NewStAnd Newsletter 9th December 2011

St Andrew's Church of England Primary School Newsletter Friday, 9th December 2011


Christmas Plays
Year 6 Carol singing
Christmas Fair
Swimming pool appeal
Christmas Service
Hot school meals
Children In Need Appeal
Dodgeball from Team Theme
Panto - "Peter Pan"
Christmas Play help
Wednesday Club
Music tuition
Breakfast club & school Start time
New dates
Read on for more information

Christmas Plays
Thank you to everyone who helped make this year's Christmas productions such a fantastic success. The children were awesome, audiences really got into the shows, families helped with costumes and getting children to school for evening performances and staff across the school all helped make the shows a success. Everyone's contribution is much appreciated.
DVDs of the performances will be available next week - £7 each or 2 for £10.

Year 6 Carol Singing
On Monday, December 12th, Year 6 will be singing around Yetminster, visiting The Meadens amongst other locations. Money raised will be donated to Shelter, a homeless charity. Parents or relations are all very welcome to accompany us and add to the variety of voices. Last year was a magical event. Hot chocolate and mince pies will be served afterwards. If you could meet us at school at approximately 6.20pm, we'll sing for about an hour before enjoying refreshments from 7.30 to 8. We look forward to seeing you.

Christmas Fair
Thank you to everyone who came to our Christmas Fair (which wasn't snowed off this year) and to the PTA for organising it. You raised £1278 which will be used by the PTA to fund projects and resources for use by our children. This funding is invaluable in helping our children make the most of their time at St Andrew's and all the support we receive is very much appreciated.

Swimming pool appeal
As you may have heard the PTA swimming pool committee have raised £6275 through the NatWest Community Force appeal. A massive thank you to everyone who voted and who encouraged others to vote. There was an enormous response and to come 3rd out of 27 projects in the local area is testament to the strength of the community spirit of all the villages and residents who serve St Andrew's CE Primary. This is over half the amount we need to get the pool refurbished and making it a viable, sustainable resource for all who live locally.

Christmas Service
The last day of term, next Friday, sees our Christmas Service being held at St Andrew's Church. All parents, relations and friends of the school are welcome. The service will start at 9.30am. If you would like to walk up from school and back with us please talk to your child's teacher or Sandra McVeigh in the office.

Hot school meals
Would all who have outstanding orders for January hot school meals please give your order forms into the office by Monday, 12th December. Thank you.

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.

Children In Need appeal
This year we raised £86.40 for the BBC Children In Need appeal. Thank you to everyone who donated to this very worthy charity

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

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. Would you please return the reply slip by 12th December. Thank you.

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
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)

12th Dec, Mon - 6.30pm - Year 6 Carol singing in Yetminster
15th Dec, Thu - Willow Class to Old Vicarage, Leigh for Christmas Carols, 11am
16th Dec, Fri - End of term church service at St Andrew's Church, 9.30am
3rd Jan 2012, Tues - Back to school
20th Jan, Fri - Peter Pan panto
10th Feb, Fri - End of half-term; Valentine Disco at school.
20th Feb, Mon - Back to school
11th March, Sun - Messy Church at St Andrew's CE Primary
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
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.