Friday 8 April
10am to 12 noon
Easter Egg Hunt with the Friends of Rothwell Country Park
Rothwell Country Park
Springtime fun for all the family! Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Vehicles park on the car park off Bullough Lane
Contact Anne German on 0113 282 4529
Refreshments -
Donations welcome
Parking available near to site
Monday 2 May
7am to 9am
Early morning nature walk
Rothwell Country Park
Rise and shine for an early ramble to spot wildlife on this wonderful country park!
Meet by the entrance barrier off Bullough Lane.
Contact Anne German on 0113 282 4529
Cost £1 per person
Refreshments available
Donations welcome
Monday 4 June
2pm to 4pm
Community walk around the country park
Rothwell Country Park
Come and see the butterflies, dragonflies and wildflower meadow!
Meet in the car park off Bullough Lane
Contact Anne German on 0113 282 4529
Refreshments – donations to group funds
Saturday 2 July
10am to 3pm
Summer Fair
All Saints Parish Hall, Woodlesford
Cakes, raffles and gift stalls and much more at this fundraising event. All proceeds will go to Friends of Rothwell Country Park funds
Contact Anne German on 0113 282 4529
Wednesday 24 August
10am to 12 noon
Treasure Hunt
Rothwell Country Park
Come along, explore the Sculpture Park and hunt for hidden treasure. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Meet on the car park off Bullough Lane, by the entrance to the Sculpture Park.
Further details contact Anne 0113 282 4529.
Refreshments available.
Donations welcome
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Thursday, 24 March 2011
issue 25, 2010-11, 25th Mar 11
Dear Parent/Carer,
The weather has improved and Spring appears to have arrived! We’ve enjoyed fabulous learning experiences throughout school this week. Our Year 56 pupils began the week on a mission to Save The World for their Climate Change focus and Key Stage One pupils participated in a Bushtucker Trial on Tuesday. As ever, we had wonderful creativity coming out of our Nursery and Reception classes and, completing the ‘Full House’, our Year 34 pupils have been focusing on E-Safety. If you aren’t already doing so every week, please take some time to look at our incredible blogs. The blogs keep you up to date with the learning that is going on around our school, learning that is – as our blogs testify – truly amazing.
Parent Consultations
Parent Consultations take place next week, week commencing 28th March. If you do not have an appointment time, please contact Mrs Smith or Mrs Holland to make one. Parent Consultations are a very important part of our shared responsibility to help your child to enjoy and achieve in school.
Red Nose Day
Thanks to everyone who made a donation in Red Nose Day. Your generous donations last week raised a total of £356.60 towards the Appeal.
Friendly Faces
Our Friendly Faces Holiday Club is open again this Easter for eight days of the holiday. Due to the pattern of demand for places, Friendly Faces will be closed on Wed 6th and Thu 7th March only. Half Day (morning or afternoon) Childcare costs only £12.50, full days are charged at only £25.00. If you wish to book Childcare with Friendly Faces, please contact Louise Parker on 07810071148 or friendlyfacesatrobinhood@gmail.com. We are also taking bookings for the May Half Term and Summer at Friendly Faces. We are able to sustain a long term Holiday Club offer to parents only if there is sufficient demand for places.
Clubs
Except Keyboards and Guitar, there are no clubs next week due to Parent Consultations and the final week of the term. Clubs will begin again, as usual, on the second week back, week commencing 25th April.
Nursery Closure
Due to the Open Day for new parents, Nursery will be closed on Friday 27th May.
Parent Questionnaire
Many thanks to those people who have completed and returned a questionnaire.
Coffee Mornings in the Community Annexe
Our next Coffee Morning and Lost Property Sale takes place in the Community Annexe on Tuesday 29th March and on every second Tuesday.
Safeguarding Report
This year’s Annual Report to Parents on Safeguarding has been posted direct onto the newsletter blog site. This report is designed to keep you fully informed about the Safeguarding measures taken by the school. Blog address above. Parents can also access School Policies on our website at:
http://www.robinhood.leeds.sch.uk/parents/policies.php
Scoot to School
We will be holding a Scoot to School Week on the first week back after Easter, week commencing 18th April. If your child has a scooter… why not Scoot to School that week?
Extended Schools Easter Clubs
Easter activities, run by our local Extended Services Cluster, are as follows:
Venue Post Code Activity Dates (April) Club Ref
Rodillian High School WF3 3PS Dance Mon 4-Thur 7 HOL/125/19
Rodillian High School WF3 3PS Sports Mon 4-Thur 7 HOL/125/20
Rodillian High School WF3 3PS Dance Mon 11-Thur 14 HOL/125/21
Rodillian High School WF3 3PS Sports Mon 11-Thur 14 HOL/125/22
Woodkirk High School WF31JQ Sports Tue 5 – Thur 8 HOL/81/05
Westerton Primary School WF3 1AR Sports Tue 12 –Fri 15 HOL/216/06
Moortown Primary School LS17 6DR Sports Tue 12-Thur 14 HOL/1/01
College Grove Stadium WF1 3RR Football Tue 19-Thur 21 HOL/78/03
All clubs run 9.00am - 3.00pm. The four day clubs cost £12 per day or £40 for all four days. The three day clubs cost £12 per day or £30 for all three days
Book online at www.totalsportscoaching.co.uk or by telephone on 01133226115 between 9am and 4pm any weekday.
Have a fabulous weekend,
Mr Wilson
The weather has improved and Spring appears to have arrived! We’ve enjoyed fabulous learning experiences throughout school this week. Our Year 56 pupils began the week on a mission to Save The World for their Climate Change focus and Key Stage One pupils participated in a Bushtucker Trial on Tuesday. As ever, we had wonderful creativity coming out of our Nursery and Reception classes and, completing the ‘Full House’, our Year 34 pupils have been focusing on E-Safety. If you aren’t already doing so every week, please take some time to look at our incredible blogs. The blogs keep you up to date with the learning that is going on around our school, learning that is – as our blogs testify – truly amazing.
Parent Consultations
Parent Consultations take place next week, week commencing 28th March. If you do not have an appointment time, please contact Mrs Smith or Mrs Holland to make one. Parent Consultations are a very important part of our shared responsibility to help your child to enjoy and achieve in school.
Red Nose Day
Thanks to everyone who made a donation in Red Nose Day. Your generous donations last week raised a total of £356.60 towards the Appeal.
Friendly Faces
Our Friendly Faces Holiday Club is open again this Easter for eight days of the holiday. Due to the pattern of demand for places, Friendly Faces will be closed on Wed 6th and Thu 7th March only. Half Day (morning or afternoon) Childcare costs only £12.50, full days are charged at only £25.00. If you wish to book Childcare with Friendly Faces, please contact Louise Parker on 07810071148 or friendlyfacesatrobinhood@gmail.com. We are also taking bookings for the May Half Term and Summer at Friendly Faces. We are able to sustain a long term Holiday Club offer to parents only if there is sufficient demand for places.
Clubs
Except Keyboards and Guitar, there are no clubs next week due to Parent Consultations and the final week of the term. Clubs will begin again, as usual, on the second week back, week commencing 25th April.
Nursery Closure
Due to the Open Day for new parents, Nursery will be closed on Friday 27th May.
Parent Questionnaire
Many thanks to those people who have completed and returned a questionnaire.
Coffee Mornings in the Community Annexe
Our next Coffee Morning and Lost Property Sale takes place in the Community Annexe on Tuesday 29th March and on every second Tuesday.
Safeguarding Report
This year’s Annual Report to Parents on Safeguarding has been posted direct onto the newsletter blog site. This report is designed to keep you fully informed about the Safeguarding measures taken by the school. Blog address above. Parents can also access School Policies on our website at:
http://www.robinhood.leeds.sch.uk/parents/policies.php
Scoot to School
We will be holding a Scoot to School Week on the first week back after Easter, week commencing 18th April. If your child has a scooter… why not Scoot to School that week?
Extended Schools Easter Clubs
Easter activities, run by our local Extended Services Cluster, are as follows:
Venue Post Code Activity Dates (April) Club Ref
Rodillian High School WF3 3PS Dance Mon 4-Thur 7 HOL/125/19
Rodillian High School WF3 3PS Sports Mon 4-Thur 7 HOL/125/20
Rodillian High School WF3 3PS Dance Mon 11-Thur 14 HOL/125/21
Rodillian High School WF3 3PS Sports Mon 11-Thur 14 HOL/125/22
Woodkirk High School WF31JQ Sports Tue 5 – Thur 8 HOL/81/05
Westerton Primary School WF3 1AR Sports Tue 12 –Fri 15 HOL/216/06
Moortown Primary School LS17 6DR Sports Tue 12-Thur 14 HOL/1/01
College Grove Stadium WF1 3RR Football Tue 19-Thur 21 HOL/78/03
All clubs run 9.00am - 3.00pm. The four day clubs cost £12 per day or £40 for all four days. The three day clubs cost £12 per day or £30 for all three days
Book online at www.totalsportscoaching.co.uk or by telephone on 01133226115 between 9am and 4pm any weekday.
Have a fabulous weekend,
Mr Wilson
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Safeguarding - Keeping Children Healthy & Safe - Annual Report to Parents
Dear Parent/Carer,
This letter provides an annual update to parents on the Safeguarding measures that are taken at Robin Hood. Safeguarding covers all aspects of child safety, welfare and wellbeing and includes attendance, medicines, behaviour, Health & Safety and what children are taught about healthy lifestyles and safe practices.
In this letter, I share with you our policies and practices that relate to Safeguarding. School policies are in place to ensure that there is a consistent approach to practice throughout the school. It is my role as Headteacher to ensure that policies are adhered to by staff, governors and volunteers in school.
Adults have a tremendous impact on young children and, with this in mind, adults at Robin Hood:
• are good role models for children
• contribute to a climate of trust and co-operation
• work within the agreed policies of the school
• promote a happy, caring and safe school environment
• encourage children to think for themselves, ask questions and find answers
• create an environment of trust
• support and challenge children in their learning
• are conscientious and hard-working
• recognise, value and celebrate the strengths of every individual within the building.
Child Protection
All staff receive Child Protection training. This training was updated for all staff in September 2010. School and other services for children and families work together to support the needs of children. I am the designated Child Protection Officer in the school at this time. There is a named Governor for Child Protection. Currently, this is Jenny Curgenven. The Child Protection Policy can be viewed on the school website.
Attendance
Children’s attendance at school is monitored on a daily basis. Notable absences, patterns of absence and/or late marks are investigated by Mrs Comstive, our Learning Mentor. Attendance matters or concerns can be addressed to myself, to Mrs Comstive, or to Mrs Cookson, our SEN co-ordinator.
In serious cases of persistent absence, the Attendance Strategy Team is involved. All schools have a responsibility for promoting good attendance. Our school prides itself on its very good attendance figures. Our Attendance Policy can be viewed on the school website.
Behaviour
High standards of behaviour are expected at all times at Robin Hood. Pupils respect for our school and for one another is very high. Where necessary, children are reminded about the importance of everyone being happy and keeping safe. In the rare event of behaviour consistently falling below the level of our expectations, we will deal sensitively with the issue and engage with parents in order to bring about a swift return to acceptable standards. Our Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Policy can be viewed on the school website.
Health and Safety
All adults at Robin Hood are aware that they have a responsibility to ensure children and adults are able to work in a healthy and safe environment. The school has a number of First Aid and Paediatric First Aid-trained members of staff who deal with accidents, should they occur.
Curriculum
Through the planned curriculum we ensure that the issues of healthy eating, physical exercise and safety are taught. This is enhanced by the many visitors to school, eg; Police Officers - who talk to the children about issues such as road safety, safe people and drugs awareness - the School Nurse, etc.
Safer recruitment and selection
I hold the certificate in Safer Recruiting. At least one member of every interview panel has completed the Safer Recruiting training. All staff new to the school and volunteers who work in school on a regular basis have a CRB, List 99 and ISA check. Full references are acquired before any person takes up a post at the school.
Complaints
Should parents have any complaints the school staff will listen to your concerns and will follow up any issues arising. There is a clear procedure in place. I am always happy to meet with you and help resolve any issues. The school is committed to working closely with parents / carers for the benefit of our children. No problem is too small and, if dealt with immediately, can often be prevented from becoming a bigger issue. If you continue to feel an issue has not been resolved then you can contact the complaints committee of the governing body. Our Complaints Policy can be viewed on the school website.
In the twelve months since I last wrote to you with details of the Safeguarding measures we take, we have:
• Added additional signage around the school site
• Added signage to the Car Park area
• Worked with Leeds City Council to improve disabled parking access on Leeds Road
• Improved disabled access at the front of the school
• Improved security features on the Community Annexe building
• Added further safety fencing to the front of the school
• Added further safety features to the gate onto the Main Road adjacent to the Nursery Building
• Reviewed and updated all policies, practices and procedures
• Commissioned an independent review of Safeguarding, using ofsted and Education Leeds guidance
• Held a Safety Awareness Week in November 2010
• Had Health & Safety and Environmental Health reviews in our kitchen and in Friendly Faces
• Completed termly Health & Safety checks and acted upon the recommendations of our Health & Safety Officers
Other relevant policies that can be viewed on the school website:
• Lost & Missing Children
• Medicines in School
• Race Equality
• Safeguarding
• SEN & Inclusion
We all know that children thrive better and are able to reach their full potential when school and families work closely together. Everyone at Robin Hood is totally committed to this and we look forward to our continuing close partnership with you now and into the future.
Yours sincerely,
M.Wilson
Headteacher
March 2011
This letter provides an annual update to parents on the Safeguarding measures that are taken at Robin Hood. Safeguarding covers all aspects of child safety, welfare and wellbeing and includes attendance, medicines, behaviour, Health & Safety and what children are taught about healthy lifestyles and safe practices.
In this letter, I share with you our policies and practices that relate to Safeguarding. School policies are in place to ensure that there is a consistent approach to practice throughout the school. It is my role as Headteacher to ensure that policies are adhered to by staff, governors and volunteers in school.
Adults have a tremendous impact on young children and, with this in mind, adults at Robin Hood:
• are good role models for children
• contribute to a climate of trust and co-operation
• work within the agreed policies of the school
• promote a happy, caring and safe school environment
• encourage children to think for themselves, ask questions and find answers
• create an environment of trust
• support and challenge children in their learning
• are conscientious and hard-working
• recognise, value and celebrate the strengths of every individual within the building.
Child Protection
All staff receive Child Protection training. This training was updated for all staff in September 2010. School and other services for children and families work together to support the needs of children. I am the designated Child Protection Officer in the school at this time. There is a named Governor for Child Protection. Currently, this is Jenny Curgenven. The Child Protection Policy can be viewed on the school website.
Attendance
Children’s attendance at school is monitored on a daily basis. Notable absences, patterns of absence and/or late marks are investigated by Mrs Comstive, our Learning Mentor. Attendance matters or concerns can be addressed to myself, to Mrs Comstive, or to Mrs Cookson, our SEN co-ordinator.
In serious cases of persistent absence, the Attendance Strategy Team is involved. All schools have a responsibility for promoting good attendance. Our school prides itself on its very good attendance figures. Our Attendance Policy can be viewed on the school website.
Behaviour
High standards of behaviour are expected at all times at Robin Hood. Pupils respect for our school and for one another is very high. Where necessary, children are reminded about the importance of everyone being happy and keeping safe. In the rare event of behaviour consistently falling below the level of our expectations, we will deal sensitively with the issue and engage with parents in order to bring about a swift return to acceptable standards. Our Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Policy can be viewed on the school website.
Health and Safety
All adults at Robin Hood are aware that they have a responsibility to ensure children and adults are able to work in a healthy and safe environment. The school has a number of First Aid and Paediatric First Aid-trained members of staff who deal with accidents, should they occur.
Curriculum
Through the planned curriculum we ensure that the issues of healthy eating, physical exercise and safety are taught. This is enhanced by the many visitors to school, eg; Police Officers - who talk to the children about issues such as road safety, safe people and drugs awareness - the School Nurse, etc.
Safer recruitment and selection
I hold the certificate in Safer Recruiting. At least one member of every interview panel has completed the Safer Recruiting training. All staff new to the school and volunteers who work in school on a regular basis have a CRB, List 99 and ISA check. Full references are acquired before any person takes up a post at the school.
Complaints
Should parents have any complaints the school staff will listen to your concerns and will follow up any issues arising. There is a clear procedure in place. I am always happy to meet with you and help resolve any issues. The school is committed to working closely with parents / carers for the benefit of our children. No problem is too small and, if dealt with immediately, can often be prevented from becoming a bigger issue. If you continue to feel an issue has not been resolved then you can contact the complaints committee of the governing body. Our Complaints Policy can be viewed on the school website.
In the twelve months since I last wrote to you with details of the Safeguarding measures we take, we have:
• Added additional signage around the school site
• Added signage to the Car Park area
• Worked with Leeds City Council to improve disabled parking access on Leeds Road
• Improved disabled access at the front of the school
• Improved security features on the Community Annexe building
• Added further safety fencing to the front of the school
• Added further safety features to the gate onto the Main Road adjacent to the Nursery Building
• Reviewed and updated all policies, practices and procedures
• Commissioned an independent review of Safeguarding, using ofsted and Education Leeds guidance
• Held a Safety Awareness Week in November 2010
• Had Health & Safety and Environmental Health reviews in our kitchen and in Friendly Faces
• Completed termly Health & Safety checks and acted upon the recommendations of our Health & Safety Officers
Other relevant policies that can be viewed on the school website:
• Lost & Missing Children
• Medicines in School
• Race Equality
• Safeguarding
• SEN & Inclusion
We all know that children thrive better and are able to reach their full potential when school and families work closely together. Everyone at Robin Hood is totally committed to this and we look forward to our continuing close partnership with you now and into the future.
Yours sincerely,
M.Wilson
Headteacher
March 2011
Thursday, 17 March 2011
issue 24, 2010-11, 18th Mar 11
Dear Parent/Carer,
Red Nose Day
Thanks to everyone who has participated in today’s Red Nose Day event. The school is a sea of red…
Thanks
I would like this week to highlight the work of Mrs Cookson and Mrs Comstive at Robin Hood. As you will know, both Mrs Comstive and Mrs Cookson have been loyal servants to the school over many years. Their work on SEN and pastoral support for pupils and families is one of the key reasons that our SEN and potentially vulnerable pupils are well supported, are happy in school and consistently achieve outstandingly well. Both Mrs Cookson and Mrs Comstive have taken on additional areas of responsibility since Christmas and continue to do a typically thorough and successful job. We are genuinely fortunate that we have staff, like Mrs Comstive and Mrs Cookson, throughout our school who work with true dedication and passion in support of our children.
Friendly Faces
Our Friendly Faces Holiday Club is open again this Easter. Half Day (morning or afternoon) Childcare costs only £12.50, full days are charged at only £25.00. If you wish to book Childcare with Friendly Faces, please contact Louise Parker on 07810071148 or friendlyfacesatrobinhood@gmail.com. If you have any suggestions about the provision that you would like to see at Friendly Faces Holiday Clubs, we would like to hear from you. My recent update letter to the parents of children who use Friendly Faces has been posted to our newsletter blog, address at the top of this newsletter.
Easter Dates
We face three shortened school weeks on our return after the Easter Break. Our key Easter dates are:
Easter Celebration will be held in school, rather than at Lofthouse Church, this year. The Easter Celebration will be led by Key Stage One pupils and will begin at 2.30pm on Thursday 21st April and will be followed by the final of our Easter Egg Competition.
The Annual Robin Hood Easter Egg Competition will be open for entries from Monday 18th April and will be judged on Thursday 21st April. This is an event in the School Calendar that I personally always very much look forward to as there is always so much fabulous ingenuity and creativity on display. Standards are, of course, consistently egg-cellent, it is always a real egg-stravaganza.
School Closure Dates
Our Easter Break runs from 4th April to 17th April. We return to school on Monday 18th April. School will be closed on Friday 22nd April (Good Friday), Monday 25th April (Easter Monday), Friday 29th April (Royal Wedding), and Monday 2nd May (May Day). Leeds schools are therefore open only for a maximum of eight school days during the whole of April. This is due to Leeds opting for a fixed annual Easter Break.
Parent Consultations
Parent Consultations will take place during the week commencing 28th March. Letters detailing the available appointment times for individual teachers have been sent out. Please return your preferred appointment times as soon as possible. Appointment times are limited to a maximum of ten minutes. At the meeting, we will share an update on your child’s progress thus far this year. Please feel free to have a look around school at the wonderful displays and please respect appointment timings. One overrun delays everyone else’s appointment. If ten minutes is insufficient for your conversation with the teacher, please make a further appointment for a later date.
Parent Questionnaires
My thanks to those parents who have completed and returned our Questionnaire, issued last week. This is one important way in which we take feedback from you on provision at Robin Hood. The more questionnaires that are returned, the clearer picture we form of parental views. If you haven’t returned your questionnaire yet, please do so by next Monday. Questionnaire returns will be collated next week. They will be shared with our Governors and I will contact you thereafter with the findings, and the actions we intend to take as a result of your feedback, soon.
Coffee Mornings in the Community Annexe
I am pleased to report increased numbers in attendance at the Community Annexe Coffee Morning Jamie Oliver Sale this week. My thanks to Louise Parker, who stayed to talk to parents about the Friendly Faces Clubs. The commission from the sale will make a welcome donation to School Funds. My thanks to Julie Austin-Lee for being the inspiration for this super community activity, Julie Stott for organising the Jamie Oliver event and Georgie Hambling, who made Jamie Oliver cookies (to Jamie’s recipe), some of which made it to the Staff Room for sampling… Three items of Lost Property were reunited with their rightful owners last week, and three pieces this. Coffee Mornings, and Lost Property, will be in the Community Annexe every second Tuesday, our next sale is on Tuesday 29th March.
Have a lovely weekend,
Mr Wilson
Red Nose Day
Thanks to everyone who has participated in today’s Red Nose Day event. The school is a sea of red…
Thanks
I would like this week to highlight the work of Mrs Cookson and Mrs Comstive at Robin Hood. As you will know, both Mrs Comstive and Mrs Cookson have been loyal servants to the school over many years. Their work on SEN and pastoral support for pupils and families is one of the key reasons that our SEN and potentially vulnerable pupils are well supported, are happy in school and consistently achieve outstandingly well. Both Mrs Cookson and Mrs Comstive have taken on additional areas of responsibility since Christmas and continue to do a typically thorough and successful job. We are genuinely fortunate that we have staff, like Mrs Comstive and Mrs Cookson, throughout our school who work with true dedication and passion in support of our children.
Friendly Faces
Our Friendly Faces Holiday Club is open again this Easter. Half Day (morning or afternoon) Childcare costs only £12.50, full days are charged at only £25.00. If you wish to book Childcare with Friendly Faces, please contact Louise Parker on 07810071148 or friendlyfacesatrobinhood@gmail.com. If you have any suggestions about the provision that you would like to see at Friendly Faces Holiday Clubs, we would like to hear from you. My recent update letter to the parents of children who use Friendly Faces has been posted to our newsletter blog, address at the top of this newsletter.
Easter Dates
We face three shortened school weeks on our return after the Easter Break. Our key Easter dates are:
Easter Celebration will be held in school, rather than at Lofthouse Church, this year. The Easter Celebration will be led by Key Stage One pupils and will begin at 2.30pm on Thursday 21st April and will be followed by the final of our Easter Egg Competition.
The Annual Robin Hood Easter Egg Competition will be open for entries from Monday 18th April and will be judged on Thursday 21st April. This is an event in the School Calendar that I personally always very much look forward to as there is always so much fabulous ingenuity and creativity on display. Standards are, of course, consistently egg-cellent, it is always a real egg-stravaganza.
School Closure Dates
Our Easter Break runs from 4th April to 17th April. We return to school on Monday 18th April. School will be closed on Friday 22nd April (Good Friday), Monday 25th April (Easter Monday), Friday 29th April (Royal Wedding), and Monday 2nd May (May Day). Leeds schools are therefore open only for a maximum of eight school days during the whole of April. This is due to Leeds opting for a fixed annual Easter Break.
Parent Consultations
Parent Consultations will take place during the week commencing 28th March. Letters detailing the available appointment times for individual teachers have been sent out. Please return your preferred appointment times as soon as possible. Appointment times are limited to a maximum of ten minutes. At the meeting, we will share an update on your child’s progress thus far this year. Please feel free to have a look around school at the wonderful displays and please respect appointment timings. One overrun delays everyone else’s appointment. If ten minutes is insufficient for your conversation with the teacher, please make a further appointment for a later date.
Parent Questionnaires
My thanks to those parents who have completed and returned our Questionnaire, issued last week. This is one important way in which we take feedback from you on provision at Robin Hood. The more questionnaires that are returned, the clearer picture we form of parental views. If you haven’t returned your questionnaire yet, please do so by next Monday. Questionnaire returns will be collated next week. They will be shared with our Governors and I will contact you thereafter with the findings, and the actions we intend to take as a result of your feedback, soon.
Coffee Mornings in the Community Annexe
I am pleased to report increased numbers in attendance at the Community Annexe Coffee Morning Jamie Oliver Sale this week. My thanks to Louise Parker, who stayed to talk to parents about the Friendly Faces Clubs. The commission from the sale will make a welcome donation to School Funds. My thanks to Julie Austin-Lee for being the inspiration for this super community activity, Julie Stott for organising the Jamie Oliver event and Georgie Hambling, who made Jamie Oliver cookies (to Jamie’s recipe), some of which made it to the Staff Room for sampling… Three items of Lost Property were reunited with their rightful owners last week, and three pieces this. Coffee Mornings, and Lost Property, will be in the Community Annexe every second Tuesday, our next sale is on Tuesday 29th March.
Have a lovely weekend,
Mr Wilson
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Friendly Faces Update
Friendly Faces was taken over by the Governing Body at Robin Hood last August and now operates as a not-for-profit Before and After School Club, managed by the school. The Governing Body took the decision to bring Friendly Faces in-house as that was the overwhelming choice of parents when a questionnaire on the subject was put out in late 2009. The Governing Body felt that on-site childcare care at Before and After School Clubs could be best quality-assured – and thus the interests of parents could be best served - if management responsibility resided with the school.
The Club benefitted from a £48,000 investment in the fabric, fixtures and fittings of the building courtesy of a Sure Start grant won in a competitive bidding process in March 2010. At that time, very significant improvements were made, including; UPVC double-glazing throughout, full re-wiring, lowered ceiling, in-filled corner section that now provides cloakroom space, fully re-fitted and remodelled toilets, re-roofing, improved access and fire exits, re-fitted kitchen, air extraction, etc.
On taking responsibility for managing the provision that changed its name from Little Acorns to Friendly Faces – a name chosen by the children attending the Club – the school took on increased costs. The cost of staffing rose significantly, as Friendly Faces staff were job-matched against other posts within Leeds City Council… a process that has happened nationwide… and weekly hours for cleaning and food preparation were increased. The budget for the weekly food shopping was tripled from that of Little Acorns in order to ensure that children were receiving very good value for money and a wide variety and choice of foods. £4,000 of investment in furniture and resources was also made for the opening of the Club in September. A further £5,000 has now been spent on improved security, heating and lighting – courtesy of a further £2,500 Sure Start grant – and on furniture and play resources. These have all been necessary expenditures to bring the Club steadily towards a level of quality that we aspire to. Prices for the Clubs have remained constant at the Little Acorns, and formerly Apple Tree, rates.
Mar 2011
The Club benefitted from a £48,000 investment in the fabric, fixtures and fittings of the building courtesy of a Sure Start grant won in a competitive bidding process in March 2010. At that time, very significant improvements were made, including; UPVC double-glazing throughout, full re-wiring, lowered ceiling, in-filled corner section that now provides cloakroom space, fully re-fitted and remodelled toilets, re-roofing, improved access and fire exits, re-fitted kitchen, air extraction, etc.
On taking responsibility for managing the provision that changed its name from Little Acorns to Friendly Faces – a name chosen by the children attending the Club – the school took on increased costs. The cost of staffing rose significantly, as Friendly Faces staff were job-matched against other posts within Leeds City Council… a process that has happened nationwide… and weekly hours for cleaning and food preparation were increased. The budget for the weekly food shopping was tripled from that of Little Acorns in order to ensure that children were receiving very good value for money and a wide variety and choice of foods. £4,000 of investment in furniture and resources was also made for the opening of the Club in September. A further £5,000 has now been spent on improved security, heating and lighting – courtesy of a further £2,500 Sure Start grant – and on furniture and play resources. These have all been necessary expenditures to bring the Club steadily towards a level of quality that we aspire to. Prices for the Clubs have remained constant at the Little Acorns, and formerly Apple Tree, rates.
Mar 2011
Friday, 11 March 2011
issue 23, 2010-11, 11th Mar 11
Dear Parent/Carer,
We have had another brilliant week in school this week. There has been lots going on, as ever, and lots of evidence of great learning and great teaching going on all around our school. I would like to give a special mention this week to Miss Oxley for her fabulous work in setting up our Bug Hotels and Bug Blog… all the more remarkable, given her feelings towards bugs… and to Mrs Friar once again for the extraordinary work that she is doing with our garden areas. Mrs Friar and Miss Oxley are also working together on our EcoSchool credentials, helping us to improve our recycling, become more self-sufficient and offset our carbon footprint. My thanks to O2 who have generously provided soil and bins to help us with this effort.
Red Nose Day
Red Nose Day is next Friday, 18th March. As is usual, we have a non-uniform day and ask children to bring a donation for the Red Nose Appeal. All money raised goes direct to the charity. We ask children to wear something red on the day, or wear a Red Nose Day T-Shirt. Red Nose Day is always a fun day for all.
Miss Gascoigne
We wish Miss Gascoigne a safe and enjoyable trip as she heads off for Senegal next week to meet with our colleagues and partners from Uganda and Senegal.
Training Days
As I am sure you are aware, our remaining Training Day this academic year will be taken on 8th July.
Next school year (2011-12), our Training Days will be on:
Mon 5 Sep '11, Tues 6 Sep '11, Mon 3 Jan '12, Mon 16 Apr '12 and Fri 6 Jul '12.
These dates appear on our website (Parents Section) and will, of course, appear on the online newsletter blog. We aim wherever possible to link Training Days to school holidays and/or weekends in order to minimise the disruption for families and to provide as much advance notice as possible.
The Education Leeds Calendar for 2011-12 is available from their website www.educationleeds.co.uk We will be in the strange position again in 2012 of finishing school for the Summer Holidays on a Monday... which is the third time in the past four or five years.
Holidays in term time
I am asked about holidays in term time around this time every year, as all our thoughts turn towards Summer Holidays. Our Attendance Policy is available for download from our website: http://www.robinhood.leeds.sch.uk/parents/policies.php The Attendance Policy is common to all schools within Rothwell and is based upon the policy recommended by Education Leeds. Our policy requires that parents seek permission before booking a holiday and that holiday permissions will usually be granted, except:
• Where a holiday absence request exceeds ten days;
• Where attendance is below 90%;
• Where a previous holiday absence request of five days or more has been agreed during the same or the previous academic year.
The rule of thumb is if your child had a holiday absence of five or more days in one academic year, a holiday absence request the following year will not be granted.
Parent Consultations
Our next round of Parental Consultation Meetings will take place during the week commencing 28th March. Information on appointment times, etc will be issued shortly.
Scoot to School
My thanks to those parents who returned the School Travel Surveys. They have been returned to Leeds City Council for analysis and we await their findings and support in encouraging alternate means of travelling to school. We will be holding a Scoot to School Week on the first week back after Easter, week commencing 18th April. If your child has a scooter… why not Scoot to School that week?
Coffee Mornings in the Community Annexe
Our next Community Annexe Coffee Morning is on Tuesday 15th March where we will be holding a Jamie Oliver Cookware Sale. Tea, coffee, juice, biscuits and toast will be on offer. My thanks to Julie Austin-Lee and everyone who supported our first meeting on the 1st. All funds raised at Community Annexe events will be donated to the school. Mrs Hambling’s Rocky Road biscuit was certainly a big success last time around… and luckily there was enough left over for staff to sample. Some sampled it more than once…
Have a lovely weekend,
Mr Wilson
We have had another brilliant week in school this week. There has been lots going on, as ever, and lots of evidence of great learning and great teaching going on all around our school. I would like to give a special mention this week to Miss Oxley for her fabulous work in setting up our Bug Hotels and Bug Blog… all the more remarkable, given her feelings towards bugs… and to Mrs Friar once again for the extraordinary work that she is doing with our garden areas. Mrs Friar and Miss Oxley are also working together on our EcoSchool credentials, helping us to improve our recycling, become more self-sufficient and offset our carbon footprint. My thanks to O2 who have generously provided soil and bins to help us with this effort.
Red Nose Day
Red Nose Day is next Friday, 18th March. As is usual, we have a non-uniform day and ask children to bring a donation for the Red Nose Appeal. All money raised goes direct to the charity. We ask children to wear something red on the day, or wear a Red Nose Day T-Shirt. Red Nose Day is always a fun day for all.
Miss Gascoigne
We wish Miss Gascoigne a safe and enjoyable trip as she heads off for Senegal next week to meet with our colleagues and partners from Uganda and Senegal.
Training Days
As I am sure you are aware, our remaining Training Day this academic year will be taken on 8th July.
Next school year (2011-12), our Training Days will be on:
Mon 5 Sep '11, Tues 6 Sep '11, Mon 3 Jan '12, Mon 16 Apr '12 and Fri 6 Jul '12.
These dates appear on our website (Parents Section) and will, of course, appear on the online newsletter blog. We aim wherever possible to link Training Days to school holidays and/or weekends in order to minimise the disruption for families and to provide as much advance notice as possible.
The Education Leeds Calendar for 2011-12 is available from their website www.educationleeds.co.uk We will be in the strange position again in 2012 of finishing school for the Summer Holidays on a Monday... which is the third time in the past four or five years.
Holidays in term time
I am asked about holidays in term time around this time every year, as all our thoughts turn towards Summer Holidays. Our Attendance Policy is available for download from our website: http://www.robinhood.leeds.sch.uk/parents/policies.php The Attendance Policy is common to all schools within Rothwell and is based upon the policy recommended by Education Leeds. Our policy requires that parents seek permission before booking a holiday and that holiday permissions will usually be granted, except:
• Where a holiday absence request exceeds ten days;
• Where attendance is below 90%;
• Where a previous holiday absence request of five days or more has been agreed during the same or the previous academic year.
The rule of thumb is if your child had a holiday absence of five or more days in one academic year, a holiday absence request the following year will not be granted.
Parent Consultations
Our next round of Parental Consultation Meetings will take place during the week commencing 28th March. Information on appointment times, etc will be issued shortly.
Scoot to School
My thanks to those parents who returned the School Travel Surveys. They have been returned to Leeds City Council for analysis and we await their findings and support in encouraging alternate means of travelling to school. We will be holding a Scoot to School Week on the first week back after Easter, week commencing 18th April. If your child has a scooter… why not Scoot to School that week?
Coffee Mornings in the Community Annexe
Our next Community Annexe Coffee Morning is on Tuesday 15th March where we will be holding a Jamie Oliver Cookware Sale. Tea, coffee, juice, biscuits and toast will be on offer. My thanks to Julie Austin-Lee and everyone who supported our first meeting on the 1st. All funds raised at Community Annexe events will be donated to the school. Mrs Hambling’s Rocky Road biscuit was certainly a big success last time around… and luckily there was enough left over for staff to sample. Some sampled it more than once…
Have a lovely weekend,
Mr Wilson
Thursday, 3 March 2011
issue 22, Fri 4th Mar 2010-2011
Dear Parent/Carer,
As ever, there was lots of activity going on in school during the Half Term... Air-conditioning in our Year 34 classrooms, electrical work, carpentry work, new storage in our Reception classroom and new furniture in Friendly Faces. I would like to thank of Mr Reynolds and his team, Mrs Nash, Mrs McGrail, Mrs Wyman, Mrs Hick for their heroic efforts.
Further congratulations are due to Mrs Nash and the kitchen team, who achieved a Five Star Hygiene Rating in a recent kitchen inspection.
Friendly Faces
I was delighted to see children and staff really enjoying themselves when I dropped in on a couple of days to Friendly Faces during the holiday. Questionnaires about provision were distributed to parents and children this week. If you are interested in Holiday Clubs and/or Before and After School Care at Friendly Faces, please contact Louise Parker on 07810071148. We are currently talking to the children who use the service about the kinds of things they would like to do at our Holiday Clubs and we will be offering an even wider range of exciting activities at the Holiday Clubs soon.
School Links
Happily, Miss Thackeray, Miss Hinton and Miss Lambert returned safely from their trip during the final week of last Half Term to Austria where they met with our European colleagues. Our Year 34 children are now working on the next phase of our pan-European project. I received very positive feedback about our school after a recent lecture that I gave to teacher trainees at Trinity and All Saints College. The College are very keen to develop a partnership with Robin Hood because of the quality of our teaching and curriculum. It is pleasing that the school receives recognition for its excellence within the educational community, to the extent that colleagues from the Swedish Teacher Training programme have expressed an interest in placing trainee teachers with us (!) Miss Hinton is currently working on a number of exciting projects with the BBC. We have had a long and fruitful association with the BBC. Links like these help us to improve as a school and to provide exciting new opportunities for our pupils and staff.
Mrs Wood
Mrs Wood, until recently our Chair of Governors… and Governor of twenty years standing at Robin Hood, achieved a significant birthday this week. We celebrated with her by sending a card from all of the staff and flowers. Mrs Wood is, and has been, a very active member of the local community and has served on many Public Bodies for the benefit of the community over many years. We are, and have been, very fortunate to have Mrs Wood’s wisdom and loyal support as a Governor at Robin Hood to draw upon. Good Governance is vital to the success of any school. Mrs Wood has played a key part in the success at Robin Hood over many years. I am sure that you will join me in wishing Mrs Wood a very happy birthday and in thanking her for her contribution to the pupils, school and community.
Mrs Dale
We will be welcoming Mrs Dale back on Monday morning after her Maternity Leave. Mrs Dale will return to join the Year 56 team.
Walk to School
You may remember me reporting in a previous newsletter that I was contacted by Vicki Franks, Transport Planner at Leeds City Council, who informed me that Robin Hood falls in the top 5% of Leeds schools where pupils live within 0.8km of the school and travel by car. I met with Vicki to discuss what additional support and encouragement we can give to reducing the number of car journeys required to get our children to and from school. The ideas discussed included a Walking Bus, Walk Once A Week (WOW!), School Walking Week, Bike Week and Scoot to School. We will be holding a Scoot to School Week on the first week back after Easter, week commencing 18th April. If your child has a scooter… why not Scoot to School that week?
Coffee Mornings in the Community Annexe
Our next Community Annexe Coffee Morning is on Tuesday 15th March where we will be holding a Jamie Oliver Cookware Sale. Tea, coffee, juice, biscuits and toast will be on offer. My thanks to Julie Austin-Lee and everyone who supported our first meeting on the 1st. All funds raised at Community Annexe events will be donated to the school. Mrs Hambling’s Rocky Road biscuit was certainly a big success last time around… and luckily there was enough left over for staff to sample. Some sampled it more than once…
PTA Update
It is unfortunate that key PTA events that we have become used to, including Race Night, Easter Egg Tombola, Mothers Day Flowers and Summer Fayre, will not be going ahead this year due to the lack of recent support for and contributions. We have a very dedicated and hard-working group of supporters who have consistently taken responsibility for PTA events, but they are few in number. An active PTA is always of great value to a school, from a social and community point of view. PTA’s also raise much needed funds that enhance the provision for children that can otherwise be offered on tight budgets. Any help, encouragement, support or ideas that you can contribute, please contact Jenny Curgenven, tel:01924 822363.
Notification of Absence
Please ensure that you inform us before 9.30am if your child will be absent from school and in advance if they have an appointment that will mean either late arrival or early departure during the day. Please do not expect that we will be able to deal immediately with a request to take a child out of school without advance notice and a valid reason.
Thanks to The Halfway House
Customers at The Halfway House held a raffle on behalf of the school recently and as a result made a donation of £90.00 to School Fund. We are very grateful for their generosity.
Welcome back and have a lovely weekend,
Mr Wilson
As ever, there was lots of activity going on in school during the Half Term... Air-conditioning in our Year 34 classrooms, electrical work, carpentry work, new storage in our Reception classroom and new furniture in Friendly Faces. I would like to thank of Mr Reynolds and his team, Mrs Nash, Mrs McGrail, Mrs Wyman, Mrs Hick for their heroic efforts.
Further congratulations are due to Mrs Nash and the kitchen team, who achieved a Five Star Hygiene Rating in a recent kitchen inspection.
Friendly Faces
I was delighted to see children and staff really enjoying themselves when I dropped in on a couple of days to Friendly Faces during the holiday. Questionnaires about provision were distributed to parents and children this week. If you are interested in Holiday Clubs and/or Before and After School Care at Friendly Faces, please contact Louise Parker on 07810071148. We are currently talking to the children who use the service about the kinds of things they would like to do at our Holiday Clubs and we will be offering an even wider range of exciting activities at the Holiday Clubs soon.
School Links
Happily, Miss Thackeray, Miss Hinton and Miss Lambert returned safely from their trip during the final week of last Half Term to Austria where they met with our European colleagues. Our Year 34 children are now working on the next phase of our pan-European project. I received very positive feedback about our school after a recent lecture that I gave to teacher trainees at Trinity and All Saints College. The College are very keen to develop a partnership with Robin Hood because of the quality of our teaching and curriculum. It is pleasing that the school receives recognition for its excellence within the educational community, to the extent that colleagues from the Swedish Teacher Training programme have expressed an interest in placing trainee teachers with us (!) Miss Hinton is currently working on a number of exciting projects with the BBC. We have had a long and fruitful association with the BBC. Links like these help us to improve as a school and to provide exciting new opportunities for our pupils and staff.
Mrs Wood
Mrs Wood, until recently our Chair of Governors… and Governor of twenty years standing at Robin Hood, achieved a significant birthday this week. We celebrated with her by sending a card from all of the staff and flowers. Mrs Wood is, and has been, a very active member of the local community and has served on many Public Bodies for the benefit of the community over many years. We are, and have been, very fortunate to have Mrs Wood’s wisdom and loyal support as a Governor at Robin Hood to draw upon. Good Governance is vital to the success of any school. Mrs Wood has played a key part in the success at Robin Hood over many years. I am sure that you will join me in wishing Mrs Wood a very happy birthday and in thanking her for her contribution to the pupils, school and community.
Mrs Dale
We will be welcoming Mrs Dale back on Monday morning after her Maternity Leave. Mrs Dale will return to join the Year 56 team.
Walk to School
You may remember me reporting in a previous newsletter that I was contacted by Vicki Franks, Transport Planner at Leeds City Council, who informed me that Robin Hood falls in the top 5% of Leeds schools where pupils live within 0.8km of the school and travel by car. I met with Vicki to discuss what additional support and encouragement we can give to reducing the number of car journeys required to get our children to and from school. The ideas discussed included a Walking Bus, Walk Once A Week (WOW!), School Walking Week, Bike Week and Scoot to School. We will be holding a Scoot to School Week on the first week back after Easter, week commencing 18th April. If your child has a scooter… why not Scoot to School that week?
Coffee Mornings in the Community Annexe
Our next Community Annexe Coffee Morning is on Tuesday 15th March where we will be holding a Jamie Oliver Cookware Sale. Tea, coffee, juice, biscuits and toast will be on offer. My thanks to Julie Austin-Lee and everyone who supported our first meeting on the 1st. All funds raised at Community Annexe events will be donated to the school. Mrs Hambling’s Rocky Road biscuit was certainly a big success last time around… and luckily there was enough left over for staff to sample. Some sampled it more than once…
PTA Update
It is unfortunate that key PTA events that we have become used to, including Race Night, Easter Egg Tombola, Mothers Day Flowers and Summer Fayre, will not be going ahead this year due to the lack of recent support for and contributions. We have a very dedicated and hard-working group of supporters who have consistently taken responsibility for PTA events, but they are few in number. An active PTA is always of great value to a school, from a social and community point of view. PTA’s also raise much needed funds that enhance the provision for children that can otherwise be offered on tight budgets. Any help, encouragement, support or ideas that you can contribute, please contact Jenny Curgenven, tel:01924 822363.
Notification of Absence
Please ensure that you inform us before 9.30am if your child will be absent from school and in advance if they have an appointment that will mean either late arrival or early departure during the day. Please do not expect that we will be able to deal immediately with a request to take a child out of school without advance notice and a valid reason.
Thanks to The Halfway House
Customers at The Halfway House held a raffle on behalf of the school recently and as a result made a donation of £90.00 to School Fund. We are very grateful for their generosity.
Welcome back and have a lovely weekend,
Mr Wilson
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