Welcome Back

Welcome to the first newsletter of the school year.

We have had a very busy start to the term and the children have settled really well into their new classes.

Last week we had our “Welcome Assembly” when we “officially” welcomed 31 children into our Reception Class and 4 children into other classes in the school. We also welcomed two new members of staff, Mrs Akhtar who is a teaching assistant working in Y6 and Miss Ashton, our new Reception Class teacher.

I would also like to welcome Miss Mc Grath to the staff. She is working as a teaching assistant in Y1 and Y2 this term.

Throughout the school year we like to use the skills of specialists to enhance the curriculum provision we offer to your children. Miss Geelan, our music teacher continues to work with our pupils on a Wednesday. Miss Binns, our French teacher, is now doing a short French session with our Y2 class as well as the lessons she does with all of our junior classes. David Woo, a specialist karate coach comes into school each Tuesday afternoon and works with Y1 and Y2. The children love these additional experiences and we will continue to provide them whenever we can.

Well Done Assembly

Every three weeks we hold our Well Done Assembly. Each class teacher nominates up to four children for their good work, their attitude to learning or their good behaviour. They are given a sticker and a postcard to take home and the whole school is told about their achievement.

We would like to have a Well Done Book to record these achievements and need someone who enjoys handwriting or calligraphy to volunteer to record the Well Done nominations.

Would you be willing to take on this task? If so contact Mrs Lancashire at school.

Reminders:School Car Park

Please remember for safety reasons parents should not use the school car park unless they have written permission from the Headteacher.

If you drive into the car park and down Blackley Close at the beginning or end of the day you are posing a risk to our children.

Whilst we work on road safety with the children they do not always take care on Blackley Close so please avoid parking there . Please keep the corner of Chadderton Drive and Parr Lane clear so that the Crossing Patrol has a clear view down both roads.

This year special permits have been issued for the use of the car park.
Only three permits have been issued and staff will challenge anyone using the car park without permission.

Class Assemblies

Class assemblies will take place on the following dates:

• Wed 3rd Oct at 9.10am Y6
• Wed 17th Oct at 9.10am Y5
• Wed 14th Nov at 9.10am Y2

Refreshments will be served after each assembly

How Will School Be Providing PPA time For Teachers This Year?

From September 2005 teachers have been entitled to guaranteed time for planning, preparation and assessment (PPA time). This works out at 10% of the school day—approximately 2.5 hours a week.

The following arrangements have been put into place both to ensure that we meet the requirements of the remodelling agreement but more importantly to ensure we provide high quality teaching and learning experiences for our pupils.

PPA time will be provided for each class in the following ways:

YR Mrs Stern will teach YR on Thursdays.

Y1 and Y2 We have secured further funding to continue the work with our partner schools in the Music Collaborative. This means that we welcome back our specialist music teacher, Miss Katie Geelan. She will teach at Unsworth each Wednesday and will teach Y1 and Y2. Miss Geelan also teaches other classes during the day she is with us but that is not part of the PPA provision for those classes.

Y3 and Y4 Miss Helen Binns (Le Club Francais) will continue to teach French to Y3 and Y4. The lessons will take place on Friday mornings. Mrs Porter and Mr Brown will also take Y3 or Y4 for one of their science lessons.

Y5 and Y6 A specialist sports coach has been appointed to teach Y5 and Y6 for part of Friday afternoon. The French teaching with Miss Binns has also been extended to include Y5 and Y6. Miss Binns will take Y5 and Y6 for French also on Friday afternoon.

PTA AGM

The PTA AGM was held this week in the school hall. The following parents were elected to committee positions:-

• Joint Chairpersons: Mandy Naughton and Helen Berrisford
• Treasurer: Rachel Mee
• Secretary: Lily Frazer

This term we have arranged a number of events and fundraisers including the 100 Club, the “Hogwarts Disco”, Christmas cards and calendar and photographs and DVDs of the Christmas productions.

Next PTA meeting will be Wed 17th October at 7.30pm at the Queen Anne Pub.

Reception 2008

Is your child due to start school in September 2008? If so you need to put their name down on our list NOW!

Children born between 1st September 2003 and 31st August 2004 will start school in September 2008.

Priority places go to siblings of children already in school. The deadline for applications to the Local Authority is 14th December 2007.

We are having Open Days for Reception Class 2008 on the following days and times:-

• Friday 12th Oct at 9.30am
• Wed 24th Oct at 2.30pm
• Fri 9th Nov at 9.30am

Please contact Mrs Lancashire at school to put your child’s name down or to attend one of the Open Days.

Other Notices

We are currently collecting TESCO sports vouchers. Please send them in with your child. The collection box is in the school hall. Thank you for the vouchers you collected for ICT equipment. We have ordered and received various items including digital cameras, a scanner, two DVD players, headphones, mice and software.

Children using the Before and After School Club need a written letter from parents if going home with someone else.

We were informed recently that we have won £500 in a prize draw held at WH Smith. Thanks to Karen Barr, a former parent, for entering the school.
School ties now cost £2.25 for elasticated and £2.50 for straight ties.