - Back to school
10th Feb, Fri - End of half-term; Valentine Disco at school.
20th Feb, Mon - Back to school
30th March, Fri - 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
July 20th, Fri - end of term

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.