Newsletter 2

Spring Term 2014

Good Things Grow Here

Sharing Your Childs Learning

Have you seen the weekly class blogs on the school website written by the teachers? Please click onto the school website and write a comment on your childs class blog. Below are some examples taken from the website.

Year 1 Completing a critical skills challenge

Year 3 Kandinsky Art Work

Year 6 Residential to the Conway Centre Message from Mrs Anderson to the Year 6 Children
I would just like to say a big 'Thank You' to you all for making it yet another amazing residential. You were all fantastic and I am very proud of your achievements this week. These residentials are not just about trying out new activities (e.g. canoeing, abseiling etc) but about developing skills that will stay with you for life- team work, perseverance, independence and organisation. Many of you conquered your fears and achieved goals that you probably never thought you would... you should be very proud of yourselves. We were all extremely proud of the children who recently went to the Conway Centre their conduct was excellent. Here are a few of the photographs.

Reporting Pupil Absence

All pupil absence due to sickness must be reported to the school office by telephone. Please note the school office does not open until 8.30am each week day morning. We are experiencing an increase in the number of parents trying to contact school from as early as 7am to report absence. Thank you.

Did you know 63% of our pupils (132 pupils) had at least one day off in the Autumn term due to absence (authorised and unauthorised)?

Keeping the School Office Informed

If there is a change to the end of the school day collection arrangements for your child, please can you telephone the school office 01244 381443 to keep us informed and ensure that we keep your child safe. Thank you.

Community News
The Education Officer at Chester Cathedral has asked us to share the half term activities with our families. There is no charge for these activities.

School Policy
Due to the constraints of space in the classrooms children are not allowed to bring to school rucksacks, backpacks, large bags or suitcases. Some of you may be aware that the school building was not built with designated cloakroom areas and the space for childrens coats, PE bags and reading bags was created by dividing the teachers store rooms into two. We are therefore extremely short of storage space. We are currently looking into additional storage for Forest School days as children do need to bring bag with spare clothes and waterproofs suitcases are not allowed please. It is school policy for each child to bring to school their PE kit in a drawstring style bag (not rucksack); a red reading folder/bag and their lunch box if they are having sandwiches.

Universal Infant Free School Meals

The Government announced that from September 2014, all state funded infant school children (reception, Year 1 & Year 2) will receive a free school lunch. The Government has announced its intention to amend the Children and Families Bill to place a legal duty on primary schools to offer free meals to infant children. Our Governing Body, alongside the Windmill Caf Manager, is currently considering the implications of providing free school meals. Our aim is to keep you fully informed through consultation and regular briefings regarding our school meal provision.

Twitter
Please do not forget you can follow us on twitter @mill_view Twitter is updated daily with news from school and the feed links directly onto the school website. We currently have 92 followers.

Adverse Weather Conditions

If we have to close school due to adverse weather conditions a text message will be sent out to all parents by 7.30am. In case of emergency please can you ensure that the school office has an up to date contact telephone number. Regular updates will also be provided on the school website. The local radio will also be informed.

Dates for your diary

Saturday 01 February Cross Country Races Years 3 6 (10am 12 pm Cheshire Oaks) Tuesday 04 February Year 2 Residential to Fox Howl, Delamere Forest Tuesday 04 February Year 6 Statutory Tests Information Evening for Parents 6pm Wednesday 05 February Year 5 visit to Liverpool World Museum Thursday 13 February School closes for the half term break Friday 14 February Staff Professional Training Day (closed for pupils and Miller Club) Monday 24 February School opens Tuesday 04 March Scottish Power Electrical Safety Assembly Thursday 13 March Tempest Class Photographs Tuesday 18 & Wednesday 19 March Parents Evenings (please note change of date) Monday 31 March Year 5 Residential to Conway Friday 04 April School closes for the Spring term brea