Claires Court Bulletin
JUNIOR BOYS
Bulletin 6 | Lent Term 2016
Email: dsp@clairescourt.com
Website: http://www.clairescourt.com/news-and-media/bulletins
Location: SL6 3QE for sat nav SL6 4QQ
Phone: 01628 411490
Facebook: facebook.com/clairescourt
Twitter: @clairescourt
FROM THE HEADS DESK
A slightly shorter Heads Words today in light of the fact that I am spending most of my day venturing around to all the classes and observing how they are getting on, and wishing the boys a well earned rest! Walking into one of the Year 2 classes this afternoon was an absolute treat - there were chromebooks in use, sketching taking place, painting, writing……...the boys were in their element!!
What a busy part of the year this is, and what fun the boys are having! The largest amount of merit certificates and Turbo Table Awards on record were given out today illustrating that our pupils are achieving so well, and that they are following our Golden Rules with pride. I was also unable to deliver my carefully prepared ‘Pancake’ assembly early in the week because we had just too many medals and trophies to present!! Indeed, Year 4 footballers did superbly at the weekend, with the A and B teams winning both of their respective tournaments. We are so proud of their achievements. Indeed Year 4 also did very well at the Chandlings Tournament on Thursday, with the B team coming second in their draw, and the A team coming third in theirs. All of the results can be seen in our sports section. I would also like to congratulate our Year 5 and 6 rugby 7s players who showed great courage and commitment on Tuesday when they battled it out at the St John’s Beaumont tournament with some of the best schools in our region.
So much to say, and so little space! Year 1 came back from the Natural History Museum in the week having been praised by the general public as well as their teachers for the mature sensible and spirited way that they conducted themselves - I have also seen some wonderful accounts of their day out. Similarly, very well done to our ‘Red Priest’ music goers - last Friday Mr Rowan and Mr Leuzinger took a handful of boys to a lovely music festival and they performed extremely well, and I hope to let you know more of how ‘Orchestra in a Day’ has gone today after half term. Ridgeway’s Got Talent auditions took place earlier in the week and we now have our final ten performers. I continue to receive some lovely work on ‘Your best meal ever’ and we will be allowing our Year 5 and 6 boys who have decided to enter the National Writing competition to get their piece done in the week after half term. Reception returned from Pizza Express on Wednesday having been inspired to become culinary geniuses….do have a look at some of the pictures on this excursion - as always, they represented the school superbly. Talking of food our Year 5 French waiters enjoyed a wonderful continental breakfast on Monday morning thanks to the work of Madam Shannon. Final word must go to Year 3 - they have been the stars of this week with both their excellent behaviour and their wonderful attitude.
Over half term we are having our new lockers delivered and fitted into the Junior Prep changing rooms. When you all come to school on Monday 22nd Feb, please do not let the boys put their bags away...they will not have an allocated locker until first break!
I hope you all enjoy a restful half term - I know of one family that will be having a slightly hectic time…..Mr and Mrs Butterfield welcomed Phinn Anthony William into the world at 9.44pm on Tuesday evening weighing in at 7lb and 9oz. Mother and baby are doing very well, although Mr Butterfield has reported that sleep is not Phinn’s primary intention at this early stage!!!!! Many congratulations to the Butterfield family, and I am sure there will be pictures to follow soon. A wonderful piece of news to end this half term.
My best wishes to you all
Justin Spanswick
PTA NEWS
Hopefully all the information about our Easter event and the two competitions came home with the boys this week.
We are looking forward to seeing lots of creative drawings of new sweets for Willy Wonka's factory and are hoping to get lots of entries for our Big Egg Drop competition this year. Please remember that Egg Drop entries need to be in by Friday 11th March for initial judging, so get creating over half term. Any plans/drawings to support your design may get you extra marks! This years winners will each receive two tickets to The Chocolate Factory where you can go and create your own chocolate treats. The winner of the sweet drawing competition will win a giant chocolate egg and the bunny is back as one of the prizes for the tombola!
Emma Robertson
SAVE THE DATE
The Great Gatsby Ball - 14 May 2016
The marquee is booked, the themes agreed, so put the date in your diary for the PTA adult social event of the year.... more information will be able after half-term and tickets will be on sale from Tuesday 1 March.FORTHCOMING DATES
Saturday 12 February - UK Chess Challenge Tournament in the Sports Hall 2pm - 6pm - all are welcome to attend
Monday 15 February - Friday 19 February ** HALF TERM **
Wednesday 24 February - U11 football photos
Tuesday 1 March - Ridgeway's Got Talent Final in the afternoon. Parents of finalists are welcome to come and watch. Time tba.
IMPORTANT NOTES
The day before a half term and the half day before the end of term are working days when boys should be attending school and therefore we strongly discourage children leaving early on these days. This can have an impact not only on your son's education but also affects lessons which have been planned for that day especially when we get little or no notice of the request for absence. Only under exceptional circumstances will permission be given for your son to leave early by the Head Teacher. Please see below our school rules for absence for holidays.
Our guiding rule is that if you absolutely have to take your son out of school for any part of normal school time, a note should be written to the Head Teacher requesting permission to do so. Please observe the protocol for requesting holidays in term time:
- Requests for taking your child out of school during term time should be made in writing to the Head Teacher, giving appropriate reasons why.
- Your request for leave of absence should be no more than 1 week of duration.
- We do not sanction individual days of leave for social reasons.
- Parents are expected to request leave of absence in advance of any such holiday being booked.
- Heads are expected to respond promptly (no longer than a week) to any request for leave of absence. The Head will look very carefully into the child's attendance record and if they have concerns it is unlikely the Head will agree to authorise any further absence.
- Leave of absence will not normally be given for the first or last week of any term.
- Only schools can authorise absence. Parents do not have this legal authority, hence the need to frame your application as a request. Any absence not authorised by School is an unauthorised absence.
- Unauthorised absences are recorded formally and form part of the summative report and assessment of a pupil when they leave school.
If your child is late arriving you should sign your son in with the school office and if you have to request an absence for an appointment whether hospital, dentist, ophthalmic or GP then a note should be sent to the class teacher in advance.
If your son is absent from school please telephone the school office on 01628 411490 before 9.30am. A note is then required to confirm his reason for absence and should be given to his class teacher on his return.
Thank you very much for adhering to our school guidelines. If you would like any further information please contact the school office.
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Eric Leuzinger.
RIDGEWAY'S GOT TALENT
The final is being held on the afternoon of Tuesday 1 March and parents are welcome to come and watch. Exact time tba.
RABBITS
HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
Sports Club
Try your hand at a variety of sports with Multi-Sports days - Tue 16 to Thu 18 Feb - BOOK NOW!
Holiday Club
For holiday club highlights, programmes and booking go to www.clairescourt.com/holiday-activities