9 Jan 2008 - New Term Information & Details of Parent Assemblies

Dear Parents and Carers,

May we wish you all a very Happy New Year.

May I also say what a pleasure it is to be Acting-Head in such a delightful school.  It is very reassuring that when asking the staff what they saw as one of the strengths of the school the immediate response was the children.  Having being here for a few days it is obvious that they are right.  The vast majority of the children here are well mannered, welcoming and work hard. This not only reflects on the teachers but even more so on you as parents.  Thank you.

I can understand that some of you have concerns, understandably so, that there is another Acting-Headteacher in the school. Obviously not an ideal situation but perhaps I can reassure you to some extent by telling you a little bit about myself. Although I retired a few years ago, partly to take up one of my passions as a wildlife photographer, I still believe that being a Headteacher is the best job in the world and that there are many times when I still miss being in a school.

Hence when Bracknell  Forest asks occasionally if I can help out when a Head is away then wherever I can I am only too willing to do so.  I have now helped out in 5 schools so I am well experienced in dealing with changing situations.  Indeed, I have learnt a great deal myself from all the schools I have worked in.  I also know the area well as I was the Headteacher at College  Town  Junior  School for thirteen years and then worked  for Bracknell  Forest as the Community Education Officer.

I like to think that I am approachable so if you have any concerns please do not hesitate to come and see me.  That is particularly so if your child is having a problem in school.  In some cases you will be the first to know there is a problem and unless we are made aware we cannot help to resolve it.

I do have high expectations of behaviour and work from the children and that they take responsibility for their own actions.  Children rarely get a second chance in life and therefore they need to make the most of the opportunities that school offers.

When not helping out in schools I spend a lot of my time in Africa and trained, after I left teaching, as a safari guide therefore if you are looking to travel to Africa, particularly Kenya or South Africa I would only be too pleased to advise you on places to see.

The spring term is the time when classes invite you in to share their assemblies. The following are the dates and times for each class.

You will be most welcome to come and joins us for any of the assemblies.

With the coldest part of the year approaching perhaps it is appropriate to remind everyone the arrangements for letting you know if we have to close the school in an emergency. Wherever practical we will give you as much notice as we can but as we would only close in an emergency that is not always possible. In such a case we would have it announced on:

            BBC Radio Berkshire:                Frequency:       104.1/104.4/95.4 or 94.6 FM

            Two Ten FM:                             Frequency:       97.0/102.9 or 103.4 FM

May I remind you to make cheques for school dinners to ISS Caterhouse.  School meals are paid for as follows:

Per day  £1.75                 Per week   £8.75                   For this half-term          £52.50.

After school clubs start next week.   A new summary of After School Clubs is attached to this letter.  Kick Start also commences on Monday, 14^th January at 8.30 a.m.     Kick Start is now open to Pine class children on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  We do need parental  help to run the Kick Start Programme and if you can assist on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday please see Mrs Gordon.

Mill on the Brue Residential  - the next instalment payment for children in Year 5 and 6 participating in this  residential visit is now due.

The Spring School Census Return will be made on Thursday, 17 January.  For this first time the Department for Children, Schools and Families is collecting data on children who have a parent or parents who are personnel, serving in regular HM forces military units of all forces.  This is only relevant to children whose parents are designated as Personnel Category 1 or 2.  If you are a parent with a child at New  Scotland  Hill  School who falls into this category please could you advise Mrs Tucker in the school office by the end of this week.   Due to the short time frame to the Census date your immediate response to this request is appreciated.  Mrs Tucker will also be able to answer any queries you may have on why this information is being collected. 

Once again may we wish you all a Happy New Year from everyone at New  Scotland  Hill  School.

Yours sincerely,

Acting-Headteacher