St Luke's C of E Primary School, Glossop

Dear All,
I am so proud of the children and staff here who have had sensible discussions about the events in Manchester. We did have families at the concert but they are all safe. It was great to see them back in school the next day getting on with life as normal and using the school community to support them. We must all remember that the people carrying out such terrorist attacks do not represent any religion or community and only they are to blame. The Muslim community in Manchester is as upset by what happened as any other community and also needs our support.
After the fantastic Take one Picture week last week we are having science week this week. All I can say is Wow! and a huge “thank you” to all the scientists from Manchester University who have come in and shared some of their work with the children. As well as the working scientists, we had a planetarium yesterday, today we have a biologist who is bringing some animals in, and tomorrow to finish the week in style we have Adrian Bowden with his travelling science show.
The Year 4s should have had a letter about continuing to learn an instrument next year after their whole class teaching finishes. It is an opportunity to learn an instrument at a much subsidised rate. I would urge as many people as possible to take up this offer. Please return the letter as soon as possible.
The Year 4s will be playing with The Halle Orchestra and lots of other schools at the Bridgewater Hall on Tuesday 13th June (choir parents do not worry they are able to do both the morning with the orchestra and the afternoon with the choir). I have just found out there may be some tickets available for parents at a cost of £7. If you would like a ticket please let me know this week, send in the money and I will try and get them for you.
The PTA Easter raffle raised an amazing £1,109.58. Well done and thank you to everyone who helped organise, sold tickets, baked or ate cake.
The local speech and language team is launching a new project called Talking Together and their first campaign is around mobile phones. All they are asking us to do is to put away our phones when we pick children up from school so we can greet them and talk about their day with no distractions. I am sure we can all do this.
We have had to change the date and time of Sports day because the cricket tournament now clashes. Sports day will now be Thursday 8th June in the morning. Children can come to school dressed in their PE kit and bring their uniforms to change into. We will aim to start as soon as we can, definitely by 9.30.
The show ‘Eat well for less’ is looking for families to take part; if you are interested in finding out more, the contact details are
Get in touch to apply or find out more!
0117 970 7661 or e-mail: eatwell@rdftelevision.com

We finish for half term on Friday and return to school on Thursday 8th June. I hope you all have a lovely break.
Alice Littlehailes

St Luke’s Newsletter
18.5.17
Dear All,
What a turnaround! we have gone from my least favourite week to one of my favourites. This week is Take one Picture Week when we use the children’s responses to a picture to base all our work on. This year’s picture is Penelope and Her Suitors. On Monday the children worked in their houses and the Year 6s took the lead. A great day was had by all. There has been work about boats, castles, weaving, Greek myths, angles, taking the characters on adventures the range and quality has been amazing.
This week is also walk to school week – so of course it has been rainy. I have been very pleased to see the number of families who have still walked. Let’s see if everyone can walk at least part of the way on Friday.
Today the Year 5s are off to Castleton. I am sure they will find out a lot during this Geography field trip.
Tomorrow 19th May our High Peak kid’s Council representatives are going to New Mills to meet Andrew Bingham (a meeting arranged before the general election was called). This is in preparation for their trip to Parliament next month.
Next week is our science week, and what a week is planned. There will be scientists working with the children on experiments, a planetarium, animals and a science show.
The children in choir brought home a letter on Tuesday detailing all their gigs. Please could you return the slip as soon as possible so we know you have seen it. If the letter has not made it home please ask for another copy.
The PTA is as ever very busy; today is plant pick up day and preparations are well in place for the Family Fun event, incorporating scoot and skate. There will be stalls, bouncy castle, food and loads of other things. If you have a bit of time and would like to help with this event just let us know.
The Peregrines are off to Glossopdale Hadfield site on Wednesday 24th for a sports festival. Please send the permission slip back.
We have a fantastic reason to celebrate we have been awarded Music Excellence Partner status. We are the only school in this part of the county to have this award. It is in recognition of all the work we do, both within the curriculum and outside it, to promote music. Huge congratulations to all the staff and instrumental teachers for this. Remember if your child is interested in learning an instrument just let us know.
Remember the lollypop crossing may not be staffed next week. Derbyshire County Council is hoping to be able to staff it but cannot guarantee it.
Alice Littlehailes

11.5.17
Dear All,
My least favourite week of the year is almost finished – SATs week. The reason I dislike it so much is we are required to make the children sit tests which have little or no impact on them and their future, they are mainly used to judge schools. I am delighted with the calm and purposeful way the children have approached the tests, doing their best but not getting too stressed. This is just what we aim for. We will hopefully let you know how the children have done when they get their reports in July. I say hopefully because some years some schools haven’t had their results until during the summer holidays. We will be back to offering a broad and balanced curriculum next week after a weeks interruption.
Next week we are, as is traditional, having our Take One Picture Week. This is a project run by The National Gallery. Every year they choose a picture and invite schools across the country to make a response to it. The response does not have to be an artistic one but can be anything. I cannot wait to find out what the children will come up with this year. The week after will be science week when we will be celebrating all things scientific.
Next week is also walk to school week when children across the country are encouraged to come to school on foot, bike or scooter. If you need to come by car you could think about parking further away from school and walking some of the way.
This Friday 12th May the Peregrines are leading our assembly do join us if you can. We have had to change the date of the Eagle’s assembly to Friday 23rd June.
There have been a number of concerns raised about dogs. I know a number of you combine picking your child up with walking your dog, which is understandable. Thank you for not bringing them into the playground. Please could you tie them up away from the footpaths both in school and alongside school. I know you feel confident your dog can cope with large number of children walking past them, and possibly interacting with them, but not everyone shares your confidence. Some people are wary of dogs and feel unsafe passing them. Some dogs who are normally calm and passive can become agitated when surrounded by large groups of children and might react. I don’t want anxious dogs or people. My suggestions are if you are meeting an older child you could arrange to meet them near the gates where you can supervise your dog and keep them away from other children, or tie them up somewhere like the fence on the other side of the carpark gate, where gardening club made that lovely spring flower display. I am not a pet owner so do not always have the answer if anyone has better suggestions please let me know.
Tom Rank has let me know that there will be no ICT Club on 22nd May as he is unable to be there.
Remember if you have ordered any plants from the PTA the pick up will be on Tuesday 16th May.
Eagles are off to Castleton next week, 18th May, if you haven’t sent in your permission slip yet please do so as soon as possible.
Alice Littlehailes

4.5.17
Dear All,
I hope you had a lovely bank holiday weekend. This one always feels strange when Easter is late but a three day weekend is always a lovely treat.
Thank you to the parents who sent in a petition following the consultation about and decision to change the colour of the school uniform. The points raised had been considered in the decision making process. Please be reassured it was a genuine consultation and the points raised in favour and against were carefully considered. I am sorry the decision that was made does not please everyone, but it was never going to.
Thank you to everyone who has sent in Sainsbury’s vouchers, we have never collected them before as there isn’t a very local one but we now have enough to be able to order something. We are going to use the vouchers for cookery club. If you have any or know anyone who has any we would love you to send them in.
Tomorrow, 5th May, Kites will be leading our assembly and on Friday 12th Peregrines will be taking the lead. Do join us if you can.
Kim our crossing patrol (lollipop lady) will be away from 18th May to 11th June. There may not be anyone crossing the children over the road during this period.
Remember there will be no clubs except PAS on Tuesday 9th May as the staff all have training.
The next PTA meeting is on Wednesday 10th May 7.30 at the Cricket Club

The children are all very excited about science and this event will further feed this excitement.
The University of Manchester Community Festival on 17 June: (open to all) 11-3pm
Come and experience our free Community Festival packed with fun family-friendly interactive activities. We are throwing open our doors for our local neighbours to discover the variety of things we do. Go behind the scenes at the University to find out all about our work and get hands-on with our exciting activities. More information at:
http://www.socialresponsibility.manchester.ac.uk/strategic-priorities/engaging-our-communities/public-events/community-festival-/
Alice Littlehailes