Holy Family School

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


    

 

        NEWSLETTER No. 20

SPRING TERM                                                                                                              9th February 2007

 

Dear Parents

 

MAY DAY FETE

This year’s Fete is on 7th May and as you know all funds raised at this (and all other events organised by the PTA) will be used solely for your children.  Examples of where funds have gone so far:

Many companies have schemes whereby they support the community via their employees; sometimes all you have to do is ask.  Some companies donate products, tickets to events etc., which we can use in our Silent Auction or Raffle.  Other companies have ‘matched giving’ schemes whereby they simply match any money raised on a particular stall (eg Barclays Bank).  Another way to support us is to take out an ad in our programme.  We would appreciate it if you could ask your employer if they would be interested in supporting us.  To help you with this we will be putting an envelope in your child’s book bags when we return after half term which you can hand in to your employer should you wish to do so.  The children have also written their own letters, which have been sent out to local companies, and we are hoping for a good response to our appeal.  We appreciate everybody’s help, and we will continue needing your support.  We are grateful for your help with this.  Thank you.  Yvonne Brophy.

 

A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

Friday 23rd February, 6.30pm – 8.30pm in the school hall for a fun game of family bingo and children’s raffle. This fundraising event is being organised in conjunction with the School Council and all monies raised will go towards the Buddy Bench.  Please complete and return the reply slip below to reserve your place and bingo books but be quick, there are only 120 places reserved on a first come, first served basis!

 

EDUCATION CONSULTANT

In order to help us to improve teaching and learning in school, we have appointed an Education Consultant, Mr Martin Griffiths, whom we know through our links with St Marys University.  Martin is also an Ofsted Inspector and an HMI, and in his spare time works as a supply teacher to ensure that he understands all the issues relating to teaching and learning.  Martin will be working with us through to the summer term and has already made a start by spending a day in school looking at the learning environment and its impact on our children. His report states that we do have a positive learning environment: it is a friendly and welcoming school; all areas are generally tidy and well ordered; children are made to feel valued; displays are of a high standard; there is effective team work between teachers and T/As; high expectations of work standards and behaviour are regularly enforced; misconceptions are dealt with effectively and sympathetically; we have an impressive ICT suite which is well used; the outside areas are well maintained to a good standard; there is a calm positive atmosphere throughout the school; issues on the playground are dealt with positively and confrontation is avoided; children demonstrate good behaviour and politeness and there is a strong catholic ethos throughout the school.  Not bad, eh? 

 

After half term Martin will be observing every teacher teach and reporting back his findings to individual teachers and to the leadership team.  From this we will be able to determine what further staff training and development we need to organise.

 

 

 

BEWARE MSN!

We would just like to draw your attention to the possible dangers of children being allowed to communicate with others through chat rooms such as MSN, My Space, etc. These sites are not secure in that people’s (our children’s) call names can be passed on to others, which can be the start of some very unpleasant, sometimes extremely dangerous, communications. We have all heard the horror stories. This is also recognised as a medium for bullying, and children need to be closely supervised if they are allowed to use these sites.  Members of our staff have experience of some very choice language being used by other children, which has resulted in their own children becoming upset and frightened.

 

REMINDER – School will be closed on Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th February for staff training.  Thank you.
 
 

 

 

 


It only remains to wish you on behalf of all the staff a very happy and restful half term break with your children.  If you are going away don’t forget to come back!

God Bless

 

Anne O’Connor

 

 

BINGO NIGHT FRIDAY 23rd FEBRUARY 2007 - £1 PER PERSON PER PLACE

 

Name ………………………………………………… Year Group ………………………………………..

 

Please reserve me ………….. places and ……….. books.

 

I enclose chq/cash for £……………………

 

Additional books may be purchased on the night at £1 each.

 

Places limited to 120 – first come first served.