I hope you had a lovely half term with your children. I hope all of the nasty bugs that were flying around last half term have now gone!

This is a very busy half term, which begins on the 11th June with Arts Week. Please note on your calendars all of the important dates we have set before the end of term, as there are a lot of planned events that we would not want you to miss.

Thank you to everyone who responded to the School Improvement questionnaire, your comments have been noted and will be used as we set our new School Improvement Plan.

Safety and Security
As you know we are always trying to make the school environment as safe as it can be for your children and we are grateful when parents and carers support us by notifying us when they notice any areas for improvement.

It has come to our attention that we need to further improve our security procedures in the morning, particularly in middle of school, which seems to be especially crowded with parents and young children at the moment. We are committed to following a policy where parents can enter school with their children to help them settle into their early morning tasks. This time also provides an opportunity for parents to have a quick word with the school staff – but please remember that the staff’s first priority must be looking after the whole class! If you need longer to speak with the teacher please make an appointment.

It would help the children become more independent if parents could encourage them to come into school without them as much as possible. Children in Year 2 should be able to come into school on their own now, please encourage them to do this as it will be good practice as they prepare to move to Key Stage 2 next September.

From Monday 11th June we are going to pilot a new early morning routine and hope that the changes will alleviate any recent concerns you may have had.

• The doors will be opened at 8.50a.m.
• A member of staff will be in each room and a member of staff will be at each door / gate
• A bell will ring at 8.55a.m. to signal that parents should leave
• Doors will be locked at 9.00a.m. The only exit / entry will be through the main door after 9.00a.m. to ensure the safety of our children.

New Play Boat
We are extremely proud of our School Council who have raised £2400 towards the play boat.
There will be an official launch at our Manor Day celebration on the 27th June.

This boat was specifically designed and its safety approved for children of infant age (5 – 7 year olds). When our children are using the boat, within school time, they will do so under adult supervision. May I remind you that school staff will not provide supervision before or after school when it is the responsibility of parents / carers parents to look after their own children.

Please be aware, therefore, that younger children especially, are the responsibility of parents and carers within the school grounds. I hope that younger children, particularly toddlers, are discouraged from climbing on the play boat.

Parent / Carer Suggestion Box
There is a suggestion box in the school entrance hall which parents and carers can use to post their comments / suggestions in and which we will use to help us improve our school still further. Please post any concerns in the box as well and the Governing Body will consider your comments at regular intervals (at least each half term).

Race for Life – 25th June 2007
The staff have decided to raise money for Breast Cancer by entering the Race for Life this year – hopefully Lorraine MacElevey will be fit enough to join us in this venture.  If you would like to sponsor us please speak to any member of staff – we need your support!

Sponsored Bike Ride
Thank you everyone for your contributions – we have raised £340.79 so far for Action Research for Neo natal care with Sergeant Steve Wilcox from Hythe Police station. Please could we collect any outstanding sponsor money as soon as possible.

MANOR DAY – 27th JUNE 2007
Please help us by coming to Manor Day 2007. We still need volunteers to canvas local businesses for prizes, help run stalls etc.
More details will follow shortly.

Non Uniform Day – Friday 22nd June
There will be a non-uniform day but this time we will not be asking the children to make a cash donation.  Instead, we would like everyone to bring a packet or tin of food which we can use for the Tombola at Manor Day the following week.

Bookstart Plus Pack
Parents of children aged 18-30 months are entitled to a free Bookstart Plus pack from their local library. The pack contains 2 free books, crayons, bookplates and a number frieze. All you need to do to receive a pack for your toddler is to take the child’s health record book (which proves age eligibility) to any library or mobile library in Hampshire.

Yours sincerely,

Gill Hamer