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.