September newsletter
Rainford NewsFlash – September 2015
Note from the Head
I have now been at the school for two terms and come to appreciate just how special our school community is. We have a hard working dedicated staff and governors, supportive parents and delightful children. I am really excited about the year ahead.
I am particularly excited about our Year of Reading which will be launched with our ‘Bedtime Stories’ event on September 24th. Look out for further details.
Our children returned to school this week looking refreshed, smart and excited about their new classes. There were some nerves initially but in no time at all there were smiles all around as children settled back into the routine.
Miss Duckworth has now become Mrs Cornthwaite, after tying the knot in August. Congratulations to both her and her new husband.
We are pleased to welcome several new members of staff: Mrs McVey in Class 2, Miss Johnson in Class 6 and Mr Attrill in Class 10. Welcome back to Mrs Crook after maternity leave. We also welcome our new trainee teacher Miss Gaskill to Class 8 to work alongside Mrs Cornthwaite. I am sure they will enjoy working in such a lovely and welcoming school.
Upcoming Dates
7th September
Music workshop
Year Information Meetings
Year 1 6.00pm 10th September
Year 2 6.30pm 10th September
Year 3 6.00pm 14th September
Year 4 6.30pm 14th September
Year 5 6.00pm 16th September
Year 6 6.30pm 16th September
12th September
All Saints Treasure Hunt
13th September
Village Heritage Day
21st, 23rd, 25th September
Year 2 swimming
22nd September
Bags to School
24th September
Bedtime Stories Event
28th, 30th September and 2nd October
Year 6 swimming
Year Information Meetings
We will be holding information meetings for each year group during this month so that parents can see an outline of this year’s curriculum and have an opportunity to have any questions answered.
School-Church Partnership
All Saints Treasure Hunt
There will be a treasure hunt at All Saints Church from 2.00pm-4.00pm on Saturday 12th September as part of the Heritage Weekend celebrations. The event is free and all are welcome. There will be arts, crafts, sweets and word searches and the opportunity to explore the church and the bell tower.
Village Heritage Day
Our Year 6 children have been asked to take part in the Rainford Heritage Day on Sunday 13th September from 11.00am-4.00pm which will be held at Rainford Village Hall. The children will be playing games from the period 1950s and 1960s. They thoroughly enjoyed playing games earlier this year when they had a visit from the society. We hope to see many of the children at the Open Day.
Year of Reading
Rainford Readers Rock!
This year, our school will be launching an exciting, new initiative to raise the profile of reading amongst pupils to encourage a ‘reading for pleasure’ environment both in school and at home. Alongside many reading initiatives in school, we will be engaging with parents to further develop our home school partnership in reading. Over the summer holidays, we asked you to take photographs of your child reading in the most unusual places. The results have started to flood in with some very amusing and creative locations! Forthcoming events include:
- Rainford's Bedtime Story – a teatime event on the school field where parents will be invited to bring their child in their PJ’s, with their favourite books. Hot chocolate, marshmallows and favourite book characters on 24th September 5.00pm-6.30pm
- Rainford Readathon – get friends and family to sponsor your child for every book they read before Christmas. Monies raised will go towards an outside reading area for the school and the two winners will each receive a Kindle.
- The Great Rainford Bake Off – instead of dressing up for World Book Day, encourage your child to bake and decorate a cake to replicate their favourite book or book character.
If any parents want to get more involved in this initiative and/or have any contacts with local authors or possible sponsors, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
Ex Serviceman’s Car Park
Planning permission has now been granted for the housing development on Cross Pit Lane. We understand that we will still have access to the car park until the end of September. After that, the Derby Arms have kindly offered the use of their car park for parents. The pedestrian entrance from Lakeside Gardens has been put on hold. The need for this entrance will be decided when we can assess the impact of losing the ex-serviceman’s car park.
Homework
In order to further support new curriculum and home/school learning, we intend to regularly use CGP books for homework. If you would like your child to have their own copy of the books, we will make them available at a discount price – letter to follow. We will also be sending a weekly homework letter so that parents know exactly what their child is doing for homework and in school that week.
Music Workshop
The music service will be holding their Music Roadshow at school on Monday 7th September at 6pm in the hall. This is an opportunity to listen and ask questions and sign up for lessons if you wish.
School Uniform
Please ensure all school uniform is labelled so that if it gets misplaced around school, it can be returned to you.
Extra-curricular Activities
for this half term
Monday
Year 1 – Reading Club 12.30pm
Recorder Club -12.45pm
Years 4-6 Brass Band- 3.30pm
Rec-Year 6 Zumba- 3.30pm
Tuesday
Years 1 and 2 – Drama Club 12.30pm
Years 3-5 Newspaper Club 12.45pm
Years 3-6 Choir -12.45pm
Years 4-6 Netball 3.40pm
Wednesday
School Council – Wednesday 12.45pm
Years 1-6 Dodgeball 3.30pm
Thursday
Years 5-6 Football club
Years 3-6 Drama Club 12.30pm
Friday
Years 1-6 Bollywood Dance Club 3.30pm
School Meal Choices
We are trialling a new school meals system which will ensure more children receive their first choices for school lunches. Details will be forthcoming.
