Newsletter – Wednesday, 17th April 2002

Dear Parents/Carers,

School Achievement Award for the second year running

On the last day of last term I was informed by a letter from Estelle Morris, the Secretary of State for Education, that Southwold had won another School Achievement Award for our continuing SATs improvement. As you can imagine the staff and children are absolutely delighted. These results and the awards themselves don’t just happen; they are earned by the sheer hard work and dedication of our staff and children and the support of you parents and our governors.

It was tremendous news for us and gave us a real boost to our run-up to this year’s SATs which start in about four weeks time.

Easter Assembly
Thank you to so many of our parents and friends of Southwold who joined us on the last day of term for our Achievement Assembly and Easter Celebrations. Both the children and staff were delighted that just about all the chairs were filled!!

SATs
As I have mentioned above, Year 2 begin their SATs on Tuesday, week beginning 7th May for the Reading assessments and Monday, 20th May for the rest of the papers. Year 6 SATs week begins on Monday, 13th May. It is important that all children, but particularly pupils in Years 2 and 6 attend school every day and take part in all activities. During the SATS week we have learned that two simple things, going to bed at a decent time and having breakfast, enable pupils to have the energy to complete their tasks.

Uniform
I have noticed over the past few weeks that some pupils are not wearing school uniform. Our Governors write in the school brochure “The wearing of school uniform is expected and contributes to the school aims by engendering a pride in being a member of the school community and supports the development of positive attitudes to school and learning”.
In other words, children look smart, act smart and gives them pride in their appearance. Please help us by ensuring your child is dressed in school uniform.

PE
As we do not swim this term most of the classes have more PE sessions.
Can you please ensure that your child has his/her PE kit at school every day. We will encourage the children to bring their kit home on Fridays to be washed!!

Milk money for Infant children
It is not too late for parents to pay for milk for this term. There are only a very few people outstanding. If you haven’t paid for your child’s milk please bring £4 to Mrs Buzza as soon as possible.

Adult Education
This term we will continue our partnership with New College by offering an Arts and Crafts class every Thursday morning beginning tomorrow 18th April.

The improvers computer course is continuing and I would like to ask parents if anyone is interested in any more courses in IT. Either a repeat of the basic course or another Improvers course? If anyone has any good ideas or a group of parents are interested in a particular skill they would like to learn, please do come and see me.

Dates for your Diary

April 22nd Sports Hall Challenge – a team event at John Carroll
April 30th Class 5 parent/teacher consultation day
May 2nd Full Governors’ Meeting
May 6th School Closed Bank Holiday
May 7th Year 2 Reading Tasks to begin
May 13th Year 6 SATs begin
May 20th Year 2 SATs begin
May 22nd KS2 Roundabout Theatre Company in school
May 23rd Year 6 visit to Nottingham University
May 27 – 31 Jubilee WeekA week of celebration of the Queen’s
Jubilee. Details to follow.
May 31st HALF TERM
June 10th Return to school
June 26th Reports to Parents sent out
July 3rd Parents’ Evening
July 11th Sports Day
July 18th Achievement Assembly
July 19th Leavers’ Assembly

Yours sincerely,

Kay Price