Junior Newsletter 9th September 2011

Issue 1

Lunch Menu

Meals from Monday 12^th September will be menu number 2. The Lunch Rota for this week will be Year 1 at 12.00, Year 2 at 12.05, Year 3 at 12.15, Year 5 at 12.20, Year 6 at 12.25 and Year 4 at 12.30.

A New School Year

Welcome back to all children, parents and staff following what I hope has been a very relaxing summer holiday. I would like to say a particular welcome to the new children and their parents who have joined us this September from Nursery to Year 6. We hope that your children make many new friends and quickly settle into life at Sunderland High School Juniors. Children may soon notice that several changes have taken place over the summer holidays. The bottom corridor has been repainted, the nursery now has a new floor and the outdoor play area has a rubberised ‘safer surface'.

Well Done Year 6

As we begin a new academic year, we wish our previous Year 6 the very best of luck as they begin school life at senior level. All of the boys and girls did remarkably well in their Key Stage 2 SAT examinations. Whilst 100% achieved the national expectation of Level 4 in English and mathematics, 64% gained Level 5 English and 87% gained Level 5 mathematics - a terrific achievement - well done!

School Term Dates

To assist parents with the planning of holidays etc, the key dates for this academic year are as follows:

Friday 21^st October - Staff Development Day

Monday 24^th October to Friday 28^th October - Half Term

Thursday 15^th December to Wed 4^th January - Christmas Holidays

Thursday 5^th January - Pupil Term begins

Monday 13^th February to Fri 17^th February - Half Term

Monday 20^th February - Staff Development Day

Monday 2^nd April to Fri 14^th April - Easter Holidays

Monday 16^th April - Pupil Term begins

Monday 7^th May - Bank Holiday

Monday 4^th June to Fri 8^th June - Half Term

Thursday 12^th July - Last day of Term finish 12 noon.

Meet the Teacher Evening

An early reminder that the first informal ‘Meet the Teacher' meeting will take place at Junior School on Monday, 19^th September from 6pm. This will be an opportunity for you to meet your child's teacher and receive information regarding the subjects to be taught during the year. Homework schedules and timetables will also be distributed. We look forward to welcoming all parents. Refreshments will be available in the school hall.

Academic Year 2011/12

From September 2011 and in line with existing Senior School procedures, please note that the Junior School will finish at 12 noon on the last day of each term. As with previous ‘last days' there will be no after school clubs held on any of these dates.

Swimming Arrangements

Could parents please note that swimming at the Raich Carter Centre in Hendon this term will begin on Tuesday 13^th September for children in Year 6 and Year 2. Swimming arrangements for reception and nursery children will begin on Friday 16^th September. All children from Reception to Year 6 must wear the correct SHS swimming costume. Please see Mrs Walls if this item still needs to be ordered.

Nursery Payments Notification

As soon as we have a complete picture of nursery placement requirements we will generate the invoices for the Autumn Term. Could parents of nursery children please ensure that Mr Bulmer is aware of all payments made, including the use of vouchers, so that accurate records can be maintained? For those children who are eligible for the EYFS funding, this now equates to up to five free sessions rather than as a monetary subsidiary. Invoices will be calculated accordingly. The cost of lunches will still be charged separately however.

Email Distribution List

If any new or existing parents wish to be added to the school newsletter email distribution list then please let Miss McArdle in the school office know by leaving your preferred email address.

School Uniform

It has been lovely to see such smart children arriving to school in their new uniforms this week. Could all parents please ensure that every item of clothing is clearly marked with your child's name? It is also important that PE kit is also correctly labelled. This will hopefully ensure a safe return should anything go missing. With very young children, it is also possible that they may return home with someone else's jumper or blazer!

After School Activities

A new programme of activities will begin from Monday 12^th September. These will continue throughout the term but not in the final week. Could all parents collecting children at the end of after school activities please do so from the FRONT entrance of the school? Children will be escorted there by the teacher in charge of the activity around 4.30pm.

Please note that several after school activities are led by visiting coaches for which there will be a nominal charge for the term. Parents of children who attend these activities should settle their invoices directly with the visiting coach otherwise attendance at the club beyond the third week will not be possible.

After School Club

A reminder to parents, new and existing, that the after school club only operates Monday to Thursday until 5.30pm and until 5pm each Friday. Parents of children wishing to use this facility MUST book in advance as we have to ensure that we maintain the correct staff / pupil ratios at all times. We will try to accommodate any last minute requests on the day but will be unable to do so after 10am. The after school club never operates on the last day of each term.

Pupil Detail Forms

All parents will be aware that the school requires new completed parent contact details, medical information and school visit authorisations etc at the start of every academic year. Could parents please ensure that this important information is given to Miss McArdle in the school office within the next few days?

Congratulations

To the following children who will be celebrating birthdays over the coming week: Florence Hodgetts and Jeremy Kay.