ASHTON HAYES PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWS

LONDON
I am writing this letter whilst away with the Year 5 and Year 6 children in London. We have a very packed agenda visiting the Science and Natural History museums, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, having a cruise on the Thames, watching The Lion King and visiting the Houses of Parliament. We will be tired by the end of Friday, but hopefully had a fantastic time with many memories to cherish.

ISSUE 3 / AUTUMN TERM 2012 / THURSDAY 11TH OCTOBER 2012

Please let me know if you are interested in taking a leading role in having some school chickens, you may be able to help us get some sooner, rather than later!

COMMUNITY SHOP
The shop has a new website - please take some time to have a look: http://www.ourvillageshop.org.uk

GOVERNORS
On behalf of the governors, can I extend a thank you to Mr Neville Liddle, dad of Jake in Class 4, who has stood as a parent governor for the past two years. Due to work commitments, Neville has decided to stand down from his position. I would like to welcome Mr Paul Voural, dad to Eleanor in Class 1, as our new parent governor. We look forward to working with you. Can I also thank Mrs Pippa Miln who has been Clerk to the Governors for the past year. Pippa has resigned her position due to other work commitments. If you are interested in the position of Clerk to the Governors, please see our advert on Cheshire West and Chesters website.

PTFA EVENTS
The PTFA have been working hard to organise a Halloween Disco and activities evening. This will be held in school from 5.30pm until 7.00pm on Thursday 18th October. All school children and younger siblings are welcome. Please come dressed up in a suitable costume. There will be refreshments available as part of the admission price and lots of other things to buy and do during the evening. We hope to see as many children in school as possible. In addition, preparations are being made for the School Quiz...a fantastic evening where the teachers set a series of quiz questions to challenge your grey cells. There will be delicious food served during the evening and an invitation to bring your own drinks. More details to follow. Please add the date to your diaries Thursday 15th November this is one not to miss! The next PTFA meeting is Tuesday 6th November at 8.00pm is School. ALL ARE WELCOME!

CHICKENS
I thought I would update you with how our school chickens are. As you will be aware, the school has a few chickens which the children have been looking after. Over the past term, the children seemed to be less interested in looking after them and they were looked after more and more by Mrs Salt. Over the summer, they have been looked after by one of our neighbours. As they have now reached a good age for a chicken, they are not laying as much and need a little more care than Mrs Salt was able to do with all her other duties. We have decided to leave the remaining three chickens with our

END OF THE DAY ARRANGEMENTS

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we are trying a new way to dismiss the children at the end of the school day. The children will now be let out of school from the classroom doors onto the playground. We will only release the children when we see you, please come forward to the doors when you see the children coming out. The Club and Minibus children will also be collected on the playground. The side gate will be opened just after 3.00pm and Mrs Salt will monitor the gate at home time. Please give me any feedback - I would like to know if you feel this is a better way to hand over at the end of the day.

neighbour, with a view to buying some new chickens for school when the children are able to look after them again.

WATER BOTTLES
Please send a water bottle in each day with the children. The water cooler can be used to top their bottle up during the day.

DOG SHOW
After postponing this event, we are hoping for a lovely day this Sunday! Please note that registration is from 11.30am with the show starting 12.00pm. Please come along and watch even if you dont have a dog - there are lots of great activities planned...and even hot dogs to eat (!).

REGISTRATION FOR RECEPTION 2013

Please note that Cheshire West and Chesters website is now open to register your children for a September 2013 start. Even if you have an older child in the school, you still must register a place. As last year, we have already had a very good interest in the school. Please visit: http://schooladmissions.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/ enrol/website/ The closing date is 15th January 2013.

SCHOOL PHOTOS
My thanks to Yvette Owen who worked hard to take some lovely pictures of your children this week. Yvette will get proofs to you straight after the half term holiday so that you can order the photos. These should be back well before the end of the school term. As always, we value your feedback about these pictures.

HEAD LICE
We have had a recent outbreak of head-lice in the school - can you please take the opportunity of the school holiday to check and treat for any head-lice so we can start the new half term relatively bug free!

IPADS
We purchased five iPads last week...the children and staff have already found these invaluable...I have seen them being used in lots of different areas of the curriculum and school day. With my limited school funds, I was only able to purchase one per class at this stage, but it would be wonderful to purchase some more...their impact is already evident in the classrooms...any ideas for money-making schemes would be gratefully received!

DINNER MONEY STATEMENTS

Mrs Stubbs has now prepared the dinner money statements and these should have been sent home. Please settle any bills with Mrs Stubbs or using the online facility. Remember that any money can be left in the red post box in the front lobby to save queuing in the mornings.

END OF TERM
This term has flown by! We break up for the half term holiday next Friday (19th October) and the children return on Tuesday 30th October.

STRANGER DANGER
We have all been affected by the recent news in Wales regarding the disappearance of a little girl whilst she was playing with her friends. As a school, we often talk to the children about their safety in and out of school. There is always a balance of talking to the children enough about this subject and not scaring them to be worried about everyone they meet. I hope I have your support with this, as you also talk to your children about who safe people are. I am confident that our changes to the beginning and end of the school day drop-off and collection means that our school remains a safe and secure place for our children and staff.