Good afternoon,

 

This week’s headlines:

 

Attendance

In the coming weeks, I will be sending out letters to all families of children whose attendance is below 95%. The Government are keen to improve school attendance and are encouraging parents and schools to work together to ensure children attend school everyday that they are able. Our target is for every child to achieve 95%.

 

I am acutely aware that we have had several rounds of various illnesses in the last couple of months and so some children have lower attendance due to this. If there is anything we can do to help with attendance, please do get in touch.

 

Those with attendance of 90% or below are legally classed as “Persistent Absentees”. I am very keen to help support any family in this position and work together to improve attendance. Please get in touch if there is anything we can do to support.

 

NEU Teacher Strike, 1^st February

Not all staff are members of the NEU and therefore not eligible to strike. Those that are eligible have chosen not to strike on 1^st February and so school will remain open as usual next Wednesday. There are further strike days in the coming weeks, if any staff change their position I will let you know but at the moment I don’t anticipate any need to close classes.

The Year 2 residential trip to Beaumanor Hall will not be affected and will continue as planned.

 

Ninja Warrior, Classes 4 and 5 – Monday, 30^th January

Children in Classes 4 and 5 will be having a go at a Ninja Warrior Challenge with a visiting provider. PE kit will definitely be required!

 

PTA AGM Tuesday, 31^st January, 3:30pm

This will be held in school. Come along, share some ideas and have a chat!

 

PTA Film Night, Friday, 3^rd February, doors open at 6:15pm, film starts at 6:30pm

Film night is back!

Tickets are available online via: https://forms.office.com/r/KhMsj2h2Tm

Tickets are £3 when bought in advance or £4 on the door, price includes popcorn. There will also be a tuckshop and chicken nuggets available to book via the link above.

They will be watching DC League of Superpets. All children are welcome, please note this is a PG film.

 

Inclusion Week

This week in PE as well as across breaks and lunchtimes we have been thinking about inclusion sports and activities. Children in all years have experienced a variety of opportunities including skipping, Work it Wednesday, Art Club and boccia.

 

Change to dinner menu, 1^st Feb, 1^st March, 15^th March, 16^th March

On Wednesday, 1^st February; Wednesday, 1^st March and Wednesday, 15^th March the school dinner options will be:

Jacket potato served with cheese, baked beans and salad, with either a shortbread cookie, fresh fruit or yoghurt as a dessert.

On Thursday, 16^th March it will be:

Margherita pizza, ½ jacket potato, baked beans and salad, with either a chocolate crunch cookie, fresh fruit or yoghurt as a dessert.

 

Our Vision

The start of a new year is a good time to reflect on what has been and what is to come. Following the last couple of years and how it has affected us all in different ways with different experiences, we are revisiting our vision and values to ensure they remain relevant.

Can you spare a couple of minutes to help us with this? Simply complete the form below to let us know your priorities for your children's education:

https://forms.office.com/e/XxG8Hwqx9H

 

Community Meals – spaces available

A group of local residents and businesses have offered to fund meals for up to 30 children in KS2 with the intention of offering a little extra support to local families. There are still spaces available.

Please contact Mrs Browne: rbrowne@olddalbyschool.org.uk to sign up for the scheme or for further information.

Your child does not need to have a school meal every day to sign up for the scheme.

 

Helping your child with phonics and reading

Have you ever wondered how to help your child with phonics at home? In school, we use Essential Letters And Sounds to teach phonics. They have launched a new web page filled with support resources for parents, including videos demonstrating how to say each sound:

Essential Letters and Sounds - Oxford Owl

 

Friday Cake Sale – Please could you help?

The PTA run the cake sale every Friday but due to other commitments it is becoming more difficult to run the stall every week. Would you be able to help sell cakes from 3.15pm to 3.30pm once in a while? This would not tie you to the PTA in anyway - we just need help to sell the cakes (although you'd be very welcome on the PTA too)! It's a great treat for the kids that we want to keep going. Please email PTA@olddabyschool.org.uk if you can help?

 

Summer Fair, Sunday, 21^st May, 11am – 3pm – Can you help?

This is the big PTA event of the year and we are already planning for this year's extravaganza! We can only run this event with the help of parents and teachers. Would you be able to help on the day to run a stall, set up or clear away? If you can help all day - great, but if that's not possible, we would also appreciate if you can help for an hour or too? If you can help in any way, please email PTA@olddalbyschool.org.uk and we'll be in touch soon!

Baby and toddler music group

See the attached flyer for information about a new baby and toddler music group in the village and for information about music lessons outside of school.

 

Stathern Primary School – Clerk to Governors

Stathern Primary School are looking for a new Clerk to Governors – please see the attached advert.

 

Old Dalby, Queensway and Nether Broughton Parish Council

Our local Parish council is looking for new and enthusiastic members. If you would like to get involved or to ask for further details, please contact the Clerk: broughtondalbypc@outlook.com

 

Dates for the diary

 

Saturday, 28^th January – Ratcliffe Cross Country Event

Monday, 30^th January – Ninja Warrior experience in school for Classes 4 and 5 – PE kit required

Tuesday, 31^st January – PTA AGM at 3:30pm

Friday, 3^rd February – PTA Film Night, doors open 6:15pm

Monday, 6^th February – Year 5/6 Swimming Gala

Thursday, 9^th February – Classes 3 and 4 Futsal taster sessions – PE kit required

Tuesday, 14^th February – Cricket day in school with Leicestershire County Cricket Club – PE kit required for everyone

HALF TERM, 20^th February – 24^th February

Thursday, 2^nd March – World Book Day (no dressing up required)

Tuesday, 7^th March and Wednesday, 8^th March – Parents’ evenings