Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School
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School Newsletter - September 2013

 School Newsletter - September 2013


Dear Parents,

Last week interviews took place to appoint a new Head Teacher for Lourdes Primary and I was privileged  to be given the opportunity to take up this post.

As the new Head Teacher I intend to work in partnership with you  to continue to improve the experience for your child in every aspect of his / her education in nursery and primary school.

Lourdes Primary School  is already a good school and the staff and myself are committed to  this improvement.

Over the next few months I intend to communicate with you in different ways so that you too can contribute towards improving our school.

 

Regards,

Maureen Simpson

 Head Teacher

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Date for your Diary 

Thursday 5th September  Evening Times Photographer

10.30 a.m.

Meet the Teacher/Triple P -    Tuesday 10th September  

Friday 20th September -  Hopscotch Theatre a.m.

                          Fire / Ambulance / Police

 

Sponsored Bounce -    Friday 11th October

 


Improvement Plan 

Every year the school produces an Improvement Plan for the school which is approved by the Authority. This year our plan includes:

Assessment

Self Evaluation

Continuous Professional Development

How Nurturing Is Our School

 

The aim of each area of improvement is to raise attainment in our school.


 


Staff Training 

The staff have been attending a number of training sessions both in and out of school over the last 3 weeks. This is not a new initiative. Class Teachers are expected to spend a minimum of 35 hours in the school year committed to Continued Professional Development  over and above the 35 hour week. In addition a few courses may be provided by the Authority during the school day but for each individual teacher or Support Staff this would probably be no more than 1 day in the school year. All other courses are after school or during our In Service Days.

As a staff we have taken part in Self Evaluation, How Nurturing is our School and ICT. Staff have also been attending their own choice of courses in the evening.

 

Our Support Staff have also been attending training after school.

 


Attendance and Punctuality

An improvement has been noticed regarding the number of children arriving for school on time.  Letters will be sent to families of children who are regularly coming to school late as this impacts on the learning of all the children due to the level of interruption within the classroom.

 

Questionnaire / Parents’ Views

 

 

Many thanks to all of you who have completed the questionnaires and for giving us feedback regarding a number of issues. There is still time to take part in this exercise so please return the questionnaire by Friday 6th September.

Please see below information regarding the number of responses so far and the range of issues that were raised. Further detail will be issued to you as soon as possible and a number of Parent Focus Groups will be set up as a result. All the findings will be shared with you , the staff and the  Parent Council.

Stage / Number of Children

Number of Questionnaires returned

Number of Comments

Pr 2      /    60

TBC

TBC

Pr 3     /    60

30

12

Pr 4      /   61

33

12

Pr 5     /    56

34

16

Pr 6     /   57

33

13

Pr 7     /    45

24

11

Room 8

 Details to follow

Room 16

Details to follow

 

 

 

The issues of concern varied and these will be prioritised and will be addressed in a number of ways e.g. Staff Meetings, Reviewing Policies, Parent Council, Parent Focus Groups and further questionnaires.

 

 

 

Concerns raised included:

Parent Evenings                         School Meals

Homework                               Reporting To Parents

Health and Safety                      Bullying

Playground                              Learning and Teaching

Parking                                  School Trips

School Website                         After School Clubs

Communication                          ICT Resources

 

 

 

 

A number of positive comments were also made which helps too in letting us know when or where we are making improvements.

 

 

Holiday Dates

September Weekend /  In Service Day 

School Closed Thursday 26th September 2013 –

School re-opens   Tuesday 1st October                     

 

October Week 

School Closed on Monday 14th October  2013

School re-opens on Monday 21st October  2013

                       

Christmas Holidays

School Closed Monday 23rd December 2013

 

School reopens Monday 6th January 2014

 


After School Activities 

Our After school activities have started with:

Zumba Pr 5 and 6

Basketball Pr 6

Hockey Pr 4 and 5

 

Running Club Pr 5

 

 

P.E. Kit Reminder 

Children should wear a white or blue polo shirt, P.E. shorts or jogging trousers for P.E. We are hoping to purchase some polo shirts etc to have in school for any child to borrow if they forget their kit so that all the children can participate in the lesson.