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Newsletter 12 - 4th December 2009

All I can say is: ‘WOW’! On Wednesday Mrs Usher and the Senior Choir performed with eight thousand other school children at the 02 Arena. It was an absolutely incredible experience – one which the children, staff, parents and friends will remember for the rest of their lives. The children from Woodlands behaved beautifully (of course) and threw themselves into the spirit of the occasion with their usual energetic enthusiasm. I can’t thank Mrs Usher and Mrs Chalklin enough for the huge amount of effort that they put into organising the day and rehearsing the children so professionally. Photos are currently on the website – do take a peek.

If you have a moment, please pop into the school hall and take a look at the response to the ‘headteacher question of the term’. I have been so impressed by the quality of the exhibits. This week I have received wonderful pop-up books (made by the children), life-size drawings, a website entry, mobiles with facts, some superb models and fantastically written projects. Well done to all the children who have participated.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the Christmas Productions or Carol Concerts over the next two weeks. The children (and staff!) have been very busy rehearsing and are sounding lovely. Thank you to the 13th Tonbridge Brownies who have kindly rearranged their meeting time to fit in with our Carol Concert.

Christmas Productions

Thank you to all of you who have applied for tickets to come and see your children in their Christmas performances. I know they have been “selling out” quickly and we are very sorry for those of you who didn’t get your first choice. We are limited by the size of the Hall and can only accommodate so many chairs for each performance. For this reason – and to be fair to everybody – we will only be able to admit you to a performance on production of your ticket. (If you have lost it, check with the office because they do have a record of what has been issued to whom!).

Attendance Policy

The Tonbridge Partnership of Primary Schools is currently writing a joint attendance policy which will include revisions to the way schools authorise holiday absence. I will be sending home a letter after Christmas which will outline the proposed changes.

ParentMail

Could we please remind you about returning your ParentMail registration form? This is a very effective means of communicating important messages to parents and, as such, we would like as many parents as possible to be part of the scheme. If you have lost your form, please pop into the office for another.

Reporting an Absence

When your child is unable to come to school due to illness, we have been asked by the Education Welfare Officer to record the specific nature of the illness (that is to say, we can no longer just say “poorly” or “ill” on the Register). Please therefore be prepared for this question to be asked of you when you report an absence.

Fizzy and Brain Gym

Mrs. Minster has asked us to tell you that the Fizzy and Brain Gym sessions have now finished for this Term because our Hall is needed for many other Christmas activities at this time of year. Both groups will restart week commencing 11th January 2010.

Head Lice

We have had a couple more cases of Head Lice reported this week. Could we ask again that you check your child’s hair and treat if necessary. Thank you for your support.

Lost Property

Our Lost Property section is filling up again! Please pop in and take a look to see if you own anything as we will be disposing of whatever is left at the end of term.

Christmas Fair

We had a wonderful start to the Christmas season with our Christmas Fair last Friday. A staggering £2100 was raised. An enormous thank you to all the parents and Friends who helped to make the event such a success.

Secret Presents

As I write this, a group of Santa’s elves are busily setting out the secret presents. Yet another thank you to the Friends for organising this very popular afternoon.

And Finally….

Have a lovely weekend – and if you are thinking of visiting the shops – good luck!

Mary Priestley
Headteacher

Term & Diary Dates 2009/10

Academic Year 2009/10

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