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SPRING TERM 2012 NEWSLETTER NUMBER 2

27^th January 2012

Dear Parents,

Data Protection Day
This week the older children have had lessons and reminders about the importance of keeping personal information private when using the internet. Parents might well like to take a look at the website www.theiinonline.org where lessons can be found as well as details of a ‘SAFE’ campaign. ‘SAFE’ is a new programme of practical activities to develop primary children’s skills, self confidence and safety awareness when using social network sites. Information for parents as well as teachers is available.

LPSA Jumble and Rag Bag Sale
I’d like to remind parents of the LPSA Jumble and Rag Bag sale at the school tomorrow, Saturday 28^th January from 2 to 4 p.m. and hope you can support this event.

Parents’ Evenings
This term’s parents’ evenings will be on Tuesday 6^th March 3.30 to 6 p.m. and Thursday 8^th March 5.30 to 8 p.m. There will be a separate letter to return to your child’s class teacher to indicate your preferred time. I urge all parents to discuss their child’s progress with the class teacher. If you have any concerns, worries or queries regarding your child, please do not automatically wait until parents’ evening. I suggest that you see the class teacher after school one evening. Please try to avoid Mondays as we have a staff meeting each week on this day.

Clarinet / Flute lessons & Orchestra Club
I apologise for any inconvenience, but there will be no flute/clarinet lessons or orchestra club on Monday 20^th February (our first day back after Half Term), as Mr Bondono is not available to teach that day.

Attendance
After announcing in the last newsletter that we attained our target for the first time during the autumn term I am again pleased to tell you that attendance has continued to improve during January. This is great news and I thank parents for supporting us in keeping absence to a minimum by returning children to school promptly following illness.

Curriculum Information for Parents
It would be helpful to receive feedback from parents regarding the year group curriculum letters sent out recently. If you have any comments, positive or developmental, please email the school office.

Friendship Issues and Anti-Bullying
As part of our PSHE (Personal, Social, and Health Education) learning this term across the school we have been discussing with children not only ‘What makes a good friend’, but also ‘What is bullying behaviour?’ We have put together an advice booklet. A copy is now being sent home with this newsletter for you to share with your child. Children need to be aware of the different forms of bullying and to have opportunities to discuss the issues around the theme (Please click here to view the advice booklet).

School Clubs
School clubs for the spring term have now started. There are a whole variety of clubs taking place. I thank teachers and teaching assistants who are prepared to give up their time to manage these extra curricular activities. Club lists are on the school website and on the club notice board (opposite the gym in the main corridor). If your child was not successful in their choice then they have been put on the waiting list. Please check the list before enquiring at the office. Thank you.

Science Festival
Brighton has a science festival from 1^st to 29th February with some activities during half term, such as: ‘The Chewy Gummy Physics Funfair’, ‘Smoke and Mirrors Presents’ as well as ‘How To Be Magic!’ All the details can be found on the website www.brightonscience.com and tickets can also be booked online.

School Council News
The Year 6 School Council Children will be organising a cake sale on Thursday 2^nd February. Children are asked to take cakes to the gym on this day when they arrive at school. Cakes will be sold in aid of a worthy charity (to be decided) costing 20 pence each.

School Greenhouse
There will be a grand opening of the eco friendly greenhouse made from recycled bottles on Tuesday 31^st January (next week). Look out for a photograph and report in the local newspaper.

School Library
The next phase of our school library development will be happening very soon. Consequently the library will need to close for about two weeks so that the walls can be artistically designed and painted as well as a new carpet being laid. Following this new furniture will be installed. We anticipate that this work will begin after half term. Please bear with us during this time when the children will not be able to renew library books. I will keep you up to date and let you know as soon as we can reopen.

Catering Assistant Appointment
Miss Aimie Davies has been appointed to the position of Catering Assistant with immediate effect. We are pleased to be at full strength in the kitchen. I am pleased to tell you that in the short time Sue Hopkins has been in charge that dinner numbers have increased. We hope that the numbers will continue to rise as I know that the meals will continue to improve now that staff numbers are correct. The School Council children are working hard to give feedback to the kitchen staff to ensure they are fully aware of the children’s preferences. I know the kitchen staff are keen to ensure that they receive this information.

School Dinner Money – Reminder
Spring term dinner money is now due. Cheques should be made payable to Lingfield Primary School. The cost is £54 for the first half of the term and £114 for the whole term. However, if your child is in one of the Nursery classes the costs are: Blue Class £20 for the first half of half term and £44 whole term, Yellow Class is £22 half term and £46 whole term.

School Crossing Patrol Plea
It is some months since Mrs Clarke moved out of the Lingfield area leaving the vacancy of School Crossing patrol or indeed ‘Lollipop Person’. We are very keen to appoint a new person to this role as I am very aware of the difficulty and dangers of crossing Plaistow Street during the school run times. If you are interested please contact the school office. I have not received any response since the request two weeks ago. It seems to me unlikely that there is not a local person who would be willing to do this job. If you know of someone in the locality who might be interested please pass this information on to them. I am very keen, for the safety of our children, to ensure we once again have a crossing patrol in Plaistow Street. Thank you for any assistance you can provide.

P.E. and Earrings
Please remember it is school policy as well as Surrey County Council’s policy that earrings must not be worn for P.E. lessons. They have to be taken out. Please ensure your child can remove their own earrings or they should not wear them on P.E. days. Thank you.

Half Term Break – reminder
Friday 10^th February is an Inset day – staff and governors will be discussing the new Ofsted Inspection framework and the parent survey conducted by school governors. From these discussions the school development plan will be updated.

Monday 13^th February to Friday 17^th February - half term break

Lingfield Youth Club
The club runs every Friday (term time only) at the Lingfield & Dormansland Community Centre from 7.30 to 9.30 p.m. There is currently space for new members. Activities include; sports, games, karaoke and themed nights and trips. The club is looking for adult volunteers to help run the club. If you would like to help please contact Nicole on 07720 885790.

Ladies Night in Lingfield
Hiz n hairz are a local high street salon in Lingfield, and are holding a ladies night at the Victoria club on Friday10th February from 6.30 till 10.30 p.m. All money raised will be split between cystic fibrosis and a new hair charity. The evening will be made up of 24 stalls plus a raffle, and a silent auction. There will also be mini beauty treatments available and each guest will receive goodie bags and a glass of bucks fizz. There will also be lots of surprises for valentines day, and a hair up demonstration. Plus a local celebrity will be making an appearance. Tickets will be on sale from most. Shops on the high street including hiz n hairz hair salon, the tickets cost £5.00

If you have any queries or concerns please contact me.

Yours sincerely,

Ron Gandolfo

Headteacher.