Down Hall Primary School Friday 21st July 2017 Dear all, On behalf of the Governing Body I would like to extend our thanks to all the hard work and efforts this academic year from the children, parents/carers and staff. Down Hall continues to be a Good school and this is due to everyone’s contribution. I would like to take this opportunity to hope that you have a good summer break and look forward to meeting with you in the next academic year. For the Year 6 children a special thank you and good luck for the future as you move to your secondary schools. Always remember the school’s motto ‘Believe and Achieve’. Peter Milchard Chair of Governors
Website – www.downhallprimary.com http://rochfordextendedservices.org.uk/
DIARY DATES Friday 21st July – Year 6 leaver’s party. Friday 21st July – Last day of this academic year. Monday 4th September – Start of the new school year. Wednesday 6th September – EYFS children start school. Monday 11th September – Swimming starts Monday 11th September – Tempest individual/sibling photos. Wednesday 13th September - EYFS photo to be taken by the Evening Echo. Friday 15th September – EYFS overview meeting 2.30 pm.
FREE SCHOOL MEALS Notice for parents of children who will be in Year 3 from September 2017. Automatic entitlement to a free school meal finishes at the end of Year 2 and only children from low income families are eligible from Year 3. If your household income is less than £16,190 per year, or you receive Income Support or an equivalent benefit, you will need to make an application in August if you want your child to receive a free school meal from September. Applications can be made from 1st August 2017 online at www.essex.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals or by calling 0345 603 2200. The school strongly urges everyone who thinks they qualify to apply as it does make a significant difference to school funding. Down Hall Primary School uses this additional funding to increase support to children needing to access a range of different learning opportunities and additional services.
USED STAMPS We are still collecting used stamps for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Please send these into the school office throughout the year. Thank you, Mrs O’Donoghue
ATTENDANCE The attendance figures for the week beginning: 10th July 2017. Amethyst – 97.69% Diamond – 97.31% Emerald – 98.85% Garnet – 95.997% Moonstone – 98.62% Opal – 99.68% Pearl – 100% Quartz – 95.56% Ruby – 94.52% Sapphire – 93.00% Topaz – 91.43% As Pearl class have 100% attendance for the week beginning 10th July and it is the end of the school year they will have already had their additional playtime this week.
SCHOOL LUNCH MENU Please note on our return to school on 4th September, the menu will start on week 1. This menu is valid until the October half term. INTERHOUSE QUIZ This year, the School Council had an idea that they wanted to trial an Interhouse Quiz! The whole school took part in a mini-quiz in class and from this the Council formed the following teams to take part in the quiz. Year 1/2 Brooklyn: Joshua, Devon, Phoebe, Leila Deepdene: Harry, Edward, Cassie, Isabelle Hambro: Alice, Ashleigh, Daniel, Thomas Teignmouth: Alfie, Noah, Mei Ling, Erin Year 3/4 Brooklyn: Reece, Alex, Connie, Elena Deepdene: Oliver, Kye, Millie, Mia Hambro: Zak, Tyler, Emma, Kanak Teignmouth: Cormac, Adam, Emma, Chloe Year 5/6 Brooklyn: Luke, Daniel, Emily, Ella Deepdene: Tom, Daniel, Rebecca, Heather Hambro: Charlie, Elliot, Isabelle, Tiffany Teignmouth: Seren, Sophie, Jack, Owen Pearl and Quartz class took part in a whole class quiz as well and once these 4 quizzes were completed the totals were added up to find an overall winner. It was very close: 1st: Teignmouth - 114 points 2nd: Hambro - 112 points 3rd: Brooklyn - 109 points 4th: Deepene - 74 points The whole quiz was great fun and the trial went well. Future School Councils will be looking at how we can further develop this idea into a regular school event and the possibility of more Interhouse Competitions.
STAFF Today we say goodbye to Mrs Morgan who has worked at Down Hall for over 10 years as an LSA. We wish her every success in her new job. Also we say goodbye to Mr Henson who is leaving to start a new venture. Finally, we wish Mr Greenfield best wishes and happiness as he will be getting married in the summer holidays. 100% ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATES The following list is of pupils who have attained 100% attendance for the school year 2016-17. Jayden - Amethyst, Daniel, Eli – Diamond, Samuel – Emerald, Emma, Elysia, Ryley, Oliver, and Hannah – Garnet, Adam, Kanak, Emma and Charlie – Moonstone, Cormac, Oliver, Nathan, Lucy and Oliver – Opal, Finlay and Timothy – Pearl, Freddie and Rebecca – Ruby, Emily, and Katherine – Sapphire, Jamie, Ellie and Holly – Topaz. SWIMMING We are planning to start lessons on Monday 11th September for the whole school. The cost of lessons will be £15 for a family’s first child and £13 for each additional child from the same family. Further details will be sent out on 4th September. LETTERS UPLOADED TO THE WEBSITE. Sal’s Shoes – whole school. Leaver’s Assembly – Year 6. Transition – EYFS. Governor’s letter – whole school.
Please also see the announcements featured on the home page.
PE/MUSIC LESSONS Reminder that in September the days the children have PE/Music have changed to the following: Monday – Years 5/6 Tuesday – Years 1/2 Wednesday - Years 3/4 Friday - EYFS PE/MUSIC On the first day back to school, 4th September, it will be Year 5/6 for PE/Music. Please make sure your child comes into school in their PE kit. If you are buying new trainers in the holiday please make sure they are black. JEWELLERY IN PE This is a reminder that earrings are not permitted to be worn during PE lessons. Taping is not allowed. If your child cannot take out their earrings for PE they will have to sit out of the lesson until they can remove them. If you are considering your child to have their ears pierced, please could you do this at the start of the school holidays. MUSIC TUITION The new term starts as follows: Guitar with Mr Calabro on Monday 11th September. Keyboard/piano with Mr Sheldrake on Thursday 14th September. Violin/viola – to be advised. Invoices will be sent out to parents in September. There are spaces available if you wish your child to have tuition. Please ask at the school office.
PTA NEWS The PTA would like to thank all parents, staff and children for their support over the year, and look forward to seeing you in September when the visit from Happy's Circus on 14th September will nearly be upon us. Tickets are selling well. Please email
[email protected] for details of how to purchase them over the summer holidays. We'd recommend you don't leave it until September! The PTA is also paying for the children to have circus skills training during school on the same day as they see the Big Top going up on the field which we hope will be really exciting for them! If you are buying name labels from www.mynametags.co.uk over the summer, please quote 22458 in the School ID box as the PTA receives 20% of the funds back (at no extra cost to you). Discounted attraction vouchers will be available from Mr Simms sweet shop in Rayleigh High Street: Marsh Farm £9; Adventure Island blue bands £16; Red/Green bands £12.50; Sea Life £4.50 and Adventure Golf £3.50 (please let others know too!) ADDITIONAL LEARNING SUPPORT SESSIONS If you have returned the reply slip for your Year 2, Year 5 or EYFS child/ren indicating you would like them to attend the sessions, their place has now been booked. We look forward to seeing you then.
STOW MARIES GREAT WAR AERODROME
On Monday 7th August there will be a ‘Car Themed Day’ at the Stow Maries Aerodrome. Here you will be making rocket cars, balloon cars & Hovercrafts, as well as 3D Printing. Cost of admission is: £8 per adult, £7 per child taking part. This day is aimed at 8-14 years and is open 10.00 – 3.00pm. On Monday 14th August there will be a Stem Focussed day. Here will be able to make rockets, paper planes, boomerangs, experiment with Robotics & 3D Printing & Raspberry Pi. Cost of admission is: £8 per adult, £7 per child taking part. This day is aimed at 8-14 years and is open 10.00 – 3.00pm Enjoy hot & cold food available in our Mess or a picnic on the Parade Ground. For further information log onto: www.stowmaries.org.uk/events
RAYLEIGH LIBRARY On Monday 31st July, between 2 pm and 3pm, Rayleigh Library will be holding a ‘Give your pet a healthy and happy life’ event. Here there will be a talk by the Blue Cross Animal charity. This event is aimed at children between 7 and 11 years of age. Also on Thursday 17th August, between 2 pm and 3.30 pm, Rayleigh Library will give you the opportunity to meet the author Karen Gee (Dodger Dog at the Caravan). For further information on either of these events either call Essex libraries on 0345 603 7628 or go onto: http://libraries.essex.gov.uk/events
Hope you have a good and safe summer holiday. Mrs L A Nelson