Junior Newsletter 10th September 2010

Lunch Menu

Meals from Monday 13^th September will be menu number 2. The Junior Lunch Rota for this week will be Year 3 at 12.15, Year 5 at 12.25, Year 6 at 12.35 and Year 4 at 12.40

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.

Parents may soon notice that several changes have taken place over the summer holidays. Several staff have once again changed classrooms with the effect that year groups on the first floor are now in sequence. The dining hall floor has been resurfaced providing a more workable environment suited for our various school activities. The toilets have been repainted.

Sad News

Many parents will no doubt remember former Head of Junior School, Jim Turner. We received notice on 10th September that his wife, Geraldine, had passed away during the night following a short illness. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jim and his children at this very sad time in his life.

Swimming Arrangements

Could parents please note that swimming at the Raich Carter Centre in Hendon this term will begin on Tuesday 14^th September for children in Year 6 and Year 2. Swimming arrangements for reception and nursery children will begin on Friday 17^th September.

House Captains

Congratulations to the Year 6 children who have been elected as House Captains or Vice Captains for the new school year. These are as follows:

Drake House - Captain, Ingrid Mushens - Vice Captain, Alexandra Haswell

Panther House - Captain, Lucy Stobbart - Vice Captain, Kate Dunningham

Swift House - Captain, Kate Ashcroft - Vice Captain, Olivia Rowe

Tiger House - Captain, Felix Mulholland - Vice Captain, Ruth Chapman

Administration Issues

If any parents still have contact, medical, consent or other forms that need returning to the school office then please hand these in as soon as possible.

Early Morning Club

This will continue to operate from the Junior Library on the first floor and will be supervised by Mrs McVay. The nursery entrance to the school should be used from 8am onwards.

School Uniform

A reminder that for the first half of the Autumn Term, children are allowed to wear either their summer or winter school uniform. We ask however that all children return to school in the correct winter uniform from 1^st November. The school shop will continue to operate each Wednesday afternoon on the top floor of Tonstall House.

School Term Dates

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

Mon 25^th Oct to Friday 29^th Oct - Half Term

Mon 13^th Dec to Mon 3^rd Jan - Christmas Holidays

Tues 4^th Jan - Staff Development Day

Fri 18^th February - Staff Development Day

Mon 21^st Feb to Fri 25^th Feb - Half Term

Fri 15^th April - Staff Development Day

Mon 18^th April to Fri 29^th April - Easter Holidays

Monday 2^nd May - Bank Holiday

Mon 30^th May to Fri 3^rd June - Half Term

Friday 15^th July - Last day of Term finish 12 noon.

School Assemblies

Each Monday will be a whole school assembly and Father Stephen Edmonds has kindly agreed to assist us with some of these. Tuesday assembly will comprise Junior singing whilst Wednesday will be class assemblies with occasional whole school visits to St. John's Methodist Church. House assemblies will take place each Thursday. Head's Awards assemblies will therefore now be held each Friday morning. All assemblies will begin at 8.50am.

Staff Training Day

Whilst many children were making the most of their last day of the summer holidays, staff were busy learning about a new ICT application called ‘Active Inspire'. This is a super teaching application that all children will experience during the course of the year.

Congratulations

To children who celebrate birthdays this week : Kayleigh Fraser, Hannah Lee, Bobby Green and Daniel Donkin