Dear Parents/Carers,

School Fair

Thank you so much for your support at the school fair on Saturday. It was fantastic. Our thanks goes to the Friends of Swing Gate who have worked tirelessly to put on this fantastic event. I would especially like to thank Nicki di Giuseppe who has given up so much time and been in and out of school ensuring absolutely everything was as it should be! Well done to you all! There are lots of Swing Gate friends who all put a huge amount of effort into Saturday and all the other fund raising events this year. We are so grateful for your help and support.

Foundation Stage Play Area

As you can see, we have a super new addition to the outside Foundation Stage area. It is nearly finished – we are just waiting for anti-slip to be applied to the steps. Children in Nursery and Foundation will be able to enjoy the Tepee, digging area and science area – in any weather! We shall be using the terracing as a growing area. The Friends of Swing Gate have supported us very generously in this project. Thank you.

Next steps

We shall be repairing the damage caused by the heavy Lorries that were in and out of the school during the roofing project. Thank you all for your patience over the last few months.

SWING GATE FAMILY AFTERNOON

On 22^nd June School will be hosting a family afternoon for Swing Gate children and their immediate families. The afternoon will be packed with fun for children in our school, between 2 and 5 p.m. Our children can come along to pet farm animals and small animals from Animal Farm Bellingdon, take part in circus workshops, try to beat the goalie, watch magic shows and marvel at balloon shaping, have your face painted and enjoy ice cream from scoops! Please bring a picnic and enjoy a relaxing, fun afternoon with friends. We would love you to join us for this relaxing end of year event.

Whole School photograph

On Thursday 23rd May the whole school will get together for a photograph – from the oldest to the youngest we will all be included. Let’s hope the sun shines!

PAWS

I know some parents are asking about arrangements with PAWS next year. September 2013. PAWS are just finalising discussions with Thomas Coram. If you have any questions about child care please contact Janet Davies on 07964 391972 or email Paws@one47.co.uk

Reception 1 class assembly

Don’t forget to join us for Reception 1 class assembly on Friday 24^th May.

Admissions process for current Year 2 and 3

Please don’t forget to fill in the application forms and post them by Friday 24^th May.

Updates

All teachers who are changing year groups are attending courses and workshops with other teachers in the town. This is to ensure they have every opportunity to ask questions and discuss good practice with colleagues from other schools and county advisers. This is on top of normal professional development which is on-going. At the same time we are working very hard as always to ensure all children achieve their best at school. This goes on right until the end of term.

I am rather disturbed that every time we reach a school holiday there are lots of requests to take children out of school early. It really is imperative that all children are in school as this is a legal requirement. Please make every effort to support school in achieving this.

Head teachers continue to meet regularly, discussing staffing, resources and more recently movement of furniture.

Transition

Teachers from welcoming schools are visiting Swing Gate to discuss transition with teachers. This is already happening for our Year 4 pupils and will happen in the near future with pupils in Years 2 and 3.

Class teachers from Year groups 4 and 5 continue their regular meetings to moderate work from across the year groups.

Tuesday 11^th June 2013

A “New” to Reception meeting for parents of current Swing Gate Nursery children is being held at 9.15am on Tuesday 11^th June. Even if you think you’ve heard it all before please come. We have all the information to help you support your child as they enter Reception. We will give you lots of tips and strategies for supporting reading and numeracy and even more important how to help your child settle into main school. We will be there to answer questions – so please come. You are entering a whole new stage! Thank you to those of you who have confirmed you can attend.   

Kingswood 12^th-14^th June 

The Year 4 trip to Kingswood is nearly here and very excited we are too. Miss Parry, Miss Rodgers and Mrs Seaborne will be accompanying Year 4 to West Runton in Norfolk. I’m sure they will have a great time.

Reception Visits to Boxmoor Trust

Reception classes 1 and 2 are due to make visits to the Boxmoor Trust: Reception 1 on Thursday 13^th and Reception 2 on Friday 14^th June. I am sure they will have a lot of fun minibeast hunting, pond dipping and eco art.

Year 1

Year 1 are due to visit Bhaktivedanta Manor a Hindu Temple on the 14^th June.

Clothing Collection

Our clothing collection was a great success so thank you to everyone for clearing out your cupboards. We collected a whopping 430Kg of clothing, which, Mrs Hardwick has already converted into exciting science equipment. We can’t wait until it arrives.

School Uniform/Lost Property

We have had a few items that were lost at the school fair handed in. Please come along and have a look through lost property if you were unlucky enough to lose something. We also have a lot of water bottles!

Could we also take this opportunity to remind parents that children with shoulder length hair and longer should have it tied back for school.

Change to Meal Patterns

Thank you to those parents who have informed us of changes to children’s meal patterns. Letters will be going out in book bags this week regarding payments for the next half of term. If you wish to change meal patterns it’s not too late, just let the office know ASAP.

Free School Meals

If you are in receipt of free school meals you do not need to re-apply for next term. You will only receive a letter from Herts County if you are no longer entitled to support.

Lucky Winners!!

If you were lucky enough to win a prize at the Spring Fair but had left before the draw was called, your prize is now waiting at the school office.

Diary Dates

Thursday 23^rd May – Whole School Photograph

Friday 24^th May – Reception 1 Class Assembly

Friday 24^th May – Year 2 & 3 admission deadline

Wednesday 12^th – Friday 14^th June – Year 4 to Kingswood

Thursday 13^th June - Reception 1 visit to Boxmoor Trust.

Friday 14^th June – Reception 2 visit to Boxmoor Trust.

Friday 14^th June – Year 1 trip to Hindu  temple