Chartham Primary School, Canterbury

We say goodbye to two members of staff at the end of this term.

Mrs Friend, one of our Midday Supervisors, leaves us to have her baby. We wish her every success and happiness with her new addition.

We also say goodbye to Mrs Parton, who will be leaving us to move with her family to Leeds.

On behalf of everyone in the school community, I would like to thank Zaria for all her hard work, enthusiasm, and commitment to the school over the past nine years, and wish her and her family every success in their move.

New job in the new year?

We still have two vacancies for Midday Supervisors which we are desperate to recruit.

Why not get involved in school life with this interesting and diverse role. For more details, please contact the School Office.

Staffing

Mrs Lambirth has been in school meeting staff and children. Taking up post from January, she is really looking forward to joining the school. Mrs Lambirth will be teaching Year 6 with Mrs Pestell, in addition to carrying out her Deputy Headteacher role.

After School Club

I wanted to update you with arrangements for January 2009. There are now two off-site options with Thanington Resource Centre and Kids Kingdom for you to use. As both organisations are independent of the school, I would recommend that if you intend to access either, that you visit the provision and confirm that the environment is appropriate for your child, and that you are happy with it.

I have negotiated with the LA for the transport to be continued to Thanington Resource Centre up to the end of the summer term. I will keep you abreast of any further developments as they occur.

Reminders!

The school is a hive of preparation and activity as we enter into the last two weeks of term.

Can I remind all parents that children should be on the playground by 8.55am at the latest. Pupils and parents are not able to use the front door to drop their children off, but should walk round to the playground. In wet weather, the children should still be dropped off via the playground and not the front door.

Friends

Everyone is very busy preparing for the Christmas Fair on Friday 12th December. With a disco and Christmas to organise they need your help to:

Help on the day of the fair - set up, run a stall, or help clear away

Help running the disco

Donations of unwanted gift bags

Cakes

Bring in a carrier bag on Friday 12th for all children to put their goodies in

The pupils will join the Fair at 2.00pm and be able to stay at the Fair until 3.00pm. All children will then return to their class teacher. It is very important that everyone does this so that we account for all pupils. NO children will be allowed to leave early. Entrance will be through the hall door via the car park or playground hall doors. The Fair will be open to the public from 3.15pm onwards. At 3.15pm all pupils will be led out into the playground to be collected by parents either to return to the

Fair with their parents or to go home. No unaccompanied pupils will be allowed back into the Fair after 3.15pm. The Chartham Hatch Bus will leave at the normal time. Children are welcome to bring their own spending money (in small change if possible) into school on Friday in a named purse or sealed envelope. The class teacher will look after the money until the Fair.

Carol Service

We hope you will join us for our Key Stage 2 Carol Concert on Tuesday 16th December at 6.30pm in the School Hall. We will be following a ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ theme this year, as we find out all about our favourite Christmas Carols and Songs of Christmas. With interactive participation from the audience, it promises to be great fun and informative.

Beijing Challenge

Well done to all the children for taking part in this. The total raised was £569.20.

Reporters: Alliyah Khan & Jacob Sedgwick

On Wednesday 22nd October the years 1-6 took part in the Beijing Challenge. During the challenge we took part in lots of different activities and obstacles relating to the Beijing Olympics in China. In one of the obstacles, we had to crawl through a dragon’s body; another challenge was also to carry a giant noodle with a huge pair of chopsticks into a big takeaway box. We’re sure that all the children who participated in the challenge had a great experience and we all look forward to the next Olympics coming to London in 2012.

Poppy Appeal

The Poppy Appeal raised £54.42—many thanks.

PE Kits

Please could all children ensure that they have a full PE kit in school at all times. If children don’t have a PE kit in school, they won’t be able to take part in their clubs. It is not possible for the School Office to continue contacting parents at the last minute.

Parking

Parents continue to park illegally and without due care. Safety is paramount; please refrain from mounting kerbs, blocking driveways, and be wary of pedestrians, both adults and children.

Admissions

If your child has a date of birth between 1st September 2004 and 31st August 2005, have you registered your child for starting school in September 2009? If not, please collect a Reception Common Application Form (RCAF) and booklet from the School Office, or you can apply online at www.kent.gov.uk/ola up until 16th January. The RCAFs can be dropped off at any primary school office, or sent direct to the LA. Please ensure you make the deadline of Friday 16th January.

Term ends on Friday 19th December at 3.15pm, and the school reopens for pupils on Monday 5th January.

Finally, from all at Chartham Primary School, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Diary dates for Term 2 2008

KS1 Play

Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th December at 2.00pm

Reception Christmas Entertainment

Thursday 11th December at 2.00pm

Non-Uniform Day for wrapped plastic and non-alcoholic bottles

Friday 12th December

Christmas Fair

Friday 12th December

KS2 Carol Service