Giles Junior School “Achieving excellence through

Leadership”

Newsletter Spring

Term

17th January

2020

Giles Junior School News

Welcome back and a happy 2020 to everyone! This last two weeks have flown by and I have just about got used to writing the correct year when I date various bits of paper. The children have come back well rested and ready for their learning, the staff at Giles Junior have also had a rest and some time to reflect and we have some exciting announcements regarding new phases to our school improvement. We will be sharing these with you each half term from now on. We are aware the website needs refreshing and updating. Staff are currently working towards having a comprehensive overview for each subject taught. This will include the key learning for the series of lessons, in addition to key themes and vocabulary. We are lucky to have many willing parents who would like to support additional learning at home and we want to assist families with this. As updates take place subject by subject we will inform parents via Twitter and the newsletter to allow parents to review this information as it becomes available. Following on from this, attached to this newsletter will be some information specifically relating to the delivery of PSHE (Physical, Social, Health Education) and Sex Education. This document will outline changes which are due to take place in September 2020. On Wednesday of this week 9 parents (representing year 3-5) came along to the parents forum where I was able to share some of the changes and how Giles Junior will implement this change. I have created a Q&A document based on the conversations which will also be attached to this newsletter. I am sure all parents will be aware of the huge growth in technology allowing children to interact with each other outside of school hours. As a school we have noticed an increasing number of incidents being reported to school. This has escalated to the point where we really hope parents might be able to support us by resolving these incidents at home and take an active role in awareness of how your child uses any technology which allows communication with other pupils or strangers. Archie from 6 Peru has helped me with a “Top Tips” leaflet and I have prepared a more detailed overview of where support can be found. We hope this will be useful and we can reduce the quantity of incidents being reported. Miss. Whitby Headteacher

Chinese New Year Lunch Menu - Tuesday 28th January 2020

On the 28th January we will be having a special themed lunch for Chinese New Year. If your child would like a lunch on this day they would just need to order on the day as usual. Payment can be made on the day via The School Gateway or cash to the office in a clearly marked envelope. The cost of the meal is the usual £2.60. There will still be a yellow and white meal option on this day.

Reminders for the new term

Smiles@Giles - All bookings for the Smiles@Giles After School Club are to be made directly on the new online booking system on the School Gateway, along with payment for the sessions booked.

PGL Trip Year 6 - Please ensure that you are up to date with the monthly instalments for this trip, which started in September. If you need a copy of the letter with the instalment details please ask the school office or check the School Gateway. Parent Post Box - Please can we encourage parents to use our post box in Reception. We have envelopes and pens available to use. Please just mark the envelope clearly with the amount of money, child’s name and what the money is for. Any reply slips from letters can also just be posted. (If change is required, this will be given out for your child to bring home by the end of the day). Application for leave of absence - No time requested during term time will be authorised, unless it is for exceptional circumstances. If you need to request time off, please complete a leave of absence form and hand into the school office (these can be found in the reception area).

School Gateway - Please make payments online for the following: dinner money, swimming, After School Clubs, Breakfast Club, Smiles at Giles (Giles Junior After School Club) and any class trips. Download the School Gateway app

and search Giles Junior School. If you need help in activating your account please call the school office.

Medical Appointments - We require proof for all medical appointments that are within the school day (copy of letter or office to be shown a confirmation txt message). Please can appointments be made after school time, wherever possible. Thank you.

Spring Term 2020 – Dates for your Diary (These dates could be subject to change)

Description Date Time

Year 5&6 girls football match against Peartree @ Giles

Mon 20th Jan 3.15pm - 4.30pm

Year 5&6 boys football match against St Vincent (away)

Fri 24th Jan 3.15pm - 4.45pm

Special Lunch Menu for Chinese New Year Tue 28th Jan Lunchtime

Year 5 Maths Challenge @ Martinswood School Wed 29th Jan 4.00pm - 5.00pm

Year 3&4 football match against Trotts Hill @ Giles Fri 31st Jan 3.15pm - 4.45pm

Year 5&6 boys football match against Peartree @ Giles

Mon 3rd Feb 3.15pm - 4.30pm

Year 5&6 Sports Hall Athletics Tournament Wed 12th Feb 9.00am – 3.30pm

Half Term : 17th – 21st February 2020

First day back after half term Mon 24th Feb 8.50am

Swimming starts again for Australia & Zambia Yr 4 Wed 26th Feb 10.00am - 11.30am

Year 5&6 mixed basketball tournament Thur 27th Feb 9.00am - 3.30pm

School Disco Fri 6th March TBC

Start of Science Week 9-13th March

Mad Science assembly (start of Science Week) Mon 9th March 9.00am

Year 3 Class Open Morning Tue 10th March 9.00am – 9.30am

Year 5&6 Class Open Morning Wed 11th March 9.00am – 9.30am

Year 3&4 mixed tennis tournament Thur 12th March 9.00am – 3.30pm

Year 4 Class Open Morning Fri 13th March 9.00am – 9.30am

Mother’s Day Gifts on sale this week 16th- 20th March

Parents’ Evening Mon 23rd March 5.30pm – 7.00pm

Year 5&6 mixed hockey tournament Wed 25th March 9.00am – 3.30pm

Parents’ Evening Wed 25th March 3.30pm – 6.00pm

Year 3 Merit assembly (for invited parents only) Mon 30th March 9.00am – 9.30am

Year 4 Merit assembly (for invited parents only) Tue 31st March 9.00am – 9.30am

Last swimming session for Australia & Zambia Wed 1st April 10.00am - 11.30am

Year 5&6 Merit assembly (for invited parents only) Wed 1st April 9.00am – 9.45am

Mr Sapsed Dance & Drama end of term production Wed 1st April 5.00pm – 6.00pm

Games Day – Last Day of Term Fri 3rd April 2.00pm – Early Finish

EASTER HOLIDAYS

INSET DAY – SCHOOL CLOSED Mon 20th April 2020

School starts – Summer Term Tue 21st April 8.50am