Newsletter 3 Spring 2010

INSET Days

School will be closed to pupils on.

Monday 15th March
All school staff will be receiving further training in First Aid and Child Protection

Friday 28th May
Teachers will be working and discussing effective assessment and reporting of children's progress.

On-going learning is a key part of our school with everyone, children and adults encouraged to build on existing knowledge and skills and learn new things too! We are privileged at St Matthew's to have a team of highly skilled professional staff. As well as the statutory "inset days," teachers attend and, indeed, lead training sessions both in and out of school time. These sessions are focused on helping us to continue to improve what we do to help the children with their learning. They also enable our school to be involved in special projects such as one-to one tuition, Every Child a Reader, Tune Up and Every Child Counts which are of great benefit to the children.

Parents evenings

Monday 1st March 3.30pm - 6.00pm
Wednesday 3rd March 5.30pm - 8.00pm

(Years 5 & 6 have additional times on Tuesday 2nd March 3.30pm - 6.00pm so that parents can meet with maths and literacy group teachers as well as the class teacher.)

Please make sure your child has given you a letter and booking slip for parents evening. In order to make it easier and fairer for all parents to make an appointment to meet with your child's teacher, parents are asked to indicate on the slip your preferred day and time slot rather than the previous system of signing lists outside the classrooms. Your confirmed appointment time will be sent to parents the week after half term.

The expectation is that all parents come to these opportunities to discuss your child's progress with their teacher . It really does benefit your child. We would request that separated parents come together - this helps both parents to hear the same information and also ensures there are enough appointment slots for everyone.

SICKNESS BUGS

During this last couple of weeks there have been a lot of tummy bugs, vomiting and diarrhoea. If your child has been sick they must stay off school for 48 hours. This is for the well-being of your child and everyone else. Please, too, could parents again impress upon the children the importance of washing their hands, especially after using the toilet and before eating.

IDEAS FOR EASTER AND HOLIDAYS

Please make sure you child has given you the new YELLOW MOON catalogue which is full of great craft activities and fun ideas to keep your children busy. Lots of parents have found this a useful and reasonably priced source of activities and presents. It is also a means by which everyone can contribute to our school.

For every purchase you make from Yellow Moon catalogue our school will receive up to 25% cash-back so the more you, friends and family order, the more cash-back the school will receive to buy things for your child . Browse through the catalogue and you will see hundreds of quality creative products and toys.

How to order!

Place your order direct by phone, fax, post or online (details on page 3 of your catalogue )
Yellow Moon will send your products direct to your door.

IMPORTANT - when placing your order, please remember to quote the unique code (SST3161) on the front of the catalogue to ensure the cash-back amount is attributed to St. Matthew's School.

Year 6 trip to Carroty Wood

Activity Centre
Monday 4th - Wednesday 6th October

The children currently in Year 5 are already excited about next year's residential trip. The 2010 trip is a new and exciting venture for St Matthew's School. Not only will we be staying at a centre less than one hour's journey from Redhill, but also the focus will be on enjoying a range of outdoor and adventurous activities. The provisional programme includes BMX cycling, climbing, abseiling, high ropes, swimming. All these activities are led by fully qualified instructors at the centre, supported, of course by our own teachers. The activities can be adapted to suit the needs and abilities of the children so that everyone is included and can enjoy the fun. The programme of exciting activities is planned to develop teamwork and social skills and to build children's confidence and independence.

We would like all the children in next year's Year 6 to come! Letters were given to Year 5 children on Monday. To book your place please return the reply slip and deposit of £20.00 by next Friday 12th February.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

February
 Mon 8th  AM Yr 2 Visit to Redhill Methodist Church
 Thur 11th  Home Football Match vs Sandcross
 Mon 15th - Fri 19th  Half Term Holiday
 Tue 23rd  Away Football Match v Royal Alexandra & Albert
 Fri 26th  9:00am - Parent Voice Coffee Morning
March
 Mon 1st  3.30pm - 6pm Parents evening
 Wed 3rd  5.30pm - 8pm Parents evening
 Thu 11th  7.30pm - Governors Children & Learning committee
 Fri 12th  8:45am - Governors Resource Committee
 Sun 14th  10am - Mothering Sunday Service at St Matthew’s Church
 Mon 15th  INSET Day – SCHOOL CLOSED
 Mon 22nd  7.30pm - Governors Meeting
 Tue 23rd  Rec, KS1 & KS2 Easter Story Production.
 Tue 30th  10am - Easter Service at St Matthew’s Church. All are welcome.
 Wed 31st  End of Term - school closes at 2.30pm
April
 Mon 19th  8.50am - Children return to school
 Mon 26th & Tue 28th  Yr 5 Bikeability
 Wed 28th  Yr 5 trip to Preston Manor & Brighton Museum
May
 Mon 10th - Fri 14th  Yr 6 SATS
 Fri 14th  Yr 3 – Wisley - RHS
 Mon 17th  Choir to perform at Music Festival at Dorking Halls 4.30 rehearsal; 7pm concert
 Thur 20th  11am choir to sing at Welcare Celebration at St Matthews’ Church
 Fri 28th  Inset Day - SCHOOL CLOSED
 Mon 31st - Fri 4th June  Half term holiday
June
 Mon 7th - Fri 11th  Yr 6 Bikeability
 Mon 21st - Fri 25th  Yr 6 Bikeability
 Mon 28th  Governors Meeting
 Tue 29th  Induction Day for new pupils starting in Sept 2010. Current pupils will also spend time with their next teacher for Sept 2010. Yr 6 pupils will visit their secondary schools.
July
 Fri 9th  School Reports sent home to parents
 Mon 12th  3.45pm - 5.45pm. Informal parents evening to look at children’s work; meet with your child’s current and future teachers
 Wed 14th & Thu 15th  School play
 Fri 16th  Yr 6 visit Leavers’ Service at Southwark Cathedral
 Mon 19th  Sports Day
 Tue 20th  Reserve day for sports (in case of wet weather on Monday)
 Thu 22nd  10am Leavers Service at St Matthew’s Church.
 Fri 23rd  10am Leavers Service at St Matthew’s Church.