St Luke's C of E Primary School, Glossop

St Luke’s Newsletter
23.2.17
Dear Parents,
I hope you all had a good, if wintery week off. It is lovely to see everyone back. Miss Byron hasn’t come back yet as she has had an operation. Everything went well and she is hoping to be back in a few weeks. Whilst she is off Mr Warburton is stepping into her shoes, the heels really suit him. He knows the children well so their learning will continue as normal.
The first week back has been a busy one. Our representatives have attended the High peak Kids Council and come back with a long list of things for the Pupil Parliament and me to do. Being part of PEGS has given our children so much already.
Some children have enjoyed a workshop with The Northern Ballet. They all joined in and produced some lovely movements. The staff then gave up their Wednesday evening to attend their own workshop at Buxton Opera House to help develop their dance teaching. All this is part of the preparation for the Peak Dance Festival. The Merlins and Ospreys are preparing their dances to perform on the stage at Buxton Opera House on Monday 20th March. Tickets for this are available from Buxton Opera House Box Office.
Tonight at 6pm is the parents meeting for Eagles in preparation for their trip to Whitby.
Tomorrow, Friday 24th February the Eagles are visiting Glossopdale. They are meeting at the Hadfield site with their PE kits at 9.10 and will then walk back to school for lunch.
The Girl’s football league starts this Friday, we hope all the girls participating enjoy it.
Friday is also the PTA quiz there are still tickets available from the school office.
On Sunday the choir are taking part in the Education Sunday service at St Luke’s Church. If they could meet us there in uniform at 9.45. The service should finish at about 11.15.
Next week the Eagles will be walking across to St Philip Howard School for a visit on Tuesday 28th, again they will need their PE kits.
It is World Book Day on Thursday 2nd March if your child would like to come to school dressed as a literary character they can but they do not have to.
Friday 3rd March is the PTA film night. The PTA have reviewed the event following the first film night and this one will be straight after school so children can stay at school and go to the film. The event finishes at 5.15 and children can be picked up from the hall door. The cost will be £1.50 on the door. The ticket includes a drink and some popcorn.
On Monday 6th the Harriers have been invited to Gamesley Primary School to take part in a Dixieland workshop with their clarinets. Watch this space for details.
I finally have the date for the last INSET day of the year Monday 24th April. Sorry it has taken so long I have been waiting for trainers to get back to me.
Alice Littlehailes

9.2.17
Dear Parents,
I cannot believe half term is almost upon us! Where is this year going?
I need to raise again issues around drop off and pick up times. These times of the day are very tricky, a lot of people are using the same space in different ways and everyone has somewhere else to be so they are hurrying and distracted. These times are therefore the times our children are most vulnerable. Please can everyone be extra vigilant, drive extra slowly and park extra considerately. The times I am talking about are not just about the normal school day but also out of school activities. There was a near miss on Disco night when a child was almost run over. At the moment I allow parents cars into the car park for club pick up events but am considering the wisdom of this. I would welcome anyone’s thoughts.
The disco was a very successful night raising £382, thank you to everyone who helped.
I am very pleased that we have managed to organise I trial of online payments starting after half term. If you have not received the information about this please ask for another copy.
Today is bug busting day when we try and clear the school of head lice. Your child should be bringing home a detection comb and a letter about this. I am looking forward to seeing lots of lovely shiny hair tomorrow as everyone will have had their hair washed and checked.
If you are paying music teachers for lessons please try and send the correct amount as they often do not have change and neither do we.
Tuesday was internet safety day and the whole school has been learning about how to stay safe online. The internet is a wonderful thing but like anything we have to learn to use it safely. Out of the fabulous discussions the children have had some things have emerged I think you need to know about. Children are playing games such as Call of Duty without their parents knowing. Some children are using gaming platforms which pose some risks:
Roblox allows you to create your own games or play games others have made and chat online to other players. Children like it because it is fun, entertaining and creative. It is risky because players are open to inappropriate comments and are essentially sharing information with strangers.
Musical.ly and Live.ly are free social media music apps where users can watch user generated lip sync video, and create video themselves lip-syncing or dancing to music. Children like it because it is fun and easy to use and share. Risks include 18+ content, interacting with strangers, potential bullying and inability to be private – even videos from deleted accounts remain on the public database.
All social media apps pose risks. Be very aware of Ask.fm, Kik, Snapchat, Whisper and Yik Yak, all of which encourage the sharing of personal information with people users don’t know. The NSPCC Online Safety website is an excellent source of further information.
Have a lovely half term see you on Monday 20th February.
Alice Littlehailes

Dear Parents,
The children have all been very excited this week about the change 4 life app! You can use it to scan bar codes and find out how much sugar, fat and salt are in the product. I have to admit it is very addictive. The children should have brought home some information about it. If the little yellow pack didn’t make it home there are some spares in the entrance hall.
I am so sorry both key Stage 1 and drama clubs have had to be cancelled tonight, both Mrs Hillier and myself are on training and there was nobody else who could cover them. We are also going to have to cancel Arts and Crafts club on Tuesday next week, 7th Feb, as Mr Warburton will be at Sports Hall athletics with the team and may well not get back in time. We always try to keep clubs running but unfortunately on some occasions we are just not able to.
The clarinet teacher tells me there are some spaces available for children wanting to learn the clarinet. If your child is in Y3 upwards and would be interested in lessons call in at the office for more information.
The Harriers are leading our assembly tomorrow, 3rd February, and they would love an audience. The week after, Friday 10th, they will be performing again when they treat us to the postponed clarinet concert.
The quiz night is scheduled for Friday 24th February, tickets £3 per person, with the option of ordering a chippy supper for the interval (please pay in advance when purchasing tickets). Teams of up to 6 members, but no need to arrange in advance. Bring a bottle (alcohol or non), glasses provided.
The quiz night is usually a good humoured night and one of the few the PTA organise for adults only. So why not book that sitter and come along! Tickets on sale now from the school office.

There will be a meeting on Thursday 23rd February 6pm for the parents of Harriers to talk about the Whitby trip.

Tomorrow is disco day 5-6.30.
Remember we finish for half term on Friday 10th February and return to school on Monday 20th.

Alice Littlehailes