News From Greysbrooke Primary School
| Published: 11th February 2007 14:08 |
It seems amazing to be writing this with only a few days to go until the end of the first half of the Spring Term. The last few weeks have been incredibly busy and many of the children and staff are excited at the prospect of a week's holiday with skiing appearing a very popular holiday option! With thoughts of warmer climates, it seems fitting to congratulate Mr Storer's (pm) class upon their recent ‘Ancient Greek' Assembly. The costumes were very authentic and the children have clearly amassed a volume of information about this civilization and their prominent role in world history. Well done everyone.
Curriculum Developments
* On Monday 29 January, Mr Ian Hall, PSHE Consultant, provided our Y5 and Y6 pupils with a ‘tailored' but honest drugs awareness session. Judging by the quality of discussions following these lessons, he had certainly succeeded in provoking the children's thoughts and views on the challenges facing young people today. Mr Hall was impressed by the mature and responsible attitude demonstrated by the children.
* Week commencing Monday 26 February has been assigned as a curriculum ‘focus week' with Science being the subject area being developed and celebrated. The children will be visiting the ‘Life Caravan' as part of the planned activities for this week where they will consider such topics as exercise, physical fitness and healthy diets. This educational caravan has been partly funded by Lichfield District Rotary Club and will be visiting several Lichfield schools during the week. At Greysbrooke, the caravan will host our staff meeting on Monday 26 February when we shall be considering the use of the available resources in developing the ‘learning styles' of visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learners.
A Special thank you to... Sophie Stockton and Katie Jones who represented Greysbrooke School with Mrs Grainger and myself at the National Healthy Schools Kitemark awards on 1 February. We were one of seventeen Staffordshire schools who had achieved full status by demonstrating the partnership between education and health. The presentation by Dr Suzanne Jones (Consultant for Public Health, South Staffordshire) and Maureen Wiskin (Director of Health Promotion, North Staffordshire) recognised our school's whole school approach in the following areas:-
- Personal, Social, Health Education (including Sex and Relationships/Drug Education).
- Healthy Eating
- Physical Activity
- Educational Health and Well Being
Sophie and Katie thoroughly enjoyed the presentation, refreshments and photograph sessions and they were both first-class ambassadors for Greysbrooke. I am sure that you would wish to join me in thanking them for fulfilling this important role.
Staffing Update
Following a recent meeting with Miss Horton, I would like to inform Y2 parents that Miss Horton has decided to extend her initial ‘maternity leave' period by a few weeks as is her prerogative under employment law. We are fortunate that Mrs Kempster has agreed to remain at Greysbrooke providing continuity for the children so that we should ensure a ‘seamless' transition period. Miss Horton and Mrs Kempster have maintained close contact throughout and are busily making
arrangements for the remainder of the Spring Term. I am grateful to both teachers for the high level of professionalism and dedication to the children which they display.
Governor News
Recent weeks have seen a hive of ‘behind-the- scenes' activity as several governors have completed their term of office. Following parental elections, I am delighted to report that Mr Alex Harper has been nominated as a parent governor. The whole Governing Body has also proposed and accepted Ms J Stapenell and the Revered D.F Olney (new vicar of St John's Church, Shenstone) as ‘Community Governors'. Our Governing Body is now back up to ‘strength' and I would like to extend many congratulations to the above people as they begin their four year tenure of office fulfilling this interesting but demanding role.
A Special thank you.... to Mr Richard Shinfield who completed a long (8+ years) period of office as school governor and also as Chair of the Governor Finance sub-committee. As a parent and extremely busy man in the world of business, Richard was able to offer many strengths and a common sense approach to educational finance. He has been a tremendous strength and support to all governors and to me personally and despite wanting to leave with ‘no fuss', it is appropriate to acknowledge the enormous contribution that he has made to our school.
Road Safety
I have again been made aware of concerns regarding safety and the way vehicles are parked outside school. May I remind school and nursery parents to park with due consideration for the safety of our youngsters and the goodwill of local residents. Please also remember that the area in front of the main school gates should not be used for parking/turning vehicles around. Thank you in anticipation of your co-operation.
Dinner Money
Parents are reminded that dinner money is £8.25 per week and is due in at the start of school on Monday mornings. If you wish to pay half termly in advance, the amount payable to 30 March is £49.50. Please make cheques payable to Staffordshire County Council.
KS1 News
Year 2 children are finding out about the history of our school and schools in the past. If anyone has any interesting information or old toys we would love to see them - please see Mrs Kempster.
KS2 News
During week beginning 26 February, Greysbrooke School will all be involved in a Science week. If you know anyone who has ‘scientific connections' or any electricians please contact Mrs Grainger as soon as possible.
If anyone has any spare ‘textured paper' which they no longer require please pass on to Mrs Grainger. Thank you
On Monday 29 January many of our Y6 children attended the dress rehearsal of ‘Anything Goes' at Kind Edward's School. The production was extremely professional and a good time was had by all. Many thanks to all the parents who delivered and collected children and to Mrs Boyce for supporting and supervising during the rather late evening. We look forward to seeing our current Y6 joining future casts!
Please send any more January Scholastic orders to Mrs Olliffe by Thursday 8 February so that she can place orders before half-term. The next brochure will be out on 19 February.
A Reminder School will close for pupils at 3.10pm on Thursday 8 February as Friday 9 February is an INSET (Teacher Training Day). School will re-open for pupils on Monday 19 February.
With every good wish for a restful holiday.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs T Holmes
Headteacher
FROGS NEWS
Non Uniform Day Thursday 8 February
Children who would prefer not to come in School Uniform this Thursday will be invited to come in their own choice of clothes. All we ask is that they make a donation to FROGS of £1 for the privilege!
Minute Sale
Don't forget our ‘Minute Sale'. We are going to get an old Wind Up Clock, and lock it away at the Key Stage 1 Assembly on 23 February. Then we'll ask you to guess when it is going to stop. At the Easter assembly we'll get it out and one of you will be a winner. And that person will get £100. Take the time to buy your ‘minute' from a FROGS volunteer after half term. Watch out for a note in the children's school bags.
Quiz Night
We've fixed the date for this as 15 March. Our Chairperson and other volunteers will be spending the next few weeks thinking up the questions, and we reckon there will be questions to suit people with all sorts of interests. Time to start putting together your team, to include folk who are good on all the areas that may tax you a little!
Webshop
Have a good half term, and don't forget to order flowers and chocolates to be delivered to your loved one through www.buy.at/greysbrooke.
Not tried Tesco Home Delivery service? Try it for the first time through www.buy.at/greysbrooke and Frogs gets £5. If you already use it, go through the link on our website in future and FROGS will get 2% commission on non-food items.
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