St Luke's C of E Primary School, Glossop

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

Dear Parents,
We have now managed to catch up with all the postponed Bikeability sessions. The children all did very well and are now much more confident about cycling on the road.
We have been getting excited messages from Mrs Clayton all week! She is in London being trained at the Houses of Parliament in how to teach children about our government and legal system. She is having a fantastic time and learning loads. We are looking forward to hearing all about it. She will then help us develop our teaching. Thank you to Andrew Bingham who told us about the course.
Glossopdale Drama students came into school on Wednesday to perform a show they had developed around friendships and internet safety. The children all enjoyed it and learnt a lot.

There is no clarinet lesson this week for Harriers but they will restart on Friday 3rd February. They will be preparing for their rescheduled concert on Friday 10th February.

This Friday 27th January the Kites are leading our assembly, from what I have seen as I have been walking around school it is looking good. Do come if you can. The Harriers will be leading the assembly on Friday 3rd.

Friday 3rd February is also the date for the PTA disco – very exciting. The theme is characters from films and books, if the children would like to come dressed up that would be great but they don’t have to.

The children have all been given two poems to learn as part of our annual House Verse Speaking Competition. Every year the whole school learns one poem I have chosen and one poem their house has chosen. They then decide as a house how it will be performed. On Friday 10th February they will perform both poems to our esteemed judge. It seems like a lot two poems to learn off by heart but every year the children do it and do it well. Any help you can give your child to learn their poems would be appreciated.

Alice Littlehailes

Dear Parents,
Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help with Friday toast the rota is now filled. If you might be free in the future we are always looking for new toast makers.
I am sorry the snow caused us to cancel so many things it came down at just the wrong time. We have managed to rearrange most of them. We are still working on Kite’s trip but bikeability day two is happening in two groups one today and one tomorrow. The clarinet concert is now on Friday 10th February.
We had a lovely snowy day in school with lots of work done as well as playing out in the snow.

Last week two of our pupils attended The High Peak Kids Council for the first time. This is held in the very grand council chamber at New Mills Town Hall. The children enjoyed the meeting and have brought back some work for us to do around dog fouling and anti-bullying week. This collaborative work is the advantage of being part of PEGS, a group of schools in this area who work together to ensure your children get the best education they can.
The PTA quiz has been postponed to Friday 24th February as it clashed with another event. I hope lots of you will be able to come to this popular event.
Remember the PTA disco is happening on Friday 3rd February 5-6.30pm. The theme is story book and film characters. The children can come dressed up or not.
The staff have been working with Manchester University looking at science teaching and how to help all our children think scientifically. We have looked at the impact of this work and are very pleased with what we are seeing. There is a real buzz about science around school and the children are asking questions and seeking to understand the world around them. I was privileged to see all the children engaged in science lessons enjoying what they were learning.

The Peregrines are leading our Assembly tomorrow 20th and Kites on the 27th, do join us if you can as the children love an audience.

Alice Littlehailes