March 2008

Voluntary Contributions

Cheques are better than cash!

Blockbuster Videos!

An Inspector Calls!

No buses for ages and then three come at once!

Got a car to share? Want a lift to School?

Parentmail.co.uk

Mothers' Day Success

Admissions for Shenfield High School and Brentwood County High School

Your assistance please

Mobile Phones and Texting Trial

School Nurse

On your bike

A special invitation

A warmer reception

Hands on buzzers...!

Got a voucher?

Child not coming to school?

Dates!

Voluntary Contributions

 

Just a word of thanks to the vast majority of you that willingly respond to our requests for voluntary contributions. We know that sending a child to school is an expensive business and we try to keep our costs down wherever possible.  With regards to trips, swimming lessons and other "experiences" we do rely on parents' contributions.  If you do not  pay then the events will not happen.  Please continue to support us.

 

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Cheques are better than cash!

 

Our office takes a lot of parents' contributions each day and it is extremely hard when the money comes in the form of cash.  So, where possible, please send cheques!  If you need to send cash please place it in a sealed envelope with your child's name clearly written on the front.

 

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Blockbuster Videos!

 

Mr Argent from St Thomas' Church has written to thank all of you who purchased a copy of the Christmas play videos/DVDs.  Mr Argent makes no profit from the recording and as such can send a donation each year to Leukaemia Research.  This year he sent £234.  Over the years he has raised an incredible £14,258!!

 

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An Inspector Calls!

 

Following our recent OfSTED inspection we are now due an inspection from the Church of England on March 17th.  I need a group of parents to speak to the inspector; if you can help please call reception (01277 223651) or send an e-mail (thehead-teacher @hotmail.co.uk)

 

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No buses for ages and then three come at once!

 

Great news about buses!  Well done to everyone who has been involved in this work.  Three buses will run every day from after Easter.  Please support these buses as we  look for further routes in the future.  Please speak to Mrs Carvell or Mrs Lawrence (in reception) for further details.

 

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Got a car to share? Want a lift to School?

 

Save money!  Reduce traffic and pollution!  Make new friends!  There are a number of parents that would like to investigate car sharing and we are happy to facilitate this.  If you would like to write an open letter to other parents, we can distribute your letter to the parents that live near you.  Make sure you include contact details.

 

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Parentmail.co.uk

 

We use parentmail to send all general newsletters and letters to parents.  Please send us an email if you would like to join this service: stthomasjnr@hotmail.com

 

 

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Mothers' Day Success

 

We raised a fantastic £866 at the sale and cafe this month.  We hope you enjoyed the day (and your presents!).  Well done to the PTA for organising this event. Thank you for your on-going support.  We are well on the way to raising the money for our anniversary garen and wind-turbine.  We should be installing a plasma screen for general information in our reception area very soon.

 

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Admissions for Shenfield High School and Brentwood County High School

 

From next year we will be a named school for admission to these two secondary schools in Brentwood.  This is going to help parents of year 5 children wanting to attend either school.

 

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Your assistance please

 

I am looking to recruit more Midday Assistants.  If you are interested please let me know. It is a great way to help the school, improve lunchtimes for children and earn money.

 

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Mobile Phones and Texting Trial

 

We are trialling a "texting" service over the next few weeks.  Our school office will be sending messages to parents by text.  Please let us know how you find this service.  If you are not receiving messages then perhaps we do not have an up-to-date number.

 

This could be a great way to keep in touch with quick messages: e.g. "football club is cancelled" and so on.  It will also be a way of quickly sending you reminders to get in touch if your child is ill.  Similarly you can let us know where your child is: e.g. "doctor's appointment - will be late!" by sending us text messages.

 

A reminder: Children are not allowed mobile phones in school.  Please do not let your children bring them.   Any child using a phone on the school premises will have it confiscated.

 

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School Nurse

 

On the first Friday of every month, the school nurse, Teresa O'Dowdall, will be running a drop-in afternoon in the school library.  Any St Thomas' parent can attend and making an appointment for your child is easy - just send an e-mail to teresa.o'dowdall@swessexpct.nhs.uk or, if you prefer, you can just drop in.  Teresa can help you and your child with:

    *    development issues from growth concerns to bedwetting

    *    sight and hearing tests

    *    head lice problems

    *    diet advice and other parental help

    *    any other health issues, including making referrals to other specialists.

 

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On your bike

 

  I hope that this year at least 18 of our year 6 children will be able to undertake a cycling profiency course in the Summer Term.  Even more children will be able to take part if we get a few more people willing to help as "instructors".  Full training is provided.  Please get in touch if you would like to chat it through: the head-teacher@hotmail.co.uk

 

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A special invitation

 

 As usual our parents' evenings were a great success. Thank you for coming along and speaking to your child's teachers.  On March 27th we are going to have an OPEN NIGHT.  Please come after school to meet teachers and governors again, to look around the school, seeing more of your children's work and their classrooms.

 

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A warmer reception

 

All visitors are asked to come to reception when arriving on the school site.  If collecting children, you obviously do not need to do this every day.  However if you require anything please feel free to pop round and see Mrs Lawrence and Mrs Carvell.  They are always happy to help!  Please do not enter the school via any of the back entrances.  We try to keep the school secure and it does not help if adults are coming in and out through these doors.

 

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Hands on buzzers...!

 

The PTA are organising a quiz night for 25th April.  Please get into a team of up to 10 and speak to one of the committee members.

 

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Got a voucher?

 

 Have you recently been given a voucher by Tesco's or Sainsbury's?  Don't forget to pass them on to us!  They are really valuable in terms of school equipment.  They make a massive difference!  Please send them before the end of May, when the scheme stops and the vouchers become worthless!

 

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Child not coming to school?

 

Please remember to let us know by 9.30am if your child is unwell.  You can phone the school office any time after 8.30am or send a text: 01277 223651

 

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Dates!

 

 Don't forget!  Dates are on the website <a href="/a>

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for your on-going support.  Warmest regards for a  happy Easter.....Mr Scott-Evans (Head Teacher)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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