WELCOME BACK - 13-14.
Dear All,
Welcome back to all our playgroup & primary pupils of GlengormleyIntegratedPrimary School. I trust families had a lovely summer break and our children are all refreshed and ready for a new year in school.
A special welcome to our new P1 pupilswho are settling in so well and who are beginning to establish new friendships and enjoy their time in our school. We also welcome new pupils who have joined us in P2-7 especially those from Ballygolan PS. Our International Integrated school continues to prosper and we now have around 300 pupils here! We are excited to continue to share in the diversity of cultures in our community here in Glengormley and we have much to share and learn from each other.
REMINDERS
- FREE SCHOOL MEALS – The annual taxable income threshold for qualifying for free school meals is £16,190. If your child is eligible for free school meals, please see the school secretary to complete the necessary form. It is of great benefit to the school that you should complete this form even if you decide not to take the free meal, so please do makethe effort. Forms available from the school secretary.
PLEASE NOTE: Until the name is recorded on the NEELB manifest and school informed – you are required to send payment to school or send a packed lunch.
School Dinner orders should be placed for the week ahead on a Monday morning and money sent in accordingly in an envelope indicating the days required.
- PUBLIC TRANSPORT – If any children travel to school using public transport and Glengormley is the nearest IntegratedPrimary School, they may be entitled to free transportation. You do need to live outside a 2 mile walking distance from school. Please see the school secretary for the relevant documentation.
- child information and contact sheet–If you have not yet returned this form please do so as soon as possible so that we can update our records accordingly. Please note we have an email distribution list now to send our electronic as well as paper bulletins, so please do complete this section with accurate legible details if you wish to receive email bulletins to home or work.
- HEALTHY BREAK – Please support our Healthy Break Policy by ensuring your child has a piece of fruit or vegetable sticks for mid-morning break. We only allow children fruit at break-time, but your child is welcome to continue to bring a sweeter treat as desert for after their lunch. Apples and bananas will be available for sale at 20p from the After-School Club Room for those children who forget their healthy break.
- Water in the classroom –We continue to encourage children to bring fresh water to school for during learning time and ensure that children have their brains sufficiently hydrated. We encourage children to bring a bottle of water with them to school. In order to avoid unnecessary spills and to ensure conformity, this needs to be a clear bottle with a sports cap, with only still unflavoured water inside. Please ensure you label this with your child’s name.
- BREAKFAST & EXTENDED AFTER SCHOOL CLUB – we continue to offer our very successful wrap-around service to parents who wish to avail of it for a small cost. You are able to make your payments using child tax credits and will save yourself some money in doing so. If you wish to make use of this service or find out more, speak to Mrs. Mulcahy, any member of the after-school staff or our school secretary.
NOTE – After school clubs will run this ½ term from 9/9/13 to 25/10/13
- UNIFORM – A reminder to please ensure you take the time to label all items of uniform including shoes and P.E. kits with your child’s name in a permanent manner. It really does cause unnecessary distress and hassle to the teachers when this is not done. We appreciate your help in this simple task.
- JEWELLERY – A reminder that jewellery should not be worn to school. If it is, it will be removed by the class teacher for safe-keeping and returned at the end of the school day. An exception will be made for small stud earrings only but these must be removed for P.E activities.
- PARENT HELP – We are always looking for volunteers! We are always very appreciative of any parent who can offer their time to assist in any way. If you can spare some time either through the school day to support us with clerical work, or even for accompanying a teacher and their class on a school visit, please get in touch with the school secretary or myself so that we can take your details and get you processed through the necessary vetting and child protection procedures before hand if appropriate.
- P.T.A. – Please don’t forget we are always looking for assistance with our very hard working Parent Teacher Association, both with ideas and support at events. This is a great way to really get involved in the life of your child’s school and show them that you take a genuine interest in their education. The PTA will be in contact shortly to alert you to their plans for the forthcoming year. If you wish to join the PTA please speak to Mrs Karen Sims or any of the committee members. You will find details on the school website PTA page.
- MORNING ARRIVAL / AFTERNOON DEPARTURE – Please note that pupils should arrive to school between 8.40am and 8.55am. No pupils should be on the school premises before the teaching staff membersbegin their playground duties at 8.40am, unless they are attending the Breakfast club and have registered to be there. The side gate to the playground and the Antrim Road gate should be used and will remain open until 9.15am to allow for late arrivals. No-one other than staff should be using the front door until 9.15am. P2-3 children will leave through the middle doors at the Bike Square and P1 from the playgroup door. P4-7 children will leave as normal through the entrance past the older children’s toilet block.
- SCHOOL FUND - Please support your school by contributing to our school fund. We only ask for support once each school year. This money goes a long way to help give your children a lot of little extras that we would otherwise be unable to financially sustain: this includes subsidising transport and trip costs, touring theatre visits and lots of additional equipment and resources for children which help enrich the curriculum and their experiences.
*** £15 per child per year, £25 for 2 or more children per year ***
This should be paid before the end of Sept 13.
- PARENT ACCESS – Do please ensure that you adhere to both parent parking rules and the parental access policy in the school. We have two disabled parking spaces that should be left clear for those who require them. Parents should try to “drop-off” children in the morning rather than parking and entering the grounds in order help reduce congestion on Church Rd. If you wish to speak with a teacher or member of staff, please consult with the principal or secretary to arrange an appointment before approaching any member of staff. If in any doubt of this school policy, please consult the principal.
- WET MORNING ARRIVALS –Teachers will be on duty at 8.40am to meet children as they arrive on wet days at the doors. They will be directed to their classroom where their teachers will be present awaiting them.
- PARKING – PLEASE DO NOTPARK OVER THE GATES OF CHURCH RD RESIDENTS OR SCHOOL GATES. NOR IN FRONT OF THE FIRE STATION!PEOPLE DO GET VERY UPSET AND FRUSTRATED AND IT COULD POTENTIALLY OBSTRUCT AN EMERGENCY CALL-OUT! (Use alternative parking areas such as Farmley Shopping Centre)
Don’t forget to check out our website calendar page regularly to keep up-to-date with what’s happening. You’ll find it at:
I can be reached by email at:f you wish to correspond regarding any matter(s) of concern.
We shall of course, continue to keep you informed with regular news-sheet bulletins.
Thanks for your continued support.
Yours Faithfully,
NR Arnold
Principal
SOME DIARY DATES FOR 1ST HALF TERM 2013
Standardised Assessment WeekP3-7begins Monday 9th September
Image Musical Theatre
“Stig of the Dump” for P2-7Wednesday 25th September
European Day of Languages CelebrationsThursday 26th September
Individual and Siblings Portraits with PhotographerMonday 14th October – whiteshirts and ties please! (ties from stockists)
PTA Halloween DiscoThursday 24th October (pm)
Finish for ½ termFriday 25th October at 2pm
Halloween½ term breakMonday 28thOct – Friday 1st November
Back to school – Christmas ½ term Monday 4th November (full day)
SCHOOL FUND
Please support your school by contributing to our school fund. We only ask for support once each school year. This money goes a long way to help give your children a lot of little extras that we would otherwise be unable to financially sustain: this includes subsidising transport and trip costs, touring theatre visits and lots of additional equipment and resources for children which help enrich the curriculum and their experiences.
*** £15 per child per year, £25 for 2 or more children per year ***
This should be paid before the end of Oct 13.
I enclose School Fund for the 2013-14 School Year:
Child(ren)______
______
______
______Total Enclosed ______
Signed ______