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9th September 1999 Dear Parents, Welcome back to a new school year. It was a delight to see so many children eager and happy to get back to school, and we look forward to a busy and successful year for all of our pupils. We also welcome a number of new staff: Mrs Nash at Reception, Miss Hines at Year 1, Mrs Passmore and Miss Robertson at Year 2, Miss Stedmon at Year 3 and Mrs Wood who joins the office staff. We shall also be joined shortly by Mlle Cuenot, a French language ‘assistante’ who will be working in various classes throughout the school Congratulation go to Mrs Palframan (ex. Miss Gray) Mrs Page (ex. Miss Allen) and to Mr Rannie each of whom was married during the summer holiday. The start of a new year is a good time to go over one or two important points concerning your child’s safety on the way to and from school and at school. Firstly – please keep us informed regarding any change of address or phone number be it at home or the workplace, or the name and number of anyone we can contact in your absence should the need ever arise. Secondly – could you please let us know at the earliest possible stage – and by 8.45 at the latest – if your child cannot attend school as a result of illness or for any other reason. In addition to the normal school number, you can leave a message outside of school hours on our answerphone system (tel. No. 440434) which we check at the beginning of each day. Where a child is absent and we have received no such notification, we will phone you to ascertain the reasons. If after two calls, no contact has been made, a letter will be sent to you seeking the appropriate information. The much published incident involving the non-arrival and subsequent abduction of two pupils in Hastings, emphasised how important it is for everyone to appreciate that if a pupil does not arrive a school, teachers have no way of knowing whether that non-arrival is due to their child not being sent, to them having had an accident on the way to school, or due to them being sent by parents but not arriving. We are very fortunate that the vast majority of parents inform us as a matter or course as soon as it is obvious that their child is unwell. I’m sure that everyone appreciates that if it is left to the school to find out the cause of absence first thing in the morning, then valuable time is lost in establishing whether or not a child is safe, not to mention the considerable burden upon office staff engaged in making enquiries by telephone. We are very pleased to welcome Mrs Whiting who will be on crossing patrol duty in the mornings (Mrs Broderick continues with the afternoon patrol). Please help to keep traffic problems to a minimum by parking away from the yellow lines, and if on foot make sure that you come into school via the footpath gates. The large gates are for vehicular access only, any use by pedestrians is unnecessarily hazardous for all concerned. It is very clear that considerable care has been taken to ensure children are smartly turned out in school uniform as set out in my last newsletter. I would just emphasise that footwear should be safe, sturdy and black in colour. You’ll no doubt remember receiving details of our Home School Agreement last term. Briefly – it is now a requirement for all schools to draw up a home-school agreement and to ask parents to sign it at the beginning of the year. The response to the draft sent out last term was very positive. I would be grateful if you would sign and return the attached agreement (even if you signed the draft copy) and return it as soon as possible. Our test results for 1998/9 were, without doubt, the best we have ever seen. At the end of Key Stage 1, the number of children reaching or exceeding the expected level for seven year olds was as follows: Reading : 98% compared with the 1999 County average of 82% Spelling : 95% compared with the 1999 County average of 70% Writing : 97% compared with the 1999 County average of 83% Maths : 98% compared with the 1999 County average of 88% Science : 95% compared with the 1999 County average of 88% At the end of Key Stage 2, the number of children reading or exceeding the expected level for eleven year olds was as follows: English : 74% compared with National average* of 66% Maths : 87% compared with National average* of 62% Science: 84% compared with National average* of 66% *National averages are those for 1998. Data for 1999 has yet to be published. I’m sure you’ll agree that these results are exceptionally good and clearly reflect the hard work put in by teachers and pupils alike. I’m also sure that the support given by many parents played a significant part in helping to ensure so many pupils achieved their potential. A copy of our homework policy is attached. You have already received information regarding some of the targets related to expectations of pupils in your child’s age group, and further information on maths will be sent to you shortly. Please look out at home for any overdue school library books. Our end of year audit revealed a large number of non-returned books. Needless to say there are considerable costs involved in replacing lost stock, so please go through shelves and cupboards. Late returns will not be met with fines but simply with relief and open arms. Below are some dates you might wish to make a note of. Can I draw particular attention to Friday 24th September when the school will be closed for training (see attached): NB: PARENTS OF YEAR 2 AND 6 PUPILS please notice that the government has changed the dates for Year 6 tests next year. These will now be held during the week beginning 15 May 2000. Year 2 tests will also be held during May. Schools have no flexibility to alter this timetable and you are therefore asked to avoid booking holidays at this time. With best wishes. Yours sincerely,
J.R. Wilson Headteacher. For those of you ‘on line’ at home or at work, our school web-site can be found on http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/hawkesfarm (believe it or not, this is a slightly shortened format!)
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