September 2018

Welcome back to another school year, especially to those starting our school for the very first time! This first newsletter will outline some of the main details you need to be aware of.

KEY DATES

Wednesday 31 October – Friday 2 November (inclusive) – Hallowe’en Holiday.

Monday 5 November – Staff Development Day (no pupils)

All key dates are available on the school website (www.gibsonps.co.uk – under Parents then School Closures).

Year Group Parent meetings have been organised to give parents an opportunity to meet with their child’s new class teacher and learn more about what to expect this year. Your attendance at these is greatly appreciated. The following dates have been arranged:

Language Units – Friday 21 September @ 9.30am

Year 1 – Wednesday 19 September @ 1.15pm

Year 2 – Monday 10 September @ 2.15pm

Year 3 – Tuesday 11 September @ 2.15pm

Year 4 – Wednesday 12 September @ 3.15pm

Year 5 – Tuesday 11 September @ 3.15pm

Year 6 (Mrs Jobb & Mrs Black) – Monday 10 September @ 3.15pm

Year 7 (Mrs Jobb & Mrs Irwin) – Thursday 13 September @ 2.15pm

School starts at 9.00am each day.

Breakfast Club begins at 8.15am at a cost of £1 per day and runs every day school is open. No child should be in school before 8.40am unless attending breakfast club. School doors will NOT be open before 8.40am as we cannot guarantee supervision before this time.

Dinners still cost £2.60 per day / £13.00 per week. Please send this in a clearly marked envelope on a Monday. Envelopes are available to buy from the school office priced £2.00. The new dinner menu has been sent out today along with this news sheet.

If you think your child may be entitled to a free school meal you must apply even if you were in receipt of a free meal last year.

We have some pupils with a severe NUT ALLERGY in school. It is essential that no nuts or products containing nuts are sent into school at any time.

PE kits should be sent into school as soon as possible. Please remember jewellery should not be worn on PE days. Any child wearing jewellery will not be allowed to participate for health and safety reasons.

Entrance to School – All Year 1 and Year 2 pupils should enter the school via the main entrance and access their classrooms via the playground. Year 3 – 7 pupils should use the walkway.

School records are being updated, please ensure any changes to -

• your contact details
• medical information
• transport arrangementsWe will be asking parents to fill in new permission slips regarding some areas due to new GDPR compliance issues. These slips will be sent home in the coming weeks, I would ask that they are returned promptly to school as this helps with our planning and organisation.
• are passed to the office as soon as possible.

Tissues – We would appreciate it if you could send a box of tissues in with your child at the start of term

Attendance – If your child is absent please contact the school via telephone on the first day of their absence and send a note of explanation to the class teacher on their return.

As Educational Welfare monitor pupils’ attendance we will be sending a letter to any pupil whose attendance drops below 85% requesting information regarding their absences. Unfortunately, this may result in a referral to Educational Welfare.

Lost property can be frustrating. Please ensure all –

• uniform and coats
• PE kits and trainers
• lunch boxes etc

are clearly labelled. This makes it easier for us to return lost items quickly.

AQE Tests for Year 7 children hoping to transfer to Omagh Academy take place in November but registration for these tests closes on Friday 7 September. Forms are available at Omagh Academy.

After School Activities for Year 4 – 7 will be commencing in the coming weeks. We are also looking at the possibility of some activities for Year 2 & 3 pupils this term. More details will be sent home in the coming days.

Late Class – Please send in money for Late Class to the school office on Fridays for the following week. This helps ensure there is no confusion or potential for it to become mixed with dinner money which is sent in on Mondays. Thanks.

Policies – As in previous years a number of policies and procedures will be sent home in the coming days. These include:

• Child Protection Policy
• Pastoral Care Leaflet
• Promoting Positive Behaviour Leaflet
• Internet Safety Leaflet
• Parental Complaints Procedure

Copies of these policies and more are also available on the school website. Please look through these carefully and keep for future reference. If you’ve any queries, please contact Mr Sterritt.

Car Parking – This was highlighted as an area of concern in your responses to the parental questionnaire. I will be writing to you with more detail in the coming days; however, if we are to improve this situation we need the support of ALL those who use the car park. Parking spaces at the bottom of the car park MUST be used first.

Charity Fundraiser – We are planning on holding our Annual Charity Fundraiser on Tuesday 30 October. One of our selected charities this year is the NI Air Ambulance. We will have further details in the coming weeks.

Christmas Carol Service – Once again we are planning on holding our Annual Carol Service in St Columba’s Church of Ireland on Monday 17 December at 7.00pm.

Swimming Lessons – Mrs Black’s Year 6 class commence swimming lessons on Wednesday 5 September. A letter has been sent home today and a speedy response would be appreciated.

School Dinner Menu – Due to changes in the dinner menu soup and sandwiches are not included on the menu; however, they will be served each Monday, Wednesday and Friday along with the items listed on the existing menu.

A copy of this menu has been sent home with your child today and is available on the school website.