I hope you had a great summer, and we look forward to welcoming pupils back to school on Wednesday. I am just writing with some key reminders and updates, making for a smooth start to the year.

 

Attendance Matters

 

We want every child to be a HERO - 

Here Every day Ready On time 

(minutes late to school are minutes lost from learning) 

 

Gates continue to open at 8.35am, and it is expected every child has passed through by the time they are closed (8.45am). Children who arrive after this must enter via reception and are subsequently marked as late; parents and carers must also complete a confidential late-book entry before leaving. Registration closes at 9.00am, when unexplained absences are automatically recorded as unauthorised.

 

Please contact the school when your child is absent to explain the reason. 

 

The NHS is clear you can send your child to school with a cold, cough, headache, sore throat or stomach ache if they do not have a fever; cold sore or head lice, but please let us know, so we can look after them. If you are not sure, send them to school anyway as they often improve following registration and we would contact you should their symptoms become more concerning.

 

Lateness patterns and unauthorised absences trigger a communication from the headteacher. Failure to improve or non-engagement with the school in offering support can lead to involving the Local Authority Attendance Officer and even legal sanctions.

 

You can be fined for taking your child on holiday during term time without the school’s permission.

 

The guidance surrounding penalty notices has recently been changed.

 

Calendar

 

Upcoming events for the year ahead have already been added to the calendar on our website. Please note the house winning most credits last half term (Wonderland) can wear their colour on Friday.

 

Church Worship

 

When Rev Chris returns from his sabbatical in October, we should resume attending worship in church first thing every Monday. Parents and carers are very welcome to join us.

 

Extreme Reading

 

This summer, I have once again been challenging the children to do some extreme reading.

 

Here is what they need to do:

 

• Pick a book.
• Find an extreme but safe place to read it, like in another country, on a bus or with an animal.
• Ask their parent or carer to photograph them and email us (admin@northaw.herts.sch.uk), or they can bring a copy to school after the summer holiday.

 

Photographs will be used both for a display by my room and on our website.

 

Invitations and Presents

 

Invitations to parties and presents for classmates, e.g. birthday sweets or home baking, cannot be accepted by staff for distribution in school.

 

Healthy Snacks

 

Parents and carers are welcome to send their child to school with a snack for break; however, healthy choices are strongly recommended for this point in the day.

 

Managing Medicines

 

We can only administer non-prescription medicines when they have been recommended by a professional, e.g. GP, and written consent has been provided beforehand.

 

Parking Considerations

 

Please avoid parking opposite the school given the dangers this poses to our children.

 

School Uniform

 

Expectations regarding school uniform have recently been clarified.

 

No child should wear hair dye, jewellery, make-up, nail varnish or temporary tattoos to school.

 

Who's Who

 

And finally, Miss Kirk is now Mrs Jones-Lloyd - many congratulations.