Dear Parents 18/01/13

Dear Parents
18/01/13
I would like to wish all you a belated happy New Year and take this opportunity to thank
you for your on-going support, particularly during our recent inspection last week and the
closure of the school today due to snow. The decision is never taken lightly and is always
based on health and safety priorities. The OFSTED inspection last Thursday and Friday
was an opportunity to showcase our school and confirm areas of development. It was a very
rigorous and positive experience and I will be able to share our findings when the report is
published over the next week or so.
We welcome Miss Clague to Year 4, class 5, who is covering Mrs Gronow’s maternity leave. I
would also like to congratulate Mr Riddle on the birth of his son, Eoin, who was born on 28th
December. Mr Thomas has been covering Mr Riddle’s class whilst he has been on paternity
leave and is due back at school on Monday 21st January.
I would also like to congratulate Mrs Wiggins who is due to have another baby in May. She
plans to take maternity leave in April so I will advertise for her cover next week.
Upon our return to school after the holiday we were very sad to be informed by the Infant
School that one of their members of staff, Mrs Faith Evans, died on the 7th January as a
result of injuries sustained from a road accident just before Christmas. Some of you may
know Mrs Evans as she had worked regularly as a supply teacher at the Infant school and
had been teaching in their Dragonflies class since September. We also worked with Mrs
Evans during her time and involvement with the National Schoolwear Centre. Faith was
always cheerful and helpful and nothing was too much trouble. We know that her sincerity
and dedication will be missed by all those who knew and worked with her. I am sure you
would wish to join me in offering our sincere condolences to her family, friends and
colleagues at this very sad time.
Keeping Healthy
We had a number of children absent from school due to illness just prior to Christmas. As
most symptoms include high temperature and coughing, the advice is that children should
not return to school until they are fully recovered. By encouraging your child to wash their
hands frequently and to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or
sneezing, this should also help reduce the spread of infection.
A primary netball workshop will be held at Cheltenham College on Friday 15th February 2013
from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. For further information please visit www.gillysaltersports.co.uk
and alternatively details and booking form are available from the school office.
Community
A Christingle service in aid of the Children’s Society will be held at St Catherine’s Church
on Sunday 27th January at 4.00 pm – all are welcome to go along.
Parent/ Pupil Survey
Thank you for your comments and responses to the recent parent survey that we issued in
December about the school which is also very similar to the online parent view responses
that some of you completed prior to and during our inspection. It was overwhelmingly
positive with very few issues raised. I will enclose the results along with actions that we
have taken to address any issues in a separate letter next week.
Staff, governor and pupil questionnaires are also being analysed and I will present results
from the pupil responses in my next newsletter.
Reminders
Parents are reminded to keep their child’s school meal account topped up as valuable time is
being taken up chasing debts.
If you are registered with ParentMail, I would be grateful if you could keep the office
updated with any change of email/mobile telephone numbers in case of emergencies. Thank
you.
Clubs
You should have received a comprehensive list of clubs that are on offer this term. Please
ensure club commitment forms for children wishing to start a new club are returned to the
office as soon as possible. Thank you.
Dates for your diary
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Term 3: Monday 7 January – Friday 8 February 2013
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Monday 7 January
Inset Day
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Tuesday 8 January
Start of Term for pupils
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Friday 11 January
Class 12 Swimming starts
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Monday 14 January
Class 10 Swimming starts
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Thursday 24 January
2.15 p.m. Parent/Community Workshop (see separate letter for details)
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Monday 4 February
Elmbridge has got Talent Auditions
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Wednesday 6 February
Open Afternoon 2.50 – 3.10 pm
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Thursday 7 February
Year 5 to Gloucester Waterways Museum
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Friday 8 February
Elmbridge has got Talent Competition
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Friday 8 February
End of Term 3
Best Wishes
Glen Tharia
Telephone/Fax 01452 523632
E-mail: admin@elmbridge-jun.gloucs.sch.uk