Here is our last newsletter for this academic year. We have included an updated version of our term dates, including INSET days, for the next (2010/2011) academic year.
Enjoy your summer!
Newsletters
Please find below the link to our last Newsletter of this half-term. The school will be closed from Monday 31st May to Friday 4th June 2010 for the half-term break. Enjoy your holidays!
Dear Parents and Carers
The Christmas Show
It was very unfortunate that we experienced electrical problems this term but ‘the show went on’! All year groups performed magnificent Christmas shows this year, the Christmas lunch was hot and enjoyed by staff and pupils and Santa Claus turned up on cue to the Christmas parties.
The Rose Theatre Carol Concert
The Maple Year 2 and SASM Carol Concert at The Rose Theatre was a lovely event and, hopefully, this is something that will continue over the years. The Maple children and staff always amaze me at the quality they are able to achieve and The Rose Theatre, in particular, showed the Maple pupils at their very best. The Events Manager commented to me that ‘this is the best behaved school we have had here for such an event!’
The New Canopies
I hope that you like the canopies that were installed this term outside Cedar and Rowan class and now the children from Copper Beech and Silver Birch will be able to enter the main school in inclement weather. They will also provide shelter at the beginning and end of each day and opportunities for outdoor learning activities. I am very hopeful that work will begin next term to develop the play area between the two additional classes and that our funds will allow us to continue to develop the playground fencing, gates and seating.
New Year Questionnaires
In the New Year, we will be sending out our annual questionnaires for pupils and parents and it would be wonderful to have a good percentage of returns. We are always seeking to give good, high quality provision at Maple and your views and comments are valued and often give food for thought.
The Christmas Fair
The Christmas Fair was a real success with the added bonus of being able to utilise the SASM hall for extra stalls. Many thanks go to those of you who helped at the Fair and raised so much money to support our school and enable us to purchase high quality resources.
Next Term Starts Tuesday 5th January
Don’t forget that the first day back to school in the New Year is Tuesday 5th January. Monday 4th January is a staff training day. Parent Consultation Days, including the Nursery, will take place during the week commencing 22nd February, when you will be invited to come to meet with your child’s class teacher and book an appointment beforehand.
And Finally …
May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all the staff at Maple!
Liz Robinson
Head Teacher
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
Dear Parents and Carers,
So far, we have had a brilliant start to the school year! The children have all settled in and the staff are as hard working as ever! Now that the weather is getting colder please remember that all children require a warm coat or jacket (named) to wear to school after half-term. Lots of our learning takes place outside and playtimes and lunchtimes are much more comfortable inside a warm coat!
Thank you very much to those of you who have already sent in donations of £25 for our school fund. These donations always enable us to organise visiting performers, musicians etc and make such a difference to the richness of provision at Maple.
As usual, Ed Davey MP is running his annual Christmas Card Competition. The theme is ‘A Magical Christmas in Kingston’. All entries must be received by Friday 6th November. Please see the class notice boards for details. The winner will be invited to have tea with Ed at the House of Commons!