EMMER GREEN PRIMARY SCHOOL

The EGsPress - SEPTEMBER 2013

Binfield Heath Flower Show Art Competition
A special mention to Isla whose summery picture of a surfing lady won First Place in her Age Groups. Other prizes went to: Corey Aimee Nathan And Isir Well Done to all these children who will be presented with their certificates in assembly and to all the other talented artists who entered!

Welcome to the new school year and a particularly warm welcome to our 2 classes of new children in Foundation. They are settling in beautifully with great confidence and are busy getting to know each other, the staff and their new routine.

FJW

PUPILS LANGUAGES At the beginning of this week you should have received a letter about languages spoken and heard at home. This information is very important to the school both for our records and due to funding which is increased with the number of children who are or have been exposed to more than one language in their home environment. If you havent already done so, please return this form as soon as possible, even if your child is not in contact with any other language than English. Thank you

FHT
GOODBYE AND THANK YOU! After 37 years as an Emmer Green Primary School Governor, Lady Durant is stepping down. Lady Durant joined as a Local Authority Governor and later on became a Community Governor having spent time as both Chair and Vice-Chair of Governors. She has seen many changes over her years and we have so much to thank her for from Premises to Staffing and so much more. We have shared many highs and lows but with Lady Durants positivity and determination to always fight our corner we have overcome many a challenge. We are sure you will join us in saying a big Thank You to Lady Durant.

EMMER GREEN PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER 2013

It is a real pleasure to see the children return to school safe and well and looking happy after such a glorious summer. We are delighted to welcome back Mrs Waite who has returned as Deputy Head for Key Stage 1. Miss Crofts continues as Deputy Head of Key Stage 2 and both she and Mrs Waite work closely with the Heads of Year Groups, Class Teachers and Teaching Assistants. It is through this constant communication that progress is continual, ideas or concerns are shared and support for staff and children is always available. We find communication between the School and parents equally important and would like to remind you that Class Teachers and Heads of Key Stage are usually available after school or from 8.30-8.45am. If you need more than a quick chat then please make an appointment or request a phone call via the School Office. Please do not wait for Parents Evening if you have a concern or just wish to have an update on your childs progress. Miss Heaps 2nd baby is soon to make an appearance and she will be starting her maternity leave on 11th October. I know you will all join us in wishing Miss Heaps and her growing family all the best and we cant wait to meet the new arrival The start of the new academic year is an exciting time for us all. I feel the children have settled in very well and are enjoying their time with their new teachers. All classes have already got stuck in to their latest topic, around the school I have seen Totem Poles drying, Pet Passports being created and a delicious smell of gingerbread has been wafting from Sandys kitchen. What a busy and creative school we are! Have a great Term 1 everyone!

Fri 20th September Data packs home please sign and return data sheet. Tues 24th September Individual and siblings within school Photos. Thurs 26th September Foundation Stage Reading Evening 7pm. Fri 27th September Xmas Fayre Meeting 2pm Mon 30th September Foundation Stage Welcome Afternoon. 2pm. Tues 8th October PTFA AGM and Meeting 8pm Thurs 10th October Key Stage 2 Parents Maths Evening 7pm Sun 13th October Harvest Festival Service at St Barnabas Church Tues 22nd - Thurs 24th Oct Parents Evenings 3.15-6pm Thurs 24th Oct PTFA Quiz Night 7.30pm. End of Term 1 Mon 4th Nov Children back to School PLEASE NOTE A CHANGE OF DATE: CHRISTMAS SECRETS ROOM WILL BE ON WED 4th DEC NOT FRI 6th AS STATED ON PARENT DIARY WITHIN YOUR PACK.

Tonia Crossman
Headteacher

EMMER GREEN PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER 2013

Parents Evenings Parents Evenings will be on 22nd, 23rd and 24th October from 3.15-6pm. Appointment Parents Evenings sheets will be available outside the School Office for you to sign-up from Monday 7th October. Appointments can be made not only with your childs Class Teacher but also Miss Roberts (SENCo) and Mr Gillespie (Reading Recovery).

Data Packs With this Newsletter each family will receive a copy of each of the following: Emergency Contact Details Mission Statement Behaviour Charter Term Dates Diary Privacy Notice Parent Curriculum Plan Class Timetable Homework Timetable We hope this information is useful and always welcome your feedback

SATs and Internal Examinations SATs and internal examinations will take place May 12th May 16th 2013. Further internal examinations will take during the week commencing 23rd June 2014. Please note that holiday in term time will not be authorised unless circumstances are exceptional and not at all during SATs and internal examination times.

Allergies
We have a number of children in school who suffer with a severe nut allergy. In some case a reaction can occur just from being in the vicinity of someone who has had contact with nuts. We therefore request that no nuts (or peanut butter) are sent into school in snacks or lunches.

Parking outside the school is very limited but it is vital that the restrictions are adhered to. We have had a number of incidents reported where drivers have stopped on the zig zags to drop children off or parked dangerously. Please take care and allow extra time to find a safe place to park. Thank you.

Our School Website The school website: www.emmergreenprimary.com is used by many parents to keep up to date with the latest news in their childrens year groups. It is also a useful tool for accessing letters, forms and information about the school. In addition, there is a school diary which can be viewed or subscribed to (which means it can be linked to the diary on your personal device such as phone or tablet and as events are added they appear on your devices diary!) Many parts of the website are accessible generally but some parts require a password. This is to protect children and prevent outsiders from accessing too much information. You will be sent the password by text on Friday 20th Sept (please ask at the school office if you have chosen not to receive texts). This password will only be required if as you find your way around the website you are asked for it.

Emergency Contact Details The Emergency Contact Details sheet within your data pack shows the details we currently have on our database for your child. Please check carefully that these are correct, amend if necessary and sign and return the sheet to the school office. It is vital that the details we have are up to date in case your child is unwell or in the event of an emergency. Please sign and return the form even if all details are correct. Thank You

Clubs Years 1 to 6 are being offered the chance to take part in Extra-Curricular clubs this term. Letters have been coming home already, please ask at the School Office if you have not received details of clubs being offered in your childs Year Group. Places are normally first come first served so do not delay when returning the forms!

Over the summer EnergyKidz ran a very successful holiday club which they will be repeating in the October Half Term. For more details or to book places please see www.Energy-Kidz.co.uk , email info@energy-kidz.co.uk or call 08455194470

EMMER GREEN PRIMARY SCHOOL EGsPress - SEPTEMBER 2013 BACK PAGE

A Chat With..This month our Chat With features Mrs Waite
who is one of our Deputy Headteachers and our IT guru. . .

Show and Tell

Come on all you budding Newspaper Reporters! Any child who would like to be in print, please write us a short piece about somewhere you have been, something you have done... Etc. (no more than 100 words please)

1.How long have you been at Emmer Green Primary School? This is my 10th year of teaching, but I can remember my 1st day like it was yesterday. The first class I ever taught have just done their GCSEs, that makes me feel old! 2.Did you always want to be a teacher? Yes, ever since I was at Primary School myself actually! I remember my Year 6 Leavers Assembly when I said I wanted to be a teacher. 3. What was your favourite subject at school? I loved Art and Music 4. What is the latest App you have downloaded? I regularly download Apps (mainly games!) and would like to say something more interesting but the latest was the BBC Weather App! Its very useful actually! 5. What is your favourite present you have ever been given? My Ipad! My husband brought it for my 30th Birthday. I was so excited and have used it every single day since! 6. When you were a child, what was your favourite television programme? Button Moon was one of my favourites when I was younger. I also loved watching The Simpsons, it was something my dad and I used to watch together every Sunday night.
Thank you Mrs Waite. Any budding interviewers out there please compile a list of questions and let Georgina know which member of the school staff you would like to put them to.

Rhys is a cycling hero! Hes completed the Tour de Berkshire and raised a great sum of money as well.....

The 20 mile bike ride took place on Saturday 3rd August with around 150 people putting on their helmets to raise over 10,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Cycling through the Berkshire countryside Rhys was easily one of the youngest riders and the furthest he had previously cycled was 12 miles. Rhys completed the ride in just under 3 hours. Rhys raised 205 with several donations from his class mates. Well Done Rhys!!!