Dear Parent / Carer,
We have an early start for the newsletter this term. Newsletters will commence their usual Friday distribution next week. There is a weekly newsletter for parents from both me and the teaching team in each phase of school.
Firstly, may I wish everyone a warm welcome back to school. May I extend a particular welcome to children and parents who are new to our school.
I must also welcome Miss Lambert (Reception), Miss Mees (Y1/2), Mrs Moore (Y5/6), Mrs Charlesworth(Y3/4) to our teaching staff this year and welcome Mr Thurlow to the team at Robin Hood. Mr Thurlow will be with us full-time from September under a Route Into Headship Programme supported by Education Leeds that is designed to help those people with the required skills and qualifications back into School Leadership after a period in other education fields. Until the summer, Mr Thurlow was the Manager of the South Leeds City Learning Centre and an education advisor and consultant. Before that, he was a very successful Deputy Headteacher in a Primary School. Mr Thurlow joins us as Associate School Leader – to work alongside children, staff, Governors, Mrs Bailey and I to sharpen his appreciation of planning, organisation and day-to-day matters in school that will support his applications for School Leadership roles. As you may know, there is a national shortage of suitably qualified candidates for Headteacher posts. We are delighted to be adding Mr Thurlow’s skills to our team and to support his career transition.
We look forward with eager anticipation to the new skills and experiences that all new staff bring to our school.
As ever, Mrs McGrail, Mrs Hick and Mrs Wyman have been working hard throughout the summer to create the wonderful environment that we welcome our children back to. Many of our staff have spent a significant amount of time in school during the summer preparing. We have an incredibly dedicated and hardworking group of people at Robin Hood. I must pay a particular tribute to Mr Reynolds for his outstanding efforts in making our school look as fantastic as it did on opening day yesterday. Mr Reynolds takes great pride in his work, which is evident wherever you look at Robin Hood.
Parent Welcome Meetings
We will be hosting Welcome meetings for parents in each phase of school next week. These meetings are designed to provide more detailed information about the year ahead in school, about expectations for the year, reading information, etc. Please make every effort to attend. Parent Welcome Meetings take place in your child’s classroom on:
Monday 13th September
1.30 – 2.00 for parents of Reception children (we will provide play facilities for the children for the duration of the meeting)
2.30 – 3.00 for parents of Key Stage One (Year 1 & 2) children
The parents of children in Key Stage Two can join their child in their classroom at:
3.00 – 3.30 Lower Key Stage Two (Year 3 & 4) children
3.15 – 3.45 Upper Key Stage Two (Year 5 & 6) children
Wednesday 15th September
8.30 – 9.00 and 3.30 – 4.00 for parents of Nursery children
Friendly Faces
As you will know, the school has taken on the day-to-day management of the Friendly Faces Before and After School Childcare facility this year. We are looking forward to this exciting opportunity to work even more closely with parents and children at Robin Hood and to provide a level of service that matches that of main school. There are a few childcare spaces that remain available. Please contact Louise Parker on 07810071148.
We are keen to ascertain demand for full day Childcare at the Club on Training Days and during school holidays. If you are interested in this, please contact Louise at friendlyfacesatrobinhood@gmail.com Priority will be given to those children who already attend the Club.
Parent Governor Elections
Our first full Governing Body Meeting of the new school year takes place on Mon 18th October, by which time we hope to have three newly elected Parent Governors. Election forms will be distributed shortly. Parent Governor is a very important role for the school that requires commitment, energy and enthusiasm. Please consider standing for a Governance role.
James Driver
Those of you who know James will be aware that he has cerebral palsy and is a wheelchair user. James now needs a new wheelchair. He can get funding for a basic 'heavy' chair that he would need assistance with but James and his Mum would like a lightweight model that would give him greater independence, at a cost of £2,500.
Tracy Driver, Amanda Simpson, Tara and Andy Boak, all parents at Robin Hood Primary School, walked two and a half of the Three Peaks last Saturday to raise money for a new wheelchair for James. They started at 7 am in Horton-in-Ribblesdale but were eventually beaten by nightfall. They are going back to complete the trek within the next few weeks. Anyone wishing to sponsor, support or get involved in fundraising for James should contact Tracy, Amanda, Tara or Andy. Donations can be made via school…. Please seal any monies in an envelope, clearly marked James Driver Fund, and deposit in the silver postbox outside the School Office.
Welcome back.
Mr Wilson
