Issue 5 20th April 2015
Dear Parents,
Welcome back to a new term at St Stephen’s.
We were very pleased to see your children return to school at the start of the Summer Term. I am sure, with your continued support and our drive for lifelong learning your child will continue to work hard and make good progress.
We have a busy half term ahead of us with Parents’ evenings, SATs week and Summer Fair.
The Year 6 children have been busy preparing for their SATs tests and will be taking them during the week beginning 11th May. I would like to thank the Year 6 parents especially for encouraging their children to attend the Year 6 after school booster classes, the mental maths sessions before school and Easter School. On behalf of the staff of the school may I take this opportunity to pass on our best wishes for the success they deserve.We will be running a breakfast club for the Year 6 children at 8:15 a.m. each morning of SATs week.
Finally I would like to remind you that it is important to register your child for a place at St Stephen's Nursery aftertheir 2nd birthday.Please go the reception desk in the nursery to do this. In September the nursery will be admitting children who were 3 before the 31st August 2015. Thank you
Ms Neena Lall
Headteacher
SUMMER TERM DATES 2015
APRIL
Monday 20th April / School restarts at 8:55 am
Year 6 mock SATs Week
Tuesday 28th April / Year 5 educational visit to the Houses of Parliament
Wednesday 29th April / Year 3 educational visit to the Tate Modern
Thursday 30th April / Nursery and Reception parent consultation Day-Nursery and Reception CLOSED
Thursday 30th April / Primary Parents evening 2-7.30pm
MAY
Monday 4th May / MAY DAY –SCHOOL CLOSED
Tuesday 5th May / School dentist visiting Reception and Year 1 classes
Wednesday 6th May / 9am –Reception Class parent workshop
Thursday 7th May / GENERAL ELECTION –SCHOOL, NURSERY AND DAYCARE CLOSED
Friday 8th May / School dentist visiting Reception and Year 1 classes
Monday 11th May-Thursday 14th May / Year 6 SATS Week
Thursday 21st May / Governors afternoon
Friday 22nd May / Summer Fair
Nursery/Reception (2.45 start)
Years 1-6 (3.15pm start)
Monday 25th May- Friday 29th May / Half Term holiday – School closes at 3:15 pm
Children’s Centre and Day Care will remain open.
Monday 2nd June -School restarts at 8:55 am
I will inform you of any additional dates and events that may be set during the term.
STAFFING
Primary
· From this term, St. Stephen’s will have two Primary Deputy Headteacher’s. I would like to welcome back Mrs Fozia Ramzan, who will be re-joining us after her maternity leave for 3 days a week until September, where she will be returning full time.
· I am also delighted to announce that Adam Bennett, one of our dedicated Assistant Head Teachers and acting Deputy Head Teacher has been appointed as an additional Primary Deputy Head Teacher from April 2015.
Nursery
· Karla Davies left at Easter to take on a new role. We wish her well.
CHAIR OF GOVERNORS
It is with much sadness that I must inform you of the resignation of the Chair of Governor’s, Mr Ciaran Dempsey. I am sure you will join me in thanking him for his contribution to St Stephen’s, both as a parent and as Chair of Governors, over 19 years continuous service. He has been an outstanding Governor and his expertise in this area has supported St Stephen’s on many occasions.
I want to thank Mr Dempsey for the commitment and loyalty given during his association with St Stephen’s. On behalf of the Governors, children, staff and community of St Stephen’s, I would like to express my sincere thanks for the enormous contribution, the positive impact and balanced support over the years.
Mrs Lori Cox will be our new Chair of Governors and this was voted on at the last Governors meeting.
Below is a complete list of the school governors.
Name & Positions / Governor Type
1. / Mr Abdul Shakoor / Authority Governor
2. / Mr Shashankar Jana / Parent Governor
3. / Mr Mobeen Zafar / Parent Governor
4. / Ms Neena Lall / Head teacher Governor
5. / Mrs Fozia Ramzan / Staff Governor
6. / Mrs Lori Cox / Chair of Governors
Co-opted Governor
7. / Adam Bennett / Co-opted Governor
8. / Mrs Marsha Daniel / Co-opted Governor
9. / Ms Sandra Marshall / Co-opted Governor
10. / Ms Janet Mantey / Co-opted Governor
11. / Mr Sandipan Chowdhury / Co-opted Governor
12. / Mrs Julia Weeden / Co-opted Governor
SCHOOL DINNERS
I would like to inform you that after a recent pupil survey, a large majority of pupils expressed their wish to have a wider variety of menu choices. As well as other options, they have asked for the reintroduction of burgers and sausages. We have therefore decided, from 20th April 2015 to revise our menus, which will include both HMC and HFA halal meat options. A vegetarian option will continue to be offered every day. Please would you inform your children of your preference for these meals. The options will be clearly identified on the school menus located on the website and displayed around the school.
ST STEPHEN’S CHILDREN’S CENTRE
I would like to remind all parents of the work of our “outstanding” Children’s Centre based in the Nursery. There is a range of adult learning classes, toddler groups, activities for under 3s, healthy lifestyle information and support for families. Please visit and ask for further information and the current activity calendar with Saturday activities on 25th April, 16th May, 6th/ 13th/20th/27th June.
SPELLING BEE
Friday 6th of March 2015 was the annual St. Stephen’s Spelling Bee Final, which sends the KS2 winners to Newham town hall in June, to compete in the annual Newham Spelling Bee contest. I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Wafa Ferose (6JW) on winning the Spelling Bee Shield. Well done to all the finalists: Amrit Ramkumar, Maryam Yunus Jeeva, Aysha Shams, Snehashon Chowdhury, Halimah Jeeva, Maliha Uddin, Hassan Shafeer, Ahmad Yunus Jeeva.
In KS1 first place was awarded to Jesho Kurian and in EY first place was awarded to Janat Bano. Well done to all the finalists: Dhairy Vyas, Zoheb Ahmed, Zaid Patel, Umar Mohamed Rahumathullah and Monisha Ramkumar.
JOY CUP
The joy cup will be awarded to a member of each class each term. The joy cup is awarded to those children who have a joy for coming to school and embrace all that St Stephen’s has to offer.
I would like to congratulate the joy cup winners for the Spring Term 2015.
RZ-Mohammed Ishaq Ahmed
RS-Hemanth Kumar
RM-Syeed Muhammad
1L- Daanyal Khaliq
1S-Suhana Ali
2D- Hassan Shahid
2H –Andrzej Siwak
3L- Yuvan Shekar
3S-Redowan Amin
4K –Amita Begum
4S-Snehashon Chowdhary
5S-Tahera Nessa
5A- Sumaya Abdi
5M- Aaliya Khan
6D –Amsal Bhullani
6J-Ameen Jolly
SAFEGUARDING-
Child Protection- We have duty to report incidents where children are being disciplined physically. We would like to support parents in managing their child’s behaviour appropriately. If you would like further assistance please contact the Children’s Centre or a member of school leadership.
Here are some tips:
· Give love and warmth as much as possible
· Have clear and simple rules and limits
· Be a good role model
· Praise good behaviour so it will increase
· Ignore behaviour you don’t want repeated
· Criticise behaviours, not your child
· Reward good behaviour with hugs and kisses not gifts
· Distract young children or use humour to put a stop to bad behaviour
· Allow children some control and a role in joint decision making
· If a punishment is necessary, remove privileges such as TV, computer or play time
Local Crime- Parents have informed me of inappropriate activities and gatherings after school hours in the roads surrounding St Stephen’s. I would like to remind you that any inappropriate activities must be reported using the non-emergency 101 telephone number. The local police need to be informed of any incidents if they are to support the local community effectively.
You can report some issues through the ‘Love Newham’ app.
CONTACT US
St Stephen’s Schools and Children’s Centre, Whitfield Road, London E6 1AS
Head teacher: Ms Neena Lall
PRIMARY
Deputy Head Teacher
Mrs Fozia Ramzan
/ PRIMARY
Deputy Head Teacher
Mr Adam Bennett
/ NURSERY AND CHILDREN’S CENTRE
Deputy Head Teacher
Mrs Janet Mantey
Tel: 020 8472 7575
Email:
Website: www.st-stephens-primary.org.uk / Tel 020 8471 1366
Email:
Website:www.st-stephens-nurserychildrenscentre.org.uk
This newsletter is also available on the school website.
School Term/Holiday Dates 2015-2016
SUMMER TERM
First day of term
/ Monday 20th April 2015May Day
/ Monday 4th May 2015-SCHOOL CLOSEDGeneral Election
/ Thursday 7th May 2015-SCHOOL CLOSEDHalf term / Monday 25th May 2015 to
Friday 29th May 2015
Last day of term / Wednesday 22nd July 2015
12.30pm finish for pupils
AUTUMN TERM
First day of term
DAYCARE / Tuesday 1st September 2015First day of term
PRIMARY / Thursday 3rd September 2015First day of term
NURSERY / Wednesday 9th September 2015Half term / Monday 26thOctober 2015 to
Friday 6th November 2015
Last day of term / Friday 18th December 2015 12.30pm finish for pupils
SPRING TERM 2016
First day of term
/ Monday 4th January 2016Half term / Monday 15th February 2016 to
Friday 19th February 2016
Last day of term / Thursday 24th March 2016
12.30pm finish for pupils
SUMMER TERM 2016
First day of term
/ Monday 11th April 2016May Day
/ Monday 2nd May 2015-SCHOOL CLOSEDHalf term / Monday 30th May 2016 to
Friday 3rd June 2016
Last day of term / Friday 22nd July 2016
12.30pm finish for pupils