Sandiway Primary School: Looking Ahead

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
SANDIWAY PRIMARY
SCHOOL
Number 16
Spring Term 2016
www.sandiway.cheshire.sch.uk
Wednesday 20th January 2016
[email protected]
01606 883298
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Looki
Thursday 21st January

Special Lunch
We are serving a special lunch this
Thursday (tomorrow) with a menu
that we know the children will enjoy
- burgers and pizza. We would like
to encourage as many children to
try our school lunches as possible
and this is a good one to sample!
Monday 29th January
We continue to enjoy taking part in competitive sports - here

children enjoying the feeling taking part in an athletics events
with the anticipation of winning...see over for the outcome!
Thoughts from the week

It has been lovely to return to school to
see how much the children have changed
since I saw them last. I continue to be
proud of the way our children conduct
themselves - with confidence, good
manners and respect for all. This is
something we should not take for granted
and remember it is as a result of hard
work from both home and school.
Thank you to the parents who attended
the eSafety briefing last week. Although it
was a little disappointing not to see more
parents there, I appreciate that evenings
are not always the best times for parents.
As someone who tries to keep up-to-date
with technology, I continue to be amazed
at how technology is developing at such a
pace. The worry, of course, is how the
Internet is used to harm, abuse, scare,
endanger, groom and radicalise. Whilst
you may consider your home Internet to
be a safe place for children to play, I
strongly urge you to research and educate
yourself and your children at home about
the potential dangers.
Many organisations are working to

protect our young people. Vodafone
have produced a very useful magazine
called Digital Parenting. We have some
copies in school (help yourself from the
school oce - I have ordered more) or it
can be viewed at: http://
vodafonedigitalparenting.co.uk
As I have previously said, I will be
training the school sta this week to
recognise vulnerabilities around
extremism and radicalisation that our
children and families may be exposed to.
You may think this isnt an issue that
aects us (and the risk is low), but you
would be surprised about the incidents
that I am aware of within Cheshire West
and Chester. Yesterday, the government
gave further advice to schools and
parents through a new website: http://
www.educateagainsthate.com , which I
would recommend that you take some
time to look at and discuss with your
families.
Young Voices Concert Manchester

A lot of organising has gone into
this amazing experience - one
where thousands of school children
from all over the North West come
together at The Manchester Arena
to perform in their own concert. The
afternoon is spent rehearsing with a
live band to prepare for the main
event in the evening. We have
organised two coaches to take
parents to watch the performance you really are in for a treat!
Thursday 4th February

Conway Residential Parents
Meeting
The much-anticipated Conway
Residential for Year 5 is fast
approaching. We would like to invite
parents (and children) to attend a
meeting to find out about the centre
on Anglesey and to learn about
some of the activities they will be
involved with. The meeting starts at
6.00pm and should last no more
than one hour. Form Cs will be
handed out for completion to give
us medical and contact information
for the time the children will be
away.
More news...
Indoor Athletics
Thank you to Oliver Simpson, who wrote this report:
The indoor athletic trip was great because we were on a mini
bus. It was really intense but exciting at the same time. When
we got to Weaverham High School hall, we sat down and
waited for the other schools to get there. Eventually, we
started warming up. Then, we started doing the running
races. The boys went first, then the girls. Some of the races
were called the 6-lap parlauf. Then we did the 4 by 1, then
the obstacle course. We did lots of field events like the
vertical jump and the chest push. After that, it was the last
race; we were so nervous now. After the last race, we were
told to sit down in a line. Mr Finney said, It is time to find out
the scores!; it was down to the last two schools: Cuddington
and Sandiway. Happily, we came first! Well done everyone we were all very jolly!
School Attendance and Leave
Please find an additional letter with the Newsletter email that
reminds you that taking leave during term time is no longer
allowed. Only in exceptional circumstances is leave granted
as authorised. It is the Headteachers decision when
reviewing all requests and each will be looked at following a
strict set of criteria.
Parents Information Meeting
As promised, we will be holding an evening meeting where
we will spend some time looking at the new national
curriculum, how it is assessed by teachers and how some of
the year groups undertake statutory assessments at the end
of the year. This will take place on Thursday 17th March
2016 from 7.00pm.
The meeting will start in the hall for all parents where we will
give an overview of the new national curriculum from Year 1
to Year 6. Then we will split o into each of the classrooms,
where the teachers will be able to give additional information
about specific requirements of the curriculum for their year
group and how they will be assessed through the year and at
the end of the year. This will include specific information
about assessments for Reception, phonics for Year 1, end of
Key Stage assessments for Year 2 and for Year 6. As the end
of Key Stage assessments are new for this year, we are still
waiting for the Government to give further information to
schools about the tests and how the marks will be
interpreted. We anticipate this information to be with us soon
so that we can pass on the most up-to-date information to
you in March.
Residential Visits
During the next two terms, all children from Year 2 upwards
will be oered the opportunity to take part in a residential
visit. Such visits are a valuable part of childrens
development, both academically and socially. I have
personally been passionate about residential visits since I
first qualified as a teacher. I have had the pleasure of taking
hundreds of children away in my career to local centres in
Cheshire, into Shropshire, the Lake District, to London and
we even managed Switzerland one year!
I know that some children (and their parents) are nervous
about being away from home and stepping outside their
comfort zone, but please be assured that they are always
well looked after and, in my experience, children return home
a more confident person and are proud that they achieved
such a challenge. Our school sta are all experienced at
taking children away and do so very willingly as they see the
benefits to children - they always look after your children as

if they are their own.
This year, Year 2 will be making a short journey to Delamere
to enjoy activities and adventures in the forest environment.
Last year, children were excited to watch badgers feeding,
build shelters and sing around a lovely camp fire.
Years 3 and 4 are making a slightly longer journey to
Shropshire to enjoy three days in Ironbridge. This is a very
special place in England and one I highly recommend
visiting. They will be exploring our Industrial Heritage, visiting
a Victorian Town (which is just amazing), decorating ceramic
tiles and learning about how rivers shape our landscape.
Year 5 will be driving into Wales to stay at the Conway
Centre on Anglesey. I am sure that many parents remember
this visit from their school days. Qualified instructors work
with the children on fantastic activities which the children
absolutely love.
Finally at the end of the year, Year 6 will be making a threeday visit to London, exploring some of the wonderful sites of
our capital, including the London Eye, St Pauls Cathedral
and The Tower of London - a magical visit.
If you would like to find out more about these visits, or gain
further understanding about how we undertake risk
assessments and pre-visits, please contact your childs
class teacher or speak to me directly.
Carpet Cleaner
Can I remind you that we have a Rug Doctor available to hire
at a very reasonable rate. Please see Mr Alvin for more
details and for availability.
A message from Brownies
We are very low on numbers at the moment and I would like
to let all the girls in the village know that we have space if
you would like to join us. Please contact me by email to find
out more information: [email protected]
Sarah Greene (Brown Owl)
Dates for the next term (some additional dates have been
added)
Thursday 4th Feb
Conway Residential Parents

meeting (from 6.00pm)
Thursday 11th Feb
Y2 Fox Howl Residential parent

meeting
Friday 12th Feb
PTA Disco (early eve)

Break Up for half term holiday
Monday 22nd Feb
Children and sta return
Monday 29th February Young Voices Concert (pm/eve)
Wednesday 2nd March Y5 to Conway Centre (2 nights)
Wednesday 9th March
Full Governors Meeting
Monday 14th March
Y2 to Fox Howl (1 night)
Thursday 17th March
Information evening for parents

(curriculum and assessment) from

7.00pm
Tuesday 22nd March
Parents Evening
Wednesday 23rd March Parents Evening
Thursday 24th March
PTA Easter Egg Hunt

Easter Service led by Y3/4

(2.00pm)

Break up for Easter Weekend
Tuesday 29th March
Children and sta return

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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Spring Term 2016

Wednesday 20th January 2016

Thursday 21st January

Monday 29th January

We continue to enjoy taking part in competitive sports - here

Thoughts from the week

Many organisations are working to

Young Voices Concert Manchester

Thursday 4th February

benefits to children - they always look after your children as

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