Junior Newsletter 10th February 2012

Issue 19

Lunch Menu

Meal menus from Monday 20^th February are posted elsewhere on the school website. The Lunch Rota for this week will be 12 - Year 2, 12.10 - Year 3, 12.15 - Year 4, 12.20 - Year 6, 12.25 - Year 5

Dates for your diary

Monday, 20^th February - Staff Development Day - please note that school is closed to all children that day.

Tuesday, 21^st February - all children return

Wednesday, 22^nd February - Ash Wednesday Service at St. Ignatius, 9.30am involving Years 5 & 6 with seniors.

Child Booster Seats

If any parents have borrowed any of the booster seats from the entrance lobby, we would be grateful if these could be returned as soon as possible as we need these for the nursery children. Also, if any parents have any booster seats sitting in the garage that are no longer required, then the school would be very grateful to receive these for our mini buses and school outings with the Nursery children.

End of School Procedures

At the end of each school day, children who are not collected by 3.45pm are placed in the reception lobby where they can be kept safe. If children are still not collected by 4pm then they will automatically be put into the after school club where they can be correctly supervised until parents arrive. Please note that the present charge for using the after school club is £3 per 30 minutes. This will be added to the termly invoice.

Parents and children should also please note that the use of the all weather pitch, climbing area and nursery garden are strictly out of bounds to children from 3.35pm onwards. For children to be able to use any of these areas then they must be adequately supervised by a member of staff and not parents otherwise the school can not be held liable if any accidents occur. If children and parents are waiting for others then the play yard can be used to run off steam. Thank you for your support in these important matters of health, safety and security.

Sport Fixtures Update

Despite trying hard, our netball teams lost to Durham High School for Girls last week in matches that were played in a much shortened time and freezing cold conditions. Two days later, the U11 football A and B teams played against Yarm School in two exciting games. Having been 2-1 down, the A team went on to secure a magnificent 4-2 victory. The B team were not as fortunate despite some very good play but resulting in a 4-0 defeat. Well done to all our teams.

PTA Spring Fayre

The PTA are presently planning activities for our next Spring Fayre. This will be held on Saturday, 17^th March. The school will also hold an ‘Open Day' on the same day and both events will run from 11.30am until 3pm. We will be asking the children for donations in the form of bottles, toiletries and cakes and in return will offer a non-uniform day on Friday, 9^th March. The PTA would like to know if any parents would like to run their own non-food stall at the event. If so then please contact Jane Milburn direct on jane.milburn@btinternet.com We also hope to organise an Easter egg painting and decorating competition leading up to the event. The fayre promises to be an exciting family event with a BBQ, entertainment, stalls, raffles, sport events and a bouncy castle so please make a note of the date in your diary.

School Scout Group Needs Your Help!

If your child enjoys fun and adventure why not enrol them into the Sunderland High School Cub Pack or Beaver Colony? Over recent months our Cubs, Beavers and Scouts have built kites, tie-dyed t-shirts, cooked chocolate bananas,  put up tents and much, much more....

Our Cub Pack and Beaver Colony are exclusively for Sunderland High School pupils. Beavers is for girls and boys aged 5 years 6 months to 8 years old; Cubs is for girls and boys aged 8 to 11.

We meet at Junior School every Thursday from 5.30pm - 7.00pm  The Sunderland High School Scout Group, Cub Pack and Beaver Colony operates along Scout Association principals and offers children a balanced programme of activities which include team working, problem solving, individual challenges, badge work, games, visits to local places of interest and, of course, an annual camping experience. If your son or daughter would like to join us call Mrs Kris Woods on 0780 3455469 or bring them along to Junior School any Thursday night at 5.30pm.

More information on Scouting can be found at www.scoutbase.org.uk

Parents' Forum

A final reminder that the next parents' forum will take place on Wednesday, 29^th February at 5.15pm. If any parents have any issues or questions that they would like discussed at the meeting then please forward these to your year representative. A reminder that the representatives for this academic year are as follows:

Nursery - Vacancy

Reception - Mrs Cottam

Year 1 - Vacancy

Year 2 - Mrs Anderson

Year 3 - Mrs Scott

Year 4 - Mrs Mulholland

Year 5 - Mr Coates

Year 6 - Mr Royal

If anyone is interested in representing Nursery or Year 1 then please contact Mr Bulmer as soon as possible. At the next meeting we will be discussing comparative performance data for our children relative to other schools in the UCST group.

After School Activity Payments

Despite several reminders, a number of parents have still not paid for after school activities that are being delivered by outside coaches. These payments are vital if attendance is to be continued beyond the third week. Payment on time also reassures coaches that the classes are viable and are able to be continued at this school in subsequent terms. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

Budding Thespians!

We were very proud to see two of our children taking part in the recent production of ‘The King and I' at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle. Let us hope that this is the start of many more good things to come for India Mason and Milo Robson. What a fantastic experience for them both!

School Uniform

Could parents please note that the correct school uniform should be worn at all times? This includes the wearing of the correct swimming costumes for children from Reception to Year 6 and swimming hats. Children should also be wearing the correct school hat, scarf and outside coat especially during these colder mornings. Thank you for your support in this matter.

Congratulations

To the following children who will be celebrating birthdays over the next two weeks: Jacob Relf, Isabelle McQueen, Enaya Ali, Hugh Walshaw, Megan Wilson, Louise Peart, Ethan Louis and Amelia Maginn.