1st March 2013
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back to term 4. The year is certainly whizzing by! This is a very short term with only 20 school days until we break up for Easter.
This term all year groups have a literacy focus with an emphasis on writing for meaning and purpose. Look out for some special deliveries through the post!
Highlights of last term
· Our new Nursery children have been making new friends and having fun!
· Our Year 6 children have created the 2nd edition of the ‘Squirrel News.’ Well worth a read!
· Some year 5 children took part in an athletic competition in Greenacre Academy.
· Our year 6 football team have been in action ~ winning one game 18-0!!
· Our year 2 children had a fantastic dinosaur exhibition attended by many parents.
· Many of our FS 2 parents came into school to look at their children’s work on the last day of term.
School dinners
There have been a few reports on the TV regarding horse meat found in ready meals. I have attached a note from Medway Council.
I’m sure you are all aware of the recent media coverage on processed meat and I know many of you have been contacted by parents on this matter.
I wanted to take this opportunity to reassure you that we are taking this issue very seriously and are working very closely with our school meals provider, Chartwells.
We have received confirmation from Chartwells that all of their nominated suppliers have to adhere to strict food quality and safety standards and they regularly undergo independent audits to ensure these standards are upheld. In light of recent events, Chartwells has sought, and received, re-confirmation from the meat suppliers they use for schools in Medway that these suppliers comply with the company’s required traceability, testing and hygiene processes. Chartwells is also undertaking a DNA testing programme across its processed meat products to ensure that the integrity of the products provided is maintained.
To provide further reassurance to parents, Medway Council has decided to make some temporary changes to the menu so that, for the time being, we do not serve processed meat products in our schools. This comes into effect on Monday 25th February and will mean a change to the proposed menu s. Please be aware, this is a purely precautionary measure and we will keep you updated on any developments.
Sue Edmed ( Medway Council)
World Book Day~ Thursday 7th March
A letter was sent home at the end of term with a voucher to support World Book Day! We are having a fun day in school with great activities to celebrate a great cause….books and a love of reading!
Kent Messenger ~ 8th March
Our younger children ( FS2, year 1 and year 2) have been busily drawing pictures of their mummies for a special edition of the newspaper to celebrate Mother’s Day.
Comic Relief Noses ~ Friday 15th March
Thank you for buying your noses. We will wear them to school on Friday. We are not planning any other fund raising events on this day.
Parentview website www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk
OFSTED have opened an on line service for parents to access and use to look at schools around the country. As a parent, you can register, log on and read comments about the school from other parents and also add comments. These comments are a reflection of the thoughts parents have about the school their child attends.
Open Evenings
These will take place on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th March. We look forward to seeing you and
talking about your child’s progress. A letter will be sent home to arrange a time for you next week.
And finally…………
Easter Bonnet Competition ~ Thursday 28th March.
To end the term, we are planning some Easter events. Children can create an Easter hat to wear for the day, prizes will be awarded in each year group. We will also have a cake sale and Easter egg raffle. Any donations of chocolate would be greatly appreciated.
School finishes for Easter on Thursday 28th March. We return to school on Monday 15th April.
1st February 2013
Dear Parents and Carers,
Snow
It seems the snow has been replaced with the rain! A massive thank you for all your support and help during the snowing period especially in clearing the site.
Snow diaries
We had an amazing 113 entries for our snow diary writing competition. It was a very difficult decision to pick winners as it was obvious that many of the children had made a great effort. All children who entered will get a certificate. Well done to all the children for entering but the final winners in each year group are……….
Nursery Taylor Brooks
Foundation stage 2 Harry Hawkett
Year 1 Emily Preston
Year 2 Hayden Durling
Year 3 Bradley Williams
Year 4 Liberty Carroll
Year 5 Jasmine Noble
Year 6 Matthew Smith
Comic Relief Noses ~ Friday 15th March
This year they have a dinosaur theme! You can buy your noses from the school offices from 11th February. They are a £1 and remember to keep them safe for March 15th.
KM competition ~ help us by collecting tokens
The Kent Messenger is about to launch a competition for a school to win a play fort. As a school we will be entering the competition with the following statement.
From September 2013 Swingate and Spinnens Acre School will become one school. Swingate Primary School. We have many fond memories of both schools. In moving forward, we feel the perfect legacy would be a play fort named ‘Spinnens Acre’ which would be enjoyed by all the children for many years to come.
The amazing fort would be situated in one of our many woodland areas and accessed by our 588 children of all ages and abilities on a daily basis, all year round.
This wonderful gift will allow imaginations to run free and be a fabulous setting for creative writing as part of our learning
Please help us by asking all your neighbours and relatives to collect the tokens so that we have a chance of winning! If successful, the fort will be placed on the front playground
Our younger children have been busily drawing pictures of their mummies for a special edition of the newspaper to celebrate Mother’s Day.
Headlice
An on-going, annoying battle for parents. We have recently had several reported ‘outbreaks’ of headlice reported by parents. There are some top tips on the NHS website below and a few fascinating facts.
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Head-lice/Pages/Treatment.aspx
Head lice and clothing
Healthy head lice do not deliberately transfer onto clothing, bedding or soft toys.
Their life span is about three weeks and when they fall from the head they are dying and unable to breed.
Hot washing or fumigation is not necessary to control head lice.
Lice that fall from the head during chemical treatment should be promptly disposed of. They may recover if they are resistant to the insecticide or have not been fully coated in the product.
Head lice on combs
Healthy lice that get caught on brushes or combs can re-establish if they get back onto a person's head. Inspect brushes and combs that are used during treatment and remove any lice before the next stroke.
While wet, head lice appear lifeless, but they mobilize as they become dry. However, these lice will die after a day or two if they are prevented from feeding on human blood.
You should also be aware that head lice can be flicked from dry hair during vigorous combing. If they land on someone, they will try to climb up to the head.
And finally…………
A parent has asked us to make you aware that they were recently driving up North Dane way on the way to school when a blue Ford Focus tried to ‘pull her over in her car’ posing as an emergency vehicle. She felt a little suspicious so did not stop. In reporting the incident to the police, they were aware that this could have been an attempt to ‘car jack’. Please be on your guard.
14th January 2013
Dear Parents and Carers,
We all hope you had a good holiday with your families. The children have been very excited in talking about their gifts and Christmas celebrations. We have an extra warm welcome to our 12 new nursery children and their parents who have joined us this term.
Admission forms
Just a reminder that parents need to complete the admission forms for places for Foundation Stage 2 and year 3 in September 2013 by tomorrow (Tuesday 15th January) at 4 pm.
This can be done on line or by filling in the application form that came in the booklet sent home. We will send this form back to Medway council for you but this has to happen tomorrow.
Snow
A few parents have asked what the procedure is, if it snows. We will always do our very best to keep the school open but the health and safety of our pupils, parents and staff is very important. We have a large site that needs to be cleared to gain entry and exit and many of the staff live a long distance from the school and in the past have been unable to travel safely. We also know that the school is in a very hilly area and it is often difficult for parents to get out of their drive or streets.
The decision about closing the school is not made until the morning but as soon as it is, a message will be placed on the school website and the radio stations (Radio Kent and Kent FM).
In order to open the school, staff are out in the school grounds clearing snow and therefore no one is in the school offices until 8 am to answer the phones. There will be someone to answer calls related to the breakfast club from 7.30.
Any help from parents is greatly appreciated and welcomed as it is a huge job. Just come along from 6.30!
Predicting the weather is challenging and if we open in the morning but the snow begins to fall heavily, we will call parents to collect their child early but if you are unable to do this, there will be staff in school until the last child leaves.
19th November 2012
Dear parents and carers
Poppy Assembly
Thank you for your support in attending the poppy assembly. We had over 100 parents join year 2 and the choir’s remembrance service. All the children were amazing! We were also joined by 2 serving soldiers, one of which is a Daddy in our school, who took with them letters and cards for their colleagues to read. Pennies were sent to school to buy poppies to support the Royal British Legion. I would also like to thank all those people who have made comments about the assembly, especially the Grandma who sent a letter to the local newspaper.
Football is a firm favourite of the children especially at playtimes. The KS2 (junior children) Football League has started. Matches are played on Wednesdays after school on the top field. Well done to all the children taking part! All supporters are greatly appreciated.
We are also sending 10 children from years 4 and 5 to Greenacre Academy on Thursday to take part in a workshop with some Gillingham Football players. Don’t worry if you have not been selected this time…there will be other opportunities throughout the year!
Friday 16th November. We raised a total of £296.10 for Children in Need through our delicious cake sale!
Parking concerns
Dangerous parking at dropping off and picking up times remains a concern and we have had further complaints from local residents and our own parents, about inconsiderate parking, ie blocking garages and driveways, mounting the curbs but also parents have allegedly given residents ‘mouthfuls of abuse’ when asked politely not to park blocking drives. One of our mums also had to walk in the road with a younger child as the pathway had been blocked. Please can I ask that if you need to bring your car to school in the morning, you are considerate.
I know most parents are and will continue to be but I want our local community to be supportive of the school, not negative. Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.
We are trying hard to keep our websites up to date. We are currently looking at ways to improve ICT and communication across the school especially in light of the school’s amalgamating in September 2013. Parents have asked for newsletters to be emailed which is our aim from September. If you have any further suggestions of things you feel we need to improve, please let school and the Governors know. David Clay, chair of Governors is in school every Tuesday morning and you can always speak to a member of the Senior leadership team on the playground in the mornings.
5th November 2012
Dear parents and carers
What a great way to end term 1! There were fantastic costumes and a great sense of fun in the air. The children continue with their topic this term but they have decided what they would like to learn. There will be an end of term exhibition in each year group to celebrate learning which you will be invited to attend.
Cake sale
Year 6 children would like me to thank all those children who bought a cake. They raised an amazing £350 during the end of term cake sale. I would like to thank all the parents who made or sent in cakes to sell. The children certainly enjoyed them.
You may have noticed that we have made some changes to our front playgrounds. We wanted to open up the space for the children but also have 2 gates to block off the road from the children. This means that the adventure playground is now accessible but PLEASE remember that school takes no responsibility for your children prior to 8.55 and after 3.15. You as parents and carers must make sure the children only use the equipment under supervision. We really do not want any accidents.
Harvest
A huge thank you for all the donations of food and for those who attended the Harvest Festival. Year 4 children welcomed many parents and local residents to ‘share a thought for others.’ Well done children!
Have you any spare flowering bulbs? Mrs Matthews and Mrs Fewtrell are on a mission to plant a bulb for every child in the school. If you have any spare bulbs, they would very much appreciate them.
Applications for school….a reminder
It was great to see so many parents attend the recent open sessions to have a look around Swingate and Spinnens Acre ahead of their children moving in to year 3 or joining Foundation Stage 2 in September 2013. Year 6 parents have also been visiting schools across Medway .It’s hard to believe you have to make these decisions so early in the year but just to remind you that application forms for…….
FS2 children need to be returned to the school office or completed on line to the council by Tuesday 15th January 2013.
Year 2 parents need to return their form for a place in Spinnens Acre to the school office or completed on line to the council by
Tuesday 15th January 2013.
Year 6 parents should have returned their forms by 31st October 2012.
Poppy Appeal
We have poppies for sale, a worthy cause. There is an assembly for parents / grandparents on Friday morning @ 9.15 in Swingate Hall. Year 2 children and the KS2 choir are leading the assembly. All are welcome to attend. We have a visiting soldier attending from Brompton Barracks. Keep an eye out for our ‘poppy field’ on Friday!
Friday 16th November. We will hold a cake sale to raise some funds during the morning for Children in Need.
Dogs on the playground
Another gentle reminder that whether they are on the floor, carried in jumpers or in bags, dogs are not allowed on any of the playgrounds. This policy is from Medway Council and applies to all school grounds across Medway.
And finally…….
We have had a few complaints from parents concerned about the language used by other parents at the start and end of the day on the playgrounds. This is not the first time this has been mentioned. Please be considerate and use appropriate language whilst around the children. Thank – you.
Dates for you diary
10th December @ 2pm FS2 dress rehearsal with spaces for parents and babies
11th December @ 9.30 am FS2 Nativity for parents (adults only)
@ 2 pm KS1 dress rehearsal with spaces for parents and babies
12th December @ 9.30 am FS2 Nativity for parents (adults only)
@ 2 pm KS1 show for year 1 parents (adults only)
13th December @ 9.30 am dress rehearsal for Hey Ewe (year 3)
@ 2 pm KS1 show for year 2 parents (adults only)
14th December @ 2 pm year 3 show for parents
17th December Children’s Winter Fare
21st December year 5 to church @ 10 am. All parents and grandparents are welcome to join us in the church.
As the colder weather comes along, don’t forget coats as we try to get the children out as much as possible!
Swingate and Spinnens Acre Federation
8th October 2012
Dear parents and carers
Thoughts on the current school uniform
Thank you for your recent return of school uniform slips. I have attached the results for you. I must stress that I am very conscious of any changes having an impact on your finances. We have recently had some visitors into school and I must say all of them have commented on how smart the children look and how the vast majority of children are in correct school uniform.
I will let you know by the end of the term what changes will happen to school uniform for September 2013. We will have a new school badge but we are looking into sew on badges to put onto existing fleeces.
Harvest
Year 4 will be leading the harvest assembly this year in Spinnens Acre Hall on Thursday 25 October at 2.30 pm. Only the children of year 4 will be in the assembly but all parents/ grandparents across the schools are welcome to come along.
We are collecting food donations for Caring Hands from now. They have asked for donations of tins and packets please as they have a longer ‘use by date’. The class with the most collected tins and packets will win a prize.
Tea bags, coffee, sugar, beans, tinned tomatoes, tinned spaghetti, tinned ravioli, pasta, rice, long life milk, instant mash, tuna, tinned veg, jars of cooking sauce, tinned fruit.
End of term dressing up day Friday 26th October
Linked to each year group’s topic, we are having a ‘dressing up day’.
- Nursery, FS2 year 1 and 2 have the theme ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ ~ so handsome princes, brave knights, princesses etc. welcome.
- Year 3 the theme is ‘Vikings’
- Year 4 the theme is ‘Romans’
- Year 5 the theme is ‘Tudors’
- Year 6 the theme is ‘Explorers’
If you don’t want to take part, then that’s Ok. We know not everyone wants to dress up. Please come in usual school uniform.
Cake sale
It’s always a popular event! Please send some pennies in to buy a cake or 2! Donations of cakes are always appreciated.
School ends 3.15 on Friday 26th October. We return on Monday 5th November
THOUGHTS ON CURRENT UNIFORM
HERE ARE THE RESULTS FROM THE 109 QUESTIONNAIRES THAT WERE RETURNED
|
GIRLS UNIFORM |
AGREE WITH CURRENT UNIFORM |
% |
BOYS UNIFORM |
AGREE WITH CURRENT UNIFORM |
% |
FLEECE /
SWEATSHIRT |
AGREE WITH CURRENT UNIFORM |
% |
|
Grey
Skirt |
87 |
80% |
Grey
Trousers |
80 |
73% |
Fleece
With Logo |
103 |
94% |
|
Black
Skirt |
63 |
58% |
Black
Trousers |
60 |
55% |
Fleece
Without Logo |
34 |
31% |
|
Grey
Pinafore |
81 |
74% |
Grey
Shorts |
80 |
73% |
Sweatshirt
With Logo |
101 |
93% |
|
Grey
Trousers |
82 |
75% |
White Polo Shirt |
80 |
73% |
Sweatshirt
Without Logo |
38 |
35% |
|
Black
Trousers |
59 |
54% |
Black
Socks |
76 |
69% |
|
|
|
|
White Polo Shirt |
91 |
83% |
Black
Shoes |
85 |
78% |
|
|
|
|
White
Socks |
88 |
81% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grey
Tights |
84 |
77% |
PE KIT |
|
|
OPTIONAL |
|
|
|
Summer
Dress |
70 |
64% |
White
T-Shirt |
98 |
90% |
Book
Bags |
83 |
76% |
|
Black
Shoes |
93 |
85% |
Black
Shorts |
97 |
89% |
Water
Bottles |
93 |
85% |
|
Blue
Cardigan |
87 |
80% |
Black
Plimsolls |
100 |
92% |
Hats |
63 |
58% |
SUGGESTED CHANGES / COMMENTS:
School Fleeces/Sweatshirts
· ROYAL BLUE – 97 – 89%
· GREY – 2 – 2%
· BLACK – 1 – 1%
· NAVY – 5 – 5%
· RED – 4 – 4%
A very large proportion (94%) would opt to have a Fleece/Sweatshirt with a Logo, but many have commented on how expensive these garments are and have suggested either a School Pin or a sew on badge, which can then be reused, therefore lowering the cost of these items. A few parents have also asked for V-neck jumpers and tank tops as an alternative to the sweatshirts.
Polo shirts
Although 73% have said they are happy with the white Polo shirts parents have also commented that these are harder to clean and therefore pale blue or navy maybe a better option. Many have also suggested blouses/shirts & ties, especially from Year 3 upwards.
Trousers / Skirts
The general responses have been, that although the majority are happy with the option of black or grey maybe there should only be ONE colour, preferably grey as this ‘maintains its smartness’, and the black tends to fade and hence look ‘scruffy’.
Summer Dresses
70% of parents who responded liked the option of a Summer Dress but many have stated that it should be ONE colour, blue checked, and not a variety of colours.
PE Kits
Although the majority are happy with our PE kit, comments have been that the younger children should be able to wear any coloured pair of shorts and t-shirt, or they should be given the option of blue or black shorts with a white t-shirt.
Some parents have also asked for a PE Kit with a logo.
School Bags
76% are happy with the school bag, however there have been comments that it is too small and other bags have to be used as well.
Nursery
We have received comments that the Nursery children should be given the option of wearing the logo polo shirt, sweatshirt or fleece so they feel part of the School.
Overall, parents have really appreciated being asked, and the general opinion has been that the School Uniform does not need updating as the royal blue looks very smart. The children can easily be identified and this colour has symbolised our school for many years. Parents do feel that the uniform is very costly, and that there are too many items to choose from, if there are fewer options there will be more consistency.
Swingate and Spinnens Acre Federation
24th September 2012
Dear parents and carers
Elections for parent governors
We welcome 4 new parent Governors to the new Governing Body. Jane Marsh has a child in year 3 and is an experienced Governor along with Chandris Webb who has children in year 3, 4 and 6. Alison Bayford and Neil Thompson are new to the role of a Governor, but look forward to the challenge.
Chartwells taster session
Thank you for popping along to the taster session. There were lots of questions and tasty food.
End of year questionnaires
Thank you for your responses to the annual questionnaires. Both the children’s and parents responses were very positive. Copies can be seen in the entrance halls of both schools.
Scooters and bikes
For health and safety reasons, all children and adults are asked NOT to ride scooters or bikes on the school grounds. Last term the Governors did consider ‘banning’ them from the site as there had been complaints and minor accidents. If you bring a scooter for your child to use on the way home PLEASE don’t allow them to get on them until outside the school gates. We have had a few parents expressing their concerns.
Headlice and worms
There have been several reports of headlice and worms across the school. Please could you check your child for both conditions and treat as necessary. The school office do hold some information leaflets if you are unsure how to treat.
Admission to schools in September 2013.
It’s that time of the year again when parents in the nursery have to apply for places in foundation stage and for the last time year 2 parents need to apply for a place in Spinnens Acre. With the proposed amalgamation this will not have to happen next year. We are holding 2 ‘open sessions’ for new parents where you are welcome to come along and see the school’s in action.
For Swingate School – Monday 22 October/Tuesday 23 October at 10.00 am
For Spinnens Acre School – Monday 22 October/Tuesday 23 October at 2.30 pm.
A reminder to Year 6 parents that you should also be visiting local secondary schools as you need to complete your application form by Wednesday 31 October 4.00 pm.
Dates for your diary
We are looking to hold events for parents across the schools this year. We have shared out major events amongst the year groups.
Harvest
Year 4 will be leading the harvest assembly this year in Spinnens Acre Hall. Only the children of year 4 will be in the assembly but all parents/ grandparents across the schools are welcome to come along.
We are collecting food donations for Caring Hands from Monday 22nd October. They have asked for donations of tins and packets please as they have a longer ‘use by date’.
Tea bags, coffee, sugar, beans, tinned tomatoes, timed spaghetti, tinned ravioli, pasta, rice, long life milk, instant mash, tuna, tinned veg, jars of cooking sauce, tinned fruit.
11th October 5-7 pm Wendy Lawson a guest speaker ‘Life with autism’ in Spinnens Acre small hall.
11th October 6.30 open public consultation meeting in Swingate Hall for proposed amalgamation.
16th /17th October Target setting evening
25th October @ 2.30 Harvest assembly for parents led by year 4 in Spinnens Acre School Hall
26th October END OF TERM ‘Dressing up day’ and cake sale
5th November RETURN TO SCHOOL
9th November ‘Remembrance Poppy’ assembly for parents @ 9.15 led by year 2 children in Swingate School Hall
6th December Father Christmas photographs
10th December @ 2pm FS2 dress rehearsal with spaces for parents and babies
11th December @ 9.30 am FS2 Nativity for parents (adults only)
@ 2 pm KS1 dress rehearsal with spaces for parents and babies
12th December @ 9.30 am FS2 Nativity for parents (adults only)
@ 2 pm KS1 show for year 1 parents (adults only)
13th December @ 9.30 am dress rehearsal for Hey Ewe (year 3)
@ 2 pm KS1 show for year 2 parents (adults only)
14th December @ 2 pm year 3 show for parents
17th December Children’s Winter Fare
21st December year 5 to church @ 10 am. All parents and grandparents are welcome to join us in the church.
Christmas parties to take place week beginning 17th December
Updates on the amalgamation of Swingate and Spinnens Acre
Thank you to the parents who have returned the reply form. These will be sent to Medway Council at the end of the week.
The staff and children have been thinking about the name of the school if they amalgamate. As Spinnens will ‘close’ and Swingates age range be expanded, we would like to propose the name ‘ Swingate Primary School.’ If you have any comments on this please let me know.
I would also like to start collecting views on our current school uniform. I am very aware that any changes that take place must have very little impact on your own purses as the financial climate is very tight. I would appreciate it if you could complete the attached form and send it back to school by Friday 12 October.
Headteacher
Thoughts on the current school uniform
We want any change to have a very low impact on your ‘purse.’ There were a couple of comments made on the annual questionnaires stating that they felt current uniform was ‘outdated.’
Please complete the boxes below: a tick means you agree with the current uniform
|
Girls uniform |
|
Boys uniform |
|
Fleece with logo |
|
|
Grey skirt |
|
Grey trousers |
|
Fleece without logo |
|
|
Black skirt |
|
Black trousers |
|
Sweatshirt with logo |
|
|
Grey pinafore |
|
Grey summer shorts |
|
Sweatshirt without logo |
|
|
Grey trousers |
|
White polo shirt |
|
|
|
|
Clack trousers |
|
Black socks |
|
|
|
|
White polo shirt |
|
Black shoes |
|
optional |
|
|
White socks |
|
PE kit |
|
Book bags |
|
|
Grey tights |
|
White t shirt |
|
Water bottles |
|
|
Summer dress |
|
Black shorts |
|
hats |
|
|
Black shoes |
|
Black plimsolls |
|
|
|
|
Blue cardigan |
|
|
|
|
|
The Nursery children do not wear uniform
What changes/ suggestions would you like to see?
We would like to keep the Royal Blue colour Yes / No If no what colour? _________________
The school logo has been combined this year to incorporate the Swingate tree and Spinnens Acre Squirrel. We feel these are symbolic symbols to both schools and show the 2 schools working together. We will be asking the children to design a new logo over the next few months.
If any changes were made we would expect parents to buy as and when they could afford.
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