Monthly Archive for November, 2009

Dear Parents and Carers,

You will probably all be aware that we have installed a security system at the front gate and from the car park into the Nursery playground. A few parents in the past have pointed out the lack of security at the front of school so I’m sure you will all be pleased with the new arrangements. The front gate will be opened for access to the office and Nursery at peak times but anyone coming at other times must press the central button on the top panel to gain access.

This year for the first time we are having a joint SASM/Maple Christmas Carol Concert at The Rose Theatre and we are all very excited about it. The Year 2 children and the SASM choir will join together to perform on 15th December at 1.30pm. Tickets will be available from the office and details will be sent out shortly. Much preparation is being made for the event which is being organised by our Music coordinator Mrs Brownsell and SASM coordinator Mrs Bennett. Unfortunately, as a result, we have been unable to sing in Surbiton and Kingston this year at the turning on of the Christmas lights due to the fact that Mrs Brownsell has only just recently returned from her maternity leave and preparations for The Rose event have taken precedence.. Next year the Maple choir will be out and about as usual at the local Christmas events!

It is looking highly unlikely that the area between Silver Birch and Copper Beech classes will be resurfaced and developed before Christmas, as mentioned in my previous newsletter, but we have every intention of proceeding with this project as soon as funding is available. The development of Outdoor Learning is high on our priorities in our School Development Plan this year, as is provision for the more able children, Assessment for Learning and the close monitoring of the performance of all groups of pupils in order to provide high quality intervention programmes when necessary. Again, as previously mentioned, the work has begun to replace the old playground canopies with new ones; when installed the canopies will provide shelter for families at drop off and pick up and further opportunities for pupil Outdoor Learning. Thank you all for being so patient whilst this work was being carried out and, hopefully it will be completed over the next few weeks.

We had a very good parental participation at our recent Cygnet ‘Taster Session’. Many of you said that you enjoyed having the opportunity of seeing the children at lunchtime and I am sure that the children enjoyed having you there. Next year we have plans to improve our Hall space and are considering how we can transform the space into a more welcoming dining area. Any suggestions you may have will be much appreciated and when we send out our annual questionnaires in the New Year, your comments on this will be noted.

Liz Robinson
Head Teacher