TotleyPrimary School
Sunnyvale Road, Totley, Sheffield, S174FB Tel: 0114 2364482 Fax: 0114 2353403
MARCH 2013 NEWSLETTER
Hello and welcome to the March 2013 newsletter. Thankfully the snow appears to be behind us and I’m sure you have enjoyed the glimpses of spring that we have experienced – long may this weather continue as school certainly seems a different place when the warmer weather and brighter mornings and evenings are here.FS2 Filming
We welcomed a filming crew from Focus Education into our FS2 class last week. The film will be used to publicise the excellent practise that is taking place in FS2 in particular the new assessment software that Mrs Nicholson and Mrs Read are using. We look forward to seeing the final version.
Entrance andDining Room Displays
We are delighted with the new displays in both the entrance hall and dining room. The displays have been created by Lucy Smith from King Ecgbert School and have really transformed both areas. Lucy also used the quotes collected from all our children to create a ‘Wordle’ display outside my office which is a great display of what the children enjoy about Totley Primary. Feel free to come and have a look at them.
The displays were a significant factor in ourwinning 10 hours of football coaching from Sheffield United as part of the Taylor Shaw initiative.
Mothers’ Day Lunch – Thursday 14 March
Thank you for the responses regarding the Mothers’ Day lunch. Unfortunately we can’t accept replies after 5 March as the food order must be placed by the kitchen staff. We will need to stagger the sittings for this event and I will write to parents later in the week with details.
Children’s Centre
You will be aware of the Council’s reforms and ultimate funding cuts to Early Years provision which have made the headlines in the local press. No final decision has yet been reached regarding our Children’s Centre however it is highly likely that it will be one of the centres that is closed. I will keep you informed when the Council leaders have confirmed their decision.
SMOOGA
Your child may have mentioned the SMOOGA (Smart Multi Use Games Area) which we have installed on the KS2 playground. We are grateful to John Smith for lending us the resource and the feedback we have received from children and staff is very positive. We are hoping to purchase the resource permanently depending on the level of funding we receive at the end of the month.
Bike It
We will be holding a Bike It assembly on 19th March that will be followed by a ‘Dr Bike’ session. The children can bring their bicycles to school on that morning to be checked over and serviced.
Day / Lunchtimes / After school
(times may vary)
Mon / Chess Club
Gym Club – KS2
Tues / KS2 Forest School / KS2 Golf Tuition
Wed / KS2 Table Tennis
Thurs / KS1 Dance / French – KS1
Football – KS1
Fri / KS2 Dance
Extra-Curricular Clubs
If you would like to take part in any of these activities, please contact Mr Paxman or Mrs Bridgwater in the office.
PTA
Forthcoming PTA events include:
- Plant sale deadline is 22nd March. Order forms and a price list can be found on the PTA blog on the school website
- The Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for Sunday 24th March at 11.00am. Tickets will go on sale from the school office on 11th March and any donations for the cake and bun sale will be greatly appreciated (please bring these with you on the day). There will also be an Easter Bonnet competition at the event.
- The date of the next meeting is 14th March at 7.30pm and it will be held at the Fleur de Lys pub.
Greetings Cards
You will have received a letter regarding a Phoenix Trading greeting card fundraising event for the Children’s Hospital. Please send in any orders to the school office by 22 March. Samples of the cards are available to view in the school entrance hall.
Comic Relief
Comic Relief is upon us once again and this year we are having a Great Totley Bake Off. Mary Berry (or an impersonator) will be in school on Friday 15th March and we are asking the children to come dressed as a famous cook or chef. Throughout the week the classes are making biscuits which will be judged on Thursday 14th March. We will then sell the rest of the biscuits to the children for 20p each on Friday 15th March.
Easter Celebrations
We will be celebrating Easter in typical Totley style over the next few weeks. We will visit Totley All Saints Church at 11.00am on Monday 25th March for our Easter Service as well as hosting the egg rolling and Decorated Egg competitions. Further details can be found in the letter which will be sent out this week.
Skydive Update
A huge thank you for all the donations towards my impending skydive. I have raised nearly £1200 so far for the dive on 16th June and I feel very humbled by all the donations. I will keep you informed of my progress.
Parents’ Evening
Parents’ evenings take place on Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th March. I hope you are able to attend.
Year 4 Swimming – 4th March
The Year 4 class start their swimming lessons on Monday 4th March. They will be collected by coach and transported to and from Mylnhurst Swimming Pool. The children will need their trunks/costumes and a towel.
Sporting Events
The Y6 children will play Tag Rugby against GreatLongstoneSchool on 6th March on our field. Unfortunately due to transport issues, we have had to cancel the Y2 festival at KingEcgbertSchool.
PDSA Day
We are welcoming the animal charity, PDSA into school on 6th March. Our children will learn how to look after a whole range of pets as well as having the opportunity to hold some animals.
Cheer Leading Day – 18th March
We are also welcoming Premier Sports into school who are offering us a free day of cheerleading. All our classes will get the opportunity to try the exercises and it promises to be a great day.
World Book Day – 7th March
We will be celebrating World Book Day on 7th March and are encouraging the children to come to school dressed as a famous book character. We are also inviting parents and carers to come into school in the afternoon to work alongside the children on reading activities and join in our assembly at the end of the day. The national event coincides with the Y1 visit to Weston Park. The Year 1 children will therefore celebrate Book Day on Friday 8th March.
Car Parking
Unfortunately I do have to mention the car parking on Sunnyvale Road which is showing little sign of improving despite regular pleas. The safety of our children is of paramount importance yet some parents and carers continue to park their vehicles in a dangerous way. The Police assure me that they are completing regular patrols to issue tickets to drivers who park their cars dangerously and I would appeal once again for your support in this matter.
Defibrillator
You may have heard that we are one of the few schools in the country to have purchased a heart defibrillator. Defibrillators can increase a person’s chances of survival by up to 70% if they suffer a cardiac arrest and ours will be stored in the main office. Key staff will be trained in its use and it is suitable for both children and adults.
Science Club
The Mad Science Company is running a science club in our school hall during the Easter Holidays. The club will run during the first week of the holidays and letters will be sent out soon.
Punctuality
In line with the Local Authority’s attendance drive, please note that school starts at 8.50am and that lessons often start before 9.00am. Please ensure your child arrives at school between 8.40am and 8.50am.
School Meals
In light of the horsemeat issue that has been well-publicised in the national media, Taylor Shaw our catering contractors have withdrawn some meat products from the school menu. This is a precautionary measure and I have been guaranteed that no traces of horsemeat have made their way into our kitchen. With this in mind the menus may change at short notice in the next few weeks.
Here’s to a warm and sunny spring. Please note that this half term is quite short and that we break up for the Easter holidays at the end of school on Thursday 28th March and return on Monday 15th April.
Chris Stewart, Headteacher