February 2015 - Newsletter

St. Nicholas C of E Primary School Newsletter E-Safety Tip to share with your child....

“Tell your child to use the internet whilst you are there and remember, Facebook age limit is 13 for a reason.”

As we approach half term, we will be beginning our latest half termly assessment of progress. This is carried out by all class teachers who use their professional judgement to say where a child is in their learning journey and more importantly, what they need to learn next. It is this constant assessment of learning at an individual child level in each lesson which means that the progress which can be seen in every book, is continuous. However we don’t stop there. We then have meetings to agree these professional judgements with other teachers and then meet with other schools to make sure that they agree that our judgements are robust. We will then be in a position to meet with parents on 10th and 12th March during Parents Evening to share the progress that your child is making, with you.

On Friday last week I wrote to the parents of children in 4MC to let them know that Mr Cowell will be leaving for pastures new at Easter. Mr Cowell has secured a post working with children with challenging behaviour and is keen to follow this career ambition. Whilst we will be tremendously sad to lose Mr Cowell, we wish him every success in this new career venture and would like to thank him for everything he has done for the children and the school in his time with us. As soon as we have news of the arrangements for 4MC for after Easter we will let parents know.

As we approach half term can I remind you that school will close for half term on Friday 13th February at 3:30 and will re-open at 9am on Tuesday 24th February.

Finally I can tell you that the school will be starting a Fairtrade committee run by Mrs Mitchell and Miss Younger. If you would like to support this venture then please contact the school office.

Best wishes Mr A Mellor Headteacher

A Diocese of Blackburn Church of England Primary School

School Postal Address: St Nicholas C of E Primary School, School Road, Blackpool, FY4 5DS Other contact details: Tel: 01253 608900 Fax: 01253 608901 Email: admin@st-nicholas.blackpool.sch.uk Twitter: @stnicholas14

High Visibility Staff!

No doubt parents will have seen staff on duty at the start and end of the day as well as at break and playtimes. We are there to make sure that we have a positive and calm start to the day and to make sure that everyone is able to leave the premises securely. It is also a good opportunity to catch myself, Miss Taylor, Mr Robinson, Miss Younger or Mrs Parker for a chat as we are all on a rota and will be available at some stage during the week.

However more recently, the behaviour of some parents has been brought to my attention and we have had to contact the Police and Blackpool Legal Services. Can I make it clear that the school will not tolerate abusive and threatening language or gestures on the school site which includes the car park by the football club. The school has taken action and will continue to take legal steps to protect staff, pupils or other parents who have been the subject of such behaviour.

It is simply not acceptable.

Ruby in Year 2 Ruby in Year 2 has been growing her beautiful curly strawberry blonde hair since she was born and it has never been cut, until now! Ruby has decided to donate her hair to little girls and boys who have cancer.

Little Princesses Trust has an arrangement with a wig-making factory to make use of donated hair sent to the Trust but it still costs the Trust to do this work.

You can donate to support Ruby in this venture and in doing so, help children with cancer.

All donations will be gratefully received. https://www.justgiving.com/ruby-princess-cut/ As a school, we are so proud of Ruby and what she has done for children not as fortunate as she is.

The Attendance League Table 1st 2KS 97.6% 2nd = 3JG /2RG 97.5% 3rd 4AD 97.1% 4th Reception 97.0% 5th 4MC 96.9% 6th 1CG 96.8% 7th 1SJ 96.7% 8th 6JH 96.3% 9th 3DT 96.2% 10th 6SD 95.8% 11th 5LD 95.7% 12th 5DE 95.1%

Our overall attendance figure currently stands at:

96.7% Above 97.1% = Outstanding, 96.1% to 97% = Good 94% to 96% = Satisfactory, Below 94% = Inadequate

Parents Evening We have arranged two evenings so that parents have plenty of time to hear how their child is doing at school. The dates are 10th and 12th March between 3:45 and 7:00pm and the booking sheets will be up in the foyer from 12th February.

Friday 13th February 5LD class worship 9:10 Friday 13th February 3:30 close for half term break.

For Year 6 parents - SATs Week is 11th May-15th May.

Mrs Heighway Many parents will remember Mrs Heighway who taught at St Nicholas for 24 years and who retired in April 2010, some parents may even have been taught by Mrs Heighway.

However it is my sad duty to tell you that Mrs Heighway passed away on Saturday at her home.

I know that Mrs Heighway touched so many lives and made a difference to so many children over her teaching career and especially in her time at St Nicholas that her loss will be felt keenly by everyone. At this dreadfully sad time we extend our sympathies to John her husband and the family and from the wider St Nicholas family.

Blackpool Children and Young People’s University Just a quick message from Mr Robinson regarding Blackpool Children’s University. Following recent changes to the program, there are still many grey areas around hours of learning, awards and the carrying over of hours year-on-year. Once these matters have been resolved and school are clear on the consistency and longevity of the program then all parents will receive the necessary paperwork.

Many thanks, Mr Robinson

Red Nose Day (Friday 13th March) Red Noses will be on sale after half-term on the basis of one per child. We have bought enough for one child each so that you can buy them through school.

It’s time to get your bikes and scooters ready for the Big Pedal.

This is a national event put on by the Sustrans organisation to promote cycling and scooting to school, to encourage fitness and to reduce the number of cars on the school run.

The Big Pedal starts on Monday 2nd March and lasts for 3 weeks. Every day children can log their journey to school on their classroom chart. The total number of journeys done by each class will be totalled up and the class with the most will win a prize at the end of the 3 weeks.

We shall also be having ‘Spot Prize’ days, where bikes or scooters in the racks at school will be given a ticket and the owner will receive a prize. Fridays during the Big Pedal will be ‘Raffle Ticket’ days and everyone who rides to school will be given a raffle ticket and 3 lucky winners will be chosen to get prizes at the end of Worship.

So, check your bike or scooter over - make sure that it is safe to ride. Plan a bit of extra time into your day to make sure you get to school on time. Wear bright clothing so that you can be seen. Enjoy the ride!

Emailed Newsletter We will be trialling emailing our newsletter out. If you don’t have an email address on our system you won’t get this newsletter by email. If you’d like to receive the newsletter by email then please make sure the office have your details.

Parent View Please try to visit Parent View to lodge your views on our school. When you get to the website https://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/ you will need to enter the name “Blackpool St Nicholas” and that should find our school. Many thanks in advance for doing this.