05.11.04

Dear Parents,

From Thursday 11^th November we begin our new policy encouraging children to only have fresh fruit or vegetables to eat at break time. Free fruit or vegetables will be available to all children in Reception, Year 1 and 2. Fruit or vegetables will also be available to children in KS2 if they have already paid for it.

This week we have sold nearly 200 water bottles. A new stock has been ordered and will hopefully be available in early December.

Cycle training for our Year 6 children begins on Monday 8^th November. All Year 6 children taking part in the training will need to bring their bicycle to school with a lock and key to ensure that it can be chained to the fence securely. Bicycles will need to be taken home each night. If this is a problem please contact your child?s class teacher.

Children in Year 3 and 5 will enjoy an interactive strings recital from the County Music Service during the morning of Thursday 11^th November.

The steering group for the school travel plan will meet at 2.30pm on Friday 12^th November.

If you have been into the main school entrance this week you will have noticed that the foyer doors have been reinstated and Mrs Parker, the school secretary, can now be communicated with through glass sliding windows. This development gives us controlled access into the main school building. We are also having security access controls fitted on all external doors of the school, including the temporary classrooms. This will make the school an even more secure environment. In the near future we look forward to having some improved fencing along the school boundary adjoining the Boleyn Cottages. At the end of the school car park there will be additional fencing and a large metal gate for access onto the school field.

I would be grateful if parents would ensure that their child wears a tie to school as outlined in the school prospectus. There are a number of children, particularly at the older end of the school, who are regularly not wearing a tie. In school we will be encouraging those children who are not wearing a tie to do so. If you would like to discuss this issue further please come into school to see me or telephone the school. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

I would be grateful if all photograph money could be sent to school by Monday 8^th November. Thank you.

Our collection of lost property is growing steadily. On Wednesday 9^th November there will be a chance for parents to claim items of lost property. The children have already had a look at the items! The lost property will be displayed in the Infant Library from 3.15pm. Unclaimed items will be given to the Thrift Shop and re-sold.

Congratulations to Lewis Bowle who has won the Round Table firework painting competition. As his prize Lewis will start the firework display at Cheltenham Racecourse on Saturday.

Congratulations to the A & B Teams who played against Leckhampton Primary School on Wednesday this week. They were two great games! The A Team drew 4-4, with Alex Costigane scoring 2 goals and Declan Chick scoring 2 goals. The B Team won 3-2, with Harry Styman scoring 2 goals, and Eddie Perrins scoring 1 goal.

The next fixture is Wednesday 10^th November against Leckhampton Primary School. This game will be played away.

Well done to the children who took part in the cross country event in the Park after school yesterday. The results were:

Boys (out of 135)

Jordan Pates ? 16^th, Louis Hyde ? 27^th, Cain Thomas ? 99^th, Joshua Thomas ? 110^th, Alasdair Cain ? 115^th, Ryan Griffiths ? 120^th, Amal Mistry ? 123^rd, Ryan Watling ? DNF.

Girls (out of 115)

Jessica Wiggett ? 12^th, Leann Brearley ? 64^th, Gemma Perks ? 81^st, Catherine McCarthy ? 105^th.

The next fixture is Monday 7^th February, at 4.15pm, at Cheltenham College Junior School.

As we have an election for three Parent Governors I thought that it would be useful for parents to have an outline of the role of the Parent Governor.

The Governors have a very important role to play in the life of the school. They act as supporters to the Head Teacher, "critical" friends and givers of advice. Governors often view issues in a different way. They may bring particular skills to the school. Parents Governors do not represent the parent body but are parents who are Governors. The Governing Body has a range of duties and responsibilities including: setting pupil achievement targets, managing the budget, ensuring that the curriculum includes all aspects of the National Curriculum and drawing up an action plan following an inspection.

Yours sincerely,