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SPRING TERM 2010 NEWSLETTER NUMBER 4

12^th March 2010

Dear Parents,

Ofsted
As you will be aware, Ofsted inspectors were visiting school last week. The verbal feedback that we have so far received from the inspectors is confidential and provisional. I expect to receive a report by Friday of this week. This has to be checked for factual information and returned within 24 hours. The report is then sent to HMI for scrutiny and approval before being published. As soon as I receive the report following this process I will make it available to parents.

Parents’ Evenings
I apologise for any inconvenience caused by postponing Parents’ Evenings due to the short notice Ofsted inspection. Just to remind parents, the rescheduled dates are Tuesday 23^rd and Thursday 25^th March; same times will apply unless you contact your child’s class teacher to the contrary. If your child has some learning sessions with Mrs Holmwood, you might like to speak with her as part of parents’ evening. She will be available on Tuesday 23^rd March from 3.30 to 5.30 p.m. in the Allonby Room.

Staff Change
Mrs Hadleigh will be returning from maternity leave immediately following the Easter holiday break. This means there will be a change in teaching arrangements for the children of 4CP. Mrs Cook will be leaving and Mrs Hadleigh will teach 4CP each Monday and Tuesday. Mrs Paisey will teach each Wednesday morning, Thursday and Friday. Mrs Martin will teach the class on Wednesday afternoons to cover for teacher PPA. Mrs Hadleigh will be visiting 4CP to get to know the children and prepare for the start of the summer term. Mrs Hadleigh has previously taught in year 6 prior to her maternity leave and some parents will know her. I would like to thank Mrs Cook for her time at Lingfield and her dedicated efforts in teaching and supporting the children in 4CP during the last two terms. Parents of children in 4CP will already be aware of this information via a letter sent home earlier this week.

School Governors
Mr Tony Dale has been re-elected as a parent governor and Mr Alun Ticehurst elected without ballot as there were no other nominations. Mrs Cath Hearnden has been appointed as a Community Governor.

The Great Lingfield Bible Festival
On Friday 6^th March twenty-four Lingfield pupils took part in this event at St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church. Pupils from both KS1 and 2 each read 5 minute blocks of St. Luke’s Gospel. Thank you to Miss Knight for preparing the children and organising our contribution to this community event to raise funds for the church roof. I know from Miss Knight how delighted she was with the children’s reading and their exemplary behaviour. Well done to the following children: Ciara Bruce, Ilana Dalton, Elsie Dean, Freddie Gigney, Thomas Louis, Emily Marchant, Archie McCarney, Dylan Page, Melissa Turner and Hannah Whitehouse.

Easter Hat Parade
After the success of the Easter Hat Parade over the last seven years, we have decided to go ahead and organise it again this year. On Wednesday 3^1stMarch (last day of term), we intend to organise a whole school walk around the village, with everyone wearing their very own Easter hat/ bonnet. We would like all children to make their own hat for the occasion. The children should come to school as usual, but with their home made hat. We will leave school to walk around the village at approximately 9.15 a.m. I am asking the local police to be on duty, as well as Mrs Clarke our crossing patrol person. The children will walk around with their ‘buddy’ as well as their class teachers and teaching assistants. We would like about two or three parents per class to help walk around with us and, of course, as many parents as possible to be in the village to support us and give us a wave. If you can help, mention this to your child’s class teacher and make a hat to join in! Please inform as many people as possible in the village; we’d love as many spectators as possible. After the procession, there will be an Easter assembly in the gym. This will be for children and staff only due to lack of space. I apologise that we cannot invite parents as well. Reverend Stephen Gendall and reverend Jenny Attwood will be leading the Easter Assembly.

World Book Day
Thank you to those parents who joined us in reading with children last Thursday. This was a very popular initiative and one that we hope to build on in the future.

School Council Disco
Congratulations to the Year 6 School Council children who organised a very successful disco last Friday raising £187.37. The event was very well attended and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. The Council children were excellent at organising the whole event including dance and best dressed competitions. I was very impressed with their independence and use of initiative. Thank you to the parents who stayed to help and support the event too. This is always very much needed and appreciated.

Haiti Disaster Emergency Fund Mufti Day
Congratulations also to the School Council children for organising a mufti day to support the Haiti emergency fund. £446.35 was raised.

Sports Relief – Sponsored Swim
On Sunday 19^th March a group of year 5 & 6 children will be taking part in a sponsored swim for Sports Relief at the Nuyuu Fitness Centre, which is being organised by Waterwise Swimming School. Their aim is to swim a mile in relay, so if anyone would like to sponsor them, donations can be handed in to the office in an envelope marked ‘Sports Relief Sponsored Swim’.

Residential Trips
The Key Stage 2 residential trips have been discussed by school governors at a recent meeting, the concern being that not all children attend the trips. Governors are keen for the current provision to continue as we all recognise the value of such trips away. However, parents should be aware that we are looking at possible savings schemes to ease the financial burden for parents, for example: (i) Year 5 / 6 projects to raise funds (ii) checking other providers. I would welcome comments from parents if you have any views on the matter. Please do either email me or the Chair of Governors via the school address info@lingfield.surrey.sch.uk

Payment for school trips and services
We are fully aware that many people experience financial difficulties from time to time especially in these times of recession. If you are experiencing financial hardship and feel unable to pay for a school trip, visit, school meals or After School Club, then please contact myself or Janice Blatcher, School Bursar, in confidence. In the case of residential trips, sometimes a grant is available (occasionally the LPSA support families in need). All I ask is that any outstanding money requests are not ignored. We would rather avoid recovering unpaid invoices through the Small Claims Court, however occasionally we have been left with no alternative.

School Dinner Money Spring Term 2010
Meals cost £43.20 for the first half of the spring term (this includes a reduction for school closures) and £50.40 for the second half of the term. This makes a total of £93.60 for the whole term. Cheques should be made payable to Lingfield Primary School. Dinner money is now overdue for this half term.

Lingfield Youth Club
The Parish Council would like to co-ordinate a replacement youth club and is looking for enough volunteers to set up a management committee and to run the club one evening a week. If you are interested in becoming in involved in the setting up of a new youth club for the village, please contact Fay Elwood on 01342 835557 or email parishclerk@lingfieldpc.fsnet.co.uk.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Yours sincerely,

Ron Gandolfo

Headteacher.